In December of next year (2006), I'm starting an overseas trip. My
first destination is the USA for two weeks. I live in Sydney,
Australia, and December for us means hot weather and beaches.

I want to spend a week each in two cities in the USA. I'm 22, so I am
especially interested in the night-life (nightclubs and bars etc).

My first choice is New York City.
1) What's it like in December?
2) Are there lots of people about?  I really hate visiting cities when
all the locals are away on vacation somewhere else. Is that what
happens in NYC during December?

I also have to choose a city for the second week. I prefer larger
cities: Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco. Which
of these would be a good place to visit during winter? I may even
spend New Years Night/Day in this second city, if that helps.

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 22 Sep 2005 05:30 PDT

New York is magical in December.  The locals are there (they're always
there!) as well as a zillion tourists.  Yeah, it's cold, but don't let
that stop you...it would be a shame to miss it.  Times Sq on New
Year's Eve, ice skating in Rockefeller Center, the Christmas show at
Radio City Music Hall, or just a good cup of cafe au lait in Greenwich
Village.


If you want to warm up afterwards, Los Angeles is a good bet, though
it's 3,000 miles away.  It's possible, in LA, to spend the morning on
the beach, lying in the sun, and then drive an hour and a half into
the mountains to go skiing!

I've lived in both cities, and can recommend them both.  But I must
say, NY wins, hands down.  It's one of the world's great cities, plain
and simple.

Miami would be good and lots of fun as well, for some beach-type
adventures.  Have you thought of visiting Washington DC?

Anyway, have fun.  Let me know what sort of additional information you
need to make for a complete answer to your question.

Cheers,

pafalafa-ga

I can't be definitive, but the weather in NY city in December will
probably be bad.  Probably cold -- maybe even snow?  (A NYC'er can
correct this.)
Chicago will have the same problem.

Weather in Las Vegas and LA will probably be nice. 

First city that came to mind to me (before I read your list of cities)
was San Diego, just south of Los Angeles.  The weather is nice in
December, I think there is lots of night life, and there's plenty to
do during the day.

Good Luck,
J.

I'd prefer San Francisco over San Diego.  Weather won't be so good,
more like a cooler Sydney winter, but I think it offers more,
including day trips to the Redwood forest to the north  (I know, W.A.
has some trees just as big :), or down south to Monterey and Carmel by
the Sea.  Might check out the websites for more information.
NYC and Chicago are in winter in December, but, of course, they offer a lot.
Lots of first time vistors to the States are very happy with two weeks
in the West: Grand Canyon and Vegas and the scenery on the way there
from SF, maybe going on to San Diego, which is also really nice  -  I
just would pick SF for someone who was only going to one place.
Or  - staying in the West -  you can make a roundtrip:  SF, Vegas, SD
and back of the coast to SF.

Dzeaiter --

Any of the cities mentioned will have significant New Year's Eve
celebrations, though New York's Times Square is perhaps the
most-visible (being televised each year and very popular).

However, New York and Chicago will be cold.  And the real danger might
be a snowstorm that cripples everything, including travel.  The
following Google searches show the possibility:
"New Year's" snowstorm
Chicago 1979 snowstorm

Bon voyage,

Omnivorous-GA

Hi, new yorker here

Winter time in the city,  well according to stats, last winter was the
coldest winter nyc had ever experience.  winter is just a usual day in
nyc, people don't really go away, with a population of 8 million we
cant all go away. even on the coldest days you will always find people
on the streets and at night in the bars.  you will find the most
people at the working and shopping districts of new york city, areas
such as 34th street herald square, near the world trade center, grand
central, penn. station etc.   if you do wanan see some celebration in
new york, there one comming up around thanksgiving where the annual
Thanks giving parade that is sponsored by Macy will be held around
uptown-mid town (Manhattan).

i hope this helps.

sorry one more thing to add since you like bars,  there are a ton of
bars near me.  infact 22 bars within 2 Blocks!  i hate bars but since
you like them, its around the Lower East Side of Manhattan, there are
a lot of night life here.  Bars such as The Johnson's,Essex, Lotus,
Motercity bar, Boss Tweed, and so on.