(We're dumb) and NYC on NYE help

[amberlyrose]

Okay, I'll preface this by saying that yes, we're apparently really stupid and didn't pay attention to dates when booking flights.

Anyway! 
We're flying into JFK at 8pm on NYE. My parents will fly out of Newark at 8am the next day and we're leaving from LGA at 8am. Again, dumb. Didn't pay attention. 

We can get a room in Manhattan on points, surprisingly. I don't think we could even get on the island at that time of night and I don't think it's worth it but DH wanted me to ask if you guys would do it. 
OR
We could also stay in Brooklyn and watch the fireworks at Prospect Park 
OR
Stay at hotels closest to our respective airports
OR
Not stay at a hotel and stay up as late as possible and go to the airports around 4am (my dad's choice)

Tell me what sounds the least crazy?

[mdgirl]

We can get a room in Manhattan on points: I personally would not, but I've done NYE in NY so there's no allure for me in that. And I think with your times it would be more hassle than it's worth.
OR
We could also stay in Brooklyn and watch the fireworks at Prospect Park. I know nothing about Brooklyn so I'm not much help with this one.
OR
Stay at hotels closest to our respective airports I'd personally opt for this. Just find one that either has a decent restaurant or good restaurants close by. But I go to NYC a lot so I wouldn't try to cram in a touristy visit with this timeframe on these dates.
OR
Not stay at a hotel and stay up as late as possible and go to the airports around 4am (my dad's choice) This sounds awful to me. And when you say "go to the airports," that means you would have left the airports and do, what? Wander around Manhattan exhausted all night? It sounds like this is the beginning of a trip, and I would much rather start a vacation rested and relaxed than tired and cranky. Plus it could be cold as hell.

[majesty318]

Option 1 - stay by the airport. I know nothing about LGA, but there is lots of good food in the Ironbound section of Newark. Your parents could stay in a hotel near the airport and either train, cab, or Uber into that neighborhood. If you choose to do that, tag me and I will give you some restaurant recs.

Option 2 - stay in the city with points but only if you make dinner reservations ahead of time. I would not wander aimlessly on NYE in Manhattan because I would want to punch everyone.

[v]

I hate NYE in New York. Unless you go to someone's apartment, it is almost invariably an expensive and annoying letdown.  So I wouldn't try too hard to be in Manhattan.

I would probably stay at Prospect Park. You'll probably find a better restaurant and bar situation out there -- not the prix fixe garbage that so many Manhattan restaurants pull on NYE.

Without a car, you aren't going to be able to do all that much near the airports and I wouldn't want to be trying to find a cab/Uber on NYE when everyone else in the world is doing the same thing.  

4:00 is way, way, way too early to be at the airport. I don't think anything will be open then?

So you're only going to be in NY for 12 hours, minus travel time to/from the airport?  How long were you supposed to be there for?  I'd probably be looking into option 5 -- changing flights to something that actually makes sense.  Change fees suck, but you'd be able to make more of the trip.

[mbcdefg]

Dec 3, 2015 13:58:46 GMT -5 majesty318 said:

Option 1 - stay by the airport. I know nothing about LGA, but there is lots of good food in the Ironbound section of Newark. Your parents could stay in a hotel near the airport and either train, cab, or Uber into that neighborhood. If you choose to do that, tag me and I will give you some restaurant recs.

Option 2 - stay in the city with points but only if you make dinner reservations ahead of time. I would not wander aimlessly on NYE in Manhattan because I would want to punch everyone.

Ditto the bolded! 

Also, you could look into hotels in Jersey City. Namely the Doubletree, Westin, Hyatt, or Courtyard Marriott. Nothing on Tonnelle Avenue. 

[anna7602]

Definitely not the last two options. There is absolutely nothing to do around those airports and the hotel offerings are also pretty sucky. Also, there is absolutely no need to leave for either airport at 4am. Both are well connected by public transportation and relatively quick to get to by cab, especially on New Year's Day morning when most of NY is likely to still be asleep.

I would probably go to Brooklyn unless your points got you a hotel with a view of Times Square. I absolutely would not attempt to venture into the TS crowds.

[mags]

I would do Prospect Park it is a great neighborhood.

[tres3]

I would just cancel my tickets and pay the fee to change the dates. I've done NYC on NYE and it has no appeal to me. I didn't like it then either.

[FloFTW]

I love the Prospect Park area. I think that could be a nice night. It'll be relatively convenient to JFK and LGA as well.

[Deleted]

I would definitely stay in Brooklyn.

The A train will take you right in to Brooklyn and you'll have plenty of hotel and dinner options while avoiding the insanity of Manhattan.

[amberlyrose]

Dec 4, 2015 5:17:36 GMT -5 tres3 said:

I would just cancel my tickets and pay the fee to change the dates. I've done NYC on NYE and it has no appeal to me. I didn't like it then either.

Yeah, I'm not paying change fees for 4 different people. 

We weren't planning on doing any touristy things in NYC since we've all been there. My parents just want to grab dinner and toast, then pass the hell out. 

@wandering- any suggestions around Brooklyn? We're pretty low key and could do a burger with beer and be happy  

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2015 14:29:33 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Dec 4, 2015 5:17:36 GMT -5 tres3 said:

I would just cancel my tickets and pay the fee to change the dates. I've done NYC on NYE and it has no appeal to me. I didn't like it then either.

Yeah, I'm not paying change fees for 4 different people. 

We weren't planning on doing any touristy things in NYC since we've all been there. My parents just want to grab dinner and toast, then pass the hell out. 

@wandering- any suggestions around Brooklyn? We're pretty low key and could do a burger with beer and be happy  

I'm still so new to the area that I have no tried and true places. I normally just walk around aimlessly until I find something lol. If I think of anything specific, I'll def let you know.

[amberlyrose]

Dec 4, 2015 14:37:51 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Dec 4, 2015 14:29:33 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Yeah, I'm not paying change fees for 4 different people. 

We weren't planning on doing any touristy things in NYC since we've all been there. My parents just want to grab dinner and toast, then pass the hell out. 

@wandering - any suggestions around Brooklyn? We're pretty low key and could do a burger with beer and be happy  

I'm still so new to the area that I have no tried and true places. I normally just walk around aimlessly until I find something lol. If I think of anything specific, I'll def let you know.

thanks!

[v]

That's going to be one expensive burger

Not sure how convenient this will be -- depends on where around Prospect Park you'll be -- but I'd highly recommend Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Park Slope. It is nice and kind of fancy but also still low key and casual, the food is great, they serve their normal menu on NYE and have no other NYE BS, the crowd is a mix of ages, and there are lots of reservations available on Open Table. Their other location has become our NYE default because it is the one restaurant I've actually enjoyed on New Year's.