So much to see, so little time to take it all in. If you are traveling to the Big Apple this month, you will be delighted (and probably a bit overwhelmed) by all the holiday happenings. In addition to the traditional haunts—-Rockefeller Plaza, Macy’s and FAO Schwartz-—there is a slew of other seasonal stops you should consider making.
Start at Barneys New York, at 666 Madison Avenue near 61st. You don’t have to bring your wallet to have fun here. Just peer into the store’s windows. This year the upscale retailer is celebrating with characters from a different genre: Its holiday windows feature favorites from Saturday Night Live, such as Roseanne Roseannadanna, the Church Lady, and Wayne and Garth, in the form of life-size papier-mache ornaments.
Other free seasonal sights and sounds can be found in the theater district, which will take you to Times Square. Use the new pedestrian plaza that runs along Broadway from 47th to 42nd streets while taking shots of the bright lights and bustling sidewalks.
Other inexpensive thrills can be found at The Pond at Bryant Park, located at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue. The park offers free ice-skating (admission is free, though you pay for skate rental). It’s a great place to wear out the kids. If you can get them to snooze in their stroller, you can head to the nearby holiday vendors’ market, and shop in peace.
If you are traveling with children you don’t want to miss one of the most incrediblly kid-friendly attractions in all of New York City. The gingerbread display at Le Parker Meridien Hotel (119 W. 56th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues) is a sight they will remember for years to come. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to sample the sweet house, but you can indulge in sugary treats at some of the city’s finest bakeries, including Magnolia, Billy’s, Buttercup and the Cupcake Cafe. Otherwise, simply remain at the hotel and visit the in-house bakery, where bakers have created eight gingerbread houses that run the gamut from Grand Central to the Three Little Pigs.
Planning a trip to New York? Check out these other Big Apple-related articles:
New York’s Must-See Attractions—The Statue of Liberty
How To Eliminate Waiting in Long Lines For Lady Liberty
Summer Travel: Tourism Heats Up in New York
One More Reason to Visit New York City
Traveling to New York? Think Broadway
New York’s Must-See Attractions—The Empire State Building
Little People in the Big Apple: Central Park Zoo and FAO Schwartz
Little People in the Big Apple: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Patriotic Travel Destinations—Taking A Cruise of New York
Where To Get Your Chocolate Fix In New York