Christmas in New York offers some of the most magical and spectacular holiday events.
Here are some of my favorites, so deck the halls and lets get celebrating – Fa la la la la!
NEW YORK’S MOST FESTIVE RESTAURANT
Go headlong into the festivities at Rolf’s German Restaurant – with its dazzling decorations, it’s a “must” visit during the New York holiday season. Located in the city’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, this gastronomic gem gets my vote for “If you can’t get into the holiday mood in these surroundings than nothing can” restaurant in NYC. Saturated with 100,000 lights, 15,000 ornaments and thousands of icycles, it takes the manpower of six working overnight for six weeks to hang all the elaborate decor. In addition to the holiday cheer, Rolf’s serves up traditional German fare such as Wiener Schnitzel, sausage platters, pork chops and crispy potato pancakes. Reservations are a must but expect a bit of a wait to be seated. While your mouth waters in expectation for your table, order a spiced egg nog or a glass of mulled wine. This place knows how to do Christmas right!!!
ROLF’S, 281 Third Ave., New York, NY
NEW YORK’S BEST TREASURE TROVE OF CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Could there be anything better and more personal than giving or receiving a beautiful Christmas ornament? My favorite spot to find that perfect bauble is John Derian Company. The day after Halloween the store is turned into a Christmas wonderland where every nook and cranny is filled with some type of exquisite decor. Trees are decorated with glass ornaments by catagory such as food, pets, Santas, snowmen, vintage and even a tree decorated entirely of pickles (only in New York!). They have tree toppers, garland and stocking stuffers galore. Two tips: a)make sure you have plenty of time to spend. this store is a visual delight and you won’t want to miss any detail and b) arrive empty handed because you’re sure to leave with a bundle of gifts for both you and friends.
JOHN DERIAN COMPANY, 6 East 2nd Street, New York, NY
NEW YORK’S MOST BREATHTAKING HOLIDAY VIEW
In the early evening, just as the sun sets and the city lights are starting to twinkle, soar to the top of Rockefeller Center and take in the city views at it’s observatory, Top Of The Rock. During the holiday season you’ll see all the holiday lights from above including a spectacular view of the empire state building all its glittery red and green glory.
TOP OF THE ROCK, 30 Rockefeller Center, New York NY
ALL ABOARD! THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL TRAIN SHOW
Head to the New York Botanical Gardens to see their enchanting model trains navigate their way through a whimsical landscape featuring over 150 iconic New York landmarks. With loving attention to detail, each scene is recreated from Mother Nature, incorporating bark, leaves and other natural material-all under the twinkling glow of the New York Botanical Gardens Conservatory. Locomotives hum along familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center on nearly a half a mile track.
NEW YORK BOTANIC GARDENS, 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY
BAKE YOUR WAY INTO THEIR HEARTS THIS SEASON
‘Tis the season for some fun and festive holiday cookies. Whether you’re baking a dozen for Santa on his journey, organizing a cookie swap or sending gifts to friends, head to the Institute of Culinary Education. Never one to take the holidays lightly, they offer classes in holiday cookie making, how to build gingerbread houses and how to make a snowman cake. Its especially fun when you take a class with a group of friends.
INSTITUTE OF CULINARY EDUCATION, Brookfield Place, New York, NY
AFTERNOON HOLIDAY HIGH TEA
After a day of shopping, sightseeing and dealing with the holiday crowds, treat yourself to the classic tradition of afternoon tea. Whether you’re looking for a simple midday cup or an afternoon extravaganza, there are many festive options to choose from. For an elegant and indulgent tea, head to The Carlyle Hotel where tea is served in their Gallery restaurant – the design of which was inspired by the Sultan’s dining room at the Topkapi Palace in Turkey. Tucked away amidst the hustle and bustle of midtown is my favorite spot for champagne, tea and savory scones, The Whitby Hotel If you’re looking for something for the whole family, head to the Looking Glass Room at Alice’s Tea Cup, located only a few blocks from Central Park. You’ll feel as though you’re sitting right there in the middle of Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic storybook.
EBENEZER SCROOGE COMES BACK TO LIFE AT THE MERCHANTS HOUSE MUSEUM
If you really want to get into the Christmas spirit head to The Merchant House Museum for a unique retelling of the iconic Charles Dickens holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Performed by candlelight in this 19th century home, you will hear and see an extraordinary one-man show in which the actor not only plays Dickens but the full range of characters made famous by this beloved tale. Toast the holidays before the performance with mulled wine, cider and snacks available for purchase at the museum.
THE MERCHANT HOUSE MUSEUM, 29 East 4th Street, New York, NY
TAKE A RIDE BACK IN TIME
Thanksgiving weekend marks the start of the Manhattan Transit Authority New York City Transit’s longstanding tradition of offering Holiday Nostalgia Rides on Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. With one swipe of your metro card you can travel through time in a vintage fleet of subways consisting of eight cars that operated on the letter lines from the 1930’s until the late 1970’s.
WHERE: Departs from 2nd Avenue on the F line in Lower Manhattan and runs along 6th Avenue in Manhattan to 47th-50th/Rockefeller Center before heading up the Central Park West line, where the train will stop at 59th Street-Columbus Circle before making its way up to 125th Street on the A/C/D lines in Harlem.
WHEN: Starting Sunday December 1st and every Sunday leading up to Christmas (Dec. 8nd, 15th,22rd and 29th). Departs on the 2nd Avenue subway station on the F line at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm and from the 125th Street subway station on the A/C/D line at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
“Every time a bell rings an angels gets its wings” what says Christmas more than the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life? Head to IFC Theater in the West Village for their annual run of the holiday classic. Starting December 6th and running through Christmas Eve. As an extra bonus Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter) will be in-person to introduce the 7:00 pm show every evening starting on December 11th.
IFC CENTER, 323 6th Ave., New York, NY
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ORIGAMI HOLIDAY TREE
An annual tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree at the Museum of Natural History has marked the start of the holiday season at the Museum for more than 40 years. The tree holds more than 800 ornaments made by local, national and international origami artist. During the season knowledgable volunteers are on hand to teach visitors the art of origami.
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 79th Street and Central Park West, NY
NEW YORK CITY BALLET’S “THE NUTCRACKER”
OK, this is an obvious NYC holiday experience but there’s no way I wouldn’t this, the most enchanting “Nutcracker” of all! Tschaikovsky’s iconic score transports you to a world of wonder where mischievous mice are foiled by toy soldiers who come to life and a blizzard of ballerina’s reveal the enchanting Land of Sweets. New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite has been a favorite of New Yorkers since 1954. All 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 32 stagehands and two casts of 50 young students from The School Of American Ballet join forces to make each performance magical.
NEW YORK CITY BALLET, David Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NY
THE NATIVITY TREE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
At Christmastime, The Metropolitan Museum of Art displays an extra bit of magic and pays homage to the true meaning of the season. The Medieval Sculpture Hall features a touchingly magnificent 18th-century Neopolitan nativity scene depicting the surrounding village of the era in which the hundreds of figures were hand crafted – all displayed below a majestic 20 ft. Blue Spruce fir tree. Catch a tree-lighting, daily at 4:30.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 79th Street and Central Park West, New York, NY
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN DYKER HEIGHTS BROOKLYN
For a look at what happens in the boroughs of NYC during the holidays, take a trip to the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn and tour their annual waaaay over-the-top holiday home decorations. You will be bedazzled! The residents won’t label it a competition, but every year the displays get bigger and brighter. If you’re looking for a guided tour of the area, check out Christmas Lights Tour, which boasts the tagline “Rockefeller Center? FUHGETTABOUDIT!” Warning, you might want to bring your sunglasses.
OH WHAT FUN! A BIG BAND HOLIDAY
Deck the halls with music! Every December, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring the master, Mr. Wynton Marsalis, brings a Grammy Award-winning holiday extravaganza to the Rose Theater. With soulful big band arrangements of songs both sacred and secular, Big Band Holidays is an uplifting tradition enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Special guest vocalists join the band each season for imaginative new versions of classics like “White Christmas” and “Merry Christmas Baby”. Join them for some yuletide cheer sure to brighten your season.