tonrob

Wifey and I are having friends visit for Xmas and as they don't come to the US very often they were interested in meeting up in NYC rather than dreary old New England. So the propsed plan is arrive NYC on Sunday 23rd and leave again on the 26th.

My question is - does the normally bustling and chaotic city grind to a halt on the 24th or 25th? Does anyone know what'll be open/working or not?

I'm thinking:

- restaurants/bars
- shops
- taxis, buses etc.

Did some quick googling but didn't turn up anything - it seems like NYC is the romantic getaway in the weeks leading up to Xmas but what about Xmas itself?

Scouse Express

It's the City that "never sleeps" so most places will remain open. Rather you than me, though.

Jim.

Jerseygirl

Large stores will be closed on the 25th...several of the smaller stores will be open. You can always find places to eat in NYC. The stores and the areas around them will be absolutely packed on the 24th and 26th.

I will be leaving the area around 4 pm on the 23rd for warmer weather...thank god.

Braintreegirl

We came over to NYC for Christmas last year and were amazed at how everything was still open and VERY busy! We thought we'd sneek down to the Rockfeller ice rink for the kids on Christmas morning, only to be confronted with a queue so large we had to go back to the hotel again!

Titchski

Movies and a Chinese buffet - typical Jewish Christmas according to Mrs Titchski.

tonrob

Cheers people! What about bars on Xmas Eve? Are they all open as usual allowing for the traditional (British) pre-Xmas piss-up or will we have to hunt them out?

penguinsix

It's all mixed. Most of the families will not be at pubs but will be at home, as Christmas Eve is a very family-oriented event. Many go to chruch on Christmas eve.

But many single folks (and NYC has a few) will be out, or doing last minute shopping, or flying/driving home. Some bars will be open because there are a lot of Matzo Ball parties around (Jewish singles sometimes have parties on Christmas Eve).

http://www.matzoball.org/

There will be plenty to do, but not necessarily everything will be open.

Poppy girl

New England sounds alot more festive and inviting then NY... hell I would not go there at Christmas if someone paid me.

Rete

LOL ... I love NYC on the holidays. Central Park, the Christmas decorated windows on Fifth Avenue, Christmas services at any one of the many denominational churches in NYC, the Christmas Eve services with the carols, the festive decorations in the restaurants, Rockefeller Center and it's Christmas tree, a walk up or down Park Avenue decorated for the season, the Empire State Building lite up in red and green, lower Manhattan alive with free concerts.

There is only one other place I would love to spend Christmas and that would be in Germany. I still think of Germany has the home of Christmas, perhaps because I'm German and we always celebrated the holiday in the German tradition.

Poppy girl

Yes Rete is sounds nice but I just don't personally like the crowds of people and fighting my way to get in places.

Germany now you are talking I spent Xmas in Koln 1 year oh it was magical then we drove over to Austria YEP thats my kinda Xmas.

Tracym

Oh, I want one of those lovely German Christmas pyramids in the worst way!

A German friend of mine had one - it was completely unpainted wood except for little white spots of paint on the fawns. 25 years ago, and I still remember it....

Want one... want one.... but... $$$$$

Bill_S

NYC is very busy and very crowded at Christmas. Have you made arrangements for travel and accommodations yet? If you haven't, you need to do so now.

tonrob

Sounds like there's quite a lot to do! We'll be staying by Times Square - like your idea of church service with carols - could you recommend a church?

I love German Christmases too! My wife is German and after we first met in London I spent a few Christmases with her family who live in Neuwied (on the Rhine and just south of Koeln). Over the years visited quite a few lovely Christmas markets in various nearby towns.

This will be only our second Christmas ever spent without family and when we heard that our friends were thinking of coming over we jumped at the chance of doing something different than sitting at home just the two of us. I still think Christmas at home would have been ok and we could have made things nice and cosy and romantic but I actually welcome the distraction the NY trip will provide as my wife will be upset not seeing her family.

Patrick Hasler

A really good night out would be to drive up to the Sugar refinery in Yonkers, collect me and the other English guy and treat us to a Christmas drink and a meal during your visit ............... We are poor starving imigrants

Deedee13

with the candles??

we did the american style last year... but its hard putting the german way in the bottom drawer. I cant get over that there is no boxing day here!! now that really sucks. although what am I moaning about, I probably wont see home for the whole week of xmas coz i will be flying somewhere I am sure. I just got my schedule for thanksgiving and lucky me from weds to monday I am working. So just booked the kids to germany for that week at least it is one less worry... and might as well take the benefits they offer its costing me $30 return!!!