New York in December
December is a cold month in New York but this shouldn’t stop you from enjoying everything the state and New York City have to offer. Whether you want to take a photo of the Rockefeller Center tree, look at the Holiday windows display or spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square, make sure to book your flight and hotel ahead of time.
Weather
Expect the weather to be in the 30-40F range during this month. However, it’s possible to be warmer but don’t count on that. Also, snowfall is possible, but it also might rain.
Bring a warm sweater , a hat, a scarf and gloves. Don’t forget the winter jacket and the appropriate footwear.
Some temperatures
Albany avg high 36.1F (2.3C) / avg low 22.2F (-5.4C)
Buffalo avg high 36F (2C) / avg low 23F (-5C)
New York City avg high 41.8F (5.4C) / avg low 29.9F (-1.2C)
Niagara Falls avg high 33F (1C) / avg low 22F (-5C)
>>read more about Weather in New York
Facilities
The major downside to traveling during December is the high price of both airfare and hotels. While you can get away with cheaper airfare if you manage to find some good deals from low cost carriers, when it comes to choosing a hotel , you’ll rack up quite a lot of money.
Sure, anyone wants to stay in Manhattan, but consider other boroughs , as well, and don’t forget that hostels are very good alternatives to hotels , especially if you book a private room.
Read more about:
>>Hotels with a view of Central Park
>>Hotels in Chelsea
>>Hotels in the Upper East Side
>>Hotels near Union Square
>>Hotels near Times Square
>>Hostels near Times Square
Things to do
The Holidays windows display are an attraction of their own during this time of the year in New York. So , with a camera in hand and properly dressed for December, go by Manhattan’s most celebrated department stores to see the interesting displays. You can find them at Macy’s, Saks, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, as well as at Lord & Taylor.
Rockefeller Center gets its tree by the end of November (on 30th in 2011), so that’s where you need to be if you want to experience Christmas New York style. If the weather permits, ice skating is also possible on the rink situated right below the tree.
On Christmas Day, many ethnic restaurants are open in the city, so you can surely take a culinary tour of New York.
If you arrive in New York City in early December, there’s still time to do your Christmas shopping . It’s the perfect time to look for bargains.
Should you be in New York for New Year’s Eve, you must be in Times Square to bit good bye to the old year and welcome the new one!
No visit to New York is complete without seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Make sure to book the tickets ahead of time as they sell out pretty quickly.
The holiday activities will keep you busy in December, but that’s no reason to forget about the famous sights of New York. Visit the museums , take a walk in Central Park (if it’s not too cold) and see the Statue of Liberty .