The city that never sleeps is most alive and lit up during the holidays. The winter snowflakes whirl around like a snow globe, announcing that Christmas is only days away. Icicle lights trickle down skyscrapers, and quaint cafes and bars unveil their fireplaces and dust off their jolliest Santa songs to play on loop until the ball drops in Times Square.
It is the most wondrous time of the year, and it’s fun to get swept up in the magic of it all. Treat yourself to a limo ride and glide through the sleet this season in your own personal sleigh.
1) The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park
While the masses head to the Rockefeller Center rink, grab your sweetheart and head to Bryant Park for shorter lines and the city’s only free admission rink. When you’re done skating around, warm up with some steamed apple cider or hot chocolate and stroll around the quirky holiday market surrounding the perimeter of the rink.
Bryant Park Holiday shops in New York City
Too cold to walk around? Stay cozy in Celsius, the glass-enclosed, two-story rink-side restaurant, bar, and lounge that features panoramic views of Bryant Park and the rink. There’s also Le Carrousel, an antique merry-go-ground, which will keep the little ones entertained.
2) Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Since 1933, people have crowded the sidewalks to see the 45,000 rainbow LED lights strewn across the tree at Rockefeller Plaza. This year’s festive 78-foot Norway spruce was scouted via helicopter and transported 155 miles to its new home in Midtown Manhattan. Herald angels in the Channel Gardens line the approach to the tree, which is lit until January 7, 2016. Once torn down, the tree will be recycled and made into lumber to build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
3) Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular
For the 85th year the world-famous Rockettes will kick up 72 legs in perfect harmony to celebrate the holidays at New York’s famous Radio City Music Hall. There are also some four-legged members of the cast, including camels, sheep, and donkeys for the animal lovers out there.
Bryant Park Holiday shops in New York City
The Christmas Spectacular is seen by more than a million people annually, and the Rockettes themselves have appeared on such shows as Dancing with the Stars, the Tony Awards, and even Presidential inaugurations. Witness a brand new showcase of 1,300 costume changes and see the North Pole in glitter-filled shades of red.
4) Union Square Holiday Market
The Union Square Holiday Market is a sure sign for native New Yorkers that winter festivities have begun. The market features 150 local and national vendors ranging from handmade jewelry to brew-your-own-beer kits. New Yorkers and tourists alike flock to pick trinkets for their fussiest family members. Artisans are in a seasonally good mood and love swapping stories with shoppers and passersby.
On certain days, local musicians and carolers preform on two separate stages to sing cheerful tunes. Follow the scent of 10,000 feet of garland and 50 fresh cut trees to get into the candy-striped tents and Christmas spirit.
5) 5th Avenue Window Shopping
Be sure to wait until the shops are closed so that you can enjoy the ornate window displays stress-free. Bergdorf’s window contains more than 7 million Swarovski sparkles to celebrate the crystal maker’s 120th anniversary.
Bryant Park Holiday shops in New York City
This year, Macy’s has dedicated their Broadway-facing windows to the Peanuts gang for the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Saks Fifth Avenue has temporarily remade their foyer into a winter palace, with window displays featuring icy versions of the world’s natural and man-made wonders such as a snowy Great Wall of China and a frozen Great Barrier Reef. Or go classic NYC à la Audrey Hepburn and have breakfast at Tiffany’s, while viewing Tiffany & Co.’s wintry scenes of luxury miniature sets reminiscent of 19th century New York.
If you’re looking to enjoy the best of NYC this winter and you’re too cold to walk, we’d love to show you around—reserve a limo with us.
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