Christmas and New Year in NYC

Over the years I’ve been a few times in New York City. You never get bored of this City and there is always something new to discover. The best time of the year to visit NYC would be Christmas and New Year for me. To see all the beautiful stores decorated, the tree at Rockefeller Center and make a NYE cruise at the Hudson River with fireworks, the Statue of Liberty and New York City on the background.

Where to Stay
Due to being in New York City a few times I’ve stayed on several locations. First time New York City was with my parents in 2007. We stayed in the Crown plaza times square Manhattan. It was amazing being surrounded with the big screens of Timesquare. It’s really a once in a lifetime experience. Across the hotel restaurant was the billboard of the M&M Store which shows all hilarious movies of Yellow and Red and many more. Which was quite fun every morning at breakfast. It was a perfect location surrounded by shops and skyscrapers. Every day we walked so many blocks to see all of New York. One tip: Bring good shoes with you.

My 2nd visit to New York was on the 2nd day of Christmas until 2nd of January in 2019. Many had changed already in New York City. For example there has been made a beautiful memorial place for 9/11 you really have to see it. In 2007 this was already an impressive place where a lot was being rebuild again and remembered. It’s good to see that New York is recovered again.

During our stay in New York we stayed up north next to Central Park. The subway was close to our hotel and there are many nice places to have breakfast in the morning. The hotel where we stayed is unfortunately for the location, closed, but it required some renovation, so I am not surprised it’s closed. Want to go for drinks with friends? One block away from the hotel was a really nice bar/pub. Nothing fancy, just a nice brown cafe as we call it. Here you can have a good beer, wine or cocktail. While you enjoy your drink look around the bar, there is a lot to see around you. The bar is called Broadway Dive. We had some great nights here. With New Year we booked ourselves a NYE Cruise with food and drinks included. Music to sing and dance the night away. All dressed up, really a night to look back at for many years to come. At midnight you see the fireworks, statue of liberty and New York City at the background.

The 3rd time in New York was last september 2022 we stayed in Four points by Sheraton Downtown. We arrived by train from Boston. A perfect way to travel to Penn Station. From Penn Station it was only 12 minutes to Fulton street by Subway and only 3 minutes walk to the hotel. As well a good location once you use the subway, but we walked a lot as well. Above ground you see the most of NYC.

Morning walk
From the hotel it’s not far away to the 9/11 memorial. Which is still impressive. We were there at 9/11/22. the night before and day after you can visit, but at 9/11 itself it’s for close family of the victims. We walked from there to West Broadway to view the Ghostbuster’s firehouse Hook & Ladder 8(Location: corner Varick St./N Moore St) From there we headed to the Friends Appartment (Location: corner Bedford St./Grove St.) of the serie and last but not least Carrie Bradshaw’s house (Location: 66 Perry St.) and the Magnolia Bakery (Location: West 11th St./401 Bleecker St.).
From that point we made a stroll along the Hudson River to the Little Island and did a small part of the High Line. You can keep walking and exploring in New York.

Where to go in New York during Christmas?
From the End of November, after Thanksgiving, the city is transforming into Christmas. Shops have Christmas decoration in- and outside the stores. Especially at night you can see all the lights.

Everyone seen Home Alone 2: Lost in New York?
During my 2nd visit in New York, we were close to Central Park. Therefor we went searching for the tunnel in the park. Where the scene is taken with the woman and her doves who chased away the crooks. We visited the Plaza hotel where Kevin stayed and of course the tree at Rockefeller Centre. Every year there is a large Christmas tree set up in the Plaza hotel lobby. Want to stay and enjoy the hotel longer, but don’t have money to stay in the hotel. Try the Palm Court plaza restaurant where you can enjoy an afternoon tea, breakfast or lunch. Book the palm court plaza up front, it’s fully booked easily.
Enjoy Christmas magic in New York! Christmas is everywhere!

Probably I’ve forgot about many more Christmas and New Year topics in the city. Keep me posted via below comments.