The Finger Lakes Travel Maven

Looking to plan next year’s holiday trip to the Big Apple?  Here are some tips on what to see.  The 2009 schedules will be updated as soon as they’re available.

Please note: All videos contain music.

Insider’s Holiday Walking Tour of the Big Apple

Manhattan is one of the most beautiful cities in which to take a self-guided holiday walking tour.  The air is cold, crisp, and your breath hangs in the air like frosty leaves.  There’s usually little to no snow, but bundle in layers since temperatures normally range from 25° to 40° F. (-7° to 5° C.) and the wind can be brutal.

We’ll start at the Citigroup Center located on the southeast corner of Lexington Ave. and 53rd St.  In the atrium are shops and restaurants, and each year during the holidays since 1987, a model train exhibit delights the young and the young at heart.

Video courtesy of Youtube video and LitSpirit.

The huge exhibit contains O, S and HO scale model trains and takes us back to lower New York State and New Jersey around 1945 to 1955.  The exhibit was concieved of by Tony Award Nominated Broadway scenic designer Clarke Dunham and was created using the talents of 50+ artists and designers. 

For the 2008 holiday season, this exhibit runs from Nov. 28, 2008 through Jan. 2, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat. including New Year’s Day and from Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.  Closed Christmas Day.  Watch for the designer’s humor throughout, with additions like the Bates Motel and “Mother’s House,” which was actually inspired by a house in Nyack, NY.  For more information, CLICK HERE. 

Next, we’ll walk north on Lexington and turn left on 58th St. to FAO Schwarz’s entrance on 5th Ave.  There’ll be a line, but it’s worth the wait.  The store is a tribute to its founder, Frederick August Otto Schwarz who opened his first “Toy Bazaar” in NYC in 1870.  As we enter, a beautiful 3-story clock welcomes us.  One of my favorite stops is the stuffed animal collection on the second floor, featuring replicas of endangered species.  Then of course, there’s the BIG piano.

Video courtesy of Youtube and “BagofNothing.”

Next, we cross to the south side of Central Park.  Smell that aroma?  It’s smoked chestnuts from the vendor on the corner.  If there’s time, a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park is fun, summer or winter.  Cozy seat blankets will warm us and it’s a great way to see the famous 843-acre park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.  The average price is $34 for the first half hour and $10 for each additional quarter hour, although prices may vary during the holidays.  A 15%-20% tip is customary.

After our ride, let’s head south on 5th Ave. past the windows at Bergdorf Goodman and cross to the east side of the street to Tiffany & Co’s flagship store, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  The bow on the outside of the building only hints at the treasures within!  Although many items may be beyond our budget, some great gifts are priced just right so we, too, can walk out sporting the famous Tiffany-blue bag.

Further south, we run into a long line at Saks Fifth Avenue window display, but this is a can’t-miss stop on the holiday tour.

Careful now!  We’ll cut across to the west side to see Rockefeller Center’s enormous tree.  The tree lighting takes place during the third week in November and it’s an absolute madhouse, definitely not recommended for those in wheelchairs or for families with strollers and toddlers.  CLICK HERE to confirm the lighting date.

As we approach the tree and ice rink, notice the lacey angels blowing horns to herald in the holiday season?  Under the tree is the skating rink at Rockefeller Center where skaters of every level glide across the rink, surrounded by the flags of member countries of the United Nations. Reservations are not accepted and they accept cash only for admission. Pricing will be posted later in the season.  CLICK HERE for more on the ice rink.

Now we’ll window shop our way south on 5th Ave. to Lord & Taylor at 38th St.  Lord & Taylor is the oldest upscale department store chain in the U.S. and the first store to launch the tradition of welcoming holiday shopopers with windows filled with holiday displays rather than merchandise.  For my money, it’s usually still the best window display in town.

Hungry?  Let’s go to the View Restaurant at the top of the Marriott Marquis at Broadway and 45th St. in Times Square.  Whether for dinner, drinks or dessert the beautiful 360° view is awesome.  If you’ve seen Sleepless in Seattle, you’ll recognize the View as the restaurant in which Meg Ryan as Annie Reed is dining when she sees the Empire State Building decorated with a heart on Valentine’s Day.

Next. we’ll walk south to 42nd St. and east to Grand Central Terminal.  Between Nov. 15th and Dec. 29th, there’s a fun, eclectic holiday fair in Vanderbuilt Hall.  Entering the bustling main concourse, look up!  You’ll discover Grand Central’s famous constellation-filled ceiling which is the backdrop for a holiday laser light show running every half hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Now, take the escalators north from the main concourse and exit at Park Ave., walking north.  The meridian of Park Ave. is decorated with beautiful lit evergreens. 

Finally, cut through the Waldorf Astoria Art Deco-style hotel and keep your eyes peeled.  The Waldorf is a favorite haunt of politicians, dignitaries and entertainers.  When you reach the escalators on the east, you’ve almost come full circle.  Simply turn left as you exit and you’ll soon be back to the Citigroup Center Building.