Trip report: New Years Eve in Times Square

This was our 6th visit to NYC since 2005 (not counting the business trips when I%26#39;m without Mrs. KellerHummer) and this time we brought my sister and her husband for their first visit. Just going to cover the category highlights instead of chronologically laying out the whole trip. Trip was from 12/29 thru 1/2.

American Airlines:

No issues as we arrived early both coming to the city and returning home. Had to connect on the way up in Fayetteville, AR but I can%26#39;t complain since the tickets were free using my frequent flier miles.

Doubletree Times Square:

They%26#39;ve remodeled the lobby and the restaurant. Typical Hilton property with clean rooms and good service. Our room was on the 19th floor with a view of Times Square below. The windows open inward allowing you to let the cacophony in when wanted but they room was very quiet when the windows were closed. Two room king suite with a fold out bed in the living room area. Free daily breakfast buffet for 2 if you are HHonors Gold or higher. Otherwise not worth the $25 they charge for it. We were floored when the bill came for $56 for my Sis and brother in law on day 2.

NYC TV and Movie Site tour:

http://www.zerve.com/OnLocation/TVTour

My sister booked this in advance and I was not initially enthused about sitting on a bus for 3.5 hours. It turned out to be very entertaining. It seems every other block in NYC has had well known scenes filmed there. You get to get off the bus 4 times. The stops are at the Ghostbuster Fire House, The Cosby Show house (in Manhattan surprisingly since it was set in Brooklyn), The Friends building and at Ben%26#39;s Pizza from Men In Black II where you have time to grab a slice if so inclined. I did and it was very good. We had Gary as our tour guide and he was very good at his job. I%26#39;ve re-watched I am Legend since home so I could see Apt. 11 across from Washington Square Park now that I know exactly where it is.

Spending New Years Eve in Times Square:

More fun than I thought it would be despite the bitterly cold weather. The hotel issued a holographic key card and provided a letter to present to the police officers at check points that allowed us to come and go as we pleased. The police would not allow you to stop on the sidewalks for more than 30-45 seconds but as the night progressed they relaxed a bit on this. We stayed near the hotel where we had access to our cocktails and our bathroom. We had a view of the performance stage from our room so we rotated in and out quite a bit.

Many of the performers were staying at the hotel. Two of the USO Liberty Belles rode the elevator down with us. This got me a jab in the ribs from my wife as it was hard not to stare! Very talented and beautiful ladies. The Jonas brothers were staying on the 17th floor according to the rumors. My 11 year old daughter would have been thrilled. Per my daughter they have a house in Westlake, TX which is a couple of miles from where we live. Thank God she can%26#39;t drive yet!

It did get overwhelmingly crowded as it got closer to the ball drop. We chose to come back to the room and watch it thru the open windows. I would not attempt to witness this again unless we had a similar set up. The pens around the area (up to 49th) were filled to capacity by 5pm. Like others have said it would be torture to stand in one spot with no access to a restroom or my Grey Goose vodka!

Miscellaneous observations:

John%26#39;s on Bleecker ALWAYS has a line! Even at 9:30pm on a Monday night when we waited 25 minutes to get in. My brother in law liked it so much he had another pizza delivered from the Times Square location the next afternoon.

If you have an iPhone like my wife there is a $2.99 down load in the App store that%26#39;s very useful for navigating the subway. It provides a stretchable map of the entire system. You can also tap on a line and see all the stops on that line. Never even carried my MTA map as it proved very accurate in even listing weekend and holiday changes.

Taylor Swift cannot sing. I can appreciate her writing her own songs but she could not win a karaoke contest at the local VFW.

Sis and her husband are addicted now. They are canceling there summer trip to Florida to make a return visit. We%26#39;ll probably be back in the fall as well.

Trip report: New Years Eve in Times Square

sounds like a great trip....what a good set-up for NYE in Times Square...great being able to access your bathroom...and of course your Grey Goose!!!

Trip report: New Years Eve in Times Square

Great trip report! Also good tip about the iPhone - will remember that for my trip!

We were in NYC too that day just not in TImes Square. It was a bit chilly that night to say the least.

Nice trip report with a great set up for NYE! I wouldn%26#39;t do the pens either, but the way you had it is perfect. Did you request a room that faced out or did you just get lucky?

Too bad about your sis%26#39;s new addiction to NY! We can use the tourist $$ in FL. too! But of course, I COMPLETELY understand!

Thanks for sharing!

Keller,

Glad to hear things went well. I have three questions for you.

As for Johns on Bleecker (my daughters favorite) How do you compare it to Grimaldis in Dallas(her second favorite)?

How do you know someone is talented just by staring at them in an elevator?

On my early morning runs thru Westlake, is that you and your daughter trying to scale the wall around Vaquero?

curious as always

chipper

Sounds like you figured out how to to Time Square on New Year%26#39;s Eve! Good for you. Brilliant plan! So glad it worked for you! We%26#39;ve gone to NYC for years and stayed in TS, but have never been brave enough to do New Year%26#39;s. We thinking your plan might just work! Thanks!

stephintampa:

I travel on business at least twice per month and my travel office puts me in Hilton properties (mostly Hampton Inns) the majority of the time. That gets me to the highest HHonors level status each year and the chain takes care of upgrades at no additional charge.

Chipper:

John%26#39;s and Grimaldi%26#39;s in Dallas are very close. Hard to believe I just typed that. We like John%26#39;s on Bleecker better mainly because it%26#39;s in NYC and not in Dallas.

I just have a gift for judging talent. And I heard them sing three songs as well a little later.

No comment on the Jonas Brothers in Vaquero. Trying not to give my daughter any ideas. She does own a bicycle, a scooter and a skateboard and she%26#39;s good with a PC so she may read this.