The tradition continues! I'm so happy to announce my ninth annual holiday trip to New York City this November to celebrate the start of the Christmas season! After years of traveling to New York City and experiencing the magic of the holidays... when the city "puts on its party clothes"... I'm once again going to share some of my favorite places - and some new places - with some of my favorite people - hopefully YOU!
I would love to have you join me in the city the weekend of Friday through Sunday, November 22, 23, and 24, 2019. Our weekend includes time to shop at the fabulous Christmas markets, soaking in the beauty of the Christmas windows and lights on the buildings, sight-seeing, browsing (and buying) at the shops throughout the city, eating some fabulous food and unique NYC treats and enjoying and exploring with friends from across the country!
Our first day together, Friday, November 22, for the first time includes a ferry trip to the Statue of Liberty, a visit to the new museum there, and a stop at Ellis Island. We'll then make our way to the 9/11 Memorial and the stunning Oculus building for lots of amazing photo opportunities. A subway ride will take us to the newest landmark - the Vessel at Hudson Yards. You can take photos from the bottom or climb as far up the 2,500 steps as you can for more amazing photos. This newly developed area includes a fabulous new shopping mall, too. The evening is free to continue shopping, see a Broadway show, or have a leisurely dinner together.
On Saturday we will meet early and make our way from Rockefeller Center (with time to shop at the new FAO Schwartz,) up 5th Avenue toward Central Park, stopping at stores along the way, browsing and shopping and enjoying the Christmas decorations. We'll have lunch in the Plaza Hotel food hall and take a carriage ride into Central Park, and then head back to Rockefeller Center to go to the Top of the Rock, as the observation area is called, to see the sunset over NYC (sunset is at 4:25 that day.) That evening, there will be the option see the Rockettes in their Christmas Spectacular Show at Rockefeller Center as group like we have the last few years. It is a really special way to end the night together - even if you've seen the show before.
Our Sunday adventure will begin with a super fun food tour where we'll sample foods at several different shops and learn about the unique history of the area we tour. After our tour we have a couple different options... a city flea market or the Union Square Christmas Market (maybe both!) and a walk past the Flat Iron Building and a stop at Eataly, the Italian market nearby. We'll end the day with an optional dinner at Joe Allen and take in the brilliant magic of the glittering lights of Times Square. One of the nights, we will walk along 5th Avenue to see the lights - it's actually easier to photograph the decoration at night when the windows aren't reflecting the other buildings nearby.
The weekend begins at 8:15am on Friday morning and ends late Sunday night. You can leave on Sunday whenever you might need to, although most people leave on Monday and enjoy our dinner at Joe Allen Restaurant on Sunday night. Flying home on Monday allows you to participate in all the fun!
One of the reasons I call this event "My NYC," is because I will share the places I love with you: the routes I like to take, the restaurants where I like to eat, and the sights that make NY so special to me. Whether it's your first time to New York or you are a frequent visitor, there is always something new to see and experience with new friends!
Included in the special weekend:
1. Shopping and sight-seeing with me on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you want to stay together and shop and sight-see with me, you can, but if you would like to linger or go on ahead, you can just meet up later at one of our next meeting spots.
2. Round trip ferry transportation to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Admission to the Statue of Liberty museum
A MetroCard for the subway with the fare for two one way trips loaded on it (you can add more if you want to)
Entrance to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center
30 minute carriage ride in Central park (4 per carriage)
A 3 hour food tour
3. Hotel information: I will be staying with most of you at the Hotel at Times Square or at the hotel diagonally across the street, the Cambria Hotel. You should make your own hotel reservation for your visit as soon as you can, in case it should sell out. (If the hotel shows no rooms available, keep trying. It changes frequently.) You can either stay at the Hotel at Times Square, the Cambria Hotel, or at a hotel of your choosing. If you do stay at another hotel, you need to allow extra time in your schedule to be at our meeting spots on time. Let me know if you need a roommate, and I will do my best to match you up with someone. We have found that the hotel rates drop as the date gets closer if it is not sold out, so it it worthwhile to keep an eye on it, but always be sure to cancel your previous reservation after you have made a new one.
4. Transportation guidance: I can help you with transportation information from the three main airports that serve NYC. In the city, we will do a lot of walking but take will take taxis or Uber if the distance to travel is too great. We will even hop on the subway! This trip is not suitable for those with mobility issues as taxis can sometimes be hard to find, and we will be doing a lot of walking.
5. Optional activities: I will be making reservations for Joe Allen in the Theater District on Sunday evening. The cost of this meal is not included in the cost of the weekend. We've had a wonderful time Joe Allen each year. You never know what celebrity you'll see there! I will also purchase tickets for the evening Radio City Christmas Spectacular show on Saturday night if some or all of the group would like to attend. I will contact you at a later date to see if this is something you would be interested in doing. You can send me a check for the admission to the show.
6. If there are other activities you'd like to include in your trip to New York, I'd encourage you to come a day early and/or stay a day later to see all that you can.
WHO does this include?
You...
- if you have a sense of adventure and a great attitude, knowing that in travel there are often things that happen that cannot be predicted ahead of time. Usually those times are opportunities to experience something new and create a memory!
- if you are female and over the age of 18.
- if you do not have mobility issues that would hinder your enjoyment or the group as we will be doing a lot of walking and sometimes climbing stairs.
What is NOT included?
- Transportation to New York or in New York on any of the days other than specified above.
- Hotel accommodations.
- Meals other than the food tour. (Breakfast is included at the Hotel at Times Square.)
A $200 non-refundable deposit will hold your spot.* The cost for the full weekend is $450. The balance of $250 is due by September 1. **Special savings! Pay for your spot in full by check or money order when registering and save $25. Your payment in full will be $425. If you are paying after September 1, then the full amount is due upon registration.
Payment can be made by using the Shopping Cart below or by sending a check to me at Debby Schuh, 4470 Arondale Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221. If you would like information about joining the group for part of the weekend, please contact me at memorybee@msn.com for pricing.
Trip insurance is strongly recommended. Please see the cancellation policy below.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: There are no refunds for any payments as reservations and payments will be made and cannot be refunded. The purchase of travel insurance to protect your purchase in case of emergency is strongly recommended.
(A minimum of eight participants is required for the trip to be viable, so please do not make reservations that cannot be canceled until I notify you that we have reached the minimum. If the minimum is not reached by September 1, all money paid will be refunded.)
Cancellation of all or any part of the trip by me due to forces or events beyond my control will result in a refund of any funds that have not been pre-paid for advance reservations. All tours are subject to change based on availability. There is no refund for any activities that you do not participate in.