NYE 2011 in NYC

[Reggie]

I am thinking of heading to NYC for NYE2011 with Mrs Reggie and Reggie Jnr.

Can anyone give me some advice having been throguh it themselves?

i.e. as anyone here been to Times Square for NYE? Does accomodation prices go up at this time of the year, or is it the same hig prices throughout the year etc. Does accomodation book out very early?

 

[Reggie]

Bumping this thread as it may have gost lost through Australia Day, and hoping someone can give some helful advice or insight

 

[Dbx160x]

I did this a couple of years ago as a part of a 2-family tour of the US. We stayed at the Marriott Times Square, which is right in the middle of the action...great position (note you can't see anything really from inside the hotel, but location is good...(police snipers and security teams setup here also). People start turning up in the street early (mid-morning!), which in the cold etc. is a big call. We weren't willing to stand there all day, so had dinner at the hotel, then headed downstairs at around 9:30pm. Struck up a conversation with one of New York's finest (NYPD), and he let us all into the barriers in the middle of the street for the last couple of hours....bonus! Not sure if this is common, but was a perfect outcome. AND, easy to get home afterwards...very important. Not sure, but I may have booked using Marriott Rewards points......worth a try if you have some saved? Hope this helps...and great to tick this off your bucket list (not sure I'd do it a second time)!

 

[Meggsy]

Yes like any major city with a NYE celebration, hotels charge a premium, especially in New York City. In and around Times square accommodation does book out well ahead for NYE. We did this a few years back and stayed at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on 7th Ave a few blocks uptown from Times Square. It was a handy location to stay, close to all the action and easy to get back to. Be warned though it can be bitterly cold for Aussies not used to that weather and it can make for an uncomfortable night if the weather is not kind. It is a mad house but well worth experiencing once.

 

[jamesatfish]

Have spent a couple of NYEs in New York in the last few years, but none in Times Square. A good mate of mine did the Times Square thing in about 2003 - stood around in the square from about 10am in the bitter cold, very limited toilet facilities particularly from about 9pm, no alcohol, very crowded and in all a pretty big commitment required to stick around for the ball drop. If you watch the drop on TV take note of how quickly Times Square clears out after 12:01am.

If you don't want to stay directly in Times Square you might want to consider somewhere Midtown East around Grand Central (even the Hyatt above the station itself which is quite good, or the Waldorf Astoria, Intercontinental and numerous others nearby). The 42nd St Shuttle runs directly between Grand Central and Times Square and makes the trip between the two very easy. (Indeed in AFF related content the last time I was in NYC in October the 42nd St Shuttle cars were all adorned in OneWorld advertising.)

 

[Blackswan]

Just did NYE in NYC.

Ended up staying at the World Centre Hotel (Club Quarters) which is down by the World Trade Centre site. Whilst a little away from Times Square, its relatively easy to catch a train anywhere as a lot of the subway lines come together downtown. Managed to pick up a Queen sized room for $145 (taxes included) for ten nights over NYE. Very happy - nice clean, new hotel.

You will notice the locals keep well away from Times Square - and head to clubs/restaurants. My friends and I ended up going out for dinner at 9.30, and saw the New Year in from Central Park - they had fireworks - and it wasn't as crowded as the streets around Times Square.

If you do decide to go - avoid the touristy locations (Empire State Building/Liberty Island, and even shopping in Midtown) a few days either side of NYE. You'll end up spending most of your time in lines. On these days I checked out Harlem, Brooklyn and the Villages.

 

[wile_e]

Hi reggie,

My wife and I just did NYE in NYC with a few friends as well. I can echo other's thoughs to avoid Times Square. We visited the Magnolia's store on 5th Ave around 4:30pm (to pick up some cupcakes and cheesecakes - mmmm red velvet ) and it was already chockers. Apparently people get there early in the afternoon, and you have to then stand there (incl no loo breaks) or you risk losing your spot!

Not for us... However, I can't recommend doing what we did either (cruise around the Hudson and East rivers) as its definitely NOT kid friendly. They were VERY liberal with the vodka on board!!!

In terms of accommodation, I've found that prices do ramp up a little for the days either side of NYE however I generally find that prices in NYC are reasonably expensive at the best of times. We stayed at one of the hotels near the MoMa, which is fantastically convenient.

ps: If you want to stay in the good books with your wife for a while, may I suggest a trip out to "The Disneyland for women" (Woodbury Common) as my wife likes to call it..!!! :shock: