Christmas in NYC
On the 19th day of blogmas I went to NYC and saw all the decorations.
Hello lovelies! I made a trip into the city today to accompany my mother for a post-op check up. While I was in the waiting room, I came up with a little Christmas spirit itinerary. (The only paper I had on my person was this receipt for a peppermint milkshake)
If you are ever in NYC for a day or even for a long layover during the holidays, here's a list of some things to see and do in the city to put you in the Christmas mood :) (Please ignore my spelling errors. I was more focused on organizing and grouping the sites haha)
5th Avenue
We started off in midtown on the east side coming from the E35 St. ferry terminal.
Okay so if you walk up on Fifth Ave, you will walk past the Lord and Taylor's window display and eventually get to Rockefeller Center.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is between 48th and 51st Street. There are a bunch of decorations here so take your time to look at them. You can even get your picture taken by an actual photographer set up in a blocked off area in the middle with perfect, unhindered view of the tree. (you just have to pay for it)
I am going to warn you now that a lot of the photos of me were awfully timed.
The tree and the skating rink! If you feel so inclined, you can rent a pair of skates and join the queue and the crowd. Personally, I think it's a little expensive and you can probably rent and skate for cheaper in Central Park or Bryant Park.
As I ran in for the picture, some older lady was like, "oh that's such a nice picture!" haha
Sometimes, you're even lucky enough to see someone get proposed to. They clear the whole rink for this too so it's super nice.
I should have let them know that I was taking an amazing engagement photo of them as they got a complimentary couples skate around the rink while it was still cleared for them.
The star on top of the tree is made from Swarovski crystal.
LOVE
On your journey to or from the restaurant, feel free to stop by this cute attraction. Even though it is there year round, why not stop to take a picture when it is on the way? (Corner of W55th and 6th)
La Bonne Soupe
Felling a little chilled and hungry? This quaint little French style bistro is warm and cozy, not to mention that the food is delicious. (W55th St, between 6th and 5th)
http://labonnesoupe.com/
For lunch my mum and I shared a pot of fondue fromage (cheese fondue). It comes with bread but you can add apples for $2. I think this was a good amount of food for us, but there's plenty of food on the menu to choose from!
Then for dessert, my mum got a cappuccino and creme caramel.
While I got peppermint tea and mousse au chocolat.
Avenue of the Americas
Avenue of the Americas (6th ave) is where all the major decorations are. Starting around 55th St and walking back down, you will hit all of the famous outdoor decorations.
From pretty Christmas trees with fountains and giant nutcrackers...
(I quite like this picture. Shame it's so blurry)
to Radio City Hall and toy trains...
to the giant Christmas ornaments, lights and and reindeer, these are by far the most exciting Christmas decorations.
Bryant Park
Heading back towards 42nd St, you will come across Bryant Park which has a cute little ice rink, Christmas tree, and little stalls and shops with food and Christmas goods.
Macy's
In Herald's Square, (W34th St) is the largest Macy's (and I think the oldest in the city). It is HUGE.
Make sure you check out the lit Christmas window displays outside the store.
Then venture inside to view the beautiful Christmas decorations and perhaps finish a bit of last minute shopping.
Once you get to the higher floors (starting somewhere around 4), they still have the old wooden escalators instead of the new metal ones. It's so weird but an amazing experience.
If you go to the very top floor, they have a Santaland where you can go and see Santa/ take a picture. They set up a whole inside room with lights and decorations. (I didn't go in because I was NOT waiting in that line just to awkwardly take pictures of Santa in the end). It's completely free to see him though; you just gotta wait.
Santa has working hours too... but a 12 hour shift? Wow...
Some old movie pictures on the wall to look at while waiting in line.
This is some of the inside Santaland room. I asked the very nice elf workers if I could go in the express pass doorway to take a few pictures.
Empire State Building
Usually the Empire State Building is lit up red, green, and white for Christmas so I don't know what happened when I was there haha Ah well, it's still pretty to see, colour or no colour, lit up at night :)
You can see it when leaving Bryant Park and pretty much anywhere from central midtown.
City Bakery Hot Chocolate
Making your way back downtown (towards the ferry), a stop into City Bakery for their famous hot chocolate is definitely worth a visit. It costs $5 ($7 with the homemade giant marshmallow) and is made from a mixture of melted milk and dark chocolate. It's super rich but a nice treat.
Fun Fact: I don't even like marshmallows but I figured go big or go home when trying this out for the first time.
Rolf's German Restaurant
If we weren't in a hurry to catch the last normal hour ferry out of the city, we would have DEFINITELY stopped in here... that is, if there was even room for us. Rolf's was completely packed. The Christmas atmosphere was practically radiating out the windows with all the decorations and lights.
And yes, I did take a picture of these people eating just to capture some of the decorations.
Finally, enjoy all the miscellaneous decorations around town. New York is huge and therefore there are thousands of places with lights and holiday spirit. Take your time to look for the holiday cheer and celebrate a little because hey, it's Christmastime after all.
Pete's Tavern on E18th and Irving Place
There was a Santa outside with a live donkey! It was so cute.
So that was my Christmas tour in New York City. If I had another day, I would have definitely explored uptown and central park a little more as well as see what Wall St and South Ferry were like. Another time I suppose!
