{"id":2613,"date":"2015-11-16T00:00:45","date_gmt":"2015-11-16T00:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/christmas-in-new-york-city\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T18:23:02","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T18:23:02","slug":"christmas-in-new-york-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/activities\/christmas-in-new-york-city\/","title":{"rendered":"A Very New York City Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

When visiting New York City at Christmas time, even the 12 days<\/em> of Christmas may not seem like enough to enjoy all this famous city has to offer. But you\u2019d be surprised how much Christmas spirit you can cram into just 12 eventful hours in the Big Apple.<\/p>\n

Here’s how we would enjoy Christmas in New York City:<\/p>\n

Christmas in New York City\"christmas-divider\"<\/h2>\n

Rockin<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong> Around the NYC Christmas Tree<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Rockefeller<\/a><\/p>\n

Kick off your Manhattan holiday early with a morning visit to Midtown and two of the city\u2019s quintessential symbols of Christmas:\u00a0The Rink at Rockefeller Center<\/a>\u00a0and the stunning and stately Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree<\/strong> (between West 48th Street and West 51st Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues).<\/p>\n

The rink is open from now through April 2016, and eight general-admission skating sessions are available daily, starting at 8:30am. We suggest booking well in advance to avoid the massive queues \u2013 and to get a coveted morning slot. Skate hire costs US$12, and ticket prices are US$15 for children and seniors, and from US$25 to 32 for adults, depending on the day you go.<\/p>\n

Lace up your skates and admire the mammoth Christmas tree between figure eights. The city will light up this year\u2019s tree \u2013 with 45,000 lights! \u2013 on 2 December, and it will remain lit until 6 January.<\/p>\n

Walking in a Window Wonderland<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Fifth<\/a><\/p>\n

From here, you\u2019re perfectly placed for a spot of spectacular Christmas window shopping. Several classic Manhattan department stores are famous for their holiday window displays \u2013 and you don\u2019t have to spend a thing! These displays are more like exhibits than windows \u2013 expect a festive and sensory experience that combines storytelling, design, sound, animation and fashion. From Rockefeller Plaza, you\u2019re just a quick walk away from\u00a0Saks Fifth Avenue<\/a>\u00a0(611 Fifth Avenue), the first of three must-visit retailers.<\/p>\n

Then meander down Fifth Avenue<\/strong> (towards downtown Manhattan), taking time to appreciate the many sights and sounds of Christmas along this famed thoroughfare. If you\u2019re feeling a bit peckish you can even find, if you\u2019re lucky, actual chestnuts roasting on an open fire from one of New York\u2019s street vendors. If you miss out on the chestnuts, there are always the warm, doughy, salty New York pretzels.<\/p>\n

Next stop? More windows at\u00a0Lord & Taylor<\/a>\u00a0department store on 424 Fifth Avenue (and West 38th Street). Last year\u2019s Lord & Taylor windows celebrated the flagship store\u2019s 100th anniversary; it will be exciting to see them try to outdo themselves this year! Finally, take a right onto West 34th Street and head to Herald Square<\/strong> \u2013 and the iconic displays at\u00a0Macy\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0(151 West 34th Street).<\/p>\n

Seasonal Showstoppers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Radio<\/p>\n

Besides the requisite shopping, you can’t have Christmas in New York City without seeing a show, and no show ushers in the Christmas season better than the\u00a0Radio City Christmas Spectacular<\/a>\u00a0at\u00a0Radio City Music Hall<\/a>\u00a0(1260 Avenue of the Americas). Book tickets for a mid- to late-afternoon matinee (there are multiple performances daily) and get ready to be wowed by the world-famous, legs-that-go-on-forever Rockettes in this magical musical performance that combines singing, dancing, comedy and film.<\/p>\n

When the 90-minute show lets out, share your favourite parts over dinner at nearby\u00a0Rue 57<\/a>, a short walk up Sixth Avenue (60 West 57th Street). Here, cosy up with some comfort food at this French Brasserie with an Asian and American twist. Think French onion soup, steaks and even sushi rolls. Save room for dessert\u2026 but not here (more on that later).<\/p>\n

Horsing Around<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Central<\/a><\/p>\n

Walk off dinner with a short stroll to renowned Central Park<\/strong>, where, especially if you\u2019re travelling with someone you love, you can take a romantic\u00a0horse-drawn carriage ride<\/a>\u00a0to see the highlights of these hallowed grounds. A 45-minute ride starts at US$155, and carriages hold as many as four adults or three adults and two small children.<\/p>\n

New York Christmas\u2026with a Cherry on Top!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Now that you\u2019ve rested your feet, it\u2019s time for that dessert, and it\u2019s a brisk 15-minute walk from Central Park to one of the best sweet spots in town:\u00a0Serendipity 3<\/a>\u00a0(225 East 60th Street). Here, you\u2019ll find decadent desserts, such as the Serendipitous Hot Chocolate (with whipped cream, cinnamon, grated valley orange and shaved French chocolate), Lemon Ice Box Pie, Dark Double Devil Mousse and a variety of spectacular sundaes.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a really big spender \u2013 and really<\/em> hungry \u2013 you can even have the Guinness World Record-holding Golden Opulence Sundae for US$1000 (but you have to order this 48 hours in advance). Aren\u2019t you glad you saved room? It\u2019s enough to make you think you\u2019ve landed in Dean Martin\u2019s classic Christmas carol, \u201cA Marshmallow World\u201d.<\/p>\n

But your Manhattan Christmas marathon day is not over just yet. It\u2019s time to bring your journey full circle. Hop in a cab \u2013 we won\u2019t make you walk any more \u2013 and head back to Rockefeller Plaza (where your adventure began) for a nightcap in the cocktail lounge at the illustrious Rainbow Room<\/strong>. Yes, a drink here will set you back US$20 to 30, but toasting to a merry Christmas with a view of the lit-up Empire State Building is worth the expense and marks a fitting and relaxing end to a day packed fuller than Santa\u2019s sleigh.<\/p>\n

All that\u2019s left now is to ask Santa to bring you a white Christmas \u2013 New York City in winter is all the more beautiful draped in snow.<\/p>\n

\"Snowman<\/p>\n

[tabs]<\/span><\/p>\n

[tab title=”When To Go”\u00a0icon=”entypo-light-up”]<\/span><\/p>\n

To take advantage of all things Christmassy in New York City, it\u2019s best to plan your trip for December. But dress accordingly \u2013 New York in winter can be very cold, with average temperatures ranging from -1\u00b0 Celsius to 5\u00b0 Celsius.[\/tab]<\/span><\/p>\n

[tab title=”Where To Stay”\u00a0icon=”entypo-suitcase”]<\/p>\n

Budget accommodation at Christmastime in New York can be tricky, but you can<\/em> find options. Check out\u00a0Bowery Grand Hotel<\/a>\u00a0on the Lower East Side. For something mid-range, try the\u00a0Double<\/a>T<\/a>ree by Hilton New York City<\/a>\u00a0in the Financial District. And if you can really afford to give yourself a Christmas present this trip, then stay at\u00a0Langham Place<\/a>\u00a0right on Fifth Avenue.
\n[button style=’blue’ url=\u2019https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/New-York-Hotels.d178293.Travel-Guide-Hotels\u2019 icon=\u2019entypo-suitcase\u2019 fullwidth=’true’] More Hotels in New York [\/button][\/tab]<\/p>\n

[tab title=”How to Get There”\u00a0icon=”entypo-address”]<\/p>\n

Multiple international carriers\u00a0fly from Singapore to New York<\/a>\u00a0(JFK) including Cathay Pacific, which stops over via Hong Kong, and British Airways and Singapore Airlines, which connect via London.[\/tab]<\/span><\/p>\n

[tab title=”Visa Requirements”\u00a0icon=”entypo-book”]<\/span><\/p>\n

Singapore passport holders can visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa.<\/p>\n

[\/tab][\/tabs]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When visiting New York City at Christmas time, even the 12 days of Christmas may not seem like enough to enjoy all this famous city has to offer. But you\u2019d be surprised how much Christmas spirit you can cram into just 12 eventful hours in the Big Apple. Here’s how we would enjoy Christmas in… Continue reading A Very New York City Christmas<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,64,146,46],"tags":[147,48,49,221],"authors":[299],"class_list":["post-2613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities","category-festivals-events","category-holiday-season","category-usa-canada","tag-christmas","tag-new-york","tag-shopping","tag-usa","authors-kasey-clark","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Very Jolly Christmas in New York City | Travel Blog - Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You\u2019d be surprised how much Christmas spirit you can cram into 12 hours in the Big Apple. 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