New York City Travel Forum

I am thinking of coming to NYC in January 2010!! Yes January! I have heard that it is much cheaper then and less time spent queueing. Does anyone have any advice on my first trip to the City,the do's and the dont's, where is the best/safest area to stay, what are the must see's, area's to definitley avoid??
Thanks for any input.

Don't miss the free walking tour with bigapplegreeters.org, a broadway play - half-price tks, free days/evenings at the museum, and free walks in Central Park.

There's a bunch of useful info on member's NYC pages for you to look at.
10-15 years ago NY had a serious street crime problem, including the Times Square/Theater District areas. but things have changed considerably. NY is now ranked as one of the safest cities in the USA. So as long as you stay in populated areas at night and apply common sense you shouldn't have a problem at all.

Welcome to VT! and, as a native New Yorker, welcome to NYC! I noticed that your profile is completely blank. If you could fill it in, and let us know what your likes and dislikes are, we can give you more specific advice. Thanks.

There are definitely less tourist around in January, but it can be brutally cold so be prepared for that. It's hard to predict weather these days.

I recently stayed in the theatre district which was a first for me who never needed a NYC in the past as I lived nearby. It was a lot of fun and not as hectic as we imagined it would be. It's a lively area with lots of restaurants and the subway was just a block away, making getting around very simple.

What you should see is really up to you. Read about the city in some guidebooks to see what's appealing.. museums, Broadway, shopping, Ellis Island, SoHo..

Of course you know about cold weather in January -- you live in Scotland! January and February is the low season for tourism here. Have a look at my homepage for local NYC restaurant tips. Go to the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights for sparkling uninterrupted views of lower Manhattan. Eat in Chinatown, then walk over the Manhattan Bridge into downtown Brooklyn. Enjoy cheesecake at world-famous Junior's Restaurant, in downtown Brooklyn, at Fulton St & DeKalb Aves. Take the Roosevelt Island Tram, at 2d Ave & 60 St, for a 7 minute fotog's dream trip across the East River. Take the Staten Island Ferry (free free free) for the 1 hour tourist's dream trip. If you want to see a now dilapidated, once-famous amusement park, take the F, Q, B or N train to Stillwell Ave, and say goodbye to the old COney Island.

I am Scottish but I live in NYC. Scotland is cold in winter but it pales in comparison to the brutal NYC weather. Be prepared to bring or buy heavy layers and windproof clothing. A ski mask is essential if it gets really extreme.

I was there for Christmas. Being from Montana - it was warm for me :) We bought the New Your Pass and it quickly paid for it's self within going to 3 attractions with the reduced cost of the tickets. It also allowed us to skip some of the longer lines, such as the ferry to go to the Statue of Liberty.

Thanks so much to everyone for all this advice. I don't mind if its really cold as we are not going for the weather but does most attractions and places of interest close in January? I have heard there is the Chinese Lunar Festival in January,is that worth coinciding my trip with? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!!

It will be freezing outside. Read my page, and there is the basic NYC information. Some may be posted under "jersey city"

The Year of the Tiger, 2010, begins on February 14, 2010. I have attended several New Year's celebrations and parades over the last few years, and it is FReezing here at that time! I'd say in the high 20s. If it's windy, it feels colder than that. Yet the hardy attendee will experience "dragons" curling through the streets, hear traditional drums, and see parades.

Nothing closes in NYC during the winter. If you like ice skating you can do that, too!

Great suggestions...ice skating in Bryant Park is awesome. My favourite lunch spot..

Welcome to the Big Apple! You are going to love us!
Our subway system will take you to some really cool places.
For an interesting trip, both of them on the "F" train line, I suggest heading over to Roosevelt Island, a tiny slip of land tucked between Manhattan and Queens on the Upper East Side. It has an art gallery, little coffee shops, a spooky ruin and a wonderful walking/biking path around the island. Check out the blog http://rooseveltisland360.blogspot.com/ and the historical society site for more info http://rihs.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=31

When you're done there, get back on the "F" train and head to Coney Island. It's deserted and a little seedy, but that's what makes it so wonderful in the winter.

Make sure you visit Central Park, and go to the Bethesda Fountain, located on the 72nd Street cross street, enter from the east side or west side.

Head over to Brooklyn, to the Brooklyn Art Museum, and remember that some museums are free or pay as you wish on Friday nights!

And you MUST visit the NYC version of Paris's "Promenade Plantee," the High Line Park. Here's a link for your review. http://www.thehighline.org/

Enjoy! franceonisland

I use www.yelp.com every time I'm in NYC, it's the best for restaurants, bars and clubs. I found an amazing Cuban breakfast restaurant, hole in the wall place, but it was packed at 8 am and the food was so good!

THe little place on W. 14 St off of 7th Ave?