Advice on day trip to NYC near Christmas?

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Seems like you have more than enough opinions on the train versus driving, etc., so nothing to add there (other than saying Mahwah seems like the worse option).

It does seem like a ton of trouble to have come all that way to the most iconic city in the country during the most iconic season and rushing in and out just long enough to see a show. I agree with others – meet the relatives at the show but go earlier and at least take in a few sites, all easily within range of where Hamilton’s theater is. Of course you’ll see Times Square (because its near the theater and you walk by from the train station) but I wouldn’t hang out there longer than the photo op – its actually the worst place in NYC. But the winter market at Bryant Park just a block east would be perfect, and right next to the iconic main library. Or the ice rink and tree at Rockefeller Center, just a few blocks north of that.

Or if you’re looking for something totally different and nice and warm inside, right next to your train station (Grand Central), you could go to The Summit – the 3 story viewing “experience” at the top of one of NYC’s newest skyscrapers, where you are higher than the Empire State Building. I’ve done many famous top of building viewing experiences, and this one was an order-of-magnitude better than the rest. You can see all of NYC, but that’s honestly the least interesting thing about it. The floor is a mirror and the whole thing is surreal.

There’s obviously a thousand other things to do in NYC but I was just listing a few that could be done in a couple hours near where. you will already be.

(side note, if you’re planning a sit down lunch or dinner, the restaurants very near Times Sqaure and the theater district are generally a worse experience than the rest of the city – way too crowded and usually not great food in what is otherwise a city with over 10,000 places to get great food.)

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Agree on not driving into the city.

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Sounds like a great time, but know that the area around the theater will be very crowded on the Saturday before Christmas. Hopefully, the weather will be decent and you can walk around.

If you are into seeing the iconic NYC Christmas sites, I would suggest going first to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and decor, then up 5th Ave to see St Patricks and some decorated windows. If you are there in the morning, should not be too crowded.

Depending on timing. can then either go up to Central Park, go to the market at Bryant park , or continue to just walk around. We ate at Bond45 right across the street before seeing that show. Definitely touristy but tasty food and easy access to the theater.

If you aren’t into holiday sites and are into art, you could probably zoom through a bit of the Museum of Modern Art before going to the show. A short walk from Grand Central. Other museums would require subway rides.

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Subway is not so fun, and there is some expense for 5 people. But… it has advantage of being inside/warm, with more schedule predictably (no traffic delays).

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I really appreciate everyone’s advice! It’s given me good information and perspectives.

We live in kind of east central Massachusetts, just a bit east of Worcester, and not near a commuter rail line, so Amtrak the whole way is not as convenient as if we were in a location close to the train.

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If any of your party is 65 or older or disabled:

Also, the subway elevators (which I have used A LOT lately due to my various disabilities) are almost always working and clean.

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I live in the Stamford area - I-95 from Stamford to Norwalk is a disaster, even on weekends. Plus the parking garage at Stamford is under construction. I would vote for somewhere further north on the line as your starting point.

There’s a 7:15am semi-express train from New Haven that arrives at GCT 2 hours later (9:15am) on Saturdays. You can use the MTA Train Time app to plan your journey.

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For what it’s worth we went into NYC yesterday arrived at 4 pm. Zipped through both the Grand Central and Bryant Park Holiday Markets in an hour and a half. (Bought things in both places.) Lots of fun food in Bryant Park BTW. We walked up to 58th Street mostly along 6th Ave (Avenue of the Americas) and was surprised at how festive it was. We were in a hurry trying to avoid crowds.

We were there to see my nephew dance (He’s at Columbia and takes dance classes at Barnard.) Afterwards we had a really fantastic (but not cheap and not speedy) meal at Mari a fixed menu place that serves sushi with Korean accents.

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Do not drive into the City because this year, the iconic Fifth Avenue corridor from 48th Street to 59th Street will be fully closed to vehicle traffic noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, December 3, 10, and 17. Two vehicle lanes will also be closed to vehicle traffic from 48th Street to 52nd Street for large parts of each day throughout the holiday season, beginning in the early afternoon on weekdays and mornings on weekends. In addition, West 49th Street and West 50th Street will feature pedestrian-only areas.
With street closures, traffic will be intolerable.

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Well… it will be an experience like no other - for better or worse.

The Saturday before Christmas, anything near the Rockefeller Center will feel like getting into a Taylor Swift concert, by the power 10. Make sure no one has anxiety issues in crowds - you’ll possibly spend 30-45 minutes shuffling along 5th Ave, Channel Gardens, glance at the Rink and Christmas Tree, with people pushing from all angles. So, pack patience!
Of course, the sights are the best after 4:30 PM or so, when you can appreciate all the lights. Also, that’s when the Saks 5th Avenue light show will start, which is always a crowd pleaser.

Importantly, the Saks 5th Avenue amazing season-themed window display is another long-time New Yorker tradition (right across 5th Ave. from the Rockefeller Center). It can be enjoyed during the daytime as well.

The musical will be done by 4 - so you could do Rockefeller Center “with lights” after the show - but your 6 PM return train would then be iffy.

If you do make it to Bryant Park for the Winter Village, you’ll literally be standing on top of the NYC Public library. So, be certain to visit the Polonsky Exhibition (New York Public Library’s Treasures) for the most genuinely unique treasures of the Library, such as a Gutenberg Bible, the Declaration of Independence, Charles Dickens’ Desk, …

We’ve done the Midtown thing many times over the years - but we do enjoy the city, we know what to expect, and know our way around. So for us it is an experience that’s part of the Christmas Season, just like the (old) Bronx Zoo holiday lights, the Holiday Train Show at the Botanical Gardens, …

As far as travels - unless you are actually looking forward to spending extra time with family members in Mahwah on Friday evening… don’t, just don’t! It’s not worth the Hudson crossing on a Saturday right before Christmas, when everyone else is clogging area highways hitting the malls.

(If you do decide to stay the night in Mahwah, I’m a bit worried about the “affordable” hotel comment that allows dogs. The Best Western does not, and the others are dog-friendly for a fee, on top of already being less affordable. There are two places on that highway corridor between Mahwah and Upper Saddle River that are affordable,… but for a reason!)

As far as driving directly into the city for maximum flexibility: yes, that’s feasible (but not everyone’s cup of tea) - I’ve never, ever done it any other way. But again, we are “good walkers” and subway smart. Walking a few blocks from Hell’s Kitchen, or taking the subway from the UWS, is no big deal for us. I would definitely agree that you arrange parking in advance for that Saturday. You’ll know you have a spot, and you can then plan your walking route / sites, etc. ahead of time.

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@digitaldad Wouldn’t going early (getting to Grand Central by 9:30 am) and going right to the tree reduce the crowds? I would think crowded but tolerable before 11 am.

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I think you are underestimating just how packed NYC - especially Midtown - is on the Saturday before Christmas. @DigitalDad is right: it’s sellout-concert-level crowds, and impossible to walk with any speed whatsoever. Getting to the tree at 9:30 am might reduce the crush somewhat, but not by much. It will go up exponentially as the day wears on, and after Hamilton will be the absolute worst time to be there.

It sounds like you’ve ruled this out, but I’ll agree with everyone who said do not drive into the city that day. Just don’t. The stress and congestion would be unimaginable.

I also blinked at the Mahwah hotel + dog thing. I would never leave my dogs alone in any hotel room (and not sure most hotels even permit that as part of their policy) – but this is not your concern, and I agree with everyone else that going to Mahwah is simply the worst option possible. Mahwah is not close at all, there’s no public transpo from there, the highways will be jammed, and on and on and on.

I know this is likely impossible, but I’d really advise against trying to do all this in one day. It’s a dizzying plan, and if one thing goes wrong it’s likely to snowball. Going into the city to see a show - maybe eating a lunch nearby first, checking out Bryant Park - yes, all doable.

But adding the Rock Center excursion after and trying to make a 6 pm train - I don’t see that as feasible at all.

Best of luck, whatever you opt for, and please update us afterward on your experience!!!

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I agree with your conclusions - but just to be accurate, Bergen County is popular with NYC commuters (each town has their own 9/11 memorial after local parents didn’t make it home that day), because of a multitude of transportation options - from Port Authority Bus service, to Pascack Valley, and Bergen train lines.

So there certainly is regular, frequent train service directly from Mahwah and Ramsey Rt 17 stations - connecting through the Secaucus hub. People do that every day - but they essentially are getting “paid” to do so (earning NYC salaries, while enjoying suburban lawns, and well-funded schools). They spend the 2 - 3 hours round-trip each day catching up on briefs, reports, and other work, or their reading.

But, for “leisure”, it wouldn’t be my first option, especially if coming from the other side of the Hudson.

E.g., the Christmas Spectacular starting their Radio City shows already at 10:00 AM on the 23rd (any weekend till Xmas)

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Honestly, I thought walking through the crowd and seeing the tree at night was kind of part of the fun!

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During that time closer to Christmas, you do not ‘walk’, there’s no room to walk. People push you and you just get carried forward, sideways, or whatever. I feel bad for babies and kids in strollers, can easily get trampled.

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OP and two teen boys will be fine. While I wouldn’t plan on even getting a cup of coffee in the area, I think it’s all part of the experience.

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Yes - you either embrace it as part of the experience, or you’ll vouch “never again”.

As long as out-of-towners have a sense what to expect.

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I love seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center. Last year, I was there with friends (:wink:) I think on Dec 30 when it was unseasonably warm…and it was very very very crowded all over NYC. But we didn’t have a show in the mix. Just lunch and walking around. And spending time at Bryant Park….because it was such nice warm weather.

I will add, I took an early morning train from Bridgeport, and it was very very crowded. Folks getting on this train in Stamford…mostly were standing.

Be prepared for crowds during the holidays…but everyone is happy to be there…and it’s a fun time for sure!

Agree with others…take Mahwah out of your equation.

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+1000. Specific suggestion: Carmine’s on W44th. Great for large groups.

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Oops on public transpo - I lived in Pompton Lakes in the dark ages and don’t remember having any options, but then again, I never looked, lol. For all I know there was an express bus on my bloc. Sorry!