New York Offers a Host of Fantastical Festive Breaks
Transforming into a sparkling winter wonderland, complete with festive markets and a range of highly anticipated annual events, Christmas is one of the best times of the year to witness New York in all its iconic glory. Indeed, from the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to the fantastical window displays at Macy's, the Big Apple is a superb destination to head to for a magical Christmas break.
No trip to New York would be complete without heading to Little Italy. Located in Lower Manhattan, it is famous for pulling out all the stops at Christmas time. Filled with glittering lights and impressive decorations, it is the perfect place to get into the spirit of things. Kicking off on December 5, there are a number of weekly parades and free weekend performances to experience, as well as a host of stalls to browse.
Cited as the birthplace of Broadway, the Big Apple also offers up some of the very best theatre performances around. An annual highlight, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a definite must-see. Having first taken to the stage in New York in 1954, it is a firm festive favourite with both the city's residents and its visitors, and is ideal for taking the children to.
Ice skating is another seasonal must and New York offers up some fantastic icy opportunities. Open from November through to January, Bryant Park plays host to some excellent ice skating action. It is even possible to soak up the glorious city views whilst you whizz around the rink. The Polar Ice Rink at the American Museum of Natural History, complete with a 17 foot polar bear, is also stunning.
Offering up an unparalleled selection of shopping opportunities, New York is also ideal for buying your Christmas presents. In fact, ranging from the uber-glamorous boutiques of Madison Avenue and the high street stores scattered around Times Square, to the cheap and chic bargains in the New York Garment District, there's a wealth of shops to choose from, meaning you don't have to battle it out down your local high street in order to complete your yuletide shopping list.
To simply wander around the city and marvel at its sights, it can be worth checking out the range of walking tours available. A great way to see New York, the guided tours can be useful for providing an insight into the history of the city, as well as showing you some of the Big Apple's hidden treasures.
In addition to the many Christmas experiences to be had, New York is filled to the brim with a range of tasty restaurants and cafs to try out and trendy bars and nightclubs to experience. Not only that, but there are hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, like the superb selection of New York hotels, meaning every budget is catered for.
No trip to New York would be complete without heading to Little Italy. Located in Lower Manhattan, it is famous for pulling out all the stops at Christmas time. Filled with glittering lights and impressive decorations, it is the perfect place to get into the spirit of things. Kicking off on December 5, there are a number of weekly parades and free weekend performances to experience, as well as a host of stalls to browse.
Cited as the birthplace of Broadway, the Big Apple also offers up some of the very best theatre performances around. An annual highlight, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a definite must-see. Having first taken to the stage in New York in 1954, it is a firm festive favourite with both the city's residents and its visitors, and is ideal for taking the children to.
Ice skating is another seasonal must and New York offers up some fantastic icy opportunities. Open from November through to January, Bryant Park plays host to some excellent ice skating action. It is even possible to soak up the glorious city views whilst you whizz around the rink. The Polar Ice Rink at the American Museum of Natural History, complete with a 17 foot polar bear, is also stunning.
Offering up an unparalleled selection of shopping opportunities, New York is also ideal for buying your Christmas presents. In fact, ranging from the uber-glamorous boutiques of Madison Avenue and the high street stores scattered around Times Square, to the cheap and chic bargains in the New York Garment District, there's a wealth of shops to choose from, meaning you don't have to battle it out down your local high street in order to complete your yuletide shopping list.
To simply wander around the city and marvel at its sights, it can be worth checking out the range of walking tours available. A great way to see New York, the guided tours can be useful for providing an insight into the history of the city, as well as showing you some of the Big Apple's hidden treasures.
In addition to the many Christmas experiences to be had, New York is filled to the brim with a range of tasty restaurants and cafs to try out and trendy bars and nightclubs to experience. Not only that, but there are hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, like the superb selection of New York hotels, meaning every budget is catered for.
