What can we do in New York City before and after the Radio City show?
November 18, 2022 2:34 PM Subscribe
The second week of December I am engaging in a rite of passage and taking a bus trip with my mother to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas spectacular. I'm looking for suggestions for a place to eat lunch and some nearby touristy holiday things we can see.
We're going to be arriving in NYC at about 11am on a Wednesday, and have to be back at Radio City Music Hall at 1:30 for our 2pm show. The show is 90 minutes, and our bus leaves at 6:30pm, so we'll have free time after the show as well.
Wherever we have lunch doesn't have to be fancy, but needs to have gluten-free options for her. I know about Ellen's Stardust Diner, but I know there's often a long wait.
Mom is in her 70s and can walk a good distance, but isn't very brisk about it, so I'd like to stay in that area of the city as much as we can. She freaking LOVES Christmas and all of its trappings so if you have tips for store window displays or other non-Rockette performances around that area, I'm all (elf) ears. I haven't been to NYC in years and never at the holidays and Mom hasn't been there since the 80s, so whatever you suggest will be novel to us. We are 100% fine with touristy things.
My goal is for her to sink into the bus seat at 6:15 and say, "What an amazing, magical Christmassy day!!!"
We're going to be arriving in NYC at about 11am on a Wednesday, and have to be back at Radio City Music Hall at 1:30 for our 2pm show. The show is 90 minutes, and our bus leaves at 6:30pm, so we'll have free time after the show as well.
Wherever we have lunch doesn't have to be fancy, but needs to have gluten-free options for her. I know about Ellen's Stardust Diner, but I know there's often a long wait.
Mom is in her 70s and can walk a good distance, but isn't very brisk about it, so I'd like to stay in that area of the city as much as we can. She freaking LOVES Christmas and all of its trappings so if you have tips for store window displays or other non-Rockette performances around that area, I'm all (elf) ears. I haven't been to NYC in years and never at the holidays and Mom hasn't been there since the 80s, so whatever you suggest will be novel to us. We are 100% fine with touristy things.
My goal is for her to sink into the bus seat at 6:15 and say, "What an amazing, magical Christmassy day!!!"
If you walk North up 5th Avenue from Radio City, you'll start right by Sak's and then Bergdorf's is 10 blocks away, and they both have great windows, with plenty of Christmasy stuff to see in between. Buy some chestnuts on the street!
As for food, all my favorite not-crazy-expensive spots around there are Asian, some of them might be hard for gluten free however due to soy sauce considerations. Otherwise I would suggest Wu Liang Ye on 48th between 6th and 7th.
posted by goingonit at 2:46 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
As for food, all my favorite not-crazy-expensive spots around there are Asian, some of them might be hard for gluten free however due to soy sauce considerations. Otherwise I would suggest Wu Liang Ye on 48th between 6th and 7th.
posted by goingonit at 2:46 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Store windows at Saks are A Thing, and right around the corner from Radio City.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:47 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by mollymayhem at 2:47 PM on November 18, 2022
Sadly I haven't been back to New York since before times, but La Bonne Soupe has always been one of my favorite places for lunch in Midtown. It's about 6 blocks north of Radio City, they take reservations and seem to have decent GF options.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 2:51 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by Sweetie Darling at 2:51 PM on November 18, 2022
Top of the Rock is nearby and has timed entry, so you can have confidence in your schedule. I'd go before the show. Alternatively, run up to the Met for its showstopper of a 18th (?) century giant Naples Christmas tree, and then back down to Radio City (they're about two miles apart). I'm not sure where your bus is getting in, but you might want to take a car. Google is pretty good on timings, including public transit, so you can look up what works best for you.
The crowds are going to be thick around there(though maybe not so bad on a Wednesday midday), but by that time the more elaborate Christmas storefront displays should be up on Fifth Avenue (not Sixth, where Radio City is) north of Rock Center. I'd wait until closer to sunset so you get the lights, too. The Saks Fifth Avenue at 49th and 5th will be most elaborate. I personally like taking the M1/2/3/4 bus down Fifth Avenue at this time, to see the lighted stores without having to make my way on foot, which can be intense (just make sure to sit on the right-hand side so you can see the tree). So perhaps walk up or get a cab about half a mile up Sixth Ave. from Radio City to enjoy Central Park for a bit (*) and then over to Fifth for the bus down.
(*) Extra corny, but the Time Warner/Deutsche Bank Center (at Central Park S. and 8th Ave.) will presumably have its usual cheesy mall Christmas displays, including large lighted hanging colored stars, and you can buy chocolate, perhaps eat at the Tartinery, which overlooks the star display. But only you can say whether that's too corny, and you'll need to work out the timing. If I wanted to do that, I'd definitely take a cab (or the D between the Rock Center/W. 47th-50th and Columbus Circle stops, if she's comfortable with that) rather than walk between Radio City and TWC to save a bit of time. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is also right there, and while there's a lot of kitsch, with luck you can find a cute thing or two. So that would be Radio City via car to Columbus Circle, eat/shop/whatever, walk back along Central Park S. to Fifth Ave., catch the bus down to watch the lights go by, and on home.
Or, you could go straight from Radio City in a car to see the Met tree, and get the M1/2/3/4 down from there. The fanciest lights peter out south of the Rock Center tree, so you can hop off after that and go your way.
posted by praemunire at 2:59 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
The crowds are going to be thick around there(though maybe not so bad on a Wednesday midday), but by that time the more elaborate Christmas storefront displays should be up on Fifth Avenue (not Sixth, where Radio City is) north of Rock Center. I'd wait until closer to sunset so you get the lights, too. The Saks Fifth Avenue at 49th and 5th will be most elaborate. I personally like taking the M1/2/3/4 bus down Fifth Avenue at this time, to see the lighted stores without having to make my way on foot, which can be intense (just make sure to sit on the right-hand side so you can see the tree). So perhaps walk up or get a cab about half a mile up Sixth Ave. from Radio City to enjoy Central Park for a bit (*) and then over to Fifth for the bus down.
(*) Extra corny, but the Time Warner/Deutsche Bank Center (at Central Park S. and 8th Ave.) will presumably have its usual cheesy mall Christmas displays, including large lighted hanging colored stars, and you can buy chocolate, perhaps eat at the Tartinery, which overlooks the star display. But only you can say whether that's too corny, and you'll need to work out the timing. If I wanted to do that, I'd definitely take a cab (or the D between the Rock Center/W. 47th-50th and Columbus Circle stops, if she's comfortable with that) rather than walk between Radio City and TWC to save a bit of time. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is also right there, and while there's a lot of kitsch, with luck you can find a cute thing or two. So that would be Radio City via car to Columbus Circle, eat/shop/whatever, walk back along Central Park S. to Fifth Ave., catch the bus down to watch the lights go by, and on home.
Or, you could go straight from Radio City in a car to see the Met tree, and get the M1/2/3/4 down from there. The fanciest lights peter out south of the Rock Center tree, so you can hop off after that and go your way.
posted by praemunire at 2:59 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
St Patrick’s Cathedral is nearby, if that’s something she’d enjoy taking a look at. I assume they do Christmas decorations though I don’t know when they go up.
posted by yarrow at 2:59 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by yarrow at 2:59 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: But only you can say whether that's too corny
No such thing!
posted by kimberussell at 3:09 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No such thing!
posted by kimberussell at 3:09 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
No such thing!
Honestly, that can be fun. If your mom isn't scared of the subway, it's literally two stops on the D between Rock Center and Columbus Circle. I see they've got a Laduree cart there now, too, so macarons and chocolate (Maison du Chocolat)!
posted by praemunire at 3:31 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Honestly, that can be fun. If your mom isn't scared of the subway, it's literally two stops on the D between Rock Center and Columbus Circle. I see they've got a Laduree cart there now, too, so macarons and chocolate (Maison du Chocolat)!
posted by praemunire at 3:31 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
There’s also a holiday market at Bryant Park, with a “lodge” where you can drink hot chocolate and watch ice skaters, and the NYPL main library building at 5th and 42nd usually has a tree and decorations in the lobby.
posted by yarrow at 3:43 PM on November 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by yarrow at 3:43 PM on November 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Yeah, if you'd rather head downtown for whatever reason, Bryant Park (42d St-Bryant Park) is also close on the D, just in the opposite direction from Columbus Circle. It's nice, too.
posted by praemunire at 3:55 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by praemunire at 3:55 PM on November 18, 2022
The Grand Central Oyster Bar is my favorite and there’s a Holiday Fair for shopping.
posted by Ideefixe at 4:36 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by Ideefixe at 4:36 PM on November 18, 2022
If you decide to go east and a little north (not all the way up to the Met, but could be on the way to/from), Serendipity 3 is a cute and kitschy spot that does elaborate Christmas decorations on top of their existing kitschy decor, and has a lot of gluten free items on their menu including their famous frozen hot chocolates.
Other midtown-ish spots with elaborate Christmas decorations are Lillie's Victorian Establishment in Times Square and Papillon Bistro & Bar at 22 E 54th St.
If you're there on December 14th and your mother's love of Christmas includes Anglican choral music, you could attend this Lessons and Carols service at noon at St. Thomas Fifth Avenue, a five minute walk from Radio City.
posted by earth by april at 10:58 PM on November 18, 2022
Other midtown-ish spots with elaborate Christmas decorations are Lillie's Victorian Establishment in Times Square and Papillon Bistro & Bar at 22 E 54th St.
If you're there on December 14th and your mother's love of Christmas includes Anglican choral music, you could attend this Lessons and Carols service at noon at St. Thomas Fifth Avenue, a five minute walk from Radio City.
posted by earth by april at 10:58 PM on November 18, 2022
My husband has worked across the street from Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center for the past 7 years so I'm familiar with the area. I'm not sure how adventurous your mother is in terms of food so here are a range of options. Please note that there are to-go options here because this is where a lot of the office workers in midtown go so the food is guaranteed to move fast and be fairly fresh. A lot are chains but this is Times Square, you won't have a lot of interesting food options that are cheaper and fresh for tourists.
1. Olive Garden - For the not so adventurous, Olive Garden Times Square is about a block away at 2 Times Square. My close friend who lived in NYC for decades loved going to Olive Garden because it was reliable, not to expensive and had nice dishes. I'm not a big fan but understand that some people appreciate the reliability. They also have a gluten free menu.
2. Oceana - This is a seafood restaurant directly across the street from Radio City Music Hall but tucked away under a building. The address is 120 West 49th Street. The menu is pricey but not so much by NYC standards. The seafood is fresh and the quality is good. It is an upscale restaurant with nice seating and good restrooms. https://www.oceanarestaurant.com/
3. Toasties - If you are looking for a deli-type, grab and go option, the lunch crowd in the area prefers Toasties as they are fast, good and have an extensive deli menu. The menu is available here through Seamless. Might be a good option for snacks, coffee, tea, water, etc.
4. Just Salad - Another fresh fast food lunch option is Just Salad Times Square. They are fresh because all the workers in this area go here for lunch so the produce is guaranteed to move fast.
5. Del Frisco Double Eagle Steakhouse - This steakhouse is across the street from Radio City Music Hall. This business lunch is quite good and they have salmon, chicken as well as beef options. Their salads are also good as well.
I'm sure the members of this board will give you solid options for Christmas viewing in Times Square and close by including the store windows and the tree. But note that all of these attractions are super crowded and might be overwhelming after an hour or two. If you need a break, I would consider going to the New York Public Library (main branch with the lions) at 476 5th Avenue and taking a break in one of their large rooms. I also enjoy the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya across the street from the NYPL and Bryant Park at 1073 Avenue of the Americas for a quiet time. There is a cafe upstairs to pick up quick Japanese treats.
Hope you have a great trip!
posted by ichimunki at 10:34 AM on November 20, 2022
1. Olive Garden - For the not so adventurous, Olive Garden Times Square is about a block away at 2 Times Square. My close friend who lived in NYC for decades loved going to Olive Garden because it was reliable, not to expensive and had nice dishes. I'm not a big fan but understand that some people appreciate the reliability. They also have a gluten free menu.
2. Oceana - This is a seafood restaurant directly across the street from Radio City Music Hall but tucked away under a building. The address is 120 West 49th Street. The menu is pricey but not so much by NYC standards. The seafood is fresh and the quality is good. It is an upscale restaurant with nice seating and good restrooms. https://www.oceanarestaurant.com/
3. Toasties - If you are looking for a deli-type, grab and go option, the lunch crowd in the area prefers Toasties as they are fast, good and have an extensive deli menu. The menu is available here through Seamless. Might be a good option for snacks, coffee, tea, water, etc.
4. Just Salad - Another fresh fast food lunch option is Just Salad Times Square. They are fresh because all the workers in this area go here for lunch so the produce is guaranteed to move fast.
5. Del Frisco Double Eagle Steakhouse - This steakhouse is across the street from Radio City Music Hall. This business lunch is quite good and they have salmon, chicken as well as beef options. Their salads are also good as well.
I'm sure the members of this board will give you solid options for Christmas viewing in Times Square and close by including the store windows and the tree. But note that all of these attractions are super crowded and might be overwhelming after an hour or two. If you need a break, I would consider going to the New York Public Library (main branch with the lions) at 476 5th Avenue and taking a break in one of their large rooms. I also enjoy the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya across the street from the NYPL and Bryant Park at 1073 Avenue of the Americas for a quiet time. There is a cafe upstairs to pick up quick Japanese treats.
Hope you have a great trip!
posted by ichimunki at 10:34 AM on November 20, 2022
Response by poster: Thank you all for the answers. Mom and I are both sick (not Covid, just garden variety ick) and have sadly decided not to go. But we're going to go up on our own in the springtime to see a play and just kick around, so I will make sure I refer back to this post.
Mom: I'd feel terrible if we got the old people on the bus sick.
Me: *We* are the old people on the bus, Mom.
posted by kimberussell at 6:38 AM on December 6, 2022
Mom: I'd feel terrible if we got the old people on the bus sick.
Me: *We* are the old people on the bus, Mom.
posted by kimberussell at 6:38 AM on December 6, 2022
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