Christmas in New York City
This is one of my favorite times of the year in New York City. Every block reveals something exciting. The holiday shops open and all of the major department stores unveil their holiday windows.
I think the best thing to do during the holidays in New York City is to go outside and just start walking. One can experience everything from roasting chestnuts and corner lots with fresh Christmas trees to holiday windows and santa.
The following video includes highlights from some of the major department store windows for 2012 including Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Barneys, Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
To get an upclose look at these windows I recommend going when the stores are closed. There will not be long lines then and you can view the windows at your own pace.
Holiday Shops
The Holiday Shops throughout the city are fun and they have great products. Following are a few of my favorites.
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Union Square Holiday Market
Grand Central Holiday Fair
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
It is also fun to visit FAO Schwartz during the holidays. This year they are celebrating their 150th anniversary. To avoid the crowds I recommend going early in the morning or later in the evening when most commuters have left Manhattan.
Macy’s Santa Land with a 13,000 square foot village is fun even if you do not have children. I highly recommend going off hours. It is a great place to visit, but not when there are long lines. If you don’t want to visit santa you can exit after you have walked through the village.
The NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show in the Bronx is well worth the trip if you have never seen it.
Christmas Trees
Christmas Trees are scattered throughout the city, including the famous Rockefeller Center Tree. Other trees that are worth seeing are the tree at Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art tree and the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History. Following is a video of last year's origami tree.
There are also many trees along Park Avenue. The trees are lit on the first Sunday of December following a ceremony outside the Presbyterian Church (91st and Park Avenue). The tradition of lighting these trees began in 1945 when some of the Park Avenue families, led by Mrs. Stephen C. Clark, lit trees to honor individuals who died in WWII.
Enjoy this wonderful time of year in the city!
Following is a video of Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas in New York for those who will not be in New York City this year during the holidays.