New York Mew York

Yes completely forgot about the bus trip, we did that when we took the children, it was well worth it, you can get off and on where you like but a great way to see the city.

I also remember, in the ground floor of the Empire State there was one of those cinema type 3D ride experiences which was a visual tour of NY city, similar to those in Disney and Universal Studios which we all enjoyed before we shot up to the viewing platform 80 something floors up

Lots of good advise on here.. Another shout out for Macy s, you could always get them to do you a make over? Just ask at the make up counters.

Agree Bus trip worth it.
If you are there at a weekend pre book your restaurants, always a nightmare to get into on Friday /Saturday's. Check through Trip advisor.
In fact I always pre book everything.

Except the Theatre, if you pop in and ask for the days availability you can sometimes get reduced rates.
Have a fabulous time, love Christmas time in NYC.

GrannyGravy13

MiniMoon

We are going at the end of the month. We are on a Fairytale in New York tour. We have 4 days in New York, but only one is a free day. We are going to try and visit the World Trade Centre memorial and museum on that day, and if possible the Empire State building. We are sailing home on the Queen Mary 2 and will be back in time to spend a couple of days in London. I don't think we will have much time for shopping .

We visited the memorial and museum on our last trip, make sure you have plenty of tissues as the museum is heartbreaking.

It’s situated under where the Trade Towers were, the twisted iron beams have been left in situ.

Yes we visited on our last trip too. Heartbreaking. By absolute coincidence we were there on a Wednesday and so moved to hear the weekly bagpipe tribute. Every Wednesday bagpipers from the NYPD, FDNY and PAPD pay tribute to those who died on 9/11. First they play by the Last Column in the Foundation Hall, then move outside to play by the water memorial. If anyone can time their visit for lunchtime, it is a moving tribute to witness.

Although it might be chilly, get on a bus tour from Times Square. You can buy tickets just for the day – I’d recommend you do the circuit once, stay on the bus, then get off on the second circuit at an attraction you want to see. The fountains on the footprints of the old world trade towers are heartbreaking and a quick visit to the new oculus nearby is worth a visit too. The top of the freedom tower at sunset it’s worth buying advanced tickets for. Once you are on the streets (so to speak) you’ll find most New Yorkers walk everywhere and I’d give taxis a miss as the traffic is just so heavy, that walking is quicker.
The lion king on Broadway is fabulous too - The NY audiences are very vocal!

Another vote for Sephora! They have big brands from all over the world and their own brand is very good too.

When you buy something you’ll probably get lots of freebies, too.

What a fabulous holiday present from your son! I’m sure it will be a wonderful trip!
It’s one place I haven’t been to but would love to one day.

I like the idea of what you are doing MiniMoon, sailing back on the QM2. That way, the holiday hasn’t ended when you leave New York.

MiniMoon

We are going at the end of the month. We are on a Fairytale in New York tour. We have 4 days in New York, but only one is a free day. We are going to try and visit the World Trade Centre memorial and museum on that day, and if possible the Empire State building. We are sailing home on the Queen Mary 2 and will be back in time to spend a couple of days in London. I don't think we will have much time for shopping .

We visited the memorial and museum on our last trip, make sure you have plenty of tissues as the museum is heartbreaking.

It’s situated under where the Trade Towers were, the twisted iron beams have been left in situ.

We've been twice once with the children and once without them. The last time we were there we found Times Square and up town so heaving, I didn't want to linger. The Soho area, unlike London's Soho is really nice for shopping, but more in the way of individual shops rather than the big department store. We spent more time down near the Seaport area on our last trip.

Enjoy your trip it's an amazing city.

I second the Sephora recommendations. Whenever I go abroad I always look up if there are any Sephora shops. Love all their range.

It was a surprise birthday present from my son. Everything is paid for including our trips and he is taking me to see the Lion King on Broadway, amongst other things so All I have to pay for is food and shopping.

DD2 making a silly pose beside the Christmas tree outside our hotel. I’m getting excited already - we go on 22/12.

We are (were) regular visitors, but not big shoppers. We haven’t found it ‘cheaper’ for many years now and factoring in tipping is the equivalent of taking an extra person along!
Still, we love it.

New York is one place I would love to visit around Christmas time, I've not been.

We are going at the end of the month. We are on a Fairytale in New York tour. We have 4 days in New York, but only one is a free day. We are going to try and visit the World Trade Centre memorial and museum on that day, and if possible the Empire State building. We are sailing home on the Queen Mary 2 and will be back in time to spend a couple of days in London. I don't think we will have much time for shopping .

We've been. There was so much to see that shopping didn't come into it much. We heard all the stories of cheap this and that but on the occasions we did look, we found nothing cheap. Enjoy your trip.

Rosie 51 I was there in March and I think the old wooden escalators are still in place on the top floors of Macy's.
Gone are the days when my sister and I were able to fill an empty suitcase with towels and bedding from Macy's. The price of everything is now on par with the U.K, even their Levi jeans. We also found that 18.5% tip was automatically added to nearly every restaurant bill from snack bar to restaurant, with the added cost of sales tax, it's no longer a cheap place to go.
This is also compounded by the low rate of the £ against the $. When we went in March it was £1.30, now I think it's about £1.09.
With saying that, it is still a fabulous place to go and some things are free.

Ooh I had forgotten about Sephora, you can browse online before you go.

Go to a branch of Sephora - wall-to-wall cosmetics and perfumes. You used to be able to try anything and everything, although Covid has probably put an end to that. I’d say Macy’s too, although I find it more pressured.
We are going in December and I can’t wait!
Hope you enjoy your trip.

GrannyGravy13

I like Macey’s especially since it has had a refit.

We haven't been to Macy's for a few years, I hope they haven't got rid of the surviving original wooden escalator, loved riding that, felt like being in 'Miracle on 34th Street'.

Ah, bless him! Happy birthday Tiggie 😽🎂

I’m afraid Tiggy has to stay put, he’s 20 this month

The beauty writer Sali Hughes is an expert on such things.
Have a look at what she has to say.

I thought that cats were involved too. I’m a bit disappointed that they aren’t 🐈‍⬛

Another vote for Macey's. You could have a look online at their store to give you some ideas what make up they do ?

Are you taking your cat with you ?

I like Macey’s especially since it has had a refit.