New York City is great to visit all year round but it is a special place of wonder and excitement right after Thanksgiving up to Christmas. Keep in mind that this won’t be a time in which you can get a bargain, as many people come to the city during this time to see the sites and shop in the stores. Hotel prices soar during this time so look for rooms outside the city in Queens, Brooklyn, and other outlying areas. You can usually get into the city on the subway but not have to spend quite as much. Air transportation prices will also be high, but if you book early enough you may be able to get a deal.
Windows of the major department stores are a wonder in themselves. This is one of the biggest tourist draws in the city prior to Christmas. The unveiling of the windows is a big event and every year the warring stores compete with each other and spend mountains of money to make their windows the most spectacular and grand. Most windows are unveiled in early to mid November. Some of the stores that have them are Macy’s, Sakes Fifth Avenue, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomindales, and Lord & Taylor’s. Most are animated and truly a sight to behold.
Another tradition no one should miss is the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. It is usually lit the first week of December with a holiday performance of artists and the Radio City Rockettes. The tree is usually a Norway Spruce and is 75 to 90 feet tall. Rockefeller Center usually gets the tree from people who need to get rid of a tree in their backyard and the tree is always donated. More than five miles of lights cover the tree.
Of course shopping is the best during the holidays and some of the shows in town will have a holiday theme. If you are a singer check out Radio City’s Messiah Sings at some of the churches in the area costing around $10 to get in. The New York Botanical Garden has a train show with over 140 replicas of NYC buildings. Radio City also has a Christmas Spectacular with tickets running $42 to $250. The Nutcracker is performed at the New York City Ballet with tickets at $20 to $100. Many churches in the area also have wonderful performances for minimal admission.
Shopping, seeing shows, or looking at the wonderful NY store windows is a thrill that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss it.