Although New Yorkers already started putting up Christmas lights and other decorations the day after Thanksgiving, the official opening of the Christmas season in the Big Apple begins on November 30th, with the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. From that moment on, the city begins to transform into something even more special than before: an extension of Santa’s workshop.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to get to New York City during the month of December, there will be plenty of choices of things to do during your visit, including Broadway musicals, dinner cruises, sight-seeing tours, museum exhibits, parks, wining and dining and, of course, shopping to your heart’s content. Just walking along the decorated streets and window shopping will raise your spirit to the highest heights.
Daytime Happenings
There are so many things to do, but you simply can’t miss the chance to go up to the 84th floor of the Empire State Building. Or, better yet, to the observatory at the very top of the building. The view is spectacular, both during the day as well as at night; the tickets cost $22 and $35 and the not-to-be-missed experience is available everyday until 2:00 a.m. There are hawkers on the street, but beware: they WILL overcharge you.
There are also a number of on location TV and movie tours available, with prices ranging from $22 to $79, the latter including the price of lunch. Advanced Purchase is required for tour tickets. If you’re interested in the history of television, or would just like to see episodes of one of your all-time favorites, the Paley Center is the place for you. The center is open from 12-6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Viewing cost is around $2 per person.
Perhaps you are more into winter sports. In this case, there are a number of open-air ice skating rinks available. The more renowned are: Rockefeller Center, right under the Christmas tree (admission prices range from $7.50-12.50 for children and $10-19 for adults, per session), Bryant Park Pond (free admission, all day), Wolman ($5-$5.75 for children, $10.25-14.75 for adults) and Lasker ($3.50, children and $6.25, adults) Rinks, both located in Central Park.
If you are into shopping, you will definitely not be disappointed. New York is home to some of the most well-known stores in the world: Macy’s, Saks Fifth Ave, Tiffany’s, FAO Schwartz and Victoria’s Secret, just for starters, with window displays that will literally make even window shoppers dream. If your pocketbook isn’t quite up to these, the streets are lined with hundreds of other stores to choose from. And, if the weather gets nasty, you can always slip into the Manhattan Mall and continue your shopping there.
Museums in the big Apple
New York City boasts several very interesting museums including the Metropolitan and its various sectors; The Brooklyn Museum, which has several exhibitions at the moment, including Hide/Seek: Difference and desire in American Portraiture; the American Museum of Natural History, which includes behind the scenes views of some world class insect collections; and the National Museum of the American Indian, which is the first national museum dedicated to the American Indian.
Times Square
One of the most exciting areas of Manhattan is Times Square; while pulsating during the day, it absolutely throbs at night. Awash with sights to see, special exhibits, and some of Broadway’s best musicals, Times Square is THE place to hang out, both day and night.
Hidden between sidewalk café’s, diners, fast food joints, full restaurants and Broadway theaters, we also find two very important exhibits: The world-famous Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, with its newest exhibit – The Spirit of New York, and the Discovery Museum with its presentation of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Biblical Times. Both exhibits are well worth the time and money.
Another interesting idea would be the Discovery Times Square interactive attraction: CSI: The Experience. If you’re interested in crime solving, here’s your chance – three murders, 15 suspects and 3 killers – a real whodunit?! Take note: Pick up one of the leaflets found at the train stations or hotels, and you will receive a $5 discount each for up to 8 tickets.
Broadway musicals abound, but some musicals, like “Mary Poppins”, are timeless and have continued for decades. Other musicals, such as “The Addams Family”, “War Horse”, and the “Jersey Boys” are good family entertainment; Sir Elton John’s and Lee Halls “Billy Elliot” is still playing, but for a short time only – despite having won 10 Tony awards in 2009, it will end its Broadway run on January 8, 2012.
Of course, we can’t forget the New Year’s Eve Ball, symbol of the New Year for the entire world. Thousands of tiny slips of paper flutter from the flashing ball as it is dropped promptly at midnight of December 31, signaling the beginning of the New Year; these are not ordinary slips of paper, though—they contain the wishes and hopes of thousands of people, for themselves and for the entire world.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center has much more to offer than just the annual Christmas tree (a pleasure in itself) and ice skating. The Top of the Rock observation tower, overlooking Rockefeller Center, also offers an amazing view of the city that never sleeps, remaining open from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. Rockefeller Center is home of the NBC television station and the world-renowned Radio City Rockettes, whose annual Christmas spectacular is just that, and is in full swing during the month of December.
The Classical Side
Those of you who are more interested in classical Christmas, you won’t walk away discontented – there’s something for even the fussiest. The Metropolitan Opera Company is presenting the Christmas special “Hansel and Gretel”, also with special family prices and matinee presentations. Prices range from $30-$215. The NYC Ballet Company is presenting “The Nutcracker Suite”, with prices ranging from $55-$135. And for those whose Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without it, the St. Thomas Equinas Church is performing Handel’s “Messiah” on December 6 and 8; tickets are $35-$95, and must be reserved in advance.
With so much to see and do, you’ll wish Christmas and your stay in the Big Apple could last forever. Hint: When you get to NYC, visit the Port Authority Bus Depot and Times Square Info for other options and discount options.
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