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New York

New York with Teen-agers at Christmas!

. . .More Photos

by BeAdventureous!

A December 1999 travel journal

Last Updated: August 12, 2001

Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
11
Reviews
2
Photos

Shopping, theater, dining, culture, Central Park, and all within walking distance from THE PLAZA. There IS nothing like Christmas is New York with the snow and carriages and ambience.

. . .
Front row seats, made months in advance to see Phantom and Les Mis. Eating at the Four Seasons, again reserved months in advance, in the famous pool room, views from our suite at the Plaza of Central Park in the snow surrounded by horse driven carriages, the windows of the shops decorated for Christmas with lines winding around corners, the Metropolitan Art Museum and shop. Drink hot chocolate and watch the ice skaters at Rockefeller Plaza around the BIG Christmas tree, and light a candle at St. Paul's. Don't forget the Statue of Liberty and riding the Staten Island Ferry!

Quick Tips:

Plan and reserve in advance. Save your money cause it ain't cheap.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk or take a taxi. DO NOT DRIVE.
The Plaza Hotel Entrance
A suite at the PLAZA, overlooking Central Park in the snow with a fireplace and amenities that were rather grand. Location was awesome and we watched the horse and carriages give grand tours. The rooms were HUGE. Although we stayed over an extra day because it snowed and the plane could not fly out & we were moved to a regular room & it was cramped and extremely small overlooking the dumpster. So if you can't afford a suite, go elsewhere! The lobby was elegant and always filled.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 21, 2001

The Plaza Hotel
768 5TH AVENUE New York, New York 10019
212 759-3000

Extraordinary! Served in courses, surrounded by shimmery blinds, overlooking the pool, this was an exquisite experience! The dessert was a piece of art. When we made reservations for the theater, we were offered a special pre-theater dinner, and I'm sure glad I took them up on it!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 21, 2001

Four Seasons
99 East 52nd St, Four Seasons Hotel New York, New York 10022
+1 212 754 9494

Oyster Bar

Restaurant

Get there when the door opens. OK so our teens ate vegetarian food elsewhere, but we loved it. The food was really just ok, the paella, disappointing, but still, the atmosphere is neat.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 21, 2001

Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant
Grand Central Station, Lower Level New York City, New York 10017
+1 212 490 6650

Les Miserables

Activity

I had always imagined everyone would be so dressed up and I looked forward to seeing elegant outfits, but that was the ONLY disappointing part-- there were people in jeans and fanny packs... The play was awesome and I would NOT miss it! We had planned months in advance and saved months in advance and splurged on front row seats and it was well worth it!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 21, 2001

Miserables (Les)
Imperial Theater / 249 W. 45th St. New York, New York

Awesome! The set was extraordiary. People dressed down. Jeans and fanny packs disappointed. But the special effects were entrancing. We had saved our pennies and made reservations months in advance and had front row seats.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 21, 2001

Phantom Of The Opera (The Show)
Broadway New York, New York

Liberty holds high the Torch of Enlightment and carries the Book of Law incribed with the date of the Declaration of Independence. The 7 rays of her crown correspond with the the 7 seas and 7 continents of the world. She stands majestically welcoming all to our country 1250 feet and weighing in at 250 tons, I feel skinny in her presence. Compartively with her 35' waist and 3'wide mouth and 8' long index finger I AM tiny. From a distance or up close and personal she is awesome. Be prepared to stand in long lines... she's been weathering for 100+ years, causing a rich patina to form over her copper skin, if you begin to turn greenish, you might then get impatient.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on August 12, 2001

Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island New York, New York 10004
(212) 363-3200

The main concourse of Grand Central Station covers 375'. Built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1871 as a rail palace and gateway to the city its 125' vaulted ceiling features painted constellations and lighted stars. Hercules frames the 13' clock that crowns the southern entrance. Covered in specialty shops that offers olive oils from Tuscany, soaps and lotions from Paris, and foods from around the world. See the Oyster Bar restaurant journal review located here.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on August 12, 2001

Grand Central Terminal
Park Avenue New York, New York
(212) 340-2583

Paul Manship designed the gilded bronze figure of Promstheus in 1934, which sets above an engraved gold Zodiac ring dominating Rockefeller Center. He appears to be flying, holding onto a flame of fire. 50 electronically controlled water jets and computerized colored lights bathe the plaza. At Christmas time, it is especially magical. Ice skaters parade around the illumined giant Christmas tree surrounded by herlding lighted angelic host. Sip hot chocolate, and people watch. If this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on August 12, 2001

Rockefeller Center
49th to 50th streets New York, New York 10020
(212) 632-3975

Trump Tower

Activity

Five stories, Trump Tower is arrayed in pink marble with mirrored waterfalls and European specialty shops. We took a moment out and enjoyed the harpist in the lobby. It was Christmastime and such a serene and peaceful spot in the busy hussel/bussel of materialism.

Where was Donald we wondered, hoping for a glimpse. Escalators carried shoppers laden with brightly colored packages up and away out of sight, as we drank in a quite gulp of classical culture.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on August 12, 2001

Trump Tower
725 Fifth Ave New York, New York 10022
+1 212 832 2000

Central Park

Activity

Our room overlooked Central Park surrounded by horse drawn buggies, waiting to give you a grand tour. 840 acres filled with 5 million trees of 632 species and 800 species of vines and shrubs, make this a wondrous place indeed and covered in snow, gives it a magical illumination. We tromped over the Stone Gapston Bridge that crosses the north outlet of the pond and took pictures. Hard to believe in 1856 the city bought it for 5 million...we watched the ice skaters, saw the famous and expensive Terrace on the Green lit with animal sculpted lawn topiaries, the dedicated joggers, and the bird lady, just like in the movie, HOME ALONE.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on August 12, 2001

Central Park
59th to 110th Streets New York, New York 10023
(212) 310-6600

About the Writer

BeAdventureous!
BeAdventureous!
Little Rock,, Arkansas

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