Okay I’m finally going again (remember this post where I told you all about it, and then I had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances?). Well this time I’m whispering (can’t you tell?) in case something I say jinxes it.
But it’ll be Christmas in New York when I get there from December 3 – 6th, so I’m looking for ideas on what I should do Thursday during the day and Saturday and Sunday? So, shopping, designer home decor stores, and a museum.
Here is where I’m staying in Soho. I booked it on Hotwire today and now I’m thinking I should have just booked a 4 star (instead of 3 1/2 star). They don’t tell you where you are staying until after it’s booked so you can get the best rate but all the hotels I wanted to stay at were completely booked or started at $500 a night. Apparently it’s a hot weekend to be in New York!
Hotel Reserve
I have never been there at Christmas and I can hardly wait!! So my lovelies, what are your suggestions? I’m so happy that I have you to consult with!!
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Oh, what fun you will have Maria! During the week you might see if you can get in the D&D building {you just need to show proof you're in the trade}. Central Park, Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwartz, all the stores that decorate their windows {they're right by the tree}.
I have never been to New York but have always wanted to go during Christmas. Have a great time!
I mean my gosh, there is the Met, the Guggenheim, etc. etc. etc, but a very special museum is the Frick Collection on the upper East Side.
Here you will find the best of the best as often most private collections are. Not just fine art but decorative art as well. http://www.frick.org/ And while you are in the hood, have a drink at Bemelman's Bar, in the Carlyle Hotel where the Madeline artist did some wonderful murals. http://www.thecarlyle.com/dine4.cfm
So envious!
We are going this Christmas too! We are leaving Christmas night and staying for a long weekend! I don't know any Christmas specific things to do since it will be our first time at Christmas too but I love the shopping, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and central park.
I am SOO jealous! Several years ago I had Thanksgiving at Dean and Delucca :)–I loved it! I can't get there, but the Rockettes are coming to me. Will see them Friday. Have a FABULOUS time and tell us all about it!
Oh I would love to go to New York. Have fun. I look forward to your blogs about it.
I have to chime in on Elizabeth's suggestion of the Frick Museum. It is really wonderful (although it has been about 15 years since I was there). The ambiance is so much more intimate (as I remember) than other museums like the MET and the Whitney.
NYC is really a very walkable city, so I would recommend a lot of that just to get the feel of the city. It has been so long since I've been there, I'm not very current on what's the latest "have to see." But, I love NYC…great shopping, great eating, great people watching. Enjoy!
So, sooooooooooo jealous! I haven't been to nyc since 2001 and am CLEARLY overdue for a visit. I have to say that there are some brilliant brunch places from what I remember {all I really did was eat and shop} and don't forget to visit tkts to get GREAT deals on broadway shows… You should look at Design Sponge's city guide. The ones I've consulted thus far have been so useful!
Can't wait to see the pix of your trip!
Loves!
This isn't exactly Christmas-y but the Tenement Museum on the lower East side is fascinating. This former tenement has had each of it's 3 floors restored to how it looked when 3 different immigrant families lived their during 3 different eras. Really eye-opening.
Lucky you!
I went to the Empire State Building just to relive Sleepless in Seattle – I'm a sucker for romance. It did give me good luck. 😉
Have a wonderful time and I can't wait to see what you bring back.
I agree with seeing the things we hear about N.Y. Central Park carriage ride, top of the Chrysler Building, ferry ride out to the Statue of Liberty. . . . they are all a lot of fun and you do feel like you're in a movie. I'm so happy you have your dates, Maria, have a ball. Love Gloria
First list on the priority, you should come and say hello!! it looks like your hotel is actually near me either in Tribeca or Wall Street. My showroom INTERIEURS is in Tribeca at 151 Franklin Street (I just did a post on the showroom). Tribeca is the coolest area in NY, all cast iron industrial buildings, wide cobble stone streets. You are bound to bump into any "Hollywood" celebrity at Pecan for coffeee or Bubby's for brunch a must (they all live here and unlike in LA do not have an attitude…). I can give you the names of all the cool stores and showroom downtown. you then must walk to the West village and the meat market , have lunch at Pastis and stroll along the Highline.Email me if you have any questions, i will be there through Christmas: [email protected]
You will have a great time, Francine
oh my goodness, I'm going too during that very same weekend after 10 years! I can't wait! These suggestions are great…we are hitting woodbury commons for the necessary shopping and then of course moma. have a fantastic trip and maybe I'll bump into you at a dean & deluca!
Sun
Oh Maria, It sounds like a wonderful time. I've never been around Christmas but I know you are going to have fun !
The Met has the best museum shop. Ask the hotel to direct you to the flea market. It's all wonderful! Great food. Check out the auction house Sotheby's – they may still have a weekly auction. Cafe Carlyle. All the antique shops. You'll walk everywhere — good shoes please. For books, check THE STRAND. Tavern on the Sq is a must if you have not been; not so much for the food, but for the beauty. And…REPORT BACK 🙂
Lucky you – NYC is magical at Christmas. There are so many places and things to see – try to get to Saks Fifth Avenue just to walk into the main floor – it's always outstanding. Plus I love the outdoor markets in SoHo and Tribeca on Saturday mornings. One of my favorite places in the winter is the Palm Court at the Plaza – their hot chocolate and pastries will warm the coldest of fingers. And don't worry about the hotel – you won't be there much other than to sleep. There's just so much to do. Enjoy!
It's so fabulous to be in NY at this season! Frick collection in magnificent house is a must see.Please don't miss Bergdorf & Goodman windows, they are the best of the best at this time of the year.If you're in a Broadway mood Jude Law is playing Hamlet now and NYC Ballet has a great Nutcracker for you in a beautiful setting of Lincoln Center. Enjoy your trip and be back with new posts and pictures. Can't wait to see.
Natalie
http://www.nrdecodesign.com
http://boutique.nrdecodesign.com
Hi Maria,
Congrats! Wish I was going too! The Frick is gorgeous, but you kind of HAVE to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I would download a floor plan prior so you can go straight what most interests you. It's too huge to see it all in one quick visit. Add in tea at the St. Regis, a broadway show if you can get a ticket and dinner at the River Cafe (in Brooklyn) so you can sigh over the dreamy Manhattan skyline.
* You deserve to have a MAHHHHVELOUS time, Maria!!!
Wishing you a FANTABULOUS TRIP!
XO,
Lnda in AZ *
[email protected]
Balthazar for coffee and pastries,stroll in Central Park, Museum of your choice, pizza in Little Italy! and ABC Carpet and Home…
You are so lucky!!! I love the holidays, and there is nothing like being in the holiday spirit in NYC.
xoxo Laura
There is nothing I like more than Christmas in my favorite city (I walked home through Columbus Circle last night, love the blue lights in the trees!)
Have a great time, cannot wait to hear more!
Hi Maria,
A must see is ABC Carpet and Home. It is the MECCA of furnishings stores.My niece and nephew are both going to Parsons and I keep threatening to visit them just so I can visit that store.
Jane
Good for you, Maria! Christmas in The City is the best! My favorite city ever. Praying you have a blast and send us fabulous photos of everything. My daughter was a Radio City Rockette, so try to see the show while you're there, along with all the fabulous design stores and boutiques! Oh, and have some Sarabeth's lemon ricotta pancakes or pumpkin spice waffles for me. Love that place for breakfast.
You are so lucky, never been there so can't help… but Empire State Building just to relive Sleepless in Seattle seems like fun.
Look forward to seeing pictures and comments about your trip, have a wonderful time…
Regards, Carol Ann x
New York City is my favorite city ever! Christmas is special in NY and you can't help but feel the holiday spirit. We are moving to CT in the summer and I plan to be in the city as much as possible. You must see the tree and skate rink in Rockefeller Center and walk past Macy's to look at the windows. Central Park, The NY Public Library, the MET, Tinsel Trading Co, ABC Home & Carpet, Magnolia Bakery, Union Station (downstairs lots of good food)FAO Schwartz and even Toys R Us In Times Square. Just walking the streets in SOHO and Greewhich Village in inspiring. Enjoy!
Maria,
How exciting and you still have time to research your activities. Great!
First thing you should do is download an iPhone free app called AROUNDME it uses your location to list what's close by and how far away things are. If you have it already you know how it works and if you don't you can practice using it while your home. There are several NY free app city guides as well.
Second use your camera practice, practice, practice. You'll see so many things that are unique to your eyes only so snap away… you can edit when you return. I love this iPhone free app PHOTOSHOP.com Mobile and you can enhance your photo's for your blog and for fun.
Third I think the best way to have fun is being prepared for it. Comfortable warm shoes, quick make-up touch ups.
iPhone w/charging cord or alternative power source. Childlike excitement for fun and adventure. Your bloggers are the best of the best they've suggested great stuff for you.
May I suggest a visit the Apple Store it's the largest one and possibly see The Jimmy Fallon Late Night Show http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/ tickets are free and visit Central Park the history behind it is fastinating.
I know you'll have a wonderful time.
Bette
How about the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA? Not Christmas related in particular, but I would definitely go.
Oh you lucky, lucky girl. It took me 49 years to get to NYC and then I went twice in the space of 1 year! And I'm itching to go again – the Christmas season would be an awesome time to be there.
Central Park is a must – it's one of my top 3. Another is is a little pastry shop in Little Italy – La Bella Ferrara – where the cannoli and espresso are amazing. Just north of the corner of Mulberry and Canal Streets.
Enjoy and please tell us all about it!
Oh Maria, i wish i could give you tips about NYC! It's in my wishing list for 2010: to visit (at least) New York. I think i would move tomorrow if i had a job offer there :)(I suspect I've a platonic affair with the city).
But if I can give you an advice about going somewhere outside our daily routine, I would say: walk. Walk as much as you can with a camera, a note book and a nice fancy pencil/pen in your stylish bag. That's what i always do every time i go somewhere. Oh, and everywhere you go in, don't forget to ask for a business card… you might need it one day when you less expect, sometimes it's even crucial to finish a project or to put an idea moving on…
There is NOTHING like Christmas in NY. Enjoy the city that never sleeps and take a ton of pictures!
Dearest Maria, this is such fun, I am sure you will loooove it!
Just read about the Georgia O'Keefe exhibition at the Withney Museum (Madison Ave), this is a great opportunity to see some different works of hers!
Running 'til beginning of January 2010!
And the Neue Galerie (Cafe Sabarsky)is spectacular, not far from the Design Museum and the Metropolitan Museum! All along Fifth Ave!
If you need a guide or a coffee break, just call me!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love V.
Maria, forgot to ask: are you gonna post from NYC? You probably need time to "chilax" but it would be so nice to know your findings.
Maria! Päivi and i will be there that weekend!!!! I have a course on Firday night and Saturday and Sunday, so Päivi is going to be by herself during the day. She could probably use some company! We are staying till Wednesday.
I go at Christmastime every year and it's absolute magic! I agree with going to the Frick, the Metropolitan, Rockefeller, and ABC Home. You have to go to Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate! Henri Bendel and the 7th floor at Bergdorf's for fun Christmas shopping for the home. Walk inside the St. Regis (hotel) 55th street at 5th Ave. The most elegant and expensive hotel in New York. Have a ball!!
Tracy
I love New York at Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful time!
I checked your hotel online and you aren't in Soho. You are actually in the financial district which is a lot further downtown. On the weekend it is dead and most of the businesses are closed on the weekends since they survive on the businesses in the area during the week. You will have to rely on the subway down there since cabs aren't usually around there on the weekend. Since you're staying at a hotel, you might have more luck with cabs.
I am from New York and have lived here my whole life. New York is truly magical at Christmas time. You have to see the tree (I think it will be up by then), skate at Wollman Rink in Central Park (the rink in Rock Center is sooo crowded and much more expensive), have a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity, stroll around the West Village and their tiny little charming streets, and walk around Soho and see where it takes you. Times Square is insanely crowded but it's something to see if you've never been to NYC. If you can, try to see the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall or the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.
Some great restaurants to visit are Nobu in Tribeca (for Sushi, their rock shrimp, and their miso cod), Blue Water Grill in Union Square, Il Giglio or Il Mulino for Italian (you must get the mushroom ravioli special… it is life altering!! Everything is fantastic!).
I hope you enjoy your trip!
I just got home last night from NYC! You're going to have a blast! I agree with the others that you HAVE to check out Serendipity. The frozen hot chocolate was so yummy, but all their deserts looked incredible (my burger was great too!). But the Christmas decor was my absolute favorite part…so colorful and fun…you'll love it! What a neat place!