The snow hasn’t started flying just yet here in early November, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t daydreaming about the holiday season. If you don’t mind bundling up against the cold, New York City’s panoply of attractions makes it the perfect place to spend time from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
If holiday cheer in the Big Apple sounds like it’s up your alley, read on to discover how to celebrate the holidays in New York City this year, and don’t forget you can travel with C&J directly to Manhattan!
When Thanksgiving rolls around, chances are you that you carve out some time to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s a family tradition for C&J and we bet it is for many of you, as well.
But this is also a parade best experienced in person at least once in your life, so you can really appreciate the size of the balloons, the floats, and the spectacle in the crisp November air. Just be sure to have your Thanksgiving dinner plans lined up early, and don’t forget to stake out one of the best spots for watching along the route.
As we mentioned not too long ago in one of our travel guides, Rockefeller Center is one of the most magical places in New York City to celebrate the holidays. Ice skate on the rink made famous by countless movies and television shows, check out the lights on the huge 75 foot tall Christmas tree and explore 30 Rock, home to NBC’s best shows.
If you’re a shopping enthusiast around the holidays, you can’t do much better than this large open air market. Staffed by local artisans who craft everything from dog collars to lovely handmade art, it’s the perfect place to find something truly unique for your family and friends back home while spending an afternoon browsing for yourself.
With the Rockettes on stage and spectacle to spare, the Christmas Spectacular bills itself as one of the best holiday shows in the world and lives up to the billing. You’ll get to see Santa’s sleigh, a holiday kickline and the man in red himself up close and personal in comfort at Radio City Music Hall.
All of us have spent some time cruising around our neighborhoods looking for the best lights display. Dyker Heights is an opportunity to do that with some of the most competitive and frankly eye-popping displays you’ll find anywhere in the country, with inflatable Santas and thousands of watts of brightly strung lights vying for your attention. Take a walk or take an Uber around the neighborhood with some hot chocolate and get some ideas for your own light displays at home!
It’s a staple for a reason. If you don’t mind the crowds, Times Square offers an opportunity to take in the ball dropping and the arrival of 2019 with close to a million people. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience featuring fireworks, national musical acts, and a chance to make hundreds of thousands of new friends at once.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets to NYC with C&J and ensure a stress-free, comfortable trip that arrives right in the heart of Manhattan! If you’re looking for more C&J recommendations for the city, be sure to check out our interactive map.