Sure, it starts to get dark at 4 p.m., but no place does the holidays like New York City. Stay at the New York Palace or the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel, both near Christmas’s urban heart: Rockefeller Center. Then mix and match from the activities below, all guaranteed to make your spirits bright.
Animals
You know who loves presents? Animals, that’s who. On select days in December, you can watch New York City’s baboons, meercats, and Asiatic bears, among others, celebrate the season by foraging for things like apples and peanuts — very special treats for them — during “Presents For The Animals.” Unlike most humans, these creatures love the wrapping and packaging even more than the actual gift. See for yourself during December weekends at the Prospect Park Zoo (450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn) or Queens Zoo (53-51 111th Street, Flushing).
Lighting Ceremonies
The world’s largest menorah gets illuminated by — you probably didn’t guess it — a person in a cherry picker. Clocking in at two tons and 32 feet, the menorah lives for eight nights at Grand Army Plaza (between 59th Street and Fifth Avenue). Watch the lighting ceremony at 5.30 p.m. on 4–9 and 3.30 p.m. on Friday, December 3.)
South Street Seaport will light its tree on Friday, November 26, at 6 pm (Fulton and South Streets, Pier 17). The tree at Rockefeller Center goes bright on November 30, at 7 pm (1250 Avenue of the Americas). Since 1945, the spruce trees on Park Avenue from 97th to 48th Streets have been lit in honor of those who gave their lives in war. This year the ceremony falls on December 5, at 6.30 p.m. (62 E 92nd Street).
Trains
Don’t have time to see the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim, or the Brooklyn Bridge on your trip? No worries. Instead of running all around town, you can see all three — and more — at the New York Botanical Garden (200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard, The Bronx), November 20–January 9. Its Holiday Train Show features models of famous landmarks made from branches, nuts, leaves, berries, and other vegetation, along with several types of trains. Incredibly charming.
Trees
Each July, volunteers begin folding paper in fascinating ways to complete the annual Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History (79th Street and Central Park West). This year’s tree, up from November 22 to January 2, explores the theme of “discovery,” so expect the differently sized ornaments to evoke digging and uncovering, as well as echo the famous dioramas.
Those who prefer their trees a little more old-fashioned will especially adore the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street), where a huge spruce is festooned in 18th-century cherubs, angels, and banners, from November 23 to January 6. The Annual Christmas Tree & Neapolitan Baroque Crèche also feature a nativity scene and music throughout the day.
Windows and Walks
Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town holds a candelight tour (reservations required, 441 Clarke Avenue) on December 11 and 18. For a less organized experience, walk along Third Avenue in Manhattan, south of 23rd Street, where bars and restaurants try to outdo the lavish display at Rolf’s (281 Third Avenue). Each holiday season this German restaurant covers every available inch with lights, mirrors, dolls, and other Christmas ephemera. Of course, you can’t talk about window shopping without mentioning Fifth Avenue, where Barney’s, Bergdorf’s, and everyone else’s flagship megastores try to lure you in.
–Jess and Garrett of We Heart New York
[Photos: Flickr/gsz (Garrett Ziegler)]
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