Christmas in New York is indeed a magical time. No matter what your age, you will be enchanted. There is no guarantee that you will see any fairies, but a good place to start is Macey’s Christmas window display, which depicts an enchanted forest and tells the story of a small boy’s journey and all the wonderful characters that he meets along the way. It will leave you with a lovely warm Christmas feeling and magical dreams that may just come true.
Holiday Lights
The Christmas lights are bigger and better this year and the best way to maximise your time with all the dazzling displays is to enjoy a tour on a double-decker bus. Not only will this take you to see the most famous, such as the Laser Light show at Grand Central Terminal, 5th Avenue, Central and Bryant Park and of course the incredible Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Centre, but also the more unusual such as Radio City Music Hall, Tavern on the Green and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral to name but a few. As your tour bus enters the historic district of Brooklyn, you will be stunned by the incredible sight of the Manhattan Skyline and able to enjoy a trip around the city, including the Empire State Building, Times Square, Chinatown, Greenwich Village and the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, with a narrated history by the tour guides as you go.
Ice Skating
A sure fire way to get into the Christmas spirit is to go ice skating and there are many magnificent rinks to choose from. The Rockefeller Centre has probably the most famous and you will be able to take advantage of such treats as “Breakfast with Santa” and the Radio City Christmas Show. Something to remember at this point is holiday insurance; there are many great companies such as Bupa, who can provide you with a comprehensive policy. Another great place to skate is the Winter Village at Bryant Park, with its 17,000 sq ft rink, restaurant and Christmas shops.
Where To Meet Santa
A Christmas trip to New York would not be complete without saying hello to Santa. Macy’s has an amazing display which will leave the young and the old enthralled. Another great place to visit him is at Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street – not as magical as Macey’s – but still excellent. For something very different, take a trip out to Santa’s Workshop. It is located 12 miles from Lake Placid in the Adirondacks, about a five hour trip by bus, but so unusual and exciting for children, that it is well worth a mention – and the trip.
Go To The Theatre
Finally, a trip to see A Christmas Story – The Musical, at Madison Square Gardens is a must. It is based on the 1983 movie and will not only have you laughing uncontrollably, but it also captures the Christmas spirit and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Look out for the fairies along the way!
