A Travel to New York in the Winter
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Written by Eyal Bar, CEO of Hametayel- America
Manhattan has many faces, and everyone connects to a different one. The parties and clubs, sports and shopping, the TV series "Seinfeld," "Friends," and "Sex and the City." I personally choose Holden Caulfield, the hero of "The Catcher in the Rye." Holden asks in the book: "Where do the ducks go when the lake is frozen?", referring, of course, to the lake in the center of Central Park.
Caulfield's landmarks during his journey through Manhattan at Christmas are: Rockefeller Center's skating rink, Radio City and the Rockettes, the Central Park Zoo and Carousel, Grand Central Terminal, the Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art – all sites that, even after half a century, still attract thousands of tourists every winter!
Book tours from GetYourGuide.com
Powered by GetYourGuide
Here are some tips for visiting the city that has no equal in the world, following Holden Caulfield:
Rockefeller Center:
Holden Caulfield went on a date to the ice skating rink, and he also attended a show at "Radio City" with the famous Rockettes dancers, who today remain the main attraction of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular," marking 75 years. You can also take the elevator to the 30th floor of Rockefeller Plaza to enjoy a bird's-eye view. Those with a particularly strong heart can continue up to the 70th floor.
Central Park:
As you walk up Fifth Avenue toward Central Park, you will enjoy viewing the window displays specially designed for the holiday at Cartier, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany's, and Henri Bendel. The lake Holden visited is located northwest of the park entrance at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street. You will likely see the ducks.
Museum of Natural History:
New York children grew up visiting the museum, its dinosaur skeletons, and the planetarium. "I loved that damn museum," says Holden, whose favorite exhibit is the "Great Canoe." The vessel was carved entirely from a single cedar tree by tribesmen in British Columbia, Canada, in 1878. It is 19 meters long – as tall as a six-story building. The canoe has been on display at the museum since 1884. Holden's description includes figures in the boat, but the statues of the people have since been removed from the display. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:45.
Metropolitan Museum:
Holden describes the Egyptian wing of the museum as "pretty spooky," but most children and adults are actually fascinated rather than frightened by the sight of the ancient mummies. On the same floor during Christmas time, visitors can continue to the Medieval Sculpture Hall to view the festive Christmas tree and the Baroque Neapolitan crèche scene traditionally displayed every year. The tree, which is six meters tall and decorated with 18th-century angel figures, stands from November 20th until January 6th. The museum is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street and is open every day of the week except Mondays.
And most importantly: The last two weeks of December are one of the busiest periods in New York during the year, with traffic jams and streets packed with passersby. But even in the "Big Apple," Christmas morning is magically quiet. If you are in the city, pull yourself out of bed before 10:00 AM, and you might experience your own miracle on 34th Street and at Rockefeller Center – Macy's window displays and the famous Christmas tree – without tens of thousands of people around you.
So – dress warmly and fly to fall in love with this amazing city all over again.
Written by Eyal Bar, CEO of Hametayel- America
Tickets for popular shows in New York from Viator:
Recommended hotels in New York:
In central Manhattan:
San Carlos Hotel New York A 4-star hotel with family suites, kitchenette, dining area, and spacious rooms. Includes a continental breakfast (kosher available). There are additional kosher restaurants in the hotel's vicinity. Free internet.
A 3-star hotel, rooms for 2-6 guests, including free breakfast and internet. Refrigerator, desk. Located 5 minutes' walk from the Empire State Building.
Hotel Belleclaire A 4-star hotel, rooms and suites for 2-6 guests, located 3 blocks from Central Park. Free internet.
The New Yorker Hotel A 4-star hotel, rooms and suites for 2-6 guests, located 2 minutes' walk from Madison Square Garden. Free internet.
Renwick Hotel A 4-star hotel belonging to Hilton's Curio collection, rooms for 2-4 guests, located 3 minutes' walk from Grand Central Station. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, desk, safe, and free internet.
TRYP by Wyndham Times Square South A 3-star hotel, rooms for families up to 8 people, located 5 minutes' walk from Penn Station.
Booking guided tours in New York
In New York, it is mandatory to book in advance for popular sites and tours; otherwise, in the best case, you will stand for hours in lines, or in the less pleasant case, no tickets will remain for you.
Order from GetYourGuide.com:
♦ Popular guided tours in New York - to order from Viator:
Tours suitable for first-time visitors with limited time. The tour includes travel in a tourist bus between famous tourist sites throughout Manhattan:
♦ Order a guided bicycle tour from Viator: A tour along the Hudson River and Brooklyn Bridge