New York's famed Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center
“Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... andbrthat's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can dobrsomething about it,” said Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn) in the classicbrholiday movie Miracle on 34th Street.
East coast, west coast or land-locked, no matter where youbrcall home no one can deny the New York state of mind when it comes tobrcelebrating the holidays. As has beenbrtradition since 1924, New York's most festive of seasons begins with the Macy'sbrThanksgiving Day Parade and carries on until the ball drops at One Times Squarebrcelebrating the turn of a new year. From the twinkling pageantry of more than 30,000brlights adorning the tree at Rockefeller Center, to the hustle of the very bestbrholiday shopping, to the simple quiet romance of a single horse drawn carriagebrride through Central Park, its no wonder millions of people from across thebrglobe visit New York City this time of year.
After the last Macy's balloon is folded for storage and thebrThanksgiving menu turns promptly into sandwiches its time to feast your eyes onbrthe country's most popular tree. Mostbragree the season begins with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, whichbrtook place on November 28. Solar panels atop Rockefeller Center power more thanbrfive miles of multi-colored LED lights. Over the years the colorful andbrtowering tree has ranged in size from 50-foot pines to 100-foot NorwaybrSpruces. This year's tree will be the 80thbron record and approximately three million visitors will view the awe-inspiringbrsight. The lighting ceremony always features celebrity guests, musicalbrperformances and more. The tree can be seen from the ice-skating rink below andbrboth are a must-visit for anyone in New York City during the holidays. The festive scene will leave you hungeringbrfor more; fortunately the Rock Center Café serves contemporary dishes rangingbrfrom burgers and salads to prime rib and seafood all within view of thebrcenter's world-famous Tree, Ice Rink and the celebrated Prometheus Statue. Definitely an evening well spent.
After seeing the sights many will want to check off a fewbrloved ones from their “nice” list with a bit of shopping. Believe it or not youbrcan continue some serious sight seeing and shopping at the same time. CentralbrPark is a favorite holiday destination for many, both for its carriage ridesbrthrough the snow and for the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. Not to be outdonebrthe Holiday Shops at Bryant Park can also satisfy your urge to splurge- togetherbrmore than 200 merchants fill both parks through early January selling everythingbrimaginable from clothing and jewelry to holiday crafts and art.
For those who want to take their shopping indoors yet stillbrsee some of New York's celebratory sights- there is no better time of year tobrvisit famed toy store FAO Schwarz than Christmas. Named after its Germanbrimmigrant founder Frederick August Otto Schwarz, America's oldest toy store isbrcurrently celebrating its 150th anniversary. Macy’s Herald Square isbrwell known for its elaborate and festive window displays. Each year thebrflagship store features a set of displays depicting scenes from Miracle on 34th Street inbraddition to a surprise, never seen before second set. Families travel the globebrto see Macy’s Santaland Village to have Santa hear their holiday wishes andbrhave their picture taken with Kris Kringle himself.
Along the way kids are awestruck marveling at the modelbrtrain displays, talking trees, overflowing bags of toys, and lavishly decoratedbrChristmas scenes.
Event more toy trains come to life at the Holiday Train Showbrat Grand Central Terminal-the New York Transit Museum Gallery shows off itsbrannual holiday train show featuring Lionel trains traveling through abrtwo-level, 34-foot-long miniature New York City and countryside scene.
As if the everyday sights and sounds of the city aren'tbrenough visitors just have to take the time to fit in a theatrical performancebror two. At Christmas the must seebrperformance has to be the Radio City Christmas Spectacular a holiday song-and-dancebrspectacular, featuring the legendary Rockettes is now in its 85th year. The high-kickingbrRockettes continue to combine classic scenes like "Parade of the WoodenbrSoldiers" and "New York at Christmas" with some brand newbrnumbers and cutting-edge light shows, which transform Radio City Music Hall'sbrinterior into a true winter wonderland. brJust as classic is Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ThebrMusical, which allows young and old to discover the joy of Dr. Seuss'brquintessential holiday tale as it comes to life on the stage at The Theater atbrMadison Square Garden. The hit song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" willbrhave the whole family singing along.
Shopping, dining and strolling through the city that neverbrsleeps can provide endless holiday entertainment opportunities. And just when you think the party is over thebrTimes Square Ball Drop rings in the new-year. Each year millions across the globebrtune in to watch the city's famed celebration but absolutely thing comparesbrwith the joy and exhilaration of ushering in another year than watching withbryour own eyes from the streets of Manhattan.
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