Where to avoid holiday crowds in NYC

NYCOTC loves tourists.  They spend money and help support New York City theater, stores, hotels, restaurants and museums. But sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the visiting crowd.  These places are off the radar screen of most visitors —

Electronics and camera stores — The biggie is B&H, and it’s always crowded, more so at the holidays.  I love B&H for its selection, prices and knowledgeable sales staff, but to avoid the crowds — and still get good prices and a knowledgeable staff — head to Adorama, 17 Street Photo or DataVision.

Museums — The Met, MOMA and Guggenheim are at three of the world’s best museums, especially crowded at the holidays.  Visitors with limited time in NYC tend not to get to the Brooklyn Museum, with its world-class collection of Egyptian artifacts, or the Rubin Museum in Chelsea, with its world-class collection of art and artifacts from Asia including Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan.  Good karma at both.

Ice Skating — Your patience will melt before you get on the ice at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park, and perhaps even at the Wollman Rink in Central Park.  Instead, head for the Lasker Ice Rink at the northern end of Central Park.  It’s cheaper, too.

What’s your favorite place to avoid the crowds in NYC during the holidays?