cristine27

Hello! Please tell me what's the best time to visit New York! It will be our first time, and although i really like the idea of Christmas in New York, on the other side it will be very cold, we won't be able to walk as much or sit outside, enjoy Central Park etc..etc..
A second issue, is that i'm having trouble finding a hotel for 200-250$ in October but for December i have plenty of choices.
I'm waiting for opinions (and possible available cute, affordable hotels... am i asking too much?)

Anonymous

If you dress appropriately, then you can indeed "walk as much" and enjoy Central Park in December just as well as October. But my vote would go to October anyway -- the park will look better, and the crowds in December are absolutely astonishing.

Your hotel problem isn't surprising, since October is a busy month for conventions and other business events. Have you tried Priceline? The won't guarantee cute, but you can usually get a good place for under $200.

leahinsc

I am surprised that you found hotels to be less in Dec than Oct. We went in early Dec last year - just after tree was put up in Rockefeller Ctr and prices were very high. I understand this is prime shopping time. It was cold and crowded but beautiful with all the lights and decorations and exciting for our kids.

cristine27

Yes leahinsc, i'm surprised too with the hotels being cheaper at Christmas time. Probably because i'm looking too early for Christmas and they have better prices.
Anonymous, i've heard about priceline but i'm a little conscious using it. I think you can't cancel a reservation, is that correct?

leahinsc

cristine - we reserved Murray Hill Suites in Oct for Dec. I understand cheapest rates are summertime for NYC. I'm not a big fan of priceline unless I have no other options. I like being able to pick my hotel and amenities - but part of that is traveling with teen children.

nytraveler

New York is beautiful in October, not so crowded as December, you can do lots of outdoor things with just a light jacket and it's easier to get tickets for shows etc.

However, December is the most exicting time of year - with shows, events and activities that don;t happen the rest of the year. Generally it's not so cold that you can;t do things outdoors - depending on your tolerance for cold.

(I much prefer cold to heat when outdoors - since you can always add another sweater - but I know people from warmer places - like FL etc - frequently can;t tolerate the cold at all. If you go in Dec wyou wil need a heavy coat, hat, gloves, scarf and some sort of warm, waterproof footwear - since there is a LOT of walking in NYC.)

hdm

The week before Christmas is my absolute favourite time in NY but this year we can only go for the week between Christmas and New Years. Will I be disappointed? On the other hand, will I be able to get a good hotel deal after Christmas?

cristine27

leahinsc how was your stay in Murray Hill Suites? Because i've just checked and they have availability for the dates i want in October!

leahinsc

cristine - we really enjoyed Murray Hill Suites. They were formerly apartments so the rooms are large - at least ours was. We had a 1 BR suite w/ king sized bed and pull out sofa in the other room. Full kitchen. Convenient but not busy/noisy location. About 4 or so blocks from Grand Central Station. There were restaurants, grocery stores and shops nearby - more like a neighborhood.

GoTravel

Labor Day through New Years is absolutely peak time in NYC and premium hotel prices in October are the norm. Huge convention and conference month.

You'll see availability open up for October sometime late August.

My pick would be October.

cristine27

GoTravel you believe that hotels which supposedly are fully booked now, in 3-4 weeks they'll have availability?That's good news and i sure hope so!!!
Sorry for asking but when exactly is Labor Day?

travelgirl_67

My vote would be for Christmas. NYC at Christmas time is the best! There is so much engery and excitement. And as you mentioned, you're able to find some pretty good hotel deals booking this early out. Sorry I can't help with hotel suggestions...I used to work for Marriott so always hit my friends up for cheap rooms and will stay wherever they can hook me up. Usually end up at the Eastside Marriott or Midtown Courtyard...both are very convenient. Occassionally will be able to stay at the Marquis in Times Square which is of course a great local. Honestly, no matter where you stay, you'll enjoy the City...it is so much fun!

GoTravel

cristine, the hotels probably aren't booked but showing no availability because of rooms being blocked for particular group conventions and conferences at hotels.

The rooms blocks are usually dropped, meaning any unused rooms are released back into general reservations, 30-60 days before the start of the conference.

mclaurie

Labor Day is a bank holiday that marks the end of the summer season. It falls on the first Monday in Sept.

I have been seeing very high hotel prices for Oct. I think there are pros and cons to both times, most already discussed. There's no point predicting weather.

Anonymous

I stayed at Murray Hill Suites for a few nights last summer with my daughter; paid about $140 per night. It was great to have separate rooms, full kitchen, etc. One TV! Not much in the way of hotel-type services, but the staff were friendly and capable, and the place was clean enough.

Although the weather details can't be predicted, I think we can agree that the average day in October is more comfortable than the average in December.

HowardR

Sure, the weather is better in October and it's a great time of the year to be in NYC (well, any time of the year is great!), but there is nothing like being in New York during the Christmas season!

wantsomesun

Try www.hotels.com. I think it is better than priceline, because you can see lots of hotels and compare prices with amenities and location.

Have a great time October or December, my favorite is December, but October the view of the park from the top of the Met is breathtaking.

hockeyspaniel

Hi. I went to NYC in December 2003 and December 2004. The days we went during December of each of these years made the difference. In 2003 we went two days before Christmas Eve. The crowds were gone; the beauty of NYC at Christmas time was still amazing and stores were having fantastic sales. The down side was that on the day before Christmas Eve and on Christmas Eve day the usual NYC shows etc. were not as abundant. NYC was almost too quiet. Even the department store Santa was getting a little cranky. So this past year we decided to go earlier. We went to NYC on the second week of December. The crowds were so bad we could not view the tree very well; shopping was impossible because of the crowds and my husband was cranky! We even saw a couple of fights on the street. This year we plan to go around December 20 and stay until Xmas Eve. We will be able to see the shows; experience the incredible beauty of Xmas in NYC,hopefully the crowds will have somewhat dispersed and of course there will be great shopping. At any rate NYC at christmas is magical. I think the 3rd time will be a charm for us.

NatureGirl19317

Dear cristine27,

Hello! Although NYC is a cool place to visit any time of year I would absolutely go in December-the city is so beautifully decorated and theres the fun hussle and bussle of holiday shoppers, ice skating in R. Center-so dreamy! Have a fun and safe trip!

samschack

Christmas time in NYC is absolutely wonderful! My wife, daughter and I spent several days bet. Christmas and New Years just over a year ago and had a great time.
If your budget allows, have dinner at "Sea Grill" at Rock Center. Dining while viewing the skaters and the "Tree" is way cool!