Everyone knows there’s no place like New York City. Between nights on Broadway to shopping on Fifth Avenue, there’s no time to be bored; there’s no time to sleep! NYC is unique all on its own, always ahead of its time, and this unique characteristic is even more apparent during the Christmas holiday. It is almost as if the entire city transforms overnight and it starts well before December 25th. It usually all begins the 30th of November when one of the most famous and largest Christmas tree lighting ceremonies takes place in the heart of the city, Rockefeller Center. Tourists as well as patrons come to watch as the tree is lit on the first night of Christmas, beginning a chain of events that makes Christmas one of the most memorable times to visit the city.
There are many things to do and see during the Christmas season, but one should be forewarned that Christmas is a huge holiday in New York City and many people come from far and wide. Prices for accommodations are substantially higher because the demand for hotel rooms is well above the supply. Travelers come from across the sea and across the nation to experience the wonders of the Christmas season in the Big Apple. Among the places you absolutely must visit during the season, Your first stop should be Rockefeller Center. Here you can check out the gigantic tree which is shipped out from a special reserve in Greenland each year. In addition to seeing the beautifully decorated tree and attending the tree lighting ceremony, you can also ice skate! It’s the perfect outing for a family to create lasting memories for years to come.
Little Italy is also a wondrous place during the holidays, the streets are lavishly decorated and you can literally feel the Christmas spirit present in each person you see on the street. If you want to escape the hustle-bustle another great place to check out during the holidays is Central Park. This is another great destination during the Christmas season because not only can you ice skate, you can check out all of the animals at the Bronx zoo. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? The smell of roasted nuts fills the streets as pushcarts sell their wares. The best way to experience Central Park during Christmas is by grabbing a nice sack of roasted Chestnuts, Walnuts, or other munchies and climbing aboard one of the many horse-and-buggy tours that you can find almost everywhere around the park. Be sure to bundle up as it can be quite cold. A nice hot cup of cocoa is a perfect addition to keep you warm and cozy. If you are traveling with children, you simply must check out FAO Schwartz Toy Company which is a major tourist destination during the holidays. People come from far and wide just to see the unique toys and pick up gifts for their loved ones. One thing is for certain, if you decide to travel to New York City during Christmas, you are guaranteed to leave in good spirit and many memories to share for years to come.
