With a variety of activities and popular places to visit, New York City spreads holiday cheer during the Christmas season. There is an endless array of holiday activities for both locals and tourists alike, ranging from a visit to Rockefeller Center to a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. The holiday hustle and bustle is certainly available for all to experience in New York City during the holidays.
Rockefeller Center is one of New York City’s main attractions during the holiday season. For 85 years, the city’s most famous site has been the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center’s plaza. The tree brings over 120 million spectators each year. The giant Norway Spruce is approximately 75 feet tall and weighs about 13 tons. Fifty thousand energy-efficient LED lights and a brightly shining Swarovski star adorn the tree, according to newsday.com.
Another popular activity is ice skating in Central Park’s Wollman Rink. The rink attracts thousands of families and tourists to spend a day out on the ice. Whether a beginner, an advanced skater wanting to improve, or just a casual skater, Wollman Rink offers private, semi-private, and group lessons based on interest, according to wollmanskatingrink.com.
Wollman Rink also provides a special very important person (VIP) experience. VIP guests bypass the seasonably long line and enter the rink through a heated, rink-side hospitality tent. Upon arrival, a representative will greet guests with a selection of snacks and beverages. The tent and its amenity access lasts up to three hours, but skating time is unlimited, according to wollmanskatingrink.com.
Many members of the Sacred Heart Greenwich community take the time to visit New York City with their families during the holiday season.
“My favorite holiday activity in the city is ice skating at Wollman Rink because I do it with my family,” sophomore Elizabeth Colligan said. “We enjoy each other’s company and create new family jokes that we frequently look back on.”
Courtesy of www.rockettes.com.
Another top-rated attraction for families to see is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes, at Radio City Music Hall. The dazzling annual show has been in New York City for almost a century, and, in that time, the show has entertained a total of 75 million native New Yorkers and tourists, according to www.rockettes.com.
“Going to see the Rockettes is a family tradition,” freshman Sophia Waldron said. “My family and I have made many memories together over the years of going to see the show.”
Seeing the Christmas Spectacular is an experience in itself, meant for every family member to enjoy. However, if looking for more of the ultimate holiday experience, Radio City Music Hall offers a VIP Elite package. VIP guests have a separate, private doorway entering into the historic reception hall of Radio City, where attendees will meet, mingle, and take photos with Santa and the famous Rockettes. The Elite package also provides festive food and special selective seats to experience the magical show, according to www.rockettes.com
If looking for the quintessential holiday experience in New York City, a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park is a perfect choice. Many decorated horse and buggy rides provide hot cocoa and a warm blanket, while enjoying a slow tour through the park.
“I always go to New York City during the holiday season with my family,” sophomore Bridget Hamlet said. “This tradition is special to me because I get to spend a day out in New York with the people I love, enjoying each other’s company and doing fun activities like ice skating and seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center.”
There is so much to do in New York City at Christmas time. Whichever a visitor chooses, one thing is sure, there will be many fond family memories of Christmas in the city that never sleeps.
Video by Caroline Baranello, Staff Writer
– Christine Guido, Staff Writer
Juliette Guice • Dec 9, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Love this video.