Is November a good month for my next NYC trip ?

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:38pm

Hey all.
There's a big possibility of me coming to NYC by the end of the year (and meeting as many people from the board as possible, Yayyyyyy). I am going to visit with my best friend who's never been to New York before. I am thinking of planning it towards the second half of November, because I want to show him the beauty of the festive New York, but without the impossible Christmas crowds ! We are planning of course to catch many shows, older and new ones like Rent, Hairspray, Avenue Q, Chorus Line, Color Purple, Tarzan, Lestat etc. I want your advice. Is late November a good time for getting good seats to the shows or is it a busy time ? Do you think earlier November is better ? When do the Holiday decorations start ?
Updated On: 3/4/06 at 07:38 PM

[Musical_nerd]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:40pm

I went Novemeber 18th, wasn't busy.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:40pm

Any month is a great month for your cute butt to visit!

[cturtle]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:41pm

we've been to nyc TWICE for thanksgiving, and we loved it both times

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:42pm

YAY!!

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:43pm

and sexy legs, jrb. don't forget his sexy legs!

[erikaamato]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:47pm

I was just there this past November (the week before Thanksgiving), and a lot of decorations were up, but the tree at Rockefeller Center doesn't get lit until Thanksgiving. =)

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:47pm

Aww, jerby and chita, you'll make me blush

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:47pm

Thanksgiving weekend -- the last Wednesday through Sunday of November -- is either the busiest or second busiest tourist weekend of the entire year for NYC and Broadway (along with Xmas). Every show is sold out or close, all the Xmas decorations are up, the streets and stores are overrun with people -- there's even a massive parade on Thanksgiving Day (that Thursday). There also are no discount offers on tickets during that period. Now if you find that sort of thing fun (we locals don't for the most part) then come into town then.

You'd be MUCH better off if you want good seats and a little less tourist frenzy coming in at the beginning of the month. October and early November are often slow periods at the box office, so tickets shouldn't be hard to get for most shows and there should be lots of discounts available.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:50pm

And Thanksgiving is November 23, right at the heart of our planned trip. Is that a good thing theater-wise, or is it way too crowded ?

[cturtle]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:53pm

just book the shows you REALLY want to see beforehand. and there will still be plenty to choose from at tkts. you should experience thanksgiving in nyc at least once

[Patronus]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:55pm

I love New York at Thanksgiving. I made my annual trip there last year and it was fantastic.

I agree that the key is to buy tickets to the shows you want to see as early as possible and realize that you aren't going to be able to take advantage of a lot of discount codes.

I am actually going back this year the week of Thanksgiving as well.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:58pm

Thank you Margo, you are always so helpful.
Well, if it was up to me, I'd come in September to finally catch the Flea market. I just thought, for the sake of my friend, to show him the festive side of city. But if it's that busy, maybe we'll change our plans. I much prefer enjoying our favorite shows ! Though the thought of Thanksgiving sounds appealing, like cturtle says. Oh, what a dilemma !
Thank God, we have a place to stay, so we don't have the hotel searching problem and expenses
Maybe I should move the trip to the first half of December. That's the time of my first trip and I had no trouble finding tickets. Of course I was looking for single ones back then, which are way easier to find !
Updated On: 3/4/06 at 07:58 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 8:05pm

It'll be warmer in September, too! :)

[ashers2u]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 8:07pm

thanksgiving is an awesome time to be in NYC...but its also VERY busy (a lot of families visit during this time, with their kids off from school, etc)...so i'm not sure if it would be the best time to get last minute tickets. if you are getting tix ahead of time, then you should be fine though...and i'm sure you'd enjoy the season here :)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 8:18pm

Well, I will say that when I was a kid, my parents took me to NYC for Thanksgiving weekend nearly every year and it was always a pretty magical time in the city (and this was back in the pre-Disney Times Square days). Back then I found the crowds fun and not as bothersome as I do now. The whole city was festive and decorated with Xmas lights and I always had a wonderful time. Maybe you and your friend would too, since he's never been here before. If you're not too concerned with paying full price (and on vacation, you may not care) then you should go ahead and buy most of your tickets now or in the next few months -- good seats for Thanksgiving and Xmas start getting snapped up 6 months up in advance -- and you'll have a great trip.

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 7:49am

I went up to NYC the week before Christmas last year to see Sweet Charity and Dog Sees God.It was extremely busy the two days I was there, but it was a lot of fun for me.I managed to finish my Christmas shopping on that trip.NYC is beautiful that time of year.The whole city was absolutely beautiful.I especially loved the displays at Macys(The pop-up books were brillant).I was also there for a week in January to see Billy Joel at MSG and a few shows.That week was a blast as well.

I will be going back for Tonys week in June.I am going up for Stars in the Alley and seeing 7 shows(Jersey Boys,Barefoot in the Park,Faith Healer[1st row],Three Days of Rain,The Drowsy Chaperone,Avenue Q, and Awake And Sing!).I can't wait!

I am also planning to go up in September for the NYMF/Broadway Flea Market.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 8:03am

If you really want to see NYC with it's holiday best on, then you might want to plan your visit in December. The ultimate symbol of NYC at Christmas is the Rockefeller Center tree and it won't be lit until around December 8th.

Again, it's very important to purchase your tickets well in advance.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 1:26pm

Actually, I believe the tree will most probably be lit in late November, as it usually is...

From the rockefellercenter.com official site:

UPCOMING EVENTS:
11-28
The 2006 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center November 28, 7:00-9:00pm (Date not yet confirmed)

Take part in a New York City tradition at the 74th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The 2006 Tree Lighting Ceremony will be a star-studded event broadcast live on NBC. Come celebrate the holidays at Rockefeller Center!

Last year, the ceremony was on the 30th. =)

I love me the TREE!

Posted: 3/5/06 at 5:52pm

I went to NY in November with my school and I had a blast!!