New York City first timer in December - All the reqs

You don't have to go fancy at all. If you want a trip back in time and a beer hit a place like McSorley's for a brew. Go to a famous deli like Katz. Walk through the diamond district off of Time's Square. See a Broadway show. Walk the highline. In December skate at Rockefeller. Take a carriage ride or walk through central park. Literally infinite things to do in NYC.

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trip back in time and a beer hit a place like McSorley's for a brew

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Required stop for me, every time. But need to go at odd hours to get the full experience.

Recommend IC Times Square. Definitely recommend Rockettes. Look at getting a Limo from the airport for a unique experience. I have not been dissapointed with a broadway show. I like Joe Shanghai for Asian cuisine. Walk around Central Park.

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Look at getting a Limo from the airport for a unique experience.

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I don't mean to sound like an arse, but what makes this such a unique experience?

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Definitely plan to see a Broadway show and skate at Rockefeller.

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if you plan to go at night you're in for a long-arse line waiting to get in so plan accordingly. that rink is tiny.

i was able to go in the back entrance because NBC was wiring me up for my proposal so i was able to avoid all that nonsense. girlfriend at the time just thought that i 'knew people' and that was why we were treated like VIPs.

dinner at del posto in chelsea is money.

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Haven't booked a hotel yet but I'm open to anything that will be convenient for walking. We both kind of want to stay near Times Square.. I realize Times Square is likely overrated and extremely touristy, but tbh as a young couple from small town Louisiana we've both always been fascinated by NYC so we want to experience it at least once.

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Live your life.

I’ve been fortunate to go to NYC I think 7 or 8 times over mine .

tell people this all the time, if you’ve never been, going to Times Square especially if you come from small towns ( myself included ) it feels like you’re at the center of the world. Yes it’s touristy.

But there’s something sort of magical about the feeling you get when you’re there. Others may disagree with me and that’s fine but I think you’ll feel the way I do.

Maybe try to get in at Lugers for a steak ( even if you have to go for a lunch, it’s the same anyway. Just go)

9/11 museum for sure although it’s a very somber feeling during and after .

We’ve stayed at Marriott marquis Times Square- worth a look for you.

Have a blast . Enjoy it. NYC is my favorite city

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Live your life.

I’ve been fortunate to go to NYC I think 7 or 8 times over mine .

tell people this all the time, if you’ve never been, going to Times Square especially if you come from small towns ( myself included ) it feels like you’re at the center of the world. Yes it’s touristy.

But there’s something sort of magical about the feeling you get when you’re there. Others may disagree with me and that’s fine but I think you’ll feel the way I do.

Maybe try to get in at Lugers for a steak ( even if you have to go for a lunch, it’s the same anyway. Just go)

9/11 museum for sure although it’s a very somber feeling during and after .

We’ve stayed at Marriott marquis Times Square- worth a look for you.

Have a blast . Enjoy it. NYC is my favorite city

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Thanks to you and the rest of the posters. 9/11 museum is one of the few absolutes along with the Empire State Building.

I've been to Chicago and really enjoyed it, so I'm definitely looking forward to this. I definitely understand about feeling like you're in the center of the world. Big city life isn't where I'd want to live but I enjoy immersing myself in it for a few days

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Maybe try to get in at Lugers for a steak ( even if you have to go for a lunch, it’s the same anyway. Just go)

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It's so convenient for Peter Luger to have lunch hours every day of the week. If choosing for dinner, though, I'd steer OP to St. Anselm. Personal preference, and you can't go wrong with one or the other.

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Try and get tickets to a taping of one of the Late Night Shows

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i'd rather stick toothpicks under my fingernails.

I got back from Manhatten a few weeks ago. It was my first time in NYC, and I'll give you my take on a few things.

The night before you go to the 9/11 museum, go to their website and buy your tickets. I arrived at the museum about 10AM and there was a line with a couple hundred people to buy tickets, with the pre purchased tickets i was able to walk right in. I'll add that the 9/11 Memorial/Museum was a very sobering experience and it's not to be missed.

I stayed at Hotel St James on W45th between 6th and 7th Ave, about a half block from Times Square. The hotel is old school, nothing fancy, not many anemities, but very clean and reasonably priced. It was recommended to me by a friend who stayed there last year.

If you stay in the Times Square area, there is Little Italy Pizza on W45th St between 5th and 6th Ave. It was recommended to me by the front desk guy at the hotel and it didnt disappoint. Sicilian Deep Dish pizza was very good.

I didnt take the subway at all, I took the bus everywhere I went. that way i was able to ride through the different neighborhoods and see the area. On the subway you dont see anything. Takes a little longer to get where you want to go, but i was on vacation, I wasn't in a big hurry to get anywhere. Buy the 7 day Metrocard for about $33, and you just swipe it everytime you get on the bus or subway.

I flew into JFK and took the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station and humped it about 8 blocks to my hotel. $15.50, which includes the Air Train and Railroad fare. They are building a stop for the Railroad at Grand Central Station that is very close to being finished, so by the time you go you may be able to ride to Grand Central Station, which may be closer to where you are staying. Look on You Tube and there are abunch of videos explaining how the subways, buses, etc, work.

One thing i liked was taking the tram to Roosevelt Island, and it has some great views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. When I came back from the tram ride, I walked to St Patricks Cathedral and went in and lit a candle in memory of my Dad.

If you stay in the Times Square area, a pretty cool place is Bryant Park, it's on 42nd St and 6th Ave. There are some kiosks selling things like coffee, pastries, and snacks, and there are a lot of activities that go on there. Go online and there is a schedule of happenings. I happened to wander there one evening when there was a communuty yoga class going on. Thank God for yoga pants!!

I"ve always wanted to go to Manhatten and I'm glad I went. I think it's OK, I didn't love it, didn't hate it, but there is too much congestion and too many people for me. If I ever go back, I think I would stay in Greenwich Village, Chelsea, or Chinatwown. Or maybe near Central Park. But Times Square is a good location because its kind of centrally located.