Over the past few months, I've asked A LOT of opinions and advice from you wonderful readers. Well, seeing as how we are eleven days out I figured I would start sharing some of the decisions we've made. Starting with our honeymoon, and I will give you a hint:
Nick and I decided that New York City at Christmas sounded too cool to pass up. It might not seem like a true honeymoon filled with fruity drinks, the beach and laying out, but it is the perfect trip for our first married Christmas. I know, I know, we'll be tired after the wedding, but we've got Sunday to recuperate and see our families off. When Stephanie told me to read my post again, I realized New York is where my heart wants us to go. We talked about it in the car the other night on the way home from shopping and decided a really planned out trip to Hawaii is to come in two to three years. Then we can go to Kauai and the Big Island.
Because of Nick's commitment to the Air Force, we can't really plan ever a trip around a specific season/time of year. We can go to Hawaii during any season, but the chance of us ever being available to go to New York at Christmas/around our anniversary is pretty slim. We'll be living across the country from our families next year and will no doubt end up spending that and other future Christmases in the Midwest. Once we start having children {not for a long, long while}, they'll come visit us.
So send on the recommendations! I've never been and Nick hasn't been in a few years, so what show should we see? What restaurants should we eat at? What home decor, vintage, paper, boutiques, department stores do I have to go to?
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More decisions coming later today and tomorrow...
I love New York at Christmas time! It's so romantic and full of fun spirit! I don't have shopping recommendations other than letting you know that you must go see the windows at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's. I also recommend Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate-- even though the line will be long and it will be a cold wait. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a great show that you may be able to get tickets to-- if you like the Rockettes. :)
You're going to have so much fun. And you're eleven days out?! Oh my gosh!!!
Posted by: Erin @ Blue-Eyed Bride | December 10, 2008 at 04:12 PM
I think New York for Christmas sounds magical...
AND you've been tagged! :)
Posted by: elizhogan | December 11, 2008 at 09:45 AM
You should go to Rolfs. Its a small germen bar that decorates to the nines. Its like you are standing in a Christmas tree. I heard the food isnt too good but the drinks are fab.
Also a couple of months ago I saw spring awakening and it was fabulous. Also the Lion King is good as well. And the Rockettes are classic. The windows at macys are fab.
Posted by: ettiene | December 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
New York is a lively, fun place to be - and to be there around the holidays while everything is decorated is romantic :) You will have a great time!
Posted by: An Atlanta Bride | December 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM
The best Christmas lighting can be found in Brooklyn neighborhoods. Actually the best I've ever seen! My wife and I used to walk through areas in Bar Ridge for ours at night, enduring the cold, just to feast our eyes.
Posted by: Wilmington Wedding DJs | December 15, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Don't miss the window displays on 5th Ave, midtown Manhattan!
Posted by: Weddings on the Strand | December 15, 2008 at 12:57 AM
I live just outside NYC - literally. I have a view of Manhattan from my window!!
Ditto on the windows. Especially Macys! [34th and Broadway]. I saw the Rockettes this year and that was a ton of fun. The Rockefeller tree. You can go to the top of the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller too. Statue of Liberty. Central Park.
Posted by: Lindsay | December 17, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I *love* New York. You're going to have a great time. Definitely bring warm clothes. You'll be walking around a lot more and will want hats, mittens and scarves. Really. And warm shoes.
That said, go to the top of the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square. (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycmq-new-york-marriott-marquis/) At the top of the hotel is a revolving bar called The View. You'll be able to see all of mid-town Manhattan as you twirl around with a drink in your hand. Perfection after a long day of walking around.
Of course you have to see Rockefeller Center, the tree and the rink. It's at 5th Ave and 50th STreet (roughly). It would be good to do this when walking around to see the windows on 5th Ave. And St Patricks Cathedral is right across the street.
If you have time, there is another rink at Bryant Park with another bar off to the side. (It's on 42nd street between 5th and 6th). It's right next to the New York Library. Great spot for a bit of a rest after a lot of walking. Many years they have a number of outdoor sites for casual shopping as well.
For a casual breakfast, go to Markt Restaurant. http://www.marktrestaurant.com/index2.htm. It's good and not too expensive.
For another casual meal, consider a couple of cafes on 21st St and 9th Ave. The cafe on the North west corner starts with a "g" and serves great cafe French food. The cafe on the south east corner, Cafe Rafella, is very good as well... especially for a dessert.
If you are going for a walk through Central Park, consider a stop at Wollman Skating Rink, a walk along the mall (a walkway with huge oak tree canopies overhead) that ends with a fountain at the lake. Keep walking to the right and stop for a bite or a drink at The Boathouse. Keep walking further to the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 81st Street and 5th Ave.
If you love good German food, consider a stop at Neue Galerie at the corner of 86th Street and 5th Ave. It's another museum, but has a great restaurant on the first floor.
There are so many things to do... but this list should get you started! Enjoy!
Posted by: shelikestotravel | December 17, 2008 at 09:14 PM