With Christmas around three weeks away, the Rockefeller Tree in Manhattan is lit and ready for all its visitor for the holiday season! Besides the hour spent trying to work yourself up to the tree to get the prefect picture, what do you do with the rest of the day? Here are some simple things in the near by area of the tree for you to spend the rest of your day in the holiday spirit!
1.Bryant Park Ice Skating
-Ice skating under the Rockefeller Tree can be a fortune and most of us cannot afford it, but we all want to ice skate in front of a tree. Head over to Bryant Park, free admission, $!5 ice skate rentals and free lockers when you bring your own lock. If you don’t have one, they sell them at $9 a lock. Skate all day long until close before you see the Rockefeller Tree. A little perk, this attraction is open into March so you can always visit again.
2. Bryant Park Winter Village
-Outside the ice rink, the winter village is in full bloom at the park. All the huts are little shops full of knick knacks; jewelry, figurines, scarf and hat collections, light up lanterns, handmade products and more. Also there are great places to grab hot chocolate and coffee along with baked goods and warm food. Also open throughout the winter, available for you to walk through again any other time!
3. Taste of Home’s Gingerbread Boulevard
-You can walk through a life size ginger bread village in Madison Square Park. The area has been transformed into a scene from “Hansel and Gretel.” The little houses are even interactive. You can walk into the buildings and use the virtual reality elements to have some winter and Christmas fun! Last year there were complimentary food and beverage but be prepared in case they do not offer it this year. Also this attraction opens u on December 6th and closes December 18th so make sure to plan your trip accordingly if this is something you are into.
4. Large Christmas Lights and Ornaments
-Have some goofing around fun in midtown of sixth avenue large Christmas decorations. They are completely free and they make for great photos. Very close to the tree, you may just even pass them on accident, but stop and smile before you move on to your next adventure.
5. Bloomingdale's Light Show
-Right along the squaring streets of the tree you can find Manhattans Bloomingdale shop. This also along the strip to the tree that contains the angels that are lit up and the starts also the entrance to the ice rink. On the Bloomingdale’s store, there is a Christmas light show paired to a Christmas song. The show usually takes about two minutes to watch. (This is also the entrance I recommend to make your way up to the tree, best spot for pictures!)
6. Times Square
-Make your way over to Time Square after your day full of activity. In Time Square you can stop at one of many restaurants to grab a bite to eat after a long day of activities. Also spend some time going into all the major stores to do some Christmas shopping if you’d like!
7. 5th and 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
-If you are done with all of your day activities and you just want some time to walk around and look, 5th and 6th Avenue (6th is also known as Avenue of the Americas) you can find some more big stores, some with great displays for Christmas. A personal favorite is the Hollister store on 5th Avenue with the large projector screen on the California beaches on it, the store is huge. Even if you don’t spend money, it is fun to go inside and explore.
Doing some or all of these in the day at most will probably come to a 50-dollar day including travel costs. If you bring your own food, you’re looking at a 30-dollar day. Not badly priced for a full day out with Christmas fun! If you have the ability to spend a little more and make the day a little fuller, you can attend a show at the two following places:
1. Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
-In this show witness the world famous Rockettes in their Christmas themed spectacular. There are seats as cheap as about 45 dollars. Also, you can snag some student discounted tickets through TIX4STUDENTS when you sign up to be a member.
2. Broadway Shows
-The area of the city where the tree is and Time Square is home to many of the cities Broadway Shows. There are many to choose from and they usually have two show times on the weekends. Some shows, the cheapest tickets start at 50 dollars, other the cheapest is 80 – 100 dollars; depending on the show you may dish out more. NEVER BUY TICKETS FROM PEOPLE ON THE STREET, YOU NEVER KNOW IF THEY ARE REAL. You can also save some money by shopping on StubHub, ticket master resale and through online student discount sights. You can use sights like TIX4STUDENTS and studentrush.com. Also really check the shows website as some have student discount days and shows.
Have a fun holiday season and enjoy the great things to be found around the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. You have the opportunity to a day that can be full of spectacular adventures without killing your pocket! Have a Happy Holiday Season!
