People from all over the world flock to New York City during the holidays each year, and with good reason. No place in the United States is more steeped in Christmas traditions than New York City, with its shopping, holiday performances and other events, and, most of all, its beloved icons like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and department store window displays.
Easily the most famous symbol of Christmas in New York City, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is located inside Rockefeller Center Plaza at 50th Street and 5th Avenue. Usually a Norway spruce, the tree is lit by some 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights, and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star.
The tree lighting takes place the week after Thanksgiving and draws tens of thousands of spectators each year. In 2010 the tree will be lit for the first time on Tuesday, November 30, with live and taped musical performances, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. After that, the tree will be lit from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm each day, all day on Christmas Day, and from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. (The tree stays illuminated through January 2, 2011.)
Meanwhile, the amazing and elaborate window displays at some of the city’s leading department stores are another essential part of the holidays in New York. The classic displays at Macy’s Department Store (Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets) are probably the ones to see first. Macy’s presents two sets of displays annually, one depicting scenes from the beloved holiday flick Miracle on 34th Street and another that’s new each year. Then, for something different, head uptown to Barneys New York in the Upper East Side (Madison Avenue at 61st Street) for window displays with contemporary flair and a cheeky sense of humor.
New York Habitat’s apartments include vacation rentals all across Manhattan, which will give you convenient access to all of the holiday festivities.
– This furnished 1-bedroom vacation rental on the Upper West Side (NY-14209) puts you within easy walking distance of Rockefeller Center Plaza and Lincoln Center. And because it’s on the 42nd story of a high-rise, you’ll also enjoy spectacular views of the Hudson River.
– Another 1-bedroom apartment in the Flatiron District (NY-7245) is equally convenient to Greenwich Village, Chelsea’s gallery scene, and, to the north, 34th Street and Macy’s. And in case you don’t feel like going out, there’s a complete home theater system right in the apartment.
– This spacious, family-friendly 3-bedroom vacation rental in Midtown East (NY-6718) is just minutes away from Barneys New York, Bloomingdales, and some of the best shopping opportunities New York City has to offer.
Let us know what you think. What are your favorite Christmas traditions in New York? Share your comments below.
I will never forget the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. Its big and majestic. Beautiful! I have never forgotten it ever since I saw the tree in one of the Home Alone movie series starring McCauly Caulkin. I hope to be able to go to New York some day to just gaze at this Christmas Tree.
teehee!!!!!!!!!