The Economy and NYC

[tommays]

Ok i was on vacation between Christmas and today and we drove into the city on Tuesday Dec 30 .

In some kind of miracle there was No traffic at 9 am and we got good parking buy the Museum Of Natural History and took the subway down to South Street Seaport to see the Human Body Exhibit at 27 dollars a head it was packed from 10AM

Then we go back uptown to meet family at the Museum Of Natural History WOW was it packed but i guess it was a busy day

Then the day got strange

Then we took are 7 year old niece down to the America Girl Doll Store ,i don't think there would have been more people in there if the stuff was free, as we walked to Rockefeller Center and then Grand Central Station it was just mind boggling how packed every store and restaurant was

I know firsthand how tough times are but you would never know it from from are trip

[JohnRPollard]

I'm inclined to believe that loads of tourists visit the city during the holidays -- much like you did. I know that we talk about going up there every year but worry about the crowds.

Can any NYC denizens confirm this? Is there a better (fewer crowds) time during winter to visit?

[bubb2]

John, Your crowds will be decreasing now as the Holiday's festivities are over. However, it is New York city, all the people you could want anytime you go.

[jjablonowski]

Most of the turistas you saw on Fifth Avenue and Rockycenter Fella had made plans and reservations way before the economy tanked. Mebbe even pre-paid their hotel and travel.

Going forward, won't be the same.

[tommays]

The amount of people did not supprise me as much as the amount of money you could see being spent in stores

[tweitz]

The holiday week between Christmas and New Years is always the most crowded. A good indication of the economy, though is that January is going to see a record number of closings on Broadway.

[Valiente]

A friend from Toronto went to the discount outlets in Buffalo yesterday and reported that he got bargains above and beyond the .82 dollar hit, but for the wrong reasons: many of the places he went to were madhouses because the sales were "final clear-out" and "bankruptcy sale".

He gave $450 to the U.S. economy and said he doesn't have to buy clothes for five years.

[bubb2]

I think a better to judge the economy in New York would be count the street vendors and not the shoppers. The rise in street vendors, i.e. Citi bank, Lemon bros.Barny Madoff and the rest of the lay offs.

[N0NJY]

I dunno. I still went on some vacations recently, going on another in April. Course, I'm working.... not buying anything really BIG for a bit.

The stuff I keep seeing in the media about the "economy tanking" isn't really hitting in many places.

I was in a sporting goods store Saturday, looking for some running shoes.

The lines were packed, people were buying lots of junk - things like jerseys and workout clothing, weight sets. Stuff wasn't on sale either.

So... really, when it comes down to the "economy tanking" is it REALLY or is that just something you're hearing in the news.

How are YOU being affected?

That's the answer to your question.

(Fact is, if you still have your job, still spending money, still traveling, then I guess it isn't as bad as they want you to believe....)

[Yamsailor]

As a native NYer I can tell you NYC is not representative of the economy. People visiting from overseas come to the city all the time. The dollar is still relatively week and prices compared to europe and japan are already comparatively low.