Vacation in New York City?

Q: Going on vacation to New York for a week in December.Live in Phoenix. Bought the city pass which has all of the usual must sees and do's (empire state building, statue of liberty, 3 museums and a show). So I am not looking for activities, I just need some general advice: Places to eat, maybe something fun, a nice place and just some cheap but amazing hole in the walls Places to avoid, I am really worried about getting mugged or something, I was thinking we should just stick with be back in the hotel by 9 or 10. and the biggest question, WEATHER!!!!!!!! We are from Phoenix, December LOWS are 60 degrees. What should we expect and what clothes should we bring. Keep in mind that we wear heavy jackets when it is 60-70 degrees :)

A: First off, welcome to New York! Its not such a vacation when you live here... 1st off: what you are going to have to expect. Even in Manhattan, the "good" part of town, there are crazy black/white guys who stand on the sidewalk and act... well crazy. You don't EVER take a free CD, pamphlet, ANYTHING. If somebody is handing it out, just walk on by them, dont even say nuthin, no matter how hard they try. It's easy for us New Yorkers- we're used to it. 2nd off- please dont act like a tourist. We hate that. And thats the one surefire way to attract crazies. I suppose your gonna go see the window displays though, so get in line quickly during the morning if you want to see them. 3rd- We actually don't have a huge crime rate. I beleive we are 40-sumthing on a list of 50 cities the FBI made. It's because we are kind of not happy to get mugged, and being a mugger presents a risk even to the mugger, because you are liable to get beat the hell up for stealing. Act like a New Yorker, dress like a New Yorker, and no one will bother you. As for the winter, yea, its probly gonna get colder than 60. Bring those gloves with the fingers cut off the top, a jacket that keeps you nice and warm but not SUPER CRAZY HOT, a beanie, headband, or insulated hat, and a pair of heavy jeans or kakis. For eating, always go to the hard rock cafe at least once. But usually, its best to just discover over here, and find resturants that you just want to go to out of the blue. As for avoiding places, don't really stray into the bronx at an time of day, or queens at night. Brooklyn is pretty solid. Regarding those museums, my pal's dad, Mr.Campbell, has actually just been made director of the Metropolitan Museam of art starting in Jan., and he's let me in on some good stuff going on there. Have a good time! Just don't move here....ha.

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