Finally getting to fulfill a lifetime dream of Christmas in NYC. The original dream was for a "white Christmas" but since we will get snow in Quebec I'd be happy with just one little snow fall, rather than a big blizzard like Shushh got when she was there for Christmas
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Staying at the lovely Hilton New York, again. 9 glorious nights. I love the location of this hotel. I love that it's a few blocks off Times Square so away from the massive crowds but still only a 5 minute walk. I love that it is so close to Central Park and 5th Avenue shops and I love that there is a subway stop right beside it. We have upgraded to an Executive floor room this time so we get use of the lounge which includes continental breakfast, bottles of water, fruit etc and hot nibblies of an evening and a bar. This is key for several reasons:-
The boys in our family are notorious for going to bed early and it drives me spare that the lights need to go out at 8.30pm and night owl me (and now my DD) has to use the laptop in the dark or read with a booklight. This way DD and I can head to the lounge of an evening and read, chat, people watch. And mumma could perhaps partake in a champagne (or 2) whilst updating all my Dis friends on the events of the day
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Because we are there over Christmas, it's hard to say how cold it will get and how miserable the weather could potentially be. It will be nice to have an additional space to spend time at the hotel that isn't our room.
Okay here is how NYC is shaping up:-
Thursday 20 Dec - fly in at 1.30pm, private transfer to hotel. Check in, dump luggage, head to our beloved Times Square for a wander and to Best Buys to get an internet dongle thing so I can continue to chat with my Dis peeps
. Have a wander, soak it all in and then early dinner at my all time fave, Bubba Gumps. Can anyone guess what I'm having???
. After dinner I was thinking we could wander along 5th avenue looking at the shop window decorations. I've done up a detailed map of what stores are the best ones. I truly cannot wait for this.
Friday 21 Dec - 8.30am Private guided tour with Family in New York, our own customised itinerary. On this visit we wanted to explore a bit more and felt like a private guide would be great. This guide takes you via the subway and walking to wherever you want to go. As part of the tour you learn how to use the subway like a local which I think will be a godsend. We plan on spending time in Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Harlem, Meat Packing District, Chinatown, etc. This tour goes for 9 hours so we will be exhausted by the time it finishes at 5.30pm. We will likely have an easy dinner near our hotel.
Saturday 22 Dec - Shopping day, definitely Macy's and wherever else DH wants to go. Thinking perhaps some Christmas present purchases as well. Maybe Katz's deli for lunch. No real plans for this evening, perhaps a nice steakhouse dinner or an irish pub. I've got a long list of yummy dining options depending on our mood.
Sunday 23 Dec - Central Park, trying to explore many of the areas we haven't seen yet plus just enjoy enjoy enjoy. Were hoping to do a carriage ride on Christmas eve but wonder whether we should do it today to make sure we don't miss out. Perhaps FAO Schwarz this day, we love that place.
5pm NY Knicks Basketball at Madison Square Garden. The boys are so excited about this. I think we will all love it. Dinner somewhere afterwards, not sure where or what yet, will refer to the list.
Monday 24 Dec - am thinking of going to the Bryant Park Christmas markets for the morning, perhaps some ice skating although I'm a little hesitant to iceskate. None of us are experienced ice skaters and I worry about someone getting hurt
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3pm The Grinch who Stole Christmas stage show at Madison Square Garden
6pm dinner at Les Halles, cannot wait for this, we so enjoyed it last time although we are going to the Park Avenue location this time.
Tuesday 25 Dec - Christmas Day, how lucky are we. Plans are not set for the morning. Ellen's Stardust diner is open from 7am so I thought it could be unique and ridiculously fun to go here for breakfast. Then wander in Central Park, just to enjoy time together as a family. Our first Christmas on our own.
12pm reservations at The Rock Cafe at the Rockefeller Centre which overlooks the iceskating. A pretty nice way to have Christmas dinner.
Not sure what we will do afterwards but we have 4pm tickets to Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. This goes for 90 minutes and if we are hungry I thought dinner at Planet Hollywood or similar if it's open.
Wednesday 26 Dec - 10am booking for 911 Memorial. On our past 2 visits the memorial site was still being constructed so we are really looking forward to this. Shopping afterwards.
Thursday 27 Dec - Cake Boss day. We've ended up not making it here previously so DD is insisting. This should be a long wait for not much reward but I hear the canolis are worth lining up for
. Perhaps need to throw a little "culture" into this day. Maybe The Gugg or the Met. We shall see.
early dinner and then 7.30pm Newsies Broadway Show, the new Disney production.
Friday 28 Dec - Yankee Stadium tour then perhaps a wander around the Bronx, dinner somewhere nice for our last evening in NYC
Saturday 29 Dec - fly to Quebec in morning
I'm sure there's alot more to add to NYC, but this is it so far.