The holiday season is a magical time to be in New York City, and those who are heading to MetLife Stadium to see the Patriots take on the Jets will be there to kickoff it off. With the teams not facing off until Sunday, there is plenty of time to explore Manhattan and New Jersey, especially those who are heading into town prior to Thanksgiving.
Lifestyle is here to help you make the most of your trip with some events, attractions and restaurants that are must-sees. Â
go to the game
Tickets for the AFC East matchup are sold out, but the NFL Ticket Exchange is always a good bet for season ticket holders. For game day information, be sure to check out the Jets website.Â
meetups
The NYC Fans of New England Patriots Club meets regularly at Tir na nOg Times Square (315 W. 39th St.; 212-760-0072)to watch Patriots games and sometimes turns out hundreds of fans to cheer on their team. While some will likely be attending the game in person, President Mark Moran said they typically draw a large crowd even when the Patriots play at MetLife Stadium. Professor Thom's (219 2nd Ave.; 212-260-9480) also has a large turnout of Patriots fans on a weekly basis (and award winning nachos).  As always, joining the Patriots Tailgate Facebook Group is one of the best ways to connect directly with fans heading to every road game.Â
eat
There are countless places to chow down in New York City, and you should take full advantage of that while you're in the city. Katz's Delicatessen (205 East Houston St.; 212-254-2246) on the Lower East Side has been open since 1888, and from hot dogs to pastrami sandwiches, you can't go wrong with this staple. Just be sure to hang on to your ticket after you order. For a good slice of traditional New York pizza, check out Juliana's Pizza (19 Old Fulton St.; 718-596-6700) in Brooklyn. Carmine's (200 W. 40th St.; 212-221-3800) offers up hearty,  family-style Italian meals and a warm atmosphere, and Brickyard Gastropub (785 9th Ave.; 212-767-0077)serves up traditional pub fare with a solid selection of beers.Â
If you're choosing to stay in New Jersey for the weekend, don't worry. There are plenty of great eats in the Garden State, as well. Ted's North Deli (314 Spring Valley Rd., Paramus; 201-261-9599) is home to a friendly vibe and plenty of options for sandwich lovers. If you're in the mood for some BBQ, be sure to check out House of Que (340 Sinatra Dr., Hoboken; 201-706-8755). The restaurant is serving up quality food with a communal atmosphere and live music. Jackson Hole (362 Grand Ave., Englewood; 201-871-7444) is home of the 7 oz. steamed burger and an array of options, including breakfast all day. Â
playÂ
Manhattan is full of adventures for those willing to make the trip while in the area. If the weather is nice, strolls through Central Park or on the Brooklyn Bridge are great ways to see the city's best views. If you're hoping to get into the city early, you have a chance to catch the 90th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live on Thursday. The spectacle is a sight to see, and the parade's website has information about the best spots to watch it all go by. The Taylor Swift Experience is also now on display at the Grammy Museum, and the exhibit gives fans an exclusive experience with handwritten lyrics, home videos and photos.Â
If you'd rather stay away from the crowds, check out Brooklyn Brewery (79 N. 11th St., Brooklyn; 718-486-7422)to try out the local brews and get a tour of the facility. On the heels of Black Friday, New York is a great place to be to get a head start on holiday shopping. Of course, 5th Avenue is a good starting point. Saturday night you can catch a sporting event at Madison Square Garden for a reasonable price, as college hockey's "Frozen Apple" is in town. Cornell will be taking on the University of New Hampshire at 8 p.m. and tickets are going for about $30. If you're looking to catch sweeping views of the city, check out the "Top of the Rock," which tends to be less crowded than the Empire State Building.Â
Sleep
If you're looking to stay close to the action at MetLife Stadium, there are a number of hotel options close to the stadium. The Hotel Renaissance Meadowlands (801 Rutherford Ave., Rutherford; 201-231-3100) is less than three miles from the stadium and Residence Inn by Marriott Secaucus Meadowlands (800 Plaza Dr., Secaucus; 201-223-9901) is less than four. The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel (500 Harbor Blvd., Weekawken; 201-617-5600)is another New Jersey lodging option.
More information:http://www.nycgo.com/
