Posts tagged Christmas
Christmas in New York
Anna Osgoodby Life + Design : Christmas in New York

One thing that NYC definitely gets right is Christmas. Okay, okay there are a few other things, but Christmas is definitely one of them. The towering tree in Rockefeller Center, the sparkling lights, and shop windows decked top to bottom. What’s really worth doing when you come to visit though? Well, this is my 4th holiday season here and while I’m not technically a real New Yorker I’ve had quite a bit of experience playing tour guide throughout the years! So, I thought I’d give you my advice on what I think is worth doing and what you’re better off skipping.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!: Rockefeller Center. Let’s talk about it. The one thing that everyone always wants to see when they’re in the city during the holidays is the tree. And I say GO! It’s iconic, it’s massive, and there is something a little magical about being in the center of Rockefeller center surrounded by lit up angels, ice skating, and snowflake projections on the near-by buildings. 

What I would suggest could be considered obvious advice, but if you can avoid the area on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, by all means avoid it. Go a few days after when some of the crowds start to die down. It’s up through the first week of January and if you’re in town it’s worth going when it’s a little less crowded. A little less — Still plan on a lot of people, but it will be a little more manageable. Trust me, I’ve been on Christmas Day and that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you arrive, dies in about 2.5 seconds when you find yourself crammed between wall-to-wall people and you’re just trying to keep all of your party semi-together. If you can plan your trip accordingly, do. 

Twirling on the ice: What’s more festive than ice skating in NYC? You see it in just about every movie, right?! My advice - Skip Rockefeller Center and try Wollman Rink in Central Park instead. I know, I just told you to go to Rockefeller Center, and do, go for the tree, but skip ice skating there. The Rockefeller Center ice skating rink is TINY (They totally have you fooled on film) and not only that but it’s pretty pricy and the ice isn’t as well maintained. 

There is much more room to skate in Central Park and you will still be surrounded by a serene backdrop in the park. The prices are much better too. There are also several other ice skating rinks throughout the city but my favorite is Central Park.

Sipping on frozen hot chocolates: Don’t get me wrong, I love the frozen hot chocolates at Serendipity 3, but I’m going to say skip it during the holidays. That is, if you have the opportunity to go at another time of the year. They’re wonderful and the decor is cute, but the waits can get a little horrendous and it’s not worth waiting hours for. 

Strolling up 5th Avenue: It’s going to get a little crowded, but it’s free, cheerful and worth seeing. Go! Some of my personal favorites to see on the avenue are Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Harry Winston, The Peninsula Hotel, and inside the Plaza Hotel. Tiffany & Co has some cool decals up this year too!

Joining the Crowds at Macys: The Macys! You’ve seen it during the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and in just about every Christmas movie. And it’s a cool place! It’s not cool enough to make it onto my Christmas must-see list though. Skip it! If you have a chance, it’s definitely fun to see the outside and maybe pop inside for a few, but I don’t personally think it’s worth a stop. Especially if you’re going to the 8th floor in hopes of seeing a winter wonderland similar to Gimbels in the movie Elf. Hate to be the bearer of bad news.. but unless you’re standing in line to see Santa (which is a VERY long line), the winter wonderland is blocked off. And considering if you don’t want to wait for a crowded elevator and decide to take the escalators instead.. it’s a long trip up. 

Oh and, another tip. Bundle up. It’s cold here and while I’m sure you’ve been in the cold before, when you’re in the cold here, you’re really out in it, not jumping in and out of your car. You will be a much warmer and happier person with a warm scarf, hat and gloves. You’re going to be outside a lot and the wind will get you!

Well, that’s all that I have for you. Get out there and enjoy the holidays in the city!

Merry and Bright :: Day 6

…And just like that we were onto my parents last full day in the city, before their early wake-up call and travels back to Washington on the next day.

My parents started the day by taking a stroll through the park and by John Lennon’s old house and the Strawberry Fields memorial.

After they hit up the park, I met up with my parents at the Roosevelt Island tram. After taking a ride earlier this year, I thought it was something cool to take them on. Plus, it’s free!

From there we headed back to the financial district to visit the 9/11 Memorial.

The day we went down there was nice, but very windy! My parents were trying to take a few photos of the fountains and then they were getting showered on from the wind picking up some water.

I’ve been kind of torn on going down to the memorial because I know a lot of people who lost someone there, but I am glad to have at least gone. The location is still under construction, but the fountains are a nice site for remembrance.

After the memorial we went to Times Square for the obligatory visit and then ventured back to the Upper East where we closed out their trip by rooting on the Seahawks at a local bar.

I’m so thankful my parents were able to come visit and spend Christmas with me. I had so much fun showing them around and hope they did as well!

Merry and Bright :: Day 1

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones! My parents arrived late on Christmas Eve, but I’m going to count day 1 as Christmas since we couldn’t do much other than convince my Dad, yes, my apartment really is that small. “You mean this is it?”.. yes, yes it is. My Mom and I were actually talking about how it’s funny how everyone has their own perception of New York, but you really can’t judge the city properly until you have actually visited. Some things are much smaller… and others much bigger. The people are for the most part pretty friendly, and yes, the taxis do honk that much. Oh and another one.. I hate to crush dreams, but for those that their dream is to go to Times Square for New Year’s Eve? Please visit Times Square on any ordinary day and thennnn tell me you want to stand there for over 12 hours.. in the cold.. without bathrooms. Just saying! New York City is really something different to each person and I think that’s something that makes it really unique and truly an experience.

Since this was my Dad’s first (and possibly only) trip here, I wanted to make sure it was very memorable! It did take me two years of convincing him to come after all! To give him a little credit though, he’s NEVER been to the East Coast in over 50 years… so I suppose 2 years isn’t too bad. We kicked off the morning with a baked french toast casserole I made and opening some presents. I got my parents these Explorer passes that gave us 5 events/destinations of our choice to check out. I chose this one because it had the best options for the best deal compared to their competitors. I’d highly suggest using their services if you are thinking about visiting. Just be smart about the events/destinations you choose. Some of the other passes pick the destinations for you and include locations that are actually suggested donation entry, so they say you are getting a deal.. but I’m never going to go to the MET and pay the suggested price of $25 when I could go for $1 if I really wanted. Ask me more about this if you are ever considering them for a trip in NYC or other metro cities!

After opening some really wonderful presents we headed for the metro! My Dad only had a few swiping problems before he was walking through the metro like a native New Yorker! From there we headed downtown to the destination of the day.. Rockefeller Center.

What do tourists do in the city when everything is pretty much closed (minus Chinese restaurants)? Go to the Rockefeller tree and look at the 5th Avenue store window displays. I definitely knew it would be crowded.. but boy was it CROWDED! 

If there is one thing New York does well.. it’s Christmas decor! The city definitely has it down to a T.

Once we made it up 5th Avenue, we took a quick trip into Central Park South before heading back down to Rockefeller Center.

Back into the craziness….

After snapping.. A LOT of pictures of the tree we were headed to the Top of the Rock to pick-up tickets. Another bonus to the Explorer passes I got? We got to skip the line for this event! Score! 

Oh hey, green and red Empire State Building! After being at the top of the world on the Top of the Rock it was time to head back to the Upper East Side for some Christmas grub by yours truly!

On the menu for the evening was bruschetta, honey dijion salmon, stuffing, homemade mashed potatoes and mint corn. We needed a feast after all of our walking!