How to Plan a Day in NYC at Christmas Time

First suggestion would be to take the train if possible. Parking in and around the City is tough on a regular day, let alone a holiday.

Second, bring your stroller with the detachable car seat. That way you have mobility and can use a cab safely. The driver will put the stroller in the trunk.

Third, wait another couple of years to do this. The City at Christmas is beautiful, but in all honesty it is a lot to try and do with small children. You want to see the "sights", you would want to see...
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular
- Rockefeller Center Tree and skating
- Toys R Us (used to be FAO Schwartz)

They are really short cab rides apart, but do your research and make sure that this is something you REALLY want to try with an infant. It will be cold and windy with potentially long waits and periods of sitting still.

If you do decide to do this, go on a week day and in the morning. Have a sheet with you of the addresses you will need to find as well as a train schedule. Because you don't know where you are going, don't attempt the subways.

I think you might want to find a parking lot that is near the attractions you want to go to. I say this because walking will be easier than getting public transport and taxis and in the end I think you would save money, or at least aggravation. And consider a stroller for your 4 year old, because you could be walking a lot

Check wikitravel for info about NYC with kids. You might want to check my recent Mamapedia question about riding the subway,

FYI you will likely encounter a line just to get into FAO Schwartz. But you could go to FAO, Rumpelmeyer's (for desserts or hot chocolate), Central Park,(carriage ride?) and 5th Ave/Rockerfeller Ctr. That would be a lot and everything is what I would consider in walking distance. I can think of a couple parking lots around Carnegie Hall that you could go to, esp around 56th Street between 5th and 6th Ave.

Just so you know, 5th Ave is already packed with people.

I hope you see this edit...if you want to go to Rockefller Center and see the tree, you might want to check the schedule for when the tree goes up and when it gets lit.

Well, I think traveling to NYC is best for adults and older children. My husband was away in NYC on business about 3 yrs ago so I decided to drive up there with my 4 kids. At that time they were 9, 7, 4 and a baby.

It was the worst trip ever!!!!! My kids still talk about the trip and say they HATE NY and will never go there again. It all started when my husband went to get something out of his car. Well, it wasn't there! After a couple hours we found out it had been towed. Apparently in NY signs that say "No Standing" really mean no parking. It's funny because there were no parking signs all over the place. Then we parked my car safely in a spot where it wouldn't be towed. We decided to use the subway. BIG MISTAKE with children, mainly a stroller. People shoved and pushed us. Most subway stations have no elevator. My husband and I had to carry the stroller up steps with the baby in it while trying to make sure the other 3 were safe, all while being pushed, etc. Then while trying to get out of the subway car I had my husband go out with the 3 older kids and I was to follow with the stroller. Well, the subway door slammed shut on the stroller and wouldn't budge. I was yelling, my husband was frantically trying to pry the doors open and my older kids were screaming. Finally some people saw what was going on and several men helped my husband open the door. After I was out safely I turned to see my 4 year old with his leg stuck in the space between the subway car and the cement platform. He was screaming and we had to quickly grab him before the car took off. Apparently in the commotion of it all he must have got knocked down there. He was scrapped and bruised for a few days. After we all calmed down we realized that we had gotten off at the wrong stop. We should've gotten off at the next one. Grrrrr! Back on we went but scared to death!!!

I'm not trying to scare you into not going. I just want you to be prepared for the trip if you decide to take the children.However, I would not recommend the subway!

We did this when my son was 4, we took the train and the subway and walked. (he liked his stroller) We saw the tree in Rockefeller Center, walked around and saw the stores with window decorations, what my son like was getting his picture taken with Minnie and Mickey mouse, they have characters wandering around who will pose with your child for 2$ while you take a pic. We went back to see the tree after dark, and there was a light show close by. Dont try to do everything... you can go back in few years and see the big show. and go ice skating. You could do the toy stores when it isn't a holiday. The M and M store near Times Square was fun! we did that when it wasnt a holiday. have fun!

Millions of moms with infants and preschoolers live and work in NYC and manage, myself included. Some advice for you. 1. ditch the car, its really hard and expensive to find parking. 2. put your 3 month old in a carrier (strap him to daddy). 3. you aren't required to have a car seat in taxis, buses and subways. 4. bring a super light weight umbrella stroller for your pre-schooler, expect to have to push as there is enough walking to tire him out.

activies -
ice skating at rockefeller under the tree.
go in to St. Pats.
take a walk or a carriage ride in Central Park
Get a slice of pizza, some chestnuts, a pretzel, some dumplings.
Go to the Rockettes X-mas show
Go to FAO schwartz.

All of these things are within 10 blocks of one another. If you pack patience, and layers, you can do them in one or two days if you really want to do it slowly.

for added fun, outside of the X-massy stuff-
walk the Brooklyn Bridge (or get coffee from a cafe within view of it).
go to china town
go to the Museum of Natural History & see the dinosaurs
WTC???
Take the free staten island ferry (good views of the statue of liberty, and you can sit indoors).

lastly, consider getting a citipass (it will give you discount admissions on a number of venues) and might be worthwhile depending on the length of your stay.

I used to live in NJ and we just parked at Liberty Park and took the ferry over. It was great to see both the city and statue from the water. Of course it will be freezing so if you go that route you will have to bundle up. And make sure you get on the right ferry going to Battery Park.

If you are there on a Sunday morning, please please please splurge and take the carriage ride around the city or at least Central Park. It is so quiet and beautiful and peaceful (for NYC) and with all the snow its just gorgeous.