What are the Best Non-Tourist Things To See in NYC in December??

Question

We are travelling back to NYC in December. We have done all of the 'tourist' things before so are looking for something from a New Yorker's perspective. Any ideas??

Answer 1

Well i live here and in December most New Yorkers will do anything as long as it doesnt involve outdoors. Last year me and a friend went to the lighting of the Christmas Tree as a joke but it was actually really fun and romantic so I guess that would be nice, not too touristy.
I would just suggest to you what I do during my winter break (I'm still in high school). I would say do the whole shopping/xmas thing, but definitly NOT in midtown or 5th ave and stuff because that is probably the biggest tourist thing to do. The Upper West Side has nice boutiques and so does Williamsburg. During December, there are also a lot of nice parties to go to and all the clubs are having Christmas/New Years themed parties and stuff so if your into that, go for it. I would also recommend going to see a Broadway show because Times Square is very romantic in the winter (to me at least)

Answer 2

Well these are still tourist things, but ones that a lot of people don't necessarily know about...

The Tenament Museum on the Lower East Side... and there are a number of tours they offer to show you how the early immigrants lived.

Also, I love the Cloisters and I find that most tourists haven't heard of it... it's at the very top part of Manhattan on a cliff sort of, and it's a combination of many midievil monastaries from Europe and houses lots of midieval art including the Unicorn Tapestries.

Check out the Village Vaguard, Kavehas, or The Stone (experimental jazz) for jazz.

There's a really fun Burlesque show in the village too at the Starshine Burlesque theater: http://www.starshineburlesque.com/
go there on thursday night.

There's this place for chocolate fondue that is so cute and cheap wine and great sangria called the bougeoise pig on 7th street between Ave. A and 1st.

Broadway is always fun. Try off broadway too.

If you have kids go to the Sony building where they let you play with all of the new technology for free.

Go ice skating at Wollman Rink... not Rockefeller Center. Walk down 5th Avenue and get some roasted chestnuts from a street vender... it's so beautiful in December and the store windows are fun. Though that's touristy, we like to do that too.

There's the skyscraper museum by battery park... if you are into engineering or architecture.

Also, check out the Village Voice, NY Press, or Time Out NY for readings of poetry, stories, spoken word, or lectures which all take place and can be fun.

There are also laser light shows with different kinds of music (I've seen from psychadellic, to classical, to metal) at the Planetarium. They have those IMAX movies there too, but I haven't seen any. Go shopping in SoHo or the village...

Check out Little Korea on 32nd from 7th to 5th Aves. It is open 24 hours a day, and you can get Korean food, also 24 hour a day spa treatments... so you could do that at 4am if you wish, also there is really cheap wholesale shopping there for things like bags, jewelery and other accessories.

Have fun.

Answer 3

Depending on your age and lifestyle. Definitely get a hotel in the village area of downtown manhattan, near places like union square, greenwich village and soho, where there is a lot of culture. Just walk around the city - there's always something going on! Soho is a trendy neighborhood for shopping, if you've already done the touristy shopping down fifth avenue with all the upscale fashion stores. Also, herald square has a lot of good shopping..the 7-story Macy's is the biggest department store in america. Check out some broadway shows (or off-broadway, if you've already seen the big-name shows). If you're the type that likes to go out and party, there are a ton of trendy clubs and bars in soho and the meatpacking district. new york is awesome!

Answer 4

I recommend you stay at a hotel outside of Times Square and Midtown. Stay below 34th street in the Gramercy Park, Village, or somewhere in a more residential neighborhood like the Upper East or West sides.

Try to make believe you're a New Yorker with a day off, don't wear a hiking backpack (a sign of a tourist or a student not raised in New York). And just walk!

Don't eat at any of the theme tourist traps; they're not worth it and no true New Yorker eats at them. Try ethnic cuisine: Mexican, Italian, Thai (a favorite), Japanese, Greek, Middle Eastern (2nd favorite), Bistro French, Szechuan/Hunan/Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese... the sky's the limit. Buy a copy of the Zagat Survey or go on Zagat.com for recommendations.

Museums: I can't believe you've seen all the interesting museums; you'll never have time to see them all: the Metropolitan, the Modern Art (MoMA), Guggenheim, Frick, Whitney, Photography, Natural History, Television and Radio, NY Historical Society, Moving Image (Queens), the Police, the Tenement, Native American, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Transit (also in Brooklyn), Bronx Zoo (open year round), Botanic Gardens in the Bronx and Brooklyn, Aquarium (in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn), Hall of Science in Queens, Liberty Science across the water in New Jersey, Madame Tusseaud's... the list goes on and on. I'll kick myself when I remember some more.

Use the TKTS discount booth to see some Broadway plays on the cheap.

Also, check out concerts at small venues that play music that cater to your taste.

Have you actually walked around Fifth, Madison and Park Avenues from 60th street to, say, 90th and realized there are people who have tons more money than you on the Upper East Side? Walked around the Upper West Side near the Natural History? They just opened the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center, which may have better views and less lines than at the Empire State Building. Gotten lost in Grand Central Station? Played at Chelsea Piers? The Chelsea Section near West 23 street is an extension of the Village; I would walk down 7th Avenue to 14th Street and then walk east to Union Square and people watch, where there are two natural grocery store chains in competition (Trader Joe's vs Whole Foods). Village walk: from Union Square walk down Broadway to Bleecker Street and walk west across Bleecker until you get tired -- you'll go from funky punky college to upscale (both straight and gay). Don't forget the East Village -- walk east on 8 Street until it turns into St. Marks Place, walk down Avenue A or 1st Avenue to 6th Street (Indian restaurant row) west to Bowery, south on Bowery to Chinatown, a couple of blocks past the Manhattan Bridge and then west on any tiny street going in that direction turn north to Mott Street and hit Little Italy (small area; don't blink). You've been to the original Financial District near the Bowling Green train station? Most New Yorkers have never been! What about Brooklyn: if it's good weather walk across the Bklyn Bridge and see DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights neighborhoods, then take the train back. More Brooklyn: visit 7th Avenue between 14th Street and Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Been to Brighton Beach neighborhood? Bay Ridge is a residential neighborhood but on 86 street and 5th avenue is their version of Century 21, and you can still hear a Brooklyn accent at the restaurant bars along Third Avenue -- just after sundown you'll see the best Christmas lights down the side streets! Since it is residential off Third Avenue, don't linger too much (most people drive through the streets to see the lights). Queens: Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights neighborhood serves great Indian food and the neighborhood is a real melting pot. Start reading and researching!

Even native NYkers discover new things when they go walking.

Answer 5

If you're going to be there for more than two days, be sure to contact Big Apple Greeters as soon as possible and apply for a private guided tour. You can choose what you want to see or you can leave it up to your "native New Yorker" guide.

Answer 6

The New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx has a great holiday train show. Its wonderful.

Answer 7

Others have given you cultural suggestions...I recommend the Hershey store in Times Square, and Dylan's Candy Bar (an amazing candy store) on 3rd Ave and 60th St. Pricey, but worth it!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

indexed below are some innovations of what you're able to do. First, get a sturdy excursion map. Then i decide to propose you're taking ny double decker excursion bus for an define of the city. There are countless diverse neighborhoods so i will spotlight those and what to be sure: top East component: Metropolitan Museum of artwork, Guggenheim, Whitney Museum. walk up and down Madison highway for spectacular shops and boutiques 96th - 57th st. walk Park highway for shape all the thank you to Grand efficient Terminal and spot the treasures placed interior of. walk alongside 5th highway to be sure/bypass out and in of efficient Park - decide for a run, bypass to the efficient Park Zoo, bypass to the Carousel, decide for a gondola experience on the boat residing house. top WEST component: Museum of organic historic previous -a would desire to! on efficient Park West, walk alongside Columbus highway. bypass to the West component of efficient Park and pay respects to John Lennon's Strawberry Fields. MIDTOWN: procuring - 57th St (Chanel and the team), 5th highway - would desire to be sure Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and FAO Schwartz - many different relaxing shops. St. Patrick's Cathedral Museum of present day artwork Sony Bldg Rockefeller center bypass west to spectacular new Time Warner center and bypass to the recent Mandarin inn bar/eating place for spectacular view and treats! Oh, Bloomingdale's is on 59th St and Lexington. Empire State Bldg. The Intrepid airplane Museum is captivating and on the West component...very well worth the bypass to notwithstanding in case you haven't any longer any little ones. CHELSEA: walk around the blooming section sprouting spectacular eating places and shops. Chelsea Pier is relaxing. WALL ST: Pay respects to the 9/11 victims and heroes on the WTC internet site., walk Wall St., bypass to the Chase Hdqtrs, Federal Reserve. Seaport section is sizable to be sure. THE VILLAGE: Funky shops in the West Village. walk during the NYU Washington sq. Park. The East Village has some shops from new artists and architects SOHO: super galleries and shops on n off West Broadway. walk with the aid of to Little Italy for spectacular nutrients and cakes...walk with the aid of Chinatown. CANAL highway has stall after stall of clothier "copies"...carry money and good purchase and watch your handbag! those would desire to positioned an marvelous smile on your face. carry your digital camera and takes lots of imagery to keep in mind your holiday. you have got a blast! OH...purchase this weekly mag: TIMEOUT ny on any newstand to be sure what's happening each and every week/day. :)

Answer 10

As far as I'm concerned, the only reason to go to NYC is to see the museums and possibly a show.