Going to New York for the first time

[GrantMeThePower]

I was thinking maybe seeing a show-either Wicked, How The Grinch Stole Christmas or the Radio City Chritsmas Special (cuz we?re doing an xmas theme trip).

We'll be there from Dec 15-18.

Obviously the typical things also- the empire state building, central park, a museum (which one?), ice skating, hot chocolate, shopping?.?

We're staying in the Midtown area about a block from Times Square. Neither of us have ever been and I'm totally stoked. Coming from California where christmas time is always sunny and hot, being able to experience the cold sounds really fun.

 

[Baked]

Camp out at Central Park.

 

[RyanB18]

I would highly recommend The Lion King. It is a fantastic show with a great story, great music, and unbelievable costumes. Go to battery park and check out the statue of liberty, even if you don't actually go the the statue. If you wan't to see it though you need to get tickets at least 24 hours in advance.

 

[SuperNaruto]

ice skating in central park..

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
...where christmas time is always sunny and hot, being able to experience the cold sounds really fun.

Prepare to die.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
I was thinking maybe seeing a show-either Wicked, How The Grinch Stole Christmas or the Radio City Chritsmas Special (cuz we?re doing an xmas theme trip).

We'll be there from Dec 15-18.

Obviously the typical things also- the empire state building, central park, a museum (which one?), ice skating, hot chocolate, shopping?.?

We're staying in the Midtown area about a block from Times Square. Neither of us have ever been and I'm totally stoked. Coming from California where christmas time is always sunny and hot, being able to experience the cold sounds really fun.

If you like art, the MET is good. I prefer the American Museum of Natural History, they have a really good dinosaur exhibit.

 

[talyn00]

ice skating in rockefeller center, no idea how much that would cost, but you would get a nice view of the tree around that time.

 

[EGGO]

Nothing happens during the Radio City Christmas Special. Enjoy the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, though. I don't know, a lot of the ecksmas traditions of NYC just aren't my thing but if you're going for such a theme, definitely do those things, especially ice skating under the tree. The ceremony starts at 29 November at 7:00 pm.

[edit] I just remembered that you wouldn't be there at that time, sorry.

Originally posted by: RyanB18
I would highly recommend The Lion King. It is a fantastic show with a great story, great music, and unbelievable costumes. Go to battery park and check out the statue of liberty, even if you don't actually go the the statue. If you wan't to see it though you need to get tickets at least 24 hours in advance.

They moved the Lion King to Philadelphia. I just saw it not too long ago when I visited.

 

[EPCrew]

Originally posted by: SuperNaruto
ice skating in central park..

afterwards, pr0n shops on 8th avenue. maybe a walk through the west village.

 

[GoPackGo]

Statue of Liberty
Ground Zero
United Nations area
Hells Kitchen
Wall Street
Subway
Taxi Ride
Kick a trash can...
Walk along the hudson

 

[talyn00]

Also check out SoHo for some shopping(or window shopping). If you're into modern art check out MoMA. and don't forget Chinatown for some cheap food

 

[GrantMeThePower]

These are great suggestions!!! Thanks everyone!

I really liked: SoHo, Battery Park, and walking the Hudson, but i have a couple other questions:

About the shows: Is it a concensus to see The Lion King over Wicked?

The museums: Is the Met or the guggenheim better? I like the sound of the Natural History to see the dino exhibit. I don't think we'll have time to go to all of them though. Which is the MUST see?

Ice skating: Is it in Central Park or the Rockerfeller Center?

 

[ThePresence]

There are 2 skating rinks. One in Rockerfeller Center and one in Central Park. Also one at Chelsea Piers, but I don't thinkyou want an indoor one.

 

[talyn00]

I've only been ice skating in Central Park before, however there also is ice skating in Rockefeller Center. Its probably gonna be cheaper and more space at Central Park, at Rockefeller you'll just get to skate under that huge Christmas tree. I also remember hearing about ice skating at Bryant Park, behind the 5th Ave Library. (not sure if the Bryant Park ice skating will be done this year)

http://www.centralparknyc.org/thingstodo/sports/iceskating

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Statue of Liberty
Ground Zero
United Nations area
Hells Kitchen
Wall Street
Subway
Taxi Ride
Kick a trash can...
Walk along the hudson

You forgot the Empire State Building Observatory. also Rockefeller Center has a new Observatory.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
There are 2 skating rinks. One in Rockerfeller Center and one in Central Park. Also one at Chelsea Piers, but I don't thinkyou want an indoor one.

Ok, I gotcha.

Which is better?

Has anyone gone to both?

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
also Rockefeller Center has a new Observatory.

That's open already? Cool, gotta check out.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower

Originally posted by: ThePresence
There are 2 skating rinks. One in Rockerfeller Center and one in Central Park. Also one at Chelsea Piers, but I don't thinkyou want an indoor one.

Ok, I gotcha.

Which is better?

Has anyone gone to both?

Rockefeller's is smaller, but has that famous view of the tree and the angel thing.

Central Park (Wollman) rink is bigger; and you're in central park

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Statue of Liberty
Ground Zero
United Nations area
Hells Kitchen
Wall Street
Subway
Taxi Ride
Kick a trash can...
Walk along the hudson

You forgot the Empire State Building Observatory. also Rockefeller Center has a new Observatory.

Didnt know that about Rockefeller Center, but OP already mentioned Empire State Building (a must)

The WTC was a must as well. The view of the Statue of Liberty was breathtaking.

Oh also forgot ...Ellis Island.

 

[GoPackGo]

Also....with it being winter and it getting dark early, look for shows off broadway to do at night. They are typically much cheaper and can be just as fun.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Also....with it being winter and it getting dark early, look for shows off broadway to do at night. They are typically much cheaper and can be just as fun.

How do I find off-broadway tickets?

For that matter, does anyone know the best place to get show tickets period? Ebay?

 

[EPCrew]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Also....with it being winter and it getting dark early, look for shows off broadway to do at night. They are typically much cheaper and can be just as fun.

How do I find off-broadway tickets?

For that matter, does anyone know the best place to get show tickets period? Ebay?

TicketMaster

 

[EPCrew]

Not sure what your budget is but you should try to make nice dinner reservations.

 

[talyn00]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Also....with it being winter and it getting dark early, look for shows off broadway to do at night. They are typically much cheaper and can be just as fun.

How do I find off-broadway tickets?

For that matter, does anyone know the best place to get show tickets period? Ebay?

If you're looking to get tickets for cheap, and are willing to wait till the day of the show. You might want to check out the TKTS booths at 47th street and Broadway.

"TKTS sells unsold tickets on the day of performance for all Broadway shows for 25-50% off the box office price plus a $3.00 service charge per ticket." *Note they only accept cash and travelers checks.

http://www.tdf.org/tkts/

 

[ThePresence]

Madame Tussauds
Central Park horse-drawn rides
(Just get to Central Park South and follow your nose)