UNITED AIRLINES · NONSTOP
Coast to coast
- Outbound · UA 2186Sun, Dec 20 · SNA 9:16 p.m. PacificMon, Dec 21 · EWR 5:23 a.m. Eastern5h 7m · Economy
- Homebound · UA 2423Sun, Dec 27 · EWR 6:30 a.m. EasternSNA 9:41 a.m. Pacific · same day6h 11m · Economy
OUR WINTER WEEK
New York Trip
Our winter week.
A family field guide for the New York adventures we’ll talk about for years.
See the itineraryDEC 20 — 27, 2026
08December datesSunday to Sunday
06Big days outPlus breathing room
One shared albumKeep the best moments here
OUR HOME BASE & HOW WE GET THERE
Flights, hotel & transfers
From the Costco itinerary booked September 5 and forwarded October 8, 2026. All times are local to each airport; reconfirm flights before travel.
SIX NIGHTS · CENTRAL PARK SOUTH
JW Marriott Essex House
160 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019
Check-in Monday, December 21
Check-out Sunday, December 27
Essex Room · Two Double Beds
2 adults, 2 children
The confirmation says afternoon check-in but does not give an exact time. Contact the hotel about the gap after your early arrival.
ROUND-TRIP PRIVATE SUV INCLUDED
My Sedan transfers
Newark (EWR) ↔ JW Marriott Essex House
Reconfirm each transfer 24 hours before travel. On arrival, collect bags and call My Sedan to connect with the driver.
For the return, confirm your hotel pickup time. The email’s 6:30 a.m. is the flight departure time. Be outside the hotel 10 minutes before the confirmed pickup.
One standard checked suitcase + one standard carry-on per passenger. Taxes, fees and tolls included.
Call My Sedan · (718) 628-3459A few hotel perks to remember
Your package includes a $50 food and beverage credit per room per stay, the daily destination fee, and NYC occupancy tax. Listed destination benefits include a $25 daily food and beverage credit, enhanced Wi-Fi, two-hour bike rental passes for two guests, and daily Central Park Zoo or MoMA passes for two guests. Ask the front desk about redemption and current availability; daily credits do not roll over and benefits may change.
THE CITY, DAY BY DAY
Our New York week
Follow the plan, change it when the city surprises us.
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01Sunday · December 20
West Coast send-off
The trip starts tonight. Keep the first day simple and save your energy for the city.
- BreakfastHeather picks
- LunchRobert picks
- Dinner before departureJack picks
- United UA 2186 · SNA → EWRDepart Sunday 9:16 p.m. Pacific · arrive Monday 5:23 a.m. Eastern.Nonstop · 5 hours 7 minutes · Economy
02Monday · December 21
Arrive & settle in
Arrive at Newark at 5:23 a.m. Eastern. Hotel check-in is in the afternoon; ask about luggage storage or early check-in, which is not guaranteed. Keep today flexible after the overnight flight.
- Arrive at Newark (EWR)5:23 a.m. Eastern · United UA 2186
- Private SUV to the hotelMy Sedan: call after collecting bags to connect with your driver.
- BreakfastAlec picks
- LunchHeather picks
- JW Marriott Essex House New York160 Central Park South · Check-in December 21.Essex Room · Two Double Beds · 6 nights
- DinnerRobert picks
Big-stage New York
A lively mix of behind-the-scenes sparkle, dinosaurs, and Broadway.
- BreakfastJack picks10:00 a.m.
- Radio City Music Hall tour + meet a RocketTickets are in Wallet.
- LunchAlec picksChoose a spot near the next stop.
- American Museum of Natural HistoryAllow time for the dinosaur halls and a warm-up break.Your schedule note: $37 per person; verify before booking.
- Dinner before BroadwayHeather picksLeave time to reach the theater for the 7:00 p.m. show.
- The Outsiders7:00 p.m. · BroadwayYour schedule lists tickets at $159 per person; verify the ticket details in Wallet.
A city walk, one neighborhood at a time
Vessel to the High Line, Chelsea Market, then the Village and Washington Square Park. The source estimates about one hour for the continuous walk, before browsing and meal stops.
- BreakfastRobert picks
- Vessel at Hudson YardsStart with a look at the sculptural landmark.
- Walk the High LineTake the southern path toward the Meatpacking District.
- Lunch & browse at Chelsea MarketJack picksA good indoor pause when the winter air bites.
- The Village → Washington Square ParkFinish at the Arch and see who is playing music.
- DinnerAlec picks
Midtown architecture walk
Your listed route starts at Grand Central, passes the Chrysler Building and the New York Public Library, then heads downtown to Flatiron and the Empire State Building before Times Square.
- BreakfastHeather picks
- Grand Central TerminalYour schedule estimates 30 minutes from the hotel.
- Chrysler Building & NYPL Schwarzman BuildingLook up at the details, then step inside the library if open.
- Flatiron BuildingA quick photo stop on the way uptown.
- LunchRobert picks
- Empire State BuildingDaytime views; reserve a timed visit if you want to go up.
- DinnerJack picks
- Times SquareFinish with the lights, then head back to the hotel.
Christmas lights on foot
An outdoor holiday stroll: see the Rockefeller Center tree, Fifth Avenue windows, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Holiday hours can change, so check before booking an indoor attraction.
- BreakfastAlec picks
- Rockefeller Center Christmas treeThe plaza is a festive first stop.
- Top of the RockYour schedule pairs the tree with the observatory; check its Christmas Day hours and timed entry.
- LunchHeather picks
- Fifth Avenue holiday windows & St. Patrick’s CathedralTake your time and warm up between blocks.
- Christmas dinnerRobert picks
Harbor, history & the bridge at dusk
A full day. Check the winter ferry plan and museum hours before you leave; keep the Brooklyn Bridge walk as the sunset finale if everyone still has energy.
- Breakfast before the ferryJack picksAllow time to reach Battery Park for the 9:00 a.m. departure.
- Statue City Cruises from Battery Park9:00 a.m. departure · round-trip ferry.Your schedule note: $26 per person, refundable per ticket details.
- 9/11 Memorial & MuseumThe memorial and museum have different hours; check the updated holiday schedule.
- LunchAlec picks
- New York Transit MuseumRide the subway to Brooklyn and step aboard vintage cars.
- Brooklyn Bridge walkAim for sunset and watch Manhattan light up.
- DinnerHeather picks
08Sunday · December 27
One last New York morning
Early departure. Keep bags and the ride to the airport ready the night before.
- Hotel check-out & private SUV to NewarkDecember 27 · Confirm the early hotel pickup time with My Sedan; it is not specified in the email.
- Breakfast on the goRobert picksKeep it simple for the early flight.
- United UA 2423 · EWR → SNADepart 6:30 a.m. Eastern · arrive 9:41 a.m. Pacific.Nonstop · 6 hours 11 minutes · Economy
- Lunch after arriving homeJack picks
- Dinner at homeAlec picks
OPEN DATE · YOUR CALL
Choose a day for these
These stops are grouped with hotel check-in/check-out in the source schedule, without a date. We kept them movable so you can match the weather and museum hours.
A FEW USEFUL NOTES
Make the week easier
Keep museum days flexible
The Met is closed Wednesdays and Christmas Day. MoMA and the Guggenheim are closed Christmas Day. The Guggenheim lists an early close at 4 p.m. on December 24, then extended hours from December 26–30.
Check Guggenheim holiday hoursTrade a long walk for a warm stop
Use Chelsea Market, museum cafés, and a hot-chocolate break as built-in resets. Leave a little extra time for coats, subway stairs, and holiday crowds.
Shorter loops feel better in the cold.Play “spot the city”
See if everyone can find a yellow cab, a subway mosaic, a giant holiday window, a skyline reflection, and one tiny neighborhood bakery.
Let each person pick the next clue.Before you goPrices and times in the schedule are planning notes; confirm directly before booking.
A TINY TRIP TRADITION
One favorite from every day
At dinner or on the ride back, ask: “What do you want to remember about today?” Save a photo, a voice note, or the funny detail someone noticed.
AFTER THE ADVENTURE
The family gallery
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