Fall is a wonderful time to visit New York, as this is a time when the city boasts a myriad of rich autumnal colors. Christmas is an even more compelling time to visit as the city celebrates the season whole-heartedly: the streets are decorated with lights, ornaments, wreaths, indoor and outdoor trees and entire building wrapped in big red bows. New York offers the visitor a host of activities to do; the following are classic Christmas activities that are unique to New York.
Attending the tree-lighting ceremony in New York's Rockefeller Center is a special way to begin the holiday season. Despite the fact that the tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center attracts millions of tourists yearly, it wasn't always such a spectacular ceremony, commencing the Christmas season. It started in 1931, when a group of workers erected a 20 foot tree in a muddy area that would in years become Rockefeller center. Two years later, the tree lighting ceremony began. After the ceremony, visitors can ice skate in the skating rink below, which is adorned by a gilded statue of Promethus and surrounded by flags from nations around the world. They can also stop into the Cucina Restaurant on the concourse level near the rink and have a hot apple pastry or a cup of cider or hot chocolate to warm up.
Ice Rink and Cucina Company
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, NY 10020
(212) 332-7654 (Rink)
(212) 332-7630 (Cucina)
patinagroup.com
Each Christmas season, the New York City ballet performs the Nutcracker set to the choreography of one of the company's founders, the legendary George Balanchine. Watching the Nutcracker is a magical experience for children and adults alike, as they can see the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, watch ballerinas dance as faux snow descends upon them and see exotic characters like Mother Ginger, Dewdrops, and Lady Arabia dance to one of Tchaikovsky's finest works. After the show, visitors and locals alike can take a stroll around Lincoln Center and admire the famous fountain and see some of Henry Moore's sculptures.
New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater?
Columbus Ave between 62nd and 63rd Streets
New York, NY 10023
(212) 870-5570
nycballet.com
The shops on Fifth Avenue go all out, decorating their windows with exciting displays of characters from Christmas folktales and children's stories, films and myths. Each store tries to out-do the ones around it and admiring the window displays is probably the cheapest activity that you can do in New York. Visitors might consider purchasing a hot pretzel from a street vendor to munch on while they walk.
The Macy's on 34th Street at Herald's Square is the famed location from the film, \"Miracle on 34th Street.\" This Macy's claims to have the best Santa Claus in town; regardless of whether or not that is true, it's worth looking around this massive store at any age. The store was built in 1902 and is a historical landmark and an icon of New York City. Come early in the day to avoid the crowds at Christmas time.
Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(800) 289-6229
macys.com
