In The Bronx Light Shows And Animal Sculptures At The Botanical Garden And The Zoo
The New York Botanical Garden has rolled out 1.5 miles of outdoor displays, which will last through Jan. 22. LED lights blanket the Haupt Conservatory and the Mertz Library building, as well as the gardens walkways and trees. Timed-entry tickets are required, and if you purchase a special pass, you can also visit the Bronx Night Market, which has popped up in the garden with live music, food and ice sculpting.
At the Bronx Zoo, the Holiday Lights are back on display until Jan. 9. The outdoor exhibit features lantern sculptures of more than 70 animal species from around the globe, as well as a light show with holiday music. There are even stilt-walkers, who roam the grounds dressed as animals and covered in lights.
Over the past two years, those holiday festivities and celebrations with friends and family have been sorely missed, Max Pulsinelli, a spokesman for the Bronx Zoo, said in a statement, adding that the shows can help bring a sense of normalcy back to the holiday season.
Be Amazed By The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
During a trip to New York at Christmas you have to make a hole in your agenda to attend the legendary Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a magical Christmas show that premiered for the first time in 1933 and has become a true tradition at this time of the year.
It really is as spectacular as the name says! A show of music, dance, humor and lights like those of yesteryear starring the fantastic The Rockettes that makes you relive Christmas with the illusion of a child. A classic!
Whenever I have the opportunity to go to New York at Christmas I do not miss it because the show varies every year and is a surprise. If you travel to the city with your family, I highly recommend it because the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is suitable for all ages and even the little ones will have a blast. You may even get the itch to spend a vacation among theaters with this show, because during Christmas magic invades Broadway!
Nycs Best Boozy Hot Drinks For The Cold Weather
Even in our modern age, few things take the edge off the cold like a hot buttered rum or warm mulled cider. To help stave off the cold, bars are rolling out their contemporary takes on old winter cocktailsas well as new creationsfor the huddled, scarf-wrapped masses. Whether its boiled by a red-hot poker or heated by freshly made coffee, one of these drinks is sure to wetand warmyour whistle.
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Top Attractions In Nyc In Christmas
I love Christmas time in New York and all the things to do! Who doesnt? A few tips:
- You must-see the holiday window displays at Macys & along Fifth Avenue, all the decorations at Rockefeller Center and the SAKS Light Show!
- Skip the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center if you wanna avoid high-volume crowds. Once the tree is lit, you can go at any other time to see it.
- Expect lots of people in New York at this time of the year.
Stay At The Peninsula New York
The Big Apple is filled to the brim with fantastic hotels, but if youre looking to capture the true magic of New York City at Christmas, go to The Peninsula New York. Its enviable location right on Fifth Avenue and exquisitely decorated Neo-classical facade along with the tempting seasonal packages on offer make this 5-star establishment one of NYCs best Christmas hotels.
Stop at the elegant Gotham Lounge for a holiday-themed afternoon tea, feast on a four-course Christmas dinner accompanied by Victorian carolers at the onsite Clement Restaurant, and sleep in one of the festively decorated rooms, complete with gingerbread playhouses and Christmas movie libraries.
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Join Thousands Of Santa Claus At The Santacon
Designed purely for enjoyment, this “Santa Claus” convention in Times Square kicks off the holiday season . If you head to Times Square at 10 a.m., you’ll find several thousand people dressed as Santa Claus ready to spend the day going from pub to pub to celebrate the holidays with their friends at this Santa Convention.
I didn’t know what it was until I found myself in the middle of it a year ago and the truth is that since then, I always recommend it, I assure you that I have never seen anything like it! Leave behind the sense of the ridiculous, put on a good hat and go out to the street with a lot of desire to have fun. If you go with children or friends, you will enjoy this celebration even more if possible.
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New York Christmas Decorations
Right after Thanksgiving in New York, the city is decorated with wreaths, holiday signs, and bright lights. Each year, New York City department stores design their entire window displays and usually has a theme. You can tell department stores put time and effort into these decorations. There is a lot of detail that goes into the Holiday Windows in New York.
Of course, this is not just something special for New York tourists. Strolling through the streets of New York and admiring the beautifully decorated holiday windows is something you shouldnt leave out during Christmas in New York.
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How To Store Decorations For Next Year
Once you have decided on the best day to remove your decorations, Mac shares his Christmas tree ideas so you can store your tree and ornaments effortlessly.
‘It may seem a bit obvious but another last sweep to check you’ve got all the decorations off the tree is vital to avoid any unwanted damage to tree and ornaments,’ he says. ‘If your tree is pre-lit, you’ll also want to ensure your lights are unplugged from the wall. Many larger trees will come in several sections, be sure to detach the lights of each section of your tree.’
Mac also recommends picking up a storage bag that will protect your tree and ornaments until next December. ‘Your bag needs to be large enough to comfortably hold your tree and made from durable material so that it can’t be torn by protruding branches – rip-stop nylon is a great option for this,’ he says.
Once your Christmas decorations are down, you are left with a fresh palette to experiment with the biggest interior design trends of the new year. Though, whether your experimentation begins on the 5th or the 6th is entirely up to you
Visit The Iconic Department Stores And Christmas Window Displays
If the rest of the year New York is a shopping mecca, when Christmas comes around, stores go all out to take the shopping experience to a whole new level.
For decades, New York department stores have been with Christmas motifs to attract all eyes. In fact, in recent years, professional window dressers and decorators have been doing their best to impress us with their increasingly creative and imaginative displays.
At Macy’s during the Christmas season, you can walk through the North Pole without leaving the department store. Don’t you believe it? Well, it’s true, at this time of year Macy’s recreates a village known as Santaland, where children can meet Santa Claus himself. It’s free, but you have to reserve a time.
To tell the truth, all the stores in New York are decked out to live the Christmas spirit so if you like shopping and stores at Christmas, my advice is to prepare a route through the Christmas windows with a stop at Tiffany & Co, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys or Saks Fith Ave, among others. You’ll be amazed!
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The Best Christmas Shows In New York
New York City is known for being home to the worlds best shows, so what would the holiday season be without watching some of the best Christmas shows? Theres no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to explore the citys holiday decorations and watching a festive show!
Here we tell you what the best Christmas Shows in NYC are!
Admire The Holiday Window Displays
All along Fifth Avenue, storefronts are transformed into magical Christmas displays. Some of the best displays can be found at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys. The Tiffany and Cartier stores on Fifth Avenue are always decked out as well.
Perhaps the most extravagant holiday lights display is outside Saks Fifth Avenue, directly across from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. You can catch the five-minute light show every evening during the holiday season, occurring every ten minutes.
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Enjoy The Nba The Best League In The World
Enjoying an NBA game in person is one of the must-do experiences for every traveler visiting New York, especially if you get your tickets from Santa Claus for Christmas!
What better plan than to spend Christmas or New Year’s Day having a blast with the best basketball league on the planet? Even if you don’t like sports or the NBA, attending a basketball game in the United States is a true spectacle of partying, music, good vibes and above all, sport.
New York is home to two NBA teams: the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets .
In Brooklyn A Forest Of Lights And The Famous Dyker Heights Houses
One of the citys largest and most well-known displays are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, a that stretches over several blocks, mostly from 83rd to 86th Street between 11th and 13th Avenues. Though most people choose to walk through the streets, youre welcome to drive through as well. But be warned: Traffic moves slowly, and parking is tricky to find.
Through Jan. 9, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is offering Lightscape, a mile-long walk filled with displays like glowing trees, light sculptures, laser shows reflected over a pond and a meadow laid with a sea of lights. One of the showstoppers, a towering archway of tiny lights, has already proven to be a hit. On the first night the show opened, Mr. Benepe said, one visitor proposed to his partner under the archway.
You literally look at the trees and landscape in a new light, Mr. Benepe said. Its kind of like going through an enchanted forest.
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Go Ice Skating: Nyc Christmas Classic
Its difficult to imagine Christmastime in New York without thinking about the quintessential experience of ice skating. Whether you are actually putting on skates or just watching the skaters on the ice, we think spending time at the ice-skating rinks ranks as the most epic of all Christmas Activities NYC.
Where to Go Ice Skating in NYC
Ice skating is one of the best things to do in December in New York and there are 3 incredible places to do it: Rockefeller Center, Central Park and at Bryant Park.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
The Rink at Rockefeller Center is the most iconic outdoor ice-skating rink in the city. To be honest, its our favorite place to watch ice skaters. Visitors who want to glide across the ice can buy tickets and skate rentals online but buy tickets in advance, because they do sell out!
Ice Skating in Central Park at Wollman Rink
Located in the southeast corner of Central Park, Wollman Rink sits under towering skyscrapers making it the most picturesque place to go ice skating in the city. Skaters who want to take a spin around the rink with a backdrop of the New York City skyline can buy tickets online or in person.
Bryant Park Ice Skating
We love the ice-skating rink at the Bryant Park Winter Village . Not only is it an incredibly festive place to go ice skating in Manhattan, but its also free! Skaters still need to reserve a timed ticket and can rent skates on-site if needed.
What To Know About Christmas In New York City 2021
New York at Christmas is magical! Its on many travelers bucket lists with good reason. In order to have a successful trip, though, you need to be in the right mindset.
Absolutely bring your best holiday cheer, but include a dose of reality about what to expect.
- IMPORTANT: New York City has vaccination rules in place. Everyone 12+ MUST show their vaccination card or proof of vaccination via the NYC COVID Safe App or the New York State Excelsior App to dine indoors or enter entertainment and performing arts venues. This includes places like Broadway Theaters, Radio City Music Hall, museums and galleries, sporting events, concerts, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, convention centers, and movie theaters. Masks are also required in many of the above venues, as well, and on public transportation like trains, subways, and buses.
- From Thanksgiving to New Years, New York City can be extremely crowded, especially the areas in and around Times Square and Rockefeller Center. Even if youve done crowds in other cities, channel your inner farm animal and be ready to move in a herd.
- Give yourself more time for everything. With so many people, everything takes longer. Whenever possible, go underground and travel by subway. Avoid taking a taxi at all, if you can, but especially in the area of midtown. Expect traffic gridlock.
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Nyc Christmas Decorated Bars And Restaurants
If you are in search of Christmas decorations in New York, why not add some Christmas Spirited restaurants and bars!
Some of the most popular Christmas decorated bars and restaurants are:
- Rolfs Restaurant: This German Restaurant is decorated in Christmas Spirit year-round and is one of the most popular places to visit during the holidays. Address: 281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010
- Lillies Victorian Establishment: This pub has one of the most beautiful Christmas window displays in NYC and really cute decorated inside located right by Union Square.
- Oscar Wilde: They are New Yorks longest Bar at 118.5 ft and Whiskey Bar with over 300 varieties of Whiskey! They have a really unique space and dress it all up for Christmas. Address: 45 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
- Miracle on 9th street Pop-up Bar: Another fun and festive pop-up bar in Manhattan.
- Igloo Bar at 230 Fifth Rooftop: This bar is super popular during the holiday season since you get to be on the rooftop in the Igloos with views of the Empire State building. It is a staple to the NYC holiday list. Need reservations.
- The Greens at Pier 17: These clear cabins became really popular last year in 2020 for their see-through cabins and are another fun place to eat. Need reservations.
Is Christmas In New York Expensive
Is New York expensive at Christmas? Just like any major city, New York is expensive in general, but especially so at Christmas. Hotel prices and airfares are high, as this is peak travel time and visitors flood to the most popular attractions. Book your flights and accommodation in advance for the best prices.
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Have A Frozen Hot Chocolate At Serendipity
Serendipity has all sorts of delicious treats and desserts, but they are especially famous for their giant frozen hot chocolate! Just make sure to bring someone with you to help you finish this tasty treat because you probably wont be able to finish it all on your own.
The food at Serendipity is just okay and overpriced for what you get, which is why I dont recommend it for lunch or dinner. This is a place to come just to grab a delicious dessert!
Serendipity 3 is located on E 60th Street and 3rd Avenue, close to Bloomingdales. Its a short walk from Central Park or Rockefeller Center.
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Wall Street Christmas Tree & Stock Exchange
Heading downtown? Make sure to check out the Wall Street Christmas Tree and decoration lights. They have a beautiful Christmas tree and this year actually marked the 98th annual lighting.
They are located in front of the New York Stock Exchange at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets.
Address: 11 Wall Street New York, NY 10005
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Take To The Ice In Midtown Manhattan
The ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center is perhaps the citys most famous seasonal spot, and although gliding by that giant tree is a lovely experience, its also tiny, expensive , and the lines regularly drag on for hours.
Instead, theres Central Parks Wollman Rink, which is bigger, mostly cheaper and equally atmospheric, thanks in part to a recent refurbishment, which added a new clubhouse, murals from local artists and concessions from Harlem restaurant Melbas.
For an even better deal, reserve ice time at Bryant Parks Winter Village, where admission is free, though rentals range anywhere from US$15 to $45 . Unsteady on those blades? Theres street curling here too, as well as private igloos accommodating up to eight people, for those who prefer to come in from the cold.
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Christmas Things To Do In New York City
The definitive guide to enjoy the city during the most magical time of the year.
Isabel Catalán
13 min read
Christmas is one of the most magical times to live in New York. The city is filled with Christmas trees, lights, carolers, decorated avenues and stores… Without a doubt, it is the time to travel to New York. As Andy Williams said in his popular song: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
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