Christmas/New Year trip to New York/Montreal - best option

Hedgehog girl on 21/05/2016 - 18:53

Hi guys, really need someone's advise. I know there are a lot of people here from the states or those who's been there plenty of times. Hope you can share your thoughts.
My husband and I are planning to do white winter christmas trip to New York and Montreal this year. It's not certain yet and there is a chance we won't be able to fly to the states but still.
Using ffpoints we can arrive to New York on late 25th or 26th of December and spend 10-15 days there including a trip to Montreal. The whole idea of the trip - to feel the christmas spirit, to be on Times Square on New Years eve etc you know the drill :) So the question is, if we are going to arrive on 26th of December, are we going to miss the whole thing? I understand that the city would be still in Christmas decorations til the beginning of January (is that right?) but would it be better for us to fly a couple of earlier, let say on 21st of December? The price for those flights is just ridiculous and we can't use ff points for those flights.

That is our dilemma - plan for the 26th of December and still feel the christmas and NY spirit, see all the decorations, hopefully snow etc
Would right after Christmas days be still as festive as before the Christmas?

Thanks for the advise!

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 21/05/2016 - 19:08

    What is the price of the earlier flight you can't use points for? Is that a lot of money for you?

    I would sacrifice it and take the cost because it's a one time thing. But that's just me.

    It's like going to Germany for Oktoberfest AFTER it ends. Why?

    • Hedgehog girl on 21/05/2016 - 20:03

      Good pount :)
      That's why I've asked. You got me thinking that flying earlier is better option.
      Thanks for the advise!

  • zappy32 on 21/05/2016 - 22:59

    I guess it really depends on what you are after for 'Christmas' spirit. You don't say whether you have children or not but if it's just you and your husband I don't think it will make much of a difference. I flew in to NYC boxing day a few years ago and it was still definitely in festive season although I was only stopping over for a few days on the way to study in Canada so I wasn't really looking to do those things. I've also been to New York at the end of November/start of December and I would actually say that felt a lot more 'Christmasy' than boxing day as there were some parades, carols and so on. I think the difference between the 21st and the 26th is probably just less people crowding the shops, all the Christmas type events would have already finished by the 21st unless you have kids and want to do the Santa in NY photos. The giant Christmas tree will still be up at Rockefeller square and I think a lot(most?) shops will still have decorations up that week.

    Hopefully there is snow for you and then Central Park will feel lovely and like a white Christmas, even if it's a few days after. My suggestions would be to book accomodation for New Years Eve in New York as soon as you can and catch the train at least one way to/from Montreal - it's a long trip but some beautiful scenery along the way.

    • Hedgehog girl on 22/05/2016 - 07:22

      Thanks heaps for the info!
      We don't have kids, it's just myself and hubby. I'm after exactly what you wrote yearlier plus maybe some eposides from "love actually" :) I would love to watch and listen to christmas carols on the street, walk in magical central park covered in white and maybe take a photo of us with santa!
      We are planning to book a hotel in NY now but with free cancellation if we can't make it. Just need to set the dates.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join