I love the vibe of New York City for Christmas. It’s one of the reasons that part of ONE SUMMER NIGHT happens during the City’s holiday season! So today I am sharing some of my favorite spots to visit in New York City for the Christmas holiday! If you start in Penn Station and follow along with these fav places, you’ll get to see everything in just a few hours of walking.
Macy’s Christmas Windows
34th Street and Herald Square
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From a celebration of the Miracle on 34th Street to the latest new windows, this is a great way to start your Christmas tour of the City.
NY Public Library
42nd Street and Fifth Avenue
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Say hello to Patience and Fortitude, the two lions named by Fiorella LaGuardia before you enter this lovely building! There are always interesting exhibits about either New York City or themes that would entice book lovers. Visit the gorgeous Reading Room and check out the library’s edition of a Gutenberg bible. On the first floor head back toward the theatre and look down the glass stairs to find the stone foundation of what was once the reservoir that occupied the entire block.
Bryant Park Ice Rink and Holiday Village
42nd Street between 5th and 6th Directly behind the Library
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Get some delicious Max Brenner hot chocolate and stroll around all the eclectic shops in the holiday village or pop over to watch skaters glide across the ice in the rink. It’s a good place to people watch and window shop before heading back to Fifth Avenue!
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street/Central Park South
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There was once nothing like NY’s Fifth Avenue for elegance and class. Although it’s lost some of its luster in some areas, this stretch is filled with the shops for the rich and famous (not me) as well as St. Patrick’s and the Promenade into Rockefeller Center. A must walk to check out all the windows, drool over diamonds at Cartier, Tiffany’s, Bulgari and Harry Winston. Linger across the street from Sak’s Fifth Avenue to see their amazing light show before checking out their wonderful windows.
Rockefeller Center
48th-51st Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue (Aka Avenue of the Americas)
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The tree, the shops, the Promenade, restaurants and more. The holiday season doesn’t officially kick off until the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree with its famous Swarovski tree topper.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Between 50th and 51st Streets on Fifth Avenue
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This gorgeous cathedral is the home of worship for many of New York City’s residents as well as the gathering place to mourn the City’s fallen. Walk around to see the various altars to assorted saints as well as the Nativity Scene. During the holidays, the cathedral also often has a special display in one of the areas.
Central Park South
Central Park South (59th Street) and Fifth Avenue
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Finish your walk up Fifth Avenue at Central Park South where you’ll find the famous Plaza Hotel and Grand Army Plaza. Cross over to Central Park and slip down onto the path that leads up Central Park South. Enjoy the views of this immense park until you exit back up into Columbus Circle and the Time Warner Building. Take a moment to visit with one of the carriage horses waiting to take you for a ride aroudn the park!
Time Warner Building
Columbus Circle and 59th Street
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By now you might need a break, so take a moment for a quick drink in one of the many restaurants or Whole Foods. Explore the many shops in the building before continuing to our very last stop on the holiday tour!
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
62nd Street to 66th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
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It began with our daughter’s fascination with a videotape of The Nutcracker and launched a family tradition that’s been going on for nearly twenty years. Our annual tour of New York City always ends at Lincoln Center where we indulge in seeing the New York City Ballet Company perform The Nutcracker. This is one of the top things of our holiday season and if you get a chance, definitely take in this special treat.
