Welcome

Jesstours.com is a travel website that details my adventures from around the world. It’s a mixed bag of travel experiences, stories and insights. It’s also a blog that doesn’t take itself too seriously but will provide my family and friends with an outlet to keep track of my travels as well as hopefully serve as an interesting and entertaining read, with some helpful travel maps and tips for those who simply stumble across this page. Happy reading and happy travelling!

Follow

To receive a weekly email from Jesstours.com sign up here:

Search

Christmas – NYC

Dec 2013

From the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre to the Winter Village in Bryant Park (complete with ice skating rink), New York City from the beginning of December truly is a winter wonderland.

Freshly cut trees for sale line the main streets. Hot apple cider flows from holiday market vendors. Falling snow blankets the streets. Enchanting holiday displays fill up the windows at many of the city’s department stores, and there are decorations galore!

IMG_0328_BLOG_2        IMG_0321_BLOG_2

Hailing from Australia where Christmas Day is usually spent barbequing or in the pool, trying to cool down from the blistering summer sun, there is something particularly lovely about experiencing a wintery, white Christmas.

Not only do Christmas Carols actually make sense (yes, chestnuts are roasted on an open fire – who knew), but it really does begin to look and feel a lot like Christmas. The air is cold and crisp, fires crackle, bells ding-a-ling, there are lights everywhere and a delightful pine scent fills the streets. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

IMG_0542_BLOG_2

Although Nick and I have shared a few frosty Christmases abroad in London, New York certainly takes celebrating the holiday season to a whole new and extremely festive level.

One doesn’t even have to venture far to see the holiday sights. Neighbourhoods like Park Slope, become a festive hub of activity all on their own. Brownstone stoops are adorned with a twinkling array of lights. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees stand in bay windows. Strung up ornaments hang above 7th Ave, and ridiculous life-size Christmas inflatables sit in front of peoples homes.

With so much to see and do during the festive season, I’ve listed a few things that I believe should not be missed.

Ice Skating in Central Park

Come December a handful of ice skating rinks pop up around the city. My pick is the Wollman Rink in Central Park. Not only is it bigger than most but it’s also not as busy. Don’t get me wrong, it is still an extremely popular rink to visit – scores of people stream through the gates day and night, but from my experience it feels less crowded and not as hectic as others. Also how can you possibly match the city skyline backdrop?

IMG_0369_BLOG_2

Winter Village in Bryant Park

Skate, eat, drink and enjoy the Christmas cheer at this lively holiday market. Similar to the Christmas markets in Europe, Bryant Park’s Winter Village is home to a cluster of festively decorated stalls selling a wide range of merchandise from NYC souvenirs to unique handcrafted gifts, as well as hot chocolate, mulled wine and cider. There are plenty of food options too! Furthermore there’s an ice skating rink, pop up restaurant and last but not least a huge sparkling Christmas tree. To avoid the swarming crowds, I suggest visiting during the week.

IMG_0610_BLOG_2

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Centre

Without a doubt the most iconic New York Christmas image is the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre. As such, people travel great distances to catch a glimpse of the enormous Norway Spruce, which stands proudly in the forecourt every year. No matter what time of day, a crowd of people gather at the foot of this famous tree, to simply stare at it in amazement or to line up for the chance to take a spin on the adjoining ice rink.

IMG_0625_BLOG_2

I’m not going to lie, at times the volume of people is absurd and finding room to move is tough. So if you don’t like crowds it’s best to avoid Rockefeller Centre at the weekend. Having said that though, don’t let the swarming crowd put you off, the tree in all it’s sparkling glory is a magical sight to see.

Posted by Jess Fleming

  1. Comment posted by Dannii at 6:17 pm on December 18, 2013...

    Love it! My only criticism is that I want to see more! :)

  2. Comment posted by JessTours (post author) at 8:58 am on December 19, 2013...

    I wish I could see more Dannii!

Post a comment...

Your email address will not be shown.

© 2024 Copyright Jesstours.com All Rights Reserved.