Christmas in NYC: What You Need to Know

As a NYC Vacation Planner and Concierge, I have planned hundreds of trips for travelers to NYC during the Christmas Holiday Season. It is by far, the busiest time of year for my business and for the city itself. Here are my top tips for planning your next holiday trip to the city.

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Start planning in October.

In order to get the hotel room, reservations and tickets you want you should start planning in October. Selection drops drastically by mid-November with most holiday special events and themed restaurants becoming fully booked by Thanksgiving. For example, all reservations at Tavern on the Green or Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel are booked through January 2nd by the second week of November.

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Expect outrageous hotel prices.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year rooms will cost $700-$1200 per night. These prices are for 3 and 4-star hotels. Expect to pay much more for a 5-star hotel. You may be able to find some options down in the Financial District or over in Queens for $350-$500 per night.
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Broadway shows will cost more than any other time of the year.

Show prices are based on dynamic pricing, meaning when the demand goes up the prices increase accordingly. Attending a show during the holiday season is a popular activity since they are often family friendly and also offer a respite from the cold.

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Allow double the time to get to your locations.

The sheer volume of people makes it difficult to navigate the streets and sidewalks this time of year, especially in Midtown near and around Rockefeller Plaza, 5th Avenue and Times Square. If a walking distance says 5 minutes between two points, plan on 10 minutes. If a drive would normally take 15 minutes, allow for 30. Traffic is often gridlocked and I recommend taking the subway!

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Take advantage of the fun and festive things to do in NYC that don’t cost any money!

Walking down 5th Avenue from the Plaza Hotel to Rockefeller Center, stopping in at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a must. Walking down to Grand Central Terminal and over to Bryant Park Winter Village is also festive and beautiful. Exploring the Shops at Hudson Yards and the Vessel, and then down to Chelsea Market is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Finally, head over to the Seaport District; it's my absolute favorite this time of year.

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This is NOT the time to visit the Statue of Liberty.

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It is very cold and you will be standing in line outside in the elements waiting to board the ferry and then you’ll be either on the water or surrounded by the water the entire time…one word: windchill. It’s borderline miserable. If you’d like to get up close to the Statue and see the city from the water (from the comfort of your own private table with a drink in hand!) I recommend a Classic Harbor Line Cruise. They're fantastic!

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Purchase tickets to all attractions in advance.

Many of the most popular time slots will fill up, if not the entire day. So, if you are planning on going to the Empire State Building, Summit One Vanderbilt, taking a harbor cruise or a carriage ride, don't leave it to chance; purchase your tickets well in advance of the date you'd like to go.

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Keep in mind that most of hotel rooms in NYC are based on double occupancy.‍

The vast majority of hotel rooms in NYC only have ONE bed. Generally it is a Queen or King sized bed. There are very few hotel rooms that offer two queen beds. Even fewer hotels offer adjoining rooms or sleeper sofas. Almost none offer a roll-away bed option. This means that bringing your family will require purchasing several separate rooms. If you want to score an accommodation with a larger format, you must plan months in advance. If you'd like my help understanding your options, consider purchasing a Travel Consultation ($129 for 60 minutes). I'd love to share all my expertise with you.

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As always, reach out if you have any questions. I'm here to help!