Travel: A Guide to Holidays in New York City

By: Lydia Shteyn

Rockefeller Center Tree
In 1931, during the great depression, workers of a muddy construction site, which now houses the Rockefeller Center, came together and placed the very first Christmas tree which began the yearly tradition. The following years to come the Rockefeller tree was bejeweled with lights and in 1936 opened the first Rockefeller Plaza Outdoor Ice-Skating rink. Although darkened for three years during World War II, the lights came back on in 1945 to celebrate the cease of war, and never went dim since. In 1964, the annual tree lighting ceremony became a television special, full of celebrity hosts, unforgettable performances and a ton of holiday spirit. The lighting takes part after Thanksgiving and the lights go off following the New Year. Exciting for adults and children, with many shops and activities surrounding the tree to enjoy.

 

Decorated Window Displays

New York is famous for its magnificently decorated, high end, department store window decorations. During the holiday season, typically beginning around Thanksgiving, stores such as Macy’s Herald Square, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdales all unveil their own unique displays which attract a ton of interest and excitement for locals and tourists alike. The windows are adorned with different delightful themes each year, and are a blast for the little ones to admire! The best time to grab your camera and witness the magic is during typical work hours due to overcrowding after 5pm.

Barney’s Holiday
660 Madison Avenue (at 61st Street)
212-826-8900
Barney’s usually offers irreverent and whimsical takes on the holiday season.

Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Avenue (at 58th Street)
1-800-558-1855
Bergdorf offers a more traditional take on the holiday season. They are right around the corner from Barney’s so make sure to compare!

Bloomingdale’s Holiday Windows
1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street
212-705-2000

Lord & Taylor Holiday Windows
39th Street at 5th Avenue
212-391-3344

Macy’s Holiday Windows
Herald Square, Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets
212-695-4400

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows
611 Fifth Avenue
212-753-4000

New Years Eve Ball Drop1904 market the very first New Years Eve celebration in Times Square. The main focus of the celebration was the Times Tower, at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Broadway and 42nd Street, and at the time, was Manhattan’s second tallest building. The celebration was attended by over 200,000 people and featured a breathtaking fireworks display. The fireworks were banned two years later, but in 1907, New York Times owner Alfred Ochs arranged to have a lighted ball drop from a flagpole on what is now known as One Times Square Plaza. After a century, the tradition of the ever changing crystal ball has evolved once again. On October 4, 2007, a new LED Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball was unveiled. The new ball was introduced to mark the 100th year anniversary of the ball drop on New Years Eve and promises to be the best and brightest to date. The new ball is now on display on the main floor of Macy’s Herald Square, where you can take spectacular pictures right in front of it.

 

Although standing for countless hours in the midst of Times Square on a typically cold night isn’t exactly inviting, the energy and excitement of the crowd surpasses the downside. It is one of the most romantic ways to spend New Years Eve with your sweetheart, and definitely an unforgettable experience. Times Square attracts millions of people that night, therefore arriving early and holding a comfortable spot is recommended for a pleasurable and full view of the festivities.