Heather GurskyYou can’t beat winter New York holidays for the festive spirit, dazzling light displays and iconic Christmas experiences. Celebrating the holiday has become a month-long phenomenon – so take some time in those days to travel around New York City and witness a celebration like no other.
Radio City Music Hall
Big, festive ornaments and string lights wrapped around bare trees decorate the exterior of the hall. During the day these look like festive decorations but at night they come to life when illuminated. That is the best time to take memorable travel pictures with your friends and loved ones this season.
Photo: Melinda Perera via Flickr
Inside the music hall is where you can watch the Radio Cty Rockettes – a female dance group that started in the 1920s – perform their annual Christmas show. Over 20 women take the stage performing with full energy and bright smiles to bring you the best holiday spectacular and is hugely popular with travel addicts who love NYC.
Photo: Liên Thông via Flickr
Bryant Park
You can find two things here: shopping and ice skating. Not only is there an admission-free 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink set up inside the park, but there is also a holiday market set up right near the rink. This is a great location to get some festive decor for home as well as ornaments for the tree while having fun skating with friends. Warm up with a hot drink at Winter Village’s pop-up restaurant and bar.
Photo: jim henderson via Wikimedia Commons
Rockefeller Center
Placed in the midst of Rockefeller Center is a 75-foot tree, wrapped in string lights and surrounded by thousands of people a day. It is said that the tree is spotted and watched for at least a decade before they plan to use it! Such a process only brings merriment to all who travel here to see this huge monument that stands in honor of the Christmas tradition.
Photo: Anthony Quintano via Flickr
People come here annually not only to view the tree but to also go ice skating at the world famous rink. When it opened in the mid-1900s, accommodating over 150 people at a time. Starting December 1st, this rink becomes the location of an annual tradition for hundreds of families enjoying their merry season.
Photo: petercruise via Flickr
The Department Stores
There are many stores such as Bergdorf, Macy’s, and Saks that decorate their store windows in holiday/ winter-themed style. Each year, window decorators and artists come up with spectacular window displays that will catch your eye from a mile away. Window shopping is a magical experience for your New York holidays!
Photo: john morton via Flickr
Inside the stores, you will find heavily decorated floors. These locations are perfect for shopping for your loved ones while dancing to your favorite carols playing overhead. There is nothing more magical than walking through the streets of New York City and enjoying the company you have when you travel here.
Photo: Jim via Flcikr
Holiday markets
New York holidays in the winter are incomplete without a visit to the holiday markets. The best markets for festive cheer are Winter Village at Bryant Park, Union Square Holiday Market and Grand Central Holiday Fair.
Hope your travel to New York is festive and bright!
Also read:
Holiday Travel: Fairytale Destinations For The Christmas Season
