New York Holiday Traditions

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New York Holiday Traditions

Tourists visiting New York City this holiday season have more than a couple options when it comes to sights, sounds and shopping. Christmastime in New York is truly magical. From the window displays on 5th Avenue and ice skating in Central Park to watching the Rockettes at Radio City and losing yourself in the 30,000 lights of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, finding activities on a cold winter’s day in the Big Apple is a simple as stepping outside your hotel door. New York is a city ripe with holiday tradition that you cannot miss. Here’s a rundown of the most famous “must see” attractions of the New York holiday season.

Ice skaters having fun in New York Central Park

  1. 5th Avenue Christmas Displays
    It’s no secret that the streets of New York are a shopper’s mecca, from 5th Avenue’s finest stores to the diamond district to the incredible “deals” in Chinatown, buying holiday gifts in New York is a truly unique experience. However, the simple joy of window shopping can be just as fulfilling.All along 5th Avenue, some of the most famous department stores in the world, including Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barney’s, decorate their windows each winter to display the magic of the season and add some pizazz to your window shopping. There’s no shame in dressing up, walking the streets of New York and admiring the beauty and the immense work that goes into creating these unique windows each year. In a city full of glamour, this element stands above the rest.
  2. Skating in the Park
    Central Park is an institution in New York. During the summer months, businessmen, college students and stay-at-home moms alike can be found enjoying the sun on a blanket and reveling in some of the only “greenery” available in this concrete jungle. During the winter months, another great tradition begins: ice skating. Many people don’t realize that there are actually two ice rinks available in Central Park during the winter months. The Wollman Rink is located on the east end of the park near the zoo. It is open beginning in November with reasonable weekday rates for adults ($10.25) children ($5.50) and seniors ($4.75). Skating here can be a nice appendage to a day at the zoo (yes, they’re open in the winter, too) which is included in the New York Pass.The other rink, the Lasker Rink, is in the middle of Central Park, between 106th and 108th Street. Prices are cheaper here $6.25 for adults, $3.50 for youth, and $2.25 for seniors and do not vary according to the day of the week.
  3. The Radio City Rockettes
    Though the price of a ticket to the annual “Christmas Spectacular” are a bit high, $45-$179 at non-peak times or $55-$250 during peak, the experience of the Rockettes is well worth the splurge, especially if you have a special little girl to take to the show. As a child, going to Radio City at Christmas can be an almost ephemeral experience. Between the bright lights, the gold and silver decorations and the magical beauty of the Rockettes, the memories of seeing this show will last a life time.This year, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular has been remastered to include the Rockettes in a 3-D video game-inspired number. Capitalizing on 21st century technology as well as the old tradition of precision dance, this element of the famous show catapults viewers into a virtual land of wonder sure to excite the child in us all.Even if you cannot make the show, consider touring Radio City during the holiday season as an option on both the New York Pass and the New York City Explorer Pass. The decorations themselves are worth a look.
  4. The Rockefeller Tree
    There are few annual traditions as iconic as the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Taking place on Wednesday, November 30th this year, the 74-foot Norway spruce looks stunning day and night. The decorations this year include 30,000 LED lights that stretch for 5 miles and a Swarovski crystal star. The multi-colored LED lights used this year are the “greenest” ever and the tradition of turning the donated tree into lumber for Habitat for Humanity will continue again at the end of the season.Pairing a trip to the famous tree with one of the many great tours available on New York’s tourist passes, such as the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, is a great way to spend the day and see this massive tree from more than one angle. Also, make sure you take the time to see the tree at night to get its full effect. Then, enjoy ice skating just below it at the Rockefeller Center rink or dine at the food court located just inside.