THURSDAY’S TOP TEN
New York City is fun at any time of the year (but you already knew that) – However at Christmastime there is an energy that vibrates through the month of December. Well actually I think it starts at Thanksgiving. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade marks the beginning of the Holiday Season here in Manhattan; Heralding the season from Herald Square! So now it has begun and the streets are really crowded with shoppers carrying the colorful store brand bags. Workers that usually eat at their desks are dashing out to shop during lunch hours, tourists are everywhere in Midtown and stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to take pictures. And why are they all here? Because New York City is a great place to be at this time of year.
You can:
- Visit Rockefeller Center and see the magnificent tree and watch the ice skaters too.
- Drop by Grand Central Terminal to see the Holiday Light Show that is beamed on the recently re-stored ceiling. And you can shop there too – besides the stores there is also a Christmas marketplace.
- Attend a performance of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, it’s a holiday classic.
- But nothing is more classic than going to Radio City Music Hall and seeing the Rockettes! The Christmas Spectacular is a lovely wonderful tradition. I ought to know because my grandmother used to take me when I was young, then I took Chiara during her childhood and this year Finley Ray went. She is still a bit young for the Rockettes but the effects, the lights, and of course Santa Claus were not lost on her.
- Walk along Fifth Avenue and window shop or rather window-look at the dramatic and fantastic holiday window displays at Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and Barney’s.
- Stroll along Fifth Avenue in the evening and see the giant snowflake suspended above your head like a star. And then walk past Cartier’s where the whole building is wrapped with a red ribbon and bow.
- Visit the Metropolitan Museum and behold the most beautiful Baroque Neapolitan Christmas tree. The manger scene surrounds the base and is just magnificent.
- Take a break at Serendipity’s and drinks some Frozen Hot Chocolate.
- There are Christmas markets throughout the City, not as spectacular as those in Germany but they are here. Check out Union Square, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park for a wide selection of craft items, art, outerwear and gifts of all sizes for all ages.
- In the lower level of the Citicorp Building, there is annual free model train display that you will marvel at several vintage sets run all through a staged country and city setting. The Transit Museum also displays vintage trains in their shop in Grand Central Terminal.
BONUS IDEA – Buy some hot roasted chestnuts from a street vendor that’s New York!
*** There’s an UPDATED 2012 list available at Top Ten Things To Do In New York City During Christmastime UPDATED!
Bright Lights-City Lights
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
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