New York City – Capture the Holiday Spirit

As the song goes, "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning," however, if you’re looking for a great place to go to get into the holiday spirit, then you should definitely add “Visit New York City” to your holiday “To Do” or “Wish List.”

Whether your get-away is for a day or two, a long weekend or an entire week, the “City that Never Sleeps” has something to offer, no matter what holiday you celebrate during this time of the year. The Big Apple has it all -- holiday shopping, dining and nightlife, Broadway shows and plenty of special events to keep your interest piqued. The hustle and bustle is contagious and you’ll soon find yourself caught up in the electrically charged atmosphere that makes being in NYC this time of the year even more exciting.

There are also plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained so bring your most comfortable walking shoes along as you get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of this major metropolitan city decked out in its holiday finery.

Start your tour of the City’s holiday festivities at beautiful Rockefeller Center.

On Tuesday, November 30, Rockefeller Center is the place to be as the annual tree lighting ceremony takes place.  This time-honored tradition, which began in 1933, is still going strong.  The beautiful lighted Christmas tree and the skating rink is definitely one for the photo album.  Rockefeller Plaza is located between West 48^th and West 51^st Streets and 5^th and 6^th Avenues.

You’ve seen it on TV and now you’re just a few steps away from gliding across the ice at Rockefeller Center’s The Rink. Admission is $15.50-$19 for adults and $9.50-$12.50 for seniors and those under 11 years of age.

Here are some additional locations for skating buffs:

The Pond at Bryant Park located at 42^nd & 5^th Avenue (Hours: Sunday-Thursday – 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday – 8:00 a.m.-Midnight) Admission is free and skate rentals are $13.

Wollman Rink – Central Park – located behind the zoo. Admission: $10.50 - $15.00 for adults, $5.50-$5.75 children 11 and under, Seniors - $4.75 - $8.25. $6.25 for skate rentals (cash only). Hours: Monday-Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. and Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Lasker Rink – Central Park – located midway through the park at West 106^th & 108^th Sts.

Admission: $6.50 for adults, $3.50 for children, $2.25 for Seniors. Skate Rentals: $5.50 Hours: Monday - 10:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; Tuesday - 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & 8:00–10:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday - 10:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; Friday - 10:00 a.m.-5:15 p.m. & 7:00-11:00 p.m.; Saturday - 1:00-11:00 p.m. and Sunday – 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Polar Rink – AmericanMuseum of Natural History – located on the Arthur Ross Terrace. Access the rink through the Museum’s Weston Pavilion entrance (Columbus Avenue & 79^thSt.) Ticket prices: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students and $8 for children. Your ticket includes skate rental and one hour of skating. If you’re a Museum member, tickets are $8, $7 and $6, respectively. Hours: Monday-Thursday: Noon – 8:00 p.m., Friday: Noon-10:00 p.m., Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

South Street Seaport – Seaport Ice - located in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District – Pier 17 – South St. & Fulton St. -- Admission is $5; skate rentals are $7 Open everyday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Treat yourself to a Hansom Cab (a horse-drawn carriage) ride through Central Park.

Enjoy this icon of New York City and its 843 acres.  There’s something going on every day in the Park.  Visit http://www.centralparknyc.org/   Click on “Calendar.”   When the page comes up, you can click on the “list” tab right above the calendar for an explanation of each event.  If you happen to be there on December 5, you can enjoy a Victorian Holiday Lighting event at the CharlesA.DanaDiscoveryCenter.  Enjoy some cocoa and get a pic with Father Christmas for your scrapbook.

Whether you’re a shopper or not, your visit to the Big Apple wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Barney’s Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf-Goodman’s, Saks, Lord & Taylor’s and Macy’s to view their incredible holiday window displays.  Experience these beautifully decorated showcases that will capture your imagination.  And, of course, if you are a shopper, you’ll love spending your time perusing these big-time department stores for your holiday treasures.

Kick up your heels with the world-famous Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall as they strut their stuff during the annual Christmas Spectacular.  Ticket prices range from $45-$250 and the show runs from November 5 through December 30.  If you’ve never seen this show, you definitely need to splurge on this one!    

New York City Ballet Performs the Nutcracker – if you’ve never gone to the ballet before but always wanted to, here’s an excellent opportunity.  To many, who have seen this performance, the holiday season isn’t complete without it.  Viewing dates are November 26-January 2.  Visit:  http://www.nycballet.com/ticketing/2010nuts.html   for more info.

The Bronx Zoo is also decked out for the holiday season.  Take a wagon ride pulled by Clydesdales, (rides are from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and cost $5 per person - $3 for zoo members and under age three free!) 

New York Botanical Garden – visit the 19^th Annual Holiday Train Show and see the gardens dressed in their holiday best as you stroll the 250 acres.  View G-scale model trains traveling over a half-mile of track as they wind their way around 140 landmarks in this glittering city.  This exhibit can be found in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory starting on November 20 and continuing through January 9.  Visit the website for ticket pricing and additional information, as prices vary depending upon visitation dates.   http://www.nybg.org/hts/

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and what better place to behold all the beauty of the holiday season than at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Stop by to view their Christmas tree and their Neapolitan Baroque Creche, an 18^th century nativity scene.  There are also some Christmas concerts set for the holidays in the Medieval Sculpture Hall.  For more information, visit:  http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/

The American Museum of Natural History also offers a uniquely decorated tree – the Origami Holiday Tree decorated with 500 folded paper ornaments.  Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding and has been around for centuries.  “Discovery” is the theme of this year’s tree and the many decorations reflect the Museum’s activities and exhibits.  The tree can be seen from November 22 through January 2 and there is no extra charge to view the tree, as it’s included in the price of your admission ticket.   For more information on the Museum, visit:  http://www.amnh.org/

Macy’s Santaland – visit with Santa and experience this wondrous time of year through the eyes of children.  You don’t have to journey to the North Pole to catch Santa in action, just head to the 8^th floor at Macy’s in Herald Square (151 West 34^th St. -- (between 6^th and 7^th Avenues).

FAO Schwarz – located at 767 5^th Avenue @ 58^th St. (Hours – Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) You can’t visit New York City during the holidays without stopping at this incredible toy store which is almost as good as touring Santa’s toy warehouse.  Even adults can be a kid again for a couple of hours as you wander through the many toys, games, stuffed animals, etc that you’ll find here.

South Street Seaport – spend an afternoon exploring this historic area.  Visit the museum, check off some items on your holiday shopping list and enjoy a libation and a meal at one of the restaurants located in and around Fulton Street.  You’ll want to bring your camera so you can capture a shot of the BrooklynBridge from this vantage point.

This is just a sampling of the many activities which take place during the holiday season.  If you’ve never experienced New York City at this time of the year, you’ll definitely want to consider it.  Who knows, it may become one of your holiday traditions!