We just booked NYC for Christmas. HAPPY DANCE! Checking yet another item off our bucket list…and it sure does feel good! We’ll be meeting the Mr.’s family in the city for a week of adventures. I must say, it will be interesting spending Christmas in a hotel & a different city other than my home for the first time ever. Oh…but wait…we’ll be in New York City! I’m looking forward to Christmas lights & decorations in the city, hot coco, ice skating, and experiencing a magical holiday in a magical city. Everyone pray to the snow gods that it actually snows while we’re there!
So, do spill the beans on everything & anything we must see & do. Although I’ve been a handful of times, it’s never been over the holidays & I always enjoy hearing personal experiences & pieces of advice.
This is gonna be good. Really good. Happy Friday!
Carpe Diem,
Mandy
Photography by Jamie Beck.
Oooh I love NYC at Christmas time! My family lives an hour outside of the City, so it has become somewhat of a tradition to visit around Christmas time.
It’s pretty touristy/crowded, but I would highly recommend seeing the big tree and ice skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza. If you want to enjoy the view with less crowds, you can eat at one of the restaurants under the plaza, and have a full-window view of the ice skaters (make reservations ahead of time). If you’re there during the day and just need a warm drink, try the Dean and Deluca (http://goo.gl/maps/pB4sC). Try to see a show at Radio City Music Hall – the theater itself is a site to see!
While you’re there, check out the window scenes at Macy’s or Saks (http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/tp/holiday_windows.htm), as well as the music and light show that is projected on the site of Saks. If you need a break from the crowds and the hustle/bustle, step into St. Patrick’s Cathedral for some peace and tranquility.
If you want a similar set of activities but in a more ‘cozy’ and less tourist-y environment, try walking a few blocks to Bryant Park – they set up little shops, an ice skating rink, and a restaurant for the Christmas season. You’ll have a better chance getting into ice skating here because it is less famous than Rockefeller Center – I’ve never done it but I’ve heard the wait to get on the rink at Rockefeller can be upwards of 2 hours!
Let me know if you need any other ideas – NYC is one of my favorite cities and it is at its most beautiful at Christmas time!
WOW! Thank you for the AWESOME recommendations!
You’ll have a great time! Yes, it will be different however, the hotel will cater to those away from home…hopefully. Plus, there will be so many amazing things to see and do. I can’t wait to see your posts after Christmas.
NYC over Christmas?!?! Amazing! I can only imagine how beautiful and magical it will be:)!
Yes- agreed!! I’ll be checking out your NYC adventures for inspiration