A big city has a lot to offer... it's fairly safe to say that most people will find something to enjoy... if they can stand the crowds, and do some research before they go. For me, there is no better time to visit a big city like New York or London, than at Christmas time. The lights, decorations, and Holiday spirit can take away from the pollution and litter, and the crowds seem more festive than annoying. Nighttime is best, of course, when the lights sparkle, and everyone is bundled up against the wind and cold, and the smell of roasting peanuts and pretzels fills the air.
I've been to New York City at Christmas time many times, and it's usually pretty much the same every year, but somehow I find myself still taking the same pictures of the same lights, and enjoying it just as much. And there is always something new to see. The window displays of the major department stores change yearly, of course, with some being worth the long lines to see and hear.
The above photo is of the famous processional in front of Rockefeller Center, facing away from the tree. This is definitely one of those sights I look forward to seeing each year, and it is lovely to stroll here. The huge snowflakes in the background twinkle, and every few minutes play Christmas carols, while blinking on and off to the music. The angels light the faces around you, and underneath those huge snowflakes is the window displays of Saks 5th Ave, I believe. Behind this view is Rockefeller Center itself, the famous skating rink with its golden statue, and the giant Christmas tree and large toy soldiers overlooking all.
The surrounding area has much to offer in shopping and sightseeing, and every corner you turn can offer more Holiday displays such as the photo above. Besides the taxis and tourists, at this time of year you are more likely to see the horse and carriages of Central Park making their way southward to show the sights to their occupants. The clopping of hooves adds to the Holiday fun somehow.
A bit more walking will bring you to Times Square, which, if you haven't seen it, should probably be on your list of things to do. It's still crowded and dirty, but they put up about 200 more television screens, and a million more light bulbs to distrcat you from that. There are also hundreds of more advertisements, but hey, that's what it's all about, right?
Times Square has some neat shops to visit, such as the Hershey's chocolate store, the M&M's chocolate store, and the big Toys R Us which is three stories tall and offers a huge ferris wheel inside, as well as a giant moving Tyranosaurus Rex that is guaranteed to scare the kiddies. :0)
This trip I went to the M&M's store, to buy some chocolate, and was surprised that the hardest thing to puchase there was... chocolate! They have hundreds and hundreds of items for sale from underwear to figurines with M&M characters everywhere, but oh so little chocolate, and what chocolate they did have was quite expensive! I didn't visit the Hershey's store this year, but I remember it being a lot more kid friendly, and chocolate lover friendly, with the emphasis on product first, merchandise second.
Of course, New York City is the best for one sport... celebrity spotting. There's always somebody famous, or semi-famous, out and about, enjoying the sights. I saw this guy at the NBC store, but he obviously wasn't happy about having his picture taken. :0)
Now, I've only briefly scratched the surface here... there's much more to see, and much, much more to buy, if shopping is your thing. Still, a night in a big city at Christmastime can be a fun and rewarding outing, especially if you enjoy the bustle of the Holidays.
If the big city isn't exactly your thing, I can highly recommend a smaller city such as Edinburgh, or Zurich. Both offer big city sights and stuff with a much smaller, tamer, nicer, cleaner atmosphere. Zurich in particular is lovely during the Holidays, and really has kept the traditions alive there.
Wherever you go, and whatever you choose to do, I wish for you a safe and happy Holiday Season! JOHN :0)
7 comments:
"...they put up about 200 more television screens, and a million more light bulbs..."
It's good to see New York is doing it's bit for climate change. Round here they're putting bungs in the sheeps' bottoms for Christmas.
Well, yeah, there is that... I mean, it's not exactly green, and who's paying for all that electricity then? Still, it keeps the pigeons warm.
And besides, Times Square and Picadilly Circus just wouldn't be the same without all those colorful lights and screens. Surely we can shine some light to the heavens in the name of "here we are, what?"
I do wish they'd dim some of the lights in the countryside, but don't take away those city brights!
JOHN :0)
Thanks again for the pics, John! I just moved to the southwest US after 5 years in NYC and was just starting to miss the Christmastime atmosphere in Manhattan. It sure is a different world down here than it was up there!
Hi Betsy!
I've been up North my whole life, and spent every Christmas here, or in other cold climates. Swimming in 93 degree weather last year in Florida on Christmas Eve was a unique and just weird (to me) experience. :0)
Christmas in NYC is something I'm sure you'll miss, but maybe you'll appreciate it even more the next time you come up this way.
And please let me know what there is to do for the Holidays down your way. I just saw on television that San Antonio is one of the top ten cities in the US for Christmas! I was really surprised, but why not? The riverwalk there is a beautiful place, but it is even warmer there than Florida.
One of these days I'll have to get back down there.
Cheers, JOHN :0)
I DO miss a chilly Christmas--I was born and bred in Buffalo, after all--though experiencing winter in the snow-less southwest has been fun thus far. I've not yet been to San Antonio, but I'm a traveler by nature and can't wait to escape from the office and do some road (or air!) tripping though the area. Thanks for the heads-up!
Hi Betsy,
I went to San Antonio just to see the Alamo. I have a thing for history, so that meant a lot to me. The river walk is nice, and if you go you have to take the boat ride down the river.
Highlights would be the Missions, though. Definitely worth renting a car, and spending a day along the Mission trail.
There's also some great guacamole to be found in San Antonio!
I really must blog about the place one day. :0)
JOHN :0)
PS I spent a lot of time in Buffalo... the Anchor Bar was a favorite place before I became a vegetarian. Still, there's the cheesecake with amaretto... yum!
JOHN :0)
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