NYC at Christmastime

New York City transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. The tree at Rockefeller Center and window displays at Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue are just a few of the special sites during winter in the city.

“There’s nothing like New York around this time. It’s magical,” said Sarah Giustino, a college student who’s family owns an apartment in Manhattan. She spends as much time in the city as she can in December because there is so much to do during the holidays.

The holiday spirit in NYC is unlike any other city. Simply walking through Grand Central station, you will feel as if you just got off the train to the North Pole. The station’s ceiling is covered in wonderland images and the beautiful Holiday Laser Light Show that officially kicked off the holiday season on November 30th. The light show is presented every half hour, between 11:00 AM and 9:00 PM all the way through December 31st.

Take the subway to see the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo where there are lighted paths through the zoo and over 140 illuminated animal and holiday sculptures, live reindeer, music, storytelling, ice-carving, the Holiday Express Train and the Polar Bear Express Experience, create a winter wonderland. Adult tickets are only $10.

If you are visiting NYC with a date, spend an hour skating at Rockefeller Center while admiring the tree. You could also take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through Central park, one of my favorite things to do when I am in the city. The ride takes about 40 minutes, just enough time before you get too cold and a perfect amount of time to see the snow-covered Central Park. The driver will give you the warmest, softest blanket you have ever touched and it a ride to remember.

The world famous department store holiday decorated windows are one of Manhattan’s most sought out activities during the holidays. This year Macy’s had a very intriquette display of Letters to Santa, where children could see the process their letters go through in order to arrive at the North Pole before Christmas. NYC in the holidays would not be complete without a visit to these windows decorated for the holidays.

"New York has something to offer everyone," said Giustino. "No matter what you are interested in doing, New York will have it."

TOP 10 Things to do in NYC at Christmastime

1. "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" (go to Tickets to get ½ off a lot of shows!)

2. Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride through Central Park

3. New York City "Holiday Lights"Tour

4. Ice-Skating at Rockefeller Center

5. Window Shopping on 5th Avenue

6. Visiting Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in the world

7. New York City "Hop-On Hop-Off" Double-Decker Bus Tour, great for visitors who have never experienced NYC.

8. Empire State Building Observatory where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of NYC’s winter wonderland

9. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

10. Strolling through the MET

Winter on the Cape

Cape Cod is mostly well known for all it has to offer in the warm summer months with the beautiful beaches, sand dunes, sailing, golf and many more attractions. Most visitors don’t know how special the Cape is during the fall and winter months. It is truly a gem during the holiday season especially and would be a perfect getaway for a weekend for friends or a romantic weekend for two.

College student Lisa Whales visits Cape Cod in the winter often because she has family who lives there year round. “I love the first snow, people out in boats until the ocean freezes, ice skating, and rolling in the snow and jumping in a hot tub.” Whales said she especially loves snowstorms on the Cape because she can walk on the beach during the storm and she says “there’s nothing like it”. “I love having a nice fire on a stormy night,” she said. “And Christmas on the Cape is just beautiful.”

During the winter there are plenty of things to do, according to Whales. “People on the cape are pretty big drinkers, so there is always barhopping,” she said. Although the Cape has a typically laid back atmosphere, there are lots of great restaurants and bands in the area that play at a lot of different bars and restaurants. “I love visiting the Cape Cod Lighthouses all decorated with Christmas lights and sledding onto the frozen water too!” she said.

The holiday season on the Cape is the time of tradition and celebration with the native Cape Codders. Many towns and villages have tree lighting, Christmas strolls, caroling, holiday concerts and performances. Historical Cape Cod homes and inns are decorated for the holidays and are open to visitors. Towns like Falmouth and Chatham have Christmas-by-the-sea traditional celebrations last from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day. As a visitor, you can participate in holiday strolls, the tree lighting, and tour the historical inns. In the Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth, decorate your own gingerbread house and go caroling.

During the holidays, Dunbar Tea Shop in Sandwich features a Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol reading. The shop is a historical tea room in the heart of the oldest town in Cape Cod, Sandwich. Check out the afternoon tea menu for a warm treat after spending the day exploring the Cape. Sandwich is also home to the Heritage Museum and Gardens, which are decorated with holiday lights during the holidays.

Stroll along the Hyannis Harbor and watch the Harbor lighting ceremony, which includes a boat parade with Santa arriving in a lobster boat. There will be free chowder, piping hot chocolate and the festive hayride through the town center. Also in Hyannis is The Cape Codder Resort and Spa’s enchanted village lights and figures in the courtyard.

There are also many charming and affordable hotels on the Cape, according to Whales. “Hotels in Hyannis all have a great reputation, and the Ocean’s Edge in Brewster is great. The Trowbridge Tavern is a quaint hotel that is also has great nightlife with live bands all weekend,” said Whales.

“The Cape is unlike any other home in the East, every season has its own unique beauty,” she said.