Now that the festive period is drawing to a close (booo), I’ve been reflecting back at the Christmassy experiences I’ve had this year, of which there have been many.
I’ve drunk gluhwein at markets in Germany, I’ve sung carols at a Dickensian Christmas in St Louis, and I’ve eaten my body weight in roast potatoes and stuffing in Manchester. Honestly, it’s been perfect.
But there’s one place that I’ve always wanted to visit around Christmas time (maybe the movies have sucked me in) and that’s New York. This feeling was compounded by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade while I was in Arizona this year and it left with me a longing to head back to the Big Apple, a place I haven’t been since 2011. Here’s why I want to visit New York at Christmas time one year.
Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular
I visited Radio City Music Hall on my first ever visit to NYC back when I was about 9 and, although we got to have our photos taken with a few of the Rockettes, we never actually got to see them perform. After watching them in the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, and after seeing them pop up in this blog post about things you can do in New York at Christmas during a US guided tour, I definitely want to go and see them perform their Christmas show at some point in the future. The set and sparkly costumes are supposedly fantastic.
The Huge Christmas Tree and Ice Rink at Rockerfeller Center
Ever since seeing the grand Christmas tree at Rockerfeller in Home Alone 2 when I was a child, I’ve always known that one day I would go and see it in person. Unfortunately it hasn’t happened yet, but I’m sure it will. This is also further compounded each year when I watch Elf and they skate on the ice rink in front of the tower block during their date night. Sigh.
A Movie and TV Tour
This was another idea I stole from the Scenic Tours blog post, but it’s one that’s been on my list for a *long* time. Many of these guided tours stop at a huge number of film and TV locations and, as many of the shows and movies are ones I like to watch around the holidays, they remind me of festive times. As an added bonus, it may even snow in December in NYC, which would make the tour feel even more festive.
Department Store Window Displays
Having gawked at some of London’s finest displays last year, I would love to see what New York has to offer in regards to glittering, extravagant department store window displays. I’m sure I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Holiday Shopping / Sales Shopping
I was surprised during my last visit to the States at just how many sales continued after Thanksgiving. I had thought that most stuff was reduced for Black Friday and maybe through to the following weekend, but I found several bargains even during the first week of December. I’m not saying Christmas shopping in New York would be pretty (it’s probably a bit manic and crowded, much like a lot of other places), but it definitely provides a pretty backdrop to a spot of shopping. Not to mention that when you need a rest, there are thousands of bakeries and restaurants to choose from.
Holiday Markets
They may not be as extensive as the markets throughout Europe, but it seems that New York likes to hold its own where handmade gifts and artisan foods come in. There are many holiday markets held around the city throughout December, including a Winter Village in Bryant Park (where there’s also FREE ice skating! Yipee!), a market at Columbus Circle selling artisan crafts and snacks, flea markets in Williamsburg and Chelsea and a vintage market selling eggnog, cider and chestnuts in Astoria. Doesn’t sound too shabby to me.
Have you been to NYC at Christmas time? If so, did you do any of these festive things while you were there?
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