Take a Deep Breath

New York City Christmas Lights

Every year right after the Thanksgiving season our friend Bill McGrath sends in his personal choice list of the best places to view Christmas Lights in New York City.  Bill arranges the order so you may see them in groupings of your own choice.  Perhaps this year you will want to make several walking tours of your own and see all of the Holiday Lighting.   Thanks Bill.

1.  Museum of the City of New York – 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street.  More than 1.5 million paintings, prints, photos, costumes, toys, rare books, manuscripts, sculptures, decorative art objects & other artifacts like silver and furniture. Suggested admission: $10.00 adults, $6.00 seniors & students, children 12 & under free.  Open 7 Days: 10-7.  Small scale museum easy to tour.

2.  Tree Lights on Park Avenue – Between 97th Street and 48th Street. Perhaps the most beautiful lights are strung on the cherry and hawthorn trees on Park Ave.  Trees were first lighted on Dec. 17, 1945, & dedicated in memory of those who had died in all of our country’s wars.  They became known as the Park Avenue Memorial Trees.  On the first Sunday in Dec. there are performances by the Children’s Choir of the Brick Presbyterian Church and the US Army Band.  Music program ends with “Taps” played by a single trumpet before the lighting of two and a half miles of Memorial Trees.

NYC - Metropolitan Museum of Art - Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche

3.  Metropolitan Museum of Art -- At 82nd Street and 1000 Fifth Avenue. On view is a majestic 20 foot candlelit blue spruce adorned with 18th century Neapolitan cherubs and angels.  Set in front of the 18th century Spanish choir screen from the Cathedral of Valladolid and with recorded Christmas music in the background. First floor, Medieval Sculpture Hall – Nov. 22, 2011 to Jan. 5, 2012.  Closed on Mondays.

4.  Rhinelander Mansion/Ralph Lauren Store867 Madison Avenue at 72nd Street.  Ralph Lauren’s flagship store is in one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century great homes, the Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo (1837-1914) Mansion.  Built in the French Renaissance Revival style by Kimball & Thompson in the 1890’s, the house fell into disrepair after the owners never moved in.  Beautiful carved staircase, antique furniture and chandeliers.

5.  The Frick Collection – 1 East 70th Street and Fifth Avenue. The magnificent buff limestone mansion housing the Frick Collection was built in 1913-1914 at a cost of $5 million dollars for steel and coke industrialist Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919).  Audio tour included in admission covers paintings, sculpture, furniture and mansion itself. Tue.-Sat., 10 to 6, Sun. 11 to 5. Adults -- $18, Seniors -- $15, Students $10.  Pay what you wish on Sunday – 11 to 1.

6.  The Crystal District – A five block stretch of Madison Avenue between 63rd and 58th Streets.  Visit Lalique, 712 Madison at 63rd Street, Daum, 694 Madison at 62nd Street, Steuben, 667 Madison at 61st Street,  Baccarat, 625 Madison between 58th &  59th Streets and Swarovski, 625 Madison at 58th Street. Steuben, sad to say, is going out of business.

7.  Barney’s – 660 Madison Avenue at 61st Street.  The windows theme this year is “GAGA’S WORKSHOP”.  Windows portray Gaga’s Boudoir, Gaga’s Crystal Cave, Gaga Machine and Gaga Constellation.  Gaga’s Boudoir has a chaise, a vanity desk and a Gaga mannequin all made entirely out of hair, both human and artificial used in wigs. The entire 5th Floor as well as the windows will bring GAGA’S WORKSHOP to life. Fred’s At Barney’s is a bright dining room on the 9th floor offering lunch and dinner daily, high tea on week days and brunch on weekends.  Superb desserts and salads. Great for people watching.

8.  Bloomingdale’s – 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street. Beautiful eastside art-deco landmark building opened in 1886.  Windows feature oversized Bloomingdale’s vintage shopping bags which rotate or open up to show a Christmas scene. A camera tucked away inside will snap a photo of window-gazers to display in the window and it will be sent to Bloomingdale’s Facebook page.

9. Plaza Hotel -- 768 Fifth Avenue at Central Park S. and 59th Street.  Hotel which opened Oct. 1, 1907, was designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (1847-1918) in French Renaissance Chateau-style. Reopened as of March 1, 2008.  Hotel now has 282 hotel rooms and 152 condo units.  Take a peek at the lobby glittering with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations.  Across from the Plaza is the famed Pulitzer Fountain by sculptor Karl Bitter (1867-1915) built 1914-1916. Figure on top is Pomona, Goddess of Abundance.  Usually decorated with 100 Christmas trees and flags of all 50 states around the base of the fountain.

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue

10. World’s Largest Menorah – Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. First candle will be lit Dec. 20-Dec. 28. The 32 foot high golden menorah was designed by artist Yaacov Agam who drew inspiration from a hand drawing by Maimonides (1135-1204), medieval Jewish philosopher, of the original menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

11. Time-Warner Center – Columbus Circle (between 59th and 58th Streets off of Eight Avenue).  Complex of shops, restaurants, hotel and apartments. Contains Whole Foods, largest supermarket in Manhattan. A wonderful addition to “must see” New York buildings. The 150 foot tower on the prow of the building is lit each evening from 4 to 11 p.m. Its 36 panels in 12 groups of changing colors change colors every 3 minutes.  Best seen from 8th Avenue. Inside, the “Holiday Under the Stars”, a visual-sound show features dynamic displays of light & color set to holiday music where twelve 14-ft stars weighing nearly 1,000 pounds each dazzle from the soaring ceilings lighting up all of Columbus Circle. The light show takes place every night at 5 PM with the LED stars of aluminum & Plexiglas, with 156 strobe lights and 11,000 fiber optic points. Now to January 3, 2012 at 5 PM.

12. Van Cleef and Arpels -- 745 Fifth Avenue between 59th & 58th Streets. Famous French Jewelry House; its origins in 1896 lay in the hands of Alfred Van Cleef & his father-in-law, Salomon Arpels.  In 1906, Alfred Van Cleef joined with his brothers-in-law Charles and Julien Arpels to establish Van Cleef & Arpels. In 1942, they opened their store in New York City. This years windows, some with moving parts, have diamond necklaces & earrings and silhouettes of fancily dressed people watching from the sidelines.

13. FAO Schwarz – 767 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street in the landmark General Motors Building.  Famous toy store founded by Frederick August Otto Schwarz (1836-1911) and his 3 brothers from Westphalia, Germany is 148 years old this year. Doormen dressed as wooden soldiers guard the doorway.  Also a Barefoot Book Store and a candy & sweet shop called; FAO Schweetz.

NYC: Bergdorf Goodman´s 2008 Holiday window display - Calendar Girls - Holidays

14. Bergdorf Goodman Department Store – 754 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 57th streets. Store is located in two architecturally significant mansard-style buildings built in the 1920’s. Walk into the store to see handcrafted chandeliers & experience the elegant atmosphere. The theme at the Women’s Store 5 windows is “Carnival of the Animals”.  The “Brass Menagerie” window is set in a forest of metal & mirror with a brass “primate” jazz combo. A giant birdcage houses a surprise tenant. The “Breaking the Ice” window has an artic garden party with polar bears, a moose, mountain goat, seal and a pair of wolves as guests all upholstered in white with appliquéd icy crystals, beads and sequins. A Baccarat chandelier adds luster.  The “Testing the Waters” window has a single mannequin in a seashell dress that is floating amid a collection of mosaic sea creatures.  The “Teacher’s Pets” window is a 3-dimensional paper classroom filed with black & white paper animals, including zebra, ostrich, panda bear, aardvark, white peacock and more.  The teacher dressed in black & white lace presides over the paper bestiary.
14. Bergdorf Goodman Department Store – continued

The final window “Artists and Models” is a collection of wood & leather folk-art animals from all continents set in a sculptor’s studio.  A mannequin assumes the role of sculptor aided by antique wooden artist’s models & a quartet of leather monkeys.

Bergdorf Goodman Men’ Store
The animals have also migrated across the street to Bergdorf’s Men’s Store at 745 Fifth Avenue.  View a bear, a barber shop and a Television showing a football game.

NYC - UNICEF Snowflake

15.  UNICEF Snowflake – This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Snowflake. A 27 feet in diameter illuminated snowflake hangs over Fifth Avenue at 57th Street every year. The snowflake is made of 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms and was handcrafted by German lighting designer Ingo Maurer.  It will be illuminated throughout the holiday season.

 

robin´s egg blue box = heart palpitations

16.  Tiffany & Co.  -  727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.  Famous jewelry store founded in 1837.  A distinctive shade of blue on their bags & packages is universally recognized as their trademark. Tiffany’s tiny box-sized windows are framed to look like Central Park carousels. Each window has a miniature diorama of New York City scenes including a winter streetscape of the store itself. On display on the main floor is the Tiffany Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds in the world.  Discovered in 1877 in the Kimberly Diamond mines in South Africa, it was bought by Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902) in 1878. The stone is 128.54 carats and has 90 facets, 32 more than the traditional brilliant cut.  (Note: The diamond at times may be away on a tour.)
TIFFANY’S

17.  Louis Vuitton Malletier – Fifth Avenue at 57th Street. International French fashion house founded in 1854.  Known for its monogram and logo, LV, a long time symbol of prestige & wealth.  The Circus Holiday Windows this year feature tightrope walkers, trapeze artists, colorful elephants, clowns and lion tamers.

tower power

18.  Trump Tower – 725 Fifth Avenue between 57th & 56th Streets. This 58 story skyscraper is a “must see” building.  The beautiful lobby with its five level atrium features a cascading waterfall. Public spaces decorated in Breccia Pernice, a pink white-veined marble and lots of brass and mirrors.  Stop in here or “you’re fired!”

19.  Henri Bendel -- 712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street. Most exclusive of New York’s department stores established in 1896.  Set in a graceful building with windows designed by Rene Lalique (1860-1945), famous designer of jewelry and glass. Visit the sumptuous tearoom.  Window display backdrop shows the Brooklyn Bridge and a city skyline.  New York City street scene has tiny taxis going by with horse & carriages on Fifth Avenue. The Statue of Liberty is shown as a NYC party girl in high heels & a flowing robe of 3,000 jelly beans.  Look at the people inside six tiny extremely detailed apartments

20.  The House of Harry Winston – 718 Fifth Avenue between 56th & 55th Street. The House of Harry Winston is the embodiment of three generations of Winston jewelers dating more than one hundred years back. The company which bears his name today was established in 1932 by Harry Winston (1896-1978), the son of a New York jeweler.  The specialized operation of cutting the rough diamond, polishing, designing and creating the finished jewel, is conducted in Winston’s New York building on Fifth Avenue.

21.  Carnegie Deli – 854 Seventh Avenue between 55th and 54th streets.  “There is only one and this is it”.  Hankering for a pastrami or corned beef sandwich – this is the place.  Try the cheesecake too.

22. Fendi -- 677 Fifth Avenue between 54th & 53rd Street. Entire façade of building is dripping with sparkling white Christmas lights.  The upper part of the building has belts and buckles in glittering white lights across the entire front.

23. The House of Cartier -- 653 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street. Founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier (1819-1904), master jeweler to Europe’s crowned heads.  The whole building is gift wrapped in a gigantic red ribbon with a 20-foot bow.  Lots of greenery also & many small trees covered in blue lights & gold balls.

24. Ellen’s Stardust Diner – 1650 Broadway at 51st Street. Retro 1950s theme diner filled with nostalgic memorabilia.  The singing wait staff makes this a fun place to have lunch.

25. New York Palace Hotel – Madison Avenue between 51st & 50th Streets-almost directly behind St. Patrick’s.  Front of hotel is the old Villard House built in 1882 by Stanford White (1853-1906). Marble fireplace at head of stairs is by Augustus St.Gaudens (1848-1907).  See this place at night with its glowing white lights on the topiary in the courtyard. Beautiful decorated Christmas tree in the lobby and one in the courtyard. If you need a restroom this is the place-2nd floor.

´The Infamous Tree´, United States, New York City, New York, Rockefeller Center

26.  Rockefeller Center – Fifth Avenue between 50th and 49th from Streets.  The Christmas tree tradition began in 1933.  This year the 74 foot tall, Norway spruce is from Pennsylvania and it is decorated with 30,000 LED lights and five miles of wire. Tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 30 and tree will be lit until Jan. 6, 2012.  The Swarovski designed star which tops the tree has 25,000 crystals, with 1 million facets and has a diameter of 9 ½ feet.  The plaza heading towards the tree is occupied by the traditional horn-blowing angels. See New York’s skyline from Rockefeller Centers newest attraction, Top of The Rock, observatory deck on the 70th Floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.  Tickets, Adults (13-61) -- $25.00, Seniors 62+ -- $23.00, Children 6-12 -- $16.00.

27. St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Fifth Avenue and 50th Street.  The largest decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the U.S. Construction began in 1858 and it opened in May 1879.  Look high above the main altar to see the fragmentary remains of the Cardinal’s hats that were hung there upon the death of a Cardinal.

Christmas lighting at Radio City Music Hall, New York

28. Radio City Music Hall – Avenue of the Americas between 50th & 51st Streets.  Radio City is the largest indoor theatre in the world & was recently restored to its original splendor. Lobby is breathtaking with magnificent crystal chandeliers. Site of the annual Christmas Spectacular Show with the Rockettes.

 

 

 

NYC - Sak´s 5th Avenue Holiday Light Show

29. Saks Fifth Avenue – 611 Fifth Avenue between 50th & 49th Streets. Founded by Andrew Saks (1847-1912) in 1867.  Windows this year were inspired by a children’s book, “Who Makes the Snow”. Saks will project a dramatic light show, “The Snowflake & Bubble Spectacular”, on the side of the building every 15 minutes. The Saks snowflakes symbolize joy & hope, while the bubbles interact with the snowflakes through projection technology.  A new soundtrack is used along with a unique six-projector system that appears to change the features of the building itself using vivid 3D programming.
SFA Café on 8th floor serves brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.  Impressive view from the Café of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mon-Sat – 11-5 (7 p.m. on Thur.) Sun. – 12-5.

30. The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel – 301 Park Avenue between 50th and 49th Streets.  When you walk into the Park Avenue Lobby you may be overcome by the grandeur of this Art Deco masterpiece.  During recent $200 million dollar renovation many original Art Deco treasures were rediscovered and unveiled, wonderful Christmas decorations.

31. American Girl Place – 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street. Dolls, books and toys as well as a Café serving brunch, lunch and tea.

32. Hershey’s Times Square – 1593 Broadway at 48th Street. New York’s new candy land headquarters.  Hershey’s factory- inspired store in Times Square is a chocoholic’s dream come true.  Look for the steaming cup of cocoa on the marquee.  Have your name or message displayed on their exclusive outdoor scrolling marquee sign.  The store façade features 34 dimensional props, four steam machines, over 4,000 chasing lights, 30 programmable lights, 56 neon letters and 14 front-lit signs.  Across the street is the M & M Store at 1600 Broadway.

33. Diamond and Jewelry District – 47th Street.  The US is world’s largest consumer of diamonds & 90% move through the diamond district.  Over 2,600 independent businesses are on this street. Notice street lights shaped like faceted diamonds.

Times Square TKTS - New York Snowstorm Blizzard 2010

34. Tkts Booth – Times Square and 47th Street and Broadway -- Now “under the red steps”. Get up to 50% off tickets (cash, travelers checks OR credit cards) for Broadway shows.   Opens 10 AM for Wed. and Sat. matinee tickets. If seeing a play OTHER than a musical, go directly to Play Only Window – don’t wait in line.

35.  Joe Allen Restaurant – 326 W. 46th Street.  Phone 212 581-6464. A friendly spot for a bite before the theatre or a mid-day respite from the chaos of Times Square.    The food is a standard mix of reliable tavern fare interspersed with more unexpected choices. The mashed potatoes are a sure fire winner. Frequented by celebrities. Henry Winkler was present on our visit & waiter said “Rosie” likes the desserts here.

36.  The World of Disney Store – New Location Times Square 1540 Broadway between 46th and 45th streets. Three floors and 24,000 square feet of space showcasing Disney gifts with a New York twist as well as your favorite Disney characters.

Toys ´R Us ferris wheel

37.  Toys “R” Us – 1514 Broadway between 45th and 44th Streets. This flagship store has a working 60 foot Ferris wheel, a five-ton, 20 foot high, 34 foot long animatronic T. Rex dinosaur and a two-story Barbie doll house.

38.  Fred F. French Building – 551 Fifth Avenue at 45th Street. Another “must see” building for architecture buffs.  Impressive 38 story Art Deco building, built in 1927, rises from a three-story base clad in limestone and gleaming gold decorated bronze panels. You have to stop and admire the bronze work. Colorful mosaic of winged griffins on the top of the building. Beautiful lobby features Roman travertine floors, St. Genevieve marble walls, cast bronze elevator doors and patterned glass chandeliers.

39. New York Yacht Club – 37 West 44th Street. Beautiful 107 year old building whose design is inspired by Dutch sailing ships. Founded by J. P. Morgan (1837-1913) and friends, the building is awash in limestone anchors and carved wooden seaweed. If you are an architecture buff you want to see this building.

40.  The Westin New York At Times Square – 270 West 43rd Street. The largest new hotel built in New York City.  The hotels facade uses more than 1,000 permutations of curtain wall panels and intricate patterns of colored glass inspired by earth and sky tones.  The architectural signature of the hotel is a brilliant beam of light that runs up the entire 42nd Street face of the 45 story tower and is launched beyond the physical structure with pulsing lights that pierces the nighttime sky.  A nice little bar on the second floor lobby for a quiet drink.

41.  Hello Kitty Store – 233 W. 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.  It’s hard not to notice the bright pink store.  Toys, gadgets & personal & home accessories adorned with Japanese cartoon character Hello Kitty & her many colorful friends.  Moms and daughters love this place.

night chrysler

42.  Chrysler Building. 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street. Completed in 1930, building is Art Deco masterpiece. Lobby is full of inlaid wood, stainless steel, African marble, Italian marble, blue marble and amber onyx.  Each elevator is inlaid with a different wood. Lobby ceiling has world’s largest canvas mural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYC - Midtown - New York Public Library Main Building - Holiday Patience

43. New York Public Library – Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Stone lions in front were dedicated May 23, 1911 Sculpted by Edwin Clarke Potter (1857-1923) from pink Tennessee marble.  Lions named by New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (1882-1947) during the depression to symbolize spirit of New Yorkers.  South lion is Patience – North Lion is Fortitude.

 

Holiday Abundance

44. Grand Central Terminal – Park Avenue and 42nd Street. The current building was constructed between 1903 and 1913 in the Beaux-Arts style by the firms of Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore. The main information booth in the center of the concourse is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Grand Central.  Each of the four clock faces is made from opal and have an estimated value of between $10 million and $20 million dollars. See the new matching marble staircase constructed in the latest renovations. Lower level has numerous food establishments with plenty of tables and chairs.  Check out the landmark Oyster Bar (90 different seafood items, dozen kinds of oysters & of course clam chowder) in the lower level near the “Whispering Gallery” – notice the vaulted ceiling of Gustavino tiles.

Outside the station, the 48 foot high clock on the front of the facade facing 42nd street contains the largest example of Tiffany glass and is surrounded by sculptures carved by the John Donnelly Co. designed by French sculptor Jules-Felix Coutan (1848-1939).  Sculpture depicts Mercury (speed) flanked by Hercules (strength) and Minerva (wisdom). Free tours are available Wed. & Fri. at 12:30 pm. Look for the following other attractions at Grand Central:

Holiday Laser Light Shows 11:00 AM-9:00 PM- Starts Nov. 30 and runs 6 weeks.– six distinct 6 minute shows rotate every half hour on the Constellation Sky Ceiling of the Terminal’s Main Concourse.

Vanderbilt Hall Holiday Fair-Nov. 14-Dec. 24. -- 76 specialty merchants present a wide assortment of gift items.

Grand Central Market – New York’s most exciting European-style Food Hall, featuring fresh foods for holiday entertaining and gifts.  You will not believe the display of fish and seafood from all over the world.

44. Grand Central Terminal – continued

Train Show – Nov. 24, 2011-Jan. 19, 2012.  A magical train layout takes you from Grand Central to the North Pole with stops in between at subway stations, bus stations, gas stations and Santa’s workshop.

45.  42nd Street Food Court – 234 W 42nd Street next door to Madame Tussauds.  On last visit there were nine different choices in one location.  Choose from Chili’s Grill & Bar, Manchu Wok, California Pizza Kitchen, Jody Moroni’s Sausage Kitchen, Ruby’s Dinette, Applebee’s, Carvel, Cinnabon and Starbucks’s.  Great place for a quick snack and drink.

46. Fetes de Noel, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park –          Between 42nd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Offers gift worthy items in an old-fashioned outdoor market styled in the European Holiday tradition. Located behind the New York Public Library – Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.  Open Oct. 27, 2011-Jan. 8, 2012.  Features artisans, boutiques, cultural institutions, designers, food merchants, and gift shops from around the world.

47. The Pond at Bryant Park – Between 42nd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.  The Pond is a 170 X 100 foot free ice skating rink and is the centerpiece of Bryant Parks winter season.  Imposing at night with all the skaters and the huge Christmas tree lit up.  From Oct. 27, 2011 to Feb. 26, 2012.  Very clean rest rooms available at the park on the 42nd Street side.

48. Kinokuniya Book Store at Bryant Park – 1073 Sixth Avenue between 41st and 40th Streets across from Bryant Park.  Three floors of books with a branch of Café Zaiya, a Japanese-style pastry and sandwich shop on the 2ndfloor.  Great place for a hot cup of tea while waiting for your tour bus to pick you up at Bryant Park.  Large windows give a great view of Bryant Park which will be ablaze in bright lights.

New York City - 2007 Lord & Taylor Holiday Window Display - The  Sounds of Christmas

49.   Lord & Taylor Department Store – Fifth Avenue at 39th Street.  Samuel Lord & George Washington Taylor founded the company in 1826.  It was the first major store on Fifth Avenue and the first to present innovative Christmas windows filled with holiday displays rather than merchandise. Their windows are the most elaborate and popular of all. The theme this year is “What is Christmas Made Of?”  The store asked children from Women In Need shelters and local schools to draw what they believe Christmas is made of.  Favorites were ice skating in Central Park, picking out a tree and trimming it, making a snowman & waiting for Santa. The mechanical holiday windows were inspired by their art and feature 125 of the original drawings.
The detailed settings and animated figures were prepared below street level and moved into place by a hydraulic lift system left over from the buildings previous life as an auto showroom.

50. Great Buttons – 1030 Sixth Avenue between 37th and 36th streets.  Tons of beautiful buttons.  Last time there they made earrings out of some beautiful jeweled buttons for about $3.00 plus the cost of the buttons. They cut the buttons and solder earring backs on while you wait.

51. Morgan Library and Museum – Madison Avenue and 36th Street.    This complex of buildings covers half a city block.  It began as a palazzo-like structure designed by Charles Follen McKim to serve as the private library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913).  Built between 1902 & 1906, it became known as “Mr. Morgan’s Library”. See famed reliquaries and altar vessels, medieval objects made with so much silver and gold that they seem to give off heat, medieval & Renaissance manuscripts, books, etc. Recently reopened after being closed for almost 3 years.

New York City - 2007 Macy´s Holiday Display

52. Macy’s Herald Square – Macy’s, founded in 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy (1822-1877), is at Broadway between 35th and 34th streets. Modern technology & traditional elements of animation create this year’s theme which transform holiday wishes into festive ornaments. One window uses 3D technology, another features real wishes from children from the Make-A-Wish foundation and a third is an interactive ‘make-a-wish’ window where visitors can design their own ornaments to take home virtually on their mobile devices.  Store windows on the 34th street side will, as always, showcase scenes from “The Miracle On 34th Street” The facade of the building is decorated with a tree of lights.  Visit Santa on the 8th floor where 13,000 square feet of space is bedecked in twinkling lights, sparkling stars and candy canes to create Santaland.  The 9th floor has Macy’s Puppet Theatre showing Miracle on 34th Street.

View of New York city lights from Empire state Building observatory

53.  Empire State Bldg. – 350 Fifth Avenue, between 34th and
33rd Streets. 102 story skyscraper, built 1930-1931, was world’s tallest building until World Trade Center was built in 1972.  Built of Indiana limestone and granite, trimmed with aluminum and
Chrome-nickel steel from 6th floor to top.  Lobby is a five story Art Deco masterpiece with marble from France, Italy, Belgium and Germany. Visit the Observation Deck for an 80 mile view into NJ., Pa., Conn., and Mass.  Building will be lit in red and green for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah.

54. Forbes Magazine Galleries – 60 Fifth Avenue and 12th Street.  Free admission.  Hours are Tue.-Wed.: 10-4, Fri.-Sat.: 10-4.  Over the years the ground floor housed toy soldiers, boats, Faberge eggs, games, etc., all of which have been sold off.  Now they have rotating exhibits in 4 galleries, the BC Forbes Gallery, Jewelry Gallery, Carrere Gallery and Lobby Gallery.  Of interest may be the International Art Jewelry 1895-1925 exhibit in the Jewelry Gallery – October 29, 2011 – March 17, 2012

 

Note:  Items 1 to 54 above are listed in descending order from 103rd Street to 12th Street.

Unfamiliar with how the Avenues in New York run?

Order of Avenues is:

First (East River)
Second
Third
Lexington
Park
Madison

Fifth (Walking down Fifth with the side streets going lower –45th, 44th, 43rd, etc., the above Avenues will be to your left.  The Avenues below will be to your right)

Broadway
Sixth (Ave. of the Americas)
Seventh
Eight
Ninth
Tenth
Eleventh
Twelfth (Hudson River)

If you are planning your Holiday Vacation to New York City you will need a place to stay, and please do read the other parts of this blog which outline reviews of all of the best places to stay in the Big apple.

If you need to book a room in a hotel or motel, you may CLICK HERE to check prices.

{ 0 comments }

new york city traveler

New York City Traveler:

Travel lodges are a great place to get a night’s rest for fairly cheap. These tend to be very basic in amenities, with nothing fancy. The point is to give you a place to stay and get some sleep until you hit the road again. These are great for those taking long road trips and want to keep it cheap.

Don’t rule out indirect flights to your destination. By booking indirect flights with a stop-over you can sometimes save a lot of money. If money is more important than time, use online flight search engines to search for indirect routes as well as direct routes then chose the cheapest option.

Wear easy slip-on footwear when going on a car trip. Flip-flops, sandals, slip-on tennis shoes, and deck shoes are all great options to use for road trips. Many people remove their shoes in the car when the trip is long, so this helps them with being able to get them on quickly when having to get out for a stop. There’s no waiting on them needing to tie or strap anything; just slip-on and you’re ready to go.

Making the necessary preparations will make a big difference before a trip. These preparations range from ensuring that one has packed everything that is needed to using the bathroom before leaving the house. Having everything prepared and in place before traveling will give one more time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Sometimes the cleanliness of the linens in your hotel room is questionable. Rather than risk it, use your t-shirt as a pillowcase. After a long day of business meetings or sightseeing, turn your shirt inside out and use it over the hotel pillowcase. You can wash your shirt later, and it’s infinitely more appealing than putting your face on suspicious linens.

You can travel internationally and save money. Travel to destinations where the U.S. dollar is the closest to the local currency in value. All inclusive packages are also a great way to save money when traveling. Last, talk to your travel agent and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Before you travel out of the country, make sure your immunizations are all up to date. There’s no way to know whether your fellow travelers are all current on their shots, or what diseases they might unknowingly be carrying. Keeping yourself vaccinated will help protect you from any diseases you may encounter.

Buses have long been looked upon as a cheap, uncivil way to travel. However, travel via bus is much better today than it used to be. Buses are clean and have amenities like Wi-fi and outlets to plug in your electronics. You can find several bus companies that provide trips to and from large cities.

New York City Traveler Information

Social networking sites can serve as wonderful resources while you’re traveling.  A quick Tweet or Facebook status update asking such questions as: Where’s a great place for ice cream in New York? or Which coffee shop should I check out in Rome? can provide you with a wealth of instant information.

When you travel, it’s tempting to try to pack activities into every spare minute.  But you should also plan for some downtime.  For example, a three-day weekend in New York City can be crammed with things to do, but why not build in a couple of hours’ ramble around Central Park?  It will give you time to regroup, relax, and just enjoy being in your new surroundings.

One decision you need to make when taking a trip is whether to buy travel insurance at all.  If you are flying to New York and the ticket only costs $150, it’s not really worth paying another $50 to cover that trip in case of cancellation.  However, if you are taking the trip of your dreams to a faraway place, it might be well worth the incremental expense on a $4,000 vacation to know that your money won’t be lost in the event of a cancellation.

New York City Traveler Lodging

When you are staying at a travel lodge you will definitely get all you want out of your money. You can pay less, get great accommodations, and be back on the road with little interruption. The benefits of this type of lodging are amazing and worth so much to the New York City traveler.

{ 0 comments }

We are happy to present the personal list of 54 of the Best Christmas Light Decorations in New York City from Bill McGrath’s annual trek to view the holiday sights.

Christmas-Lights-NYC-2010-1.jpg

Christmas Lights NYC 2010

$100 Premier Restaurants Gift Card for only $40! -- New York!

This holiday season the merchants and points of interest in the Big Apple have outdone themselves.   This annotated list has hours of operation, ticket prices where applicable and many personal points of view.

We at New-York-Motels.net want to wish you all Happy Holidays and please enjoy the Christmas Lights in NYC.

(Thanks Bill)

These lights will be up all through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. They are arranged somewhat in order so you can make your own walking tour from one gala display to the next.

NEW YORK SIGHTS -- 2010

1.  Museum of the City of New York – 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd  Street.  More than 1.5 million paintings, prints, photos, costumes, toys, rare books, manuscripts, sculptures, decorative art objects & other artifacts like silver and furniture. Suggested admission: $10.00 adults, $6.00 seniors & students, children 12 & under free.  Tue.-Sun.: 10-5.  Small scale museum easy to tour.

2.  Tree Lights on Park Avenue – Between 97th Street and 48th Street. Perhaps the most beautiful lights are strung on the cherry and hawthorn trees on Park Ave..  Trees were first lighted on Dec. 17, 1945, & dedicated in memory of those who had died in all of our country’s wars.  They became known as the Park Avenue Memorial Trees.  On the first Sunday in Dec. there are performances by the Children’s Choir of the Brick Presbyterian Church and the US Army Band.  Music program ends with “Taps” played by a single trumpet before the lighting of two and a half miles of Memorial Trees.

3.  Metropolitan Museum of Art -- At 82nd Street and 1000 Fifth Avenue. On view is a majestic 20 foot candlelit blue spruce adorned with 18th century Neapolitan cherubs and angels.  Set in front of the 18th century Spanish choir screen from the Cathedral of Valladolid and with recorded Christmas music in the background. First floor, Medieval Sculpture Hall – Nov. 23, 2010 to Jan. 6, 2011.  Closed on Mondays.

4.  Rhinelander Mansion/Ralph Lauren Store – 867 Madison Avenue at 72nd Street.  Ralph Lauren’s flagship store is in one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century great homes, the Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo (1837-1914) Mansion.  Built in the French Renaissance Revival style by Kimball & Thompson in the 1890’s, the house fell into disrepair after the owners never moved in.  Beautiful carved staircase, antique furniture and chandeliers.

5.  The Frick Collection – 1 East 70th Street and Fifth Avenue. The magnificent buff limestone mansion housing the Frick Collection was built in 1913-1914 at a cost of $5 million dollars for steel and coke industrialist Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919).  Audio tour included in admission covers paintings, sculpture, furniture and mansion itself. Tue.-Sat., 10 to 6, Sun. 11 to 5. Adults -- $18, Seniors -- $12, Students $5.  Pay what you wish on Sunday – 11 to 1.

6.  The Crystal District – A five block stretch of Madison Avenue between 63rd and 58th Streets.  Visit Lalique, 712 Madison at 63rd Street, Daum, 694 Madison at 62nd Street, Steuben, 667 Madison at 61st Street,  Baccarat, 625 Madison between 58th &  59th Streets and Swarovski, 625 Madison at 58th Street. Steuben has three airy beautifully illuminated levels showing their crystal.

7.  Barney’s – 660 Madison Avenue at 61st Street.  The windows theme this year is “Have A Foodie Holiday”. One window features lady chefs Ina Garten, Paula Deen, Martha Stewart & Sandra Lee all in personalized snuggies.  In another window Anthony Bourdain & other chefs feast on Mario Batoli. In other scenes look for the dress made from Illy coffee packaging and the realistic fire under the Revolution Stewpot. Fred’s At Barney’s is a bright dining room on the 9th floor offering lunch and dinner daily, high tea on week days and brunch on weekends.  Superb desserts and salads. Great for people watching.

8.  Bloomingdale’s – 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street. Beautiful eastside art-deco landmark building opened in 1886.  Windows feature 100 digital screens of different sizes assembled into a mosaic.  Together the monitors form one image, a computer-generated animation of a beautiful winter landscape.

Christmas-Lights-NYC-2010-2.jpg

Christmas Manhattan Bridge

9. Plaza Hotel -- 768 Fifth Avenue at Central Park S. and 59th Street.  Hotel which opened Oct. 1, 1907, was designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (1847-1918) in French Renaissance Chateau-style. Reopened as of March 1, 2008.  Hotel now has 282 hotel rooms and 152 condo units.  Take a peek at the lobby glittering with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations.  Across from the Plaza is the famed Pulitzer Fountain by sculptor Karl Bitter (1867-1915) built 1914-1916. Figure on top is Pomona, Goddess of Abundance.  Usually decorated with 100 Christmas trees and flags of all 50 states around the base of the fountain.

10. World’s Largest Menorah – Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. First candle will be lit Dec. 1 & all candles will be lit Dec. 8. The 32 foot high golden menorah was designed by artist Yaacov Agam who drew inspiration from a hand drawing by Maimonides (1135-1204), medieval Jewish philosopher, of the original menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. On Sunday, Dec. 5 there is live music, singing, folk dancing, gelt (chocolate coins) & potato latkes.

11. Time-Warner Center – Columbus Circle (between 59th and 58th Streets off of Eight Avenue).  Complex of shops, restaurants, hotel and apartments. Contains Whole Foods, largest supermarket in Manhattan. A wonderful addition to “must see” New York buildings. The 150 foot tower on the prow of the building is lit each evening from 4 to 11 p.m. Its 36 panels in 12 groups of changing colors change colors every 3 minutes.  Best seen from 8th Avenue. Inside, the “Holiday Under the Stars”, a visual-sound show features dynamic displays of light & color set to holiday music where twelve 14-ft stars weighing nearly 1,000 pounds each dazzle from the soaring ceilings lighting up all of Columbus Circle. The light show takes place every night at 5 PM with the LED stars of aluminum & Plexiglas, with 156 strobe lights and 11,000 fiber optic points.

12. Van Cleff and Arpels - 745 Fifth Avenue between 59th & 58th Streets. Famous French Jewelery House; its origins in 1896 lay in the hands of Alfred Van Cleef & his father-in-law, Salomon Arpels.  In 1906, Alfred Van Cleef joined with his brothers-in-law Charles and Julien Arpels to establish Van Cleef & Arpels. In 1942, they opened their store in New York City. This years windows are inspired by various Jules Verne stories. One window is based on Around the World in 80 Days where the balloon goes back and fourth and the clouds move up and down.  The window based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has two layers of seaweed that sway back & forth and the clam opens and shuts.  The Mushroom Window, where a butterfly flaps its wings, is based on Journey to the Center of the Earth. Another window shows a winter fantasy, a neoclassical building covered in ice & a maze covered in snow.  The music which accompanies each window can be heard on the street.

13. FAO Schwarz – 767 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street in the landmark General Motors Building.  Famous toy store founded by Frederick August Otto Schwarz (1836-1911) and his 3 brothers from Westphalia, Germany is 148 years old this year. Doormen dressed as wooden soldiers guard the doorway.  Also a Barefoot Book Store and a candy & sweet shop called; FAO Schweetz.

14. Bergdorf Goodman Department Store – 754 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 57th streets. Store is located in two architecturally significant mansard-style buildings built in the 1920’s. Walk into the store to see handcrafted chandeliers & experience the elegant atmosphere. The theme at the Women’s Store is traveling and the windows are titled “Wish You Were Here”. Windows show a silver space ship, finely dressed monkeys, a listing boat, and a scarlet train as well as a winged horse and flying carriage.

15.  UNICEF Snowflake – This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Snowflake. A 27 feet in diameter illuminated snowflake hangs over Fifth Avenue at 57th Street every year. The snowflake is made of 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms and was handcrafted by German lighting designer Ingo Maurer.  It will be illuminated throughout the holiday season.

16.  Tiffany & Co. -  727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.  Famous jewelry store founded in 1837.  A distinctive shade of blue on their bags & packages is universally recognized as their trademark. Tiffany’s tiny box-sized windows theme this year, The Tiffany Blue Bird, is based on a fairy tale where a princess is locked away in a castle.  Her prince charming was sent away and had a spell cast on him and he was turned into a blue bird. To break the spell every night he searched for a special gift which turned out to be a Tiffany diamond ring.  On display on the main floor is the Tiffany Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds in the world.  Discovered in 1877 in the Kimberly Diamond mines in South Africa, it was bought by Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902) in 1878. The stone is 128.54 carats and has 90 facets, 32 more than the traditional brilliant cut.  (Note: The diamond at times may be away on a tour.)

Christmas-Lights-NYC-2010-3.jpg

Holiday Lights on Madison Ave.

17.  Louis Vuitton Malletier -- International French fashion house founded in 1854.  Known for its monogram and logo, LV, a long time symbol of prestige & wealth.  The windows this year have an Indian flavor inspired by Diwali, the festival of lights.  Windows will feature hand-pained paper trunks glowing from within.

18.  Trump Tower – 725 Fifth Avenue between 57th & 56th Streets. This 58 story skyscraper is a “must see” building.  The beautiful lobby with its five level atrium features a cascading waterfall. Public spaces decorated in Breccia Pernice, a pink white-veined marble and lots of brass and mirrors.  Stop in here or “you’re fired!”

19.  Henri Bendel -- 712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street. Most exclusive of New York’s department stores established in 1896.  Set in a graceful building with windows designed by Rene Lalique (1860-1945), famous designer of jewelry and glass. Visit the sumptuous tearoom.  The House of Lavande, a Palm Beach boutique is featured in the holiday window displays.  Displays feature The Nutcracker theme with life size ballerinas including one masked as a mouse wearing exquisite jewels of House of Lavande.  Also shown are mice, a 6-foot tall nutcracker and a Christmas tree with mini monitors playing footage from the New York City Ballet.

20.  The House of Harry Winston – 718 Fifth Avenue between 56th & 55th Street. The House of Harry Winston is the embodiment of three generations of Winston jewelers dating more than one hundred years back. The company which bears his name today was established in 1932 by Harry Winston (1896-1978), the son of a New York jeweler.  The specialized operation of cutting the rough diamond, polishing, designing and creating the finished jewel, is conducted in Winston’s New York building on Fifth Avenue.

21.  Carnegie Deli – 854 Seventh Avenue between 55th and 54th streets.  “There is Only one and this is it”.  Hankering for a pastrami or corned beef sandwich – this is the place.  Try the cheesecake too.

22. The House of Cartier -- 653 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street. Founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier (1819-1904), master jeweler to Europe’s crowned heads.  The whole building is gift wrapped in a gigantic red ribbon with a 20-foot bow.  Lots of greenery also & many small trees covered in blue lights & gold balls.  Windows have a series of automated boxes that open & close revealing breathtaking baubles.

23. Ellen’s Stardust Diner – 1650 Broadway at 51st Street. Retro 1950s theme diner filled with nostalgic memorabilia.  The singing wait staff makes this a fun place to have lunch.

24. New York Palace Hotel – Madison Avenue between 51st & 50th Streets-almost directly behind St. Patrick’s.  Front of hotel is the old Villard House built in 1882 by Stanford White (1853-1906). Marble fireplace at head of stairs is by Augustus St.Gaudens (1848-1907).  See this place at night with its glowing white lights on the topiary in the courtyard. Beautiful decorated Christmas tree in the lobby and one in the courtyard. If you need a restroom this is the place-2nd floor.

25.  Rockefeller Center – Fifth Avenue between 50th and 49th from Streets.  The Christmas tree tradition began in 1933.  This year the 74 foot tall, Norway spruce is from Carmel, Putnam County, N.Y., and it is decorated with 30,000 lights, which will be lit by LED lights. Tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 30 and tree will be lit until Jan. 2, 2011.  The Swarovski designed star which tops the tree has 25,000 crystals, with 1 million facets and has a diameter of 9 ½ feet.  The plaza heading towards the tree is occupied by the traditional horn-blowing angels. See New York’s skyline from Rockefeller Centers newest attraction, Top of The Rock, observatory deck on the 70th Floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.  Tickets, Adults (13-61) -- $21.00, Seniors 62+ -- $19.00, Children 6-12 -- $14.00.

26. St Patrick’s Cathedral – Fifth Avenue and 50th Street.  The largest decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the U.S. Construction began in 1858 and it opened in May 1879.  Look high above the main altar to see the fragmentary remains of the Cardinal’s hats that were hung there upon the death of a Cardinal.

27. Radio City Music Hall – Avenue of the Americas between 50th & 51st Streets.  Radio City is the largest indoor theatre in the world & was recently restored to its original splendor. Lobby is breathtaking with magnificent crystal chandeliers. Site of the annual Christmas Spectacular Show with the Rockettes.

28. Saks Fifth Avenue – 611 Fifth Avenue between 50th & 49th Streets. Founded by Andrew Saks (1847-1912) in 1867.  Windows theme this year is snowflakes and bubbles featuring one-of-a-kind pieces made by various designers. Saks will project a light show on the side of the building every 15 minutes that’s meant to bring the snowflakes and bubbles in the windows to life. The projection technology mapped the building’s details into a computer and created a 3D projection of visual effects including snow gathering up on ledges, bubbles emerging from the windows and the entire façade appearing to freeze over. Snowflakes and bubbles dance to a version of “Carol of the Bells”. SFA Café on 8th floor serves brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.  Impressive view from the Café of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mon-Sat – 11-5 (7 p.m. on Thur.) Sun. – 12-5.

29. The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel – 301 Park Avenue between 50th and 49th Streets.  When you walk into the Park Avenue Lobby you may be overcome by the grandeur of this Art Deco masterpiece.  During recent $200 million dollar renovation many original Art Deco treasures were rediscovered and unveiled, wonderful Christmas decorations.

30. American Girl Place – 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street. Dolls, books and toys as well as a Café serving brunch, lunch and tea.

31. Hershey’s Times Square – 1593 Broadway at 48th Street. New York’s new candy land headquarters.  Hershey’s factory- inspired store in Times Square is a chocoholic’s dream come true.  Look for the steaming cup of cocoa on the marquee.  Have your name or message displayed on their exclusive outdoor scrolling marquee sign.  The store façade features 34 dimensional props, four steam machines, over 4,000 chasing lights, 30 programmable lights, 56 neon letters and 14 front-lit signs.

32. Diamond and Jewelry District – 47th Street.  The US is world’s largest consumer of diamonds & 90% move through the diamond district.  Over 2,600 independent businesses are on this street. Notice street lights shaped like faceted diamonds.

33. Tkts Booth – Times Square and 47th Street and Broadway -- Now “under the red steps”. Get up to 50% off tickets (cash, travelers checks OR credit cards) for Broadway shows.   Opens 10 AM for Wed. and Sat. matinee tickets. If seeing a play OTHER than a musical, go directly to Play Only Window – don’t wait in line.

34.  Joe Allen Restaurant – 326 W. 46th Street.  Phone 212 581-6464. A friendly spot for a bite before the theatre or a mid-day respite from the chaos of Times Square.  Theatre types blend in with businessmen on lunch break.  The food is a standard mix of reliable tavern fare interspersed with more unexpected choices. The mashed potatoes are a sure fire winner. Frequented by celebrities. Henry Winkler was present on our visit & waiter said “Rosie” likes the desserts here.

35.  The World of Disney Store – New Location Times Square 1540 Broadway between 46th and 45th streets. Three floors and 24,000 square feet of space showcasing Disney gifts with a New York twist as well as your favorite Disney characters waiting to meet you.

36.  Toys “R” Us – 1514 Broadway between 45th and 44th Streets. This flagship store has a working 60 foot Ferris wheel, a five-ton,  20 foot high, 34 foot long animatronic T. Rex dinosaur and a two-story Barbie doll house.

37.  Fred F. French Building – 551 Fifth Avenue at 45th Street. Another “must see” building for architecture buffs.  Impressive 38 story Art Deco building, built in 1927, rises from a three-story base clad in limestone and gleaming gold decorated bronze panels. You have to stop and admire the bronze work. Colorful mosaic of winged griffins on the top of the building. Beautiful lobby features Roman travertine floors, St. Genevieve marble walls, cast bronze elevator doors and patterned glass chandeliers.

38. New York Yacht Club – 37 West 44th Street. Beautiful 106 year old building whose design is inspired by Dutch sailing ships. Founded by J. P. Morgan (1837-1913) and friends, the building is awash in limestone anchors and carved wooden seaweed. If you are an architecture buff you want to see this building.

39.  The Westin New York At Times Square – 270 West 43rd Street. The largest new hotel built in New York City.  The hotels facade uses more than 1,000 permutations of curtain wall panels and intricate patterns of colored glass inspired by earth and sky tones.  The architectural signature of the hotel is a brilliant beam of light that runs up the entire 42nd Street face of the 45 story tower and is launched beyond the physical structure with pulsing lights that pierces the nighttime sky.  A nice little bar on the second floor lobby for a quiet drink.

40.  Hello Kitty Store – 233 W. 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.  It’s hard not to notice the bright pink store.  Toys, gadgets & personal & home accessories adorned with Japanese cartoon character Hello Kitty & her many colorful friends.  Moms and daughters love this place.

41.  Chrysler Building. 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street. Completed in 1930, building is Art Deco masterpiece. Lobby is full of inlaid wood, stainless steel, African marble, Italian marble, blue marble and amber onyx.  Each elevator is inlaid with a different wood. Lobby ceiling has world’s largest canvas mural.

42. New York Public Library – Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Stone lions in front were dedicated May 23, 1911 Sculpted by Edwin Clarke Potter (1857-1923) from pink Tennessee marble.  Lions named by New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (1882-1947) during the depression to symbolize spirit of New Yorkers.  South lion is Patience – North Lion is Fortitude.

Christmas-Lights-NYC-2010-5.jpg

Manhattan Holiday Lights

43. Grand Central Terminal – Park Avenue and 42nd Street. The current building was constructed between 1903 and 1913 in the Beaux-Arts style by the firms of Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore. The main information booth in the center of the concourse is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Grand Central.  Each of the four clock faces is made from opal and have an estimated value of between $10 million and $20 million dollars. See the new matching marble staircase constructed in the latest renovations. Lower level has numerous food establishments with plenty of tables and chairs.  Check out the landmark Oyster Bar (90 different seafood items, dozen kinds of oysters & of course clam chowder) in the lower level near the “Whispering Gallery” – notice the vaulted ceiling of Gustavino tiles.

43. Grand Central – continued -- Outside the station, the 48 foot high clock on the front of the facade facing 42nd street contains the largest example of Tiffany glass and is surrounded by sculptures carved by the John Donnelly Co. designed by French sculptor Jules-Felix Coutan (1848-1939).  Sculpture depicts Mercury (speed) flanked by Hercules (strength) and Minerva (wisdom). Free tours are available Wed. & Fri. at 12:30 pm. Look for the following other attractions at Grand Central:

Holiday Laser Light Shows 11:00 AM-9:00 PM- Starts Nov. 30 and runs 6 weeks.– six distinct shows rotate every half hour on the sky ceiling.

Vanderbilt Hall Holiday Fair-Nov. 15-Dec. 24. -  70+ specialty merchants present a wide assortment of gift items.

Grand Central Market – New York’s most exciting European-style Food Hall, featuring fresh foods for holiday entertaining and gifts.  You will not believe the display of fish and seafood from all over the world.
Train Show – Nov. 23, 2009-Jan. 16, 2010. Working model trains running through wondrous holiday scene. Created by Lionel Trains. Not just a simple loop of model trains, but a full holiday fantasy journey from a New York living room, through the miniature city, and on to the North Pole.

44.  42nd Street Food Court – 234 W 42nd Street next door to Madame Tussad’s.  On last visit there were nine different choices in one location.  Choose from Chili’s Grill & Bar, Manchu Wok, California Pizza Kitchen, Jody Moroni’s Sausage Kitchen, Ruby’s Dinette, Applebee’s, Carvel, Cinnabon and Starbucks’s.  Great place for a quick snack and drink.

45. Fetes de Noel, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park –          Between 42nd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Offers gift worthy items in an old-fashioned outdoor market styled in the European Holiday tradition. Located behind the New York Public Library – Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.  Open Nov. 5, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011.  Features artisans, boutiques, cultural institutions, designers, food merchants, and gift shops from around the world.

46. The Pond at Bryant Park – Between 42nd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.  The Pond is a 170 X 100 foot free ice skating rink and is the centerpiece of Bryant Parks winter season.  Imposing at night with all the skaters and the huge Christmas tree lit up.  From Oct. 29, 2010 to Feb. 27, 2011.  Very clean rest rooms available at the park on the 42nd Street side.

47. Kinokuniya Book Store at Bryant Park – 1073 Sixth Avenue between 41st and 40th Streets across from Bryant Park.  Three floors of books with a branch of Café Zaiya, a Japanese-style pastry and sandwich shop on the 2ndfloor.  Great place for a hot cup of tea while waiting for your tour bus to pick you up at Bryant Park.  Large windows give a great view of Bryant Park which will be ablaze in bright lights.

48. Lionel Electric Trains – 1095 Sixth Avenue at 41st Street. This is a new location this year for a Lionel Train pop-up store.

Christmas-Lights-NYC-2010-6.jpg

Holiday Lights NYC 2010

49.   Lord & Taylor Department Store – Fifth Avenue at 39th Street.  Samuel Lord & George Washington Taylor founded the company in 1826.  It was the first major store on Fifth Avenue and the first to present innovative Christmas windows filled with holiday displays rather than merchandise. Their windows are the most elaborate and popular of all. The theme this year is “Share the Joy”, a series of 12 Christmas scenes set in NYC inspired by favorite stories and memories that customers shared with the store. Customers were invited to share their favorite holiday memories through Facebook and by sending in letters. The detailed settings and animated figures were prepared below street level and moved into place by a hydraulic lift system left over from the buildings previous life as an auto showroom.  Scenes include trimming a tree, a child’s first bike, Christmas baking, a holiday party, and waiting for Santa.  The windows mix modern elements with Victorian ones.  The names of the customers behind each story, along with their letters, are shown at the foot of each window.

50. Great Buttons – 1030 Sixth Avenue between 37th and 36th streets.  Tons of beautiful buttons.  Last time there they made earrings out of some beautiful jeweled buttons for about $3.00 plus the cost of the buttons. They cut the buttons and solder earring backs on while you wait.

51. Morgan Library and Museum – Madison Avenue and 36th Street.    This complex of buildings covers half a city block.  It began as a palazzo-like structure designed by Charles Follen McKim to serve as the private library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913).  Built between 1902 & 1906, it became known as “Mr. Morgan’s Library”. See famed reliquaries and altar vessels, medieval objects made with so much silver and gold that they seem to give off heat, medieval & Renaissance manuscripts, books, etc. Recently reopened after being closed for almost 3 years.

52. Macy’s Herald Square – Macy’s, founded in 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy (1822-1877), is at Broadway between 35th and 34th streets.  The windows this year take you on a journey through the eyes of 8-year old Virginia O’Hanlon (1889-1971) who wrote to the New York Sun in 1897 asking if there was a Santa Claus.  The response written by newsman Francis P. Church (1839-1906) began with the famous line “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”.  Almost every detail in each window is made from paper, cut both by laser and by hand and has been layered and manipulated to give a beautiful and unique quality. Store windows on the 34th street side will, as always, showcase scenes from “The Miracle On 34th Street” The facade of the building is decorated with a tree of lights.  Visit Santa on the 8th floor where 13,000 square feet of space is bedecked in twinkling lights, sparkling stars and candy canes to create Santaland.  The 9th floor has Macy’s Puppet Theatre showing Miracle on 34th Street

53.  Empire State Bldg. – 350 Fifth Avenue, between 34th and
33rd Streets. 102 story skyscraper, built 1930-1931, was world’s tallest building until World Trade Center was built in 1972.  Built of Indiana limestone and granite, trimmed with aluminum and
chrome-nickel steel from 6th floor to top.  Lobby is a five story Art Deco masterpiece with marble from France, Italy, Belgium and Germany. Visit the Observation Deck for an 80 mile view into NJ., Pa., Conn., and Mass.  Building will be lit in red and green for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah.

54. Forbes Magazine Galleries – 60 Fifth Avenue and 12th Street.  Free admission.  Hours are Tue.-Wed.: 10-4, Fri.-Sat.: 10-4.  The ground floor houses one of the most enchanting museums. Some rooms are devoted to toys including 12,000 toy soldiers and 500 toy boats. Also has a section devoted to political memorabilia with an emphasis on U. S. Presidents. The Forbes Galleries will be closed Nov. 22 through Dec. 4 after which the Toy Boat, Toy Soldier, Monopoly and Trophy Galleries will close permanently.

Note:  Items 1 to 54 above are listed in descending order from 103rd Street to 12th Street.

Unfamiliar with how the Avenues in New York run?

Order of Avenues is:

First (East River)
Second
Third
Lexington
Park
Madison

Fifth (Walking down Fifth with the side streets going lower –45th, 44th, 43rd, etc., the above Avenues will be to your left.  The Avenues below will be to your right)

Broadway
Sixth (Ave. of the Americas)
Seventh
Eight
Ninth
Tenth
Eleventh
Twelfth (Hudson River)

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Click Here to make a reservation or check prices for any of the New York City Motels and all NYC Hotels.

Christmas-Lights-NYC-2010-4.jpg

5th Avenue Christmas Lights

{ 2 comments }

off-soho-suites-hotel

Image via Wikipedia

The Off-Soho Suites Hotel is one of the downtown Manhattan hotels that visitors to New York City can stay at while in Manhattan. This is a European style hotel that brings style ad charm to the ultra trendy section of the Lower East Side of New York. Within walking distance of this establishment are Little Italy, Chinatown and the East Village.

Other attractions located nearby but best to travel by means other than walking like one of the several subway stations within blocks include Ground Zero Memorial Museum, The Empire State Building, Times Square, Broadway Theaters, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and Grand Central Station.

There are 38 rooms at this downtown Manhattan hotel. Guest services and amenities include business services with modem connections, fax and copying machines and high speed internet access. The hotel also offers daily housekeeping and a valet laundry service.

The ATM machine is in a secure location, elevators, a  guest laundry room, a fitness room with rowing machines, stair masters, treadmills and weight machines, 24/7 manned front desk and concierge services, 24/7 security, safety deposit boxes and a multi lingual staff are all available.

The standard room amenities include coffee makers, kitchen utensils, refrigerators, stoves, toasters, pots and pans, hair dryer, telephones with data ports and voice mail, iron and ironing boards, LCD flat panel cable TV, black out curtains, stereos, digital safes and hard wood floors.

For an affordable stay amongst the downtown Manhattan hotels, guests chose the Off-Soho Suites Hotel for their place in New York City.
11 Rivington Street
New York, NY

Click Here to make a reservation or check prices at the Off-Soho Suites Hotel or any of the New York City Motels and all City Hotels, New York.

New York Deal of the Day Everyday!

Enhanced by Zemanta

{ 2 comments }

The Gershwin Hotel is one of the hotels in Manhattan with a great location in Midtown near the NYC attractions. Times Square, Broadway theaters, The Empire State Building just north and Madison Square Garden to the south are all within walking distance. With 5th Avenue shopping just steps away, every guest will find enjoyment from their stay.

$100 Premier Restaurants Gift Card for only $40! -- New York!

This is a very trendy hotel in the Flatiron district of Manhattan. Even the lobby is considered by most a work of art. Pop art on display can be enjoyed by all and are from artist like Lichtenstein and Warhol. There is a Living Room in this hotel that is an art gallery for new, up and coming local artists. Jazz and comedy acts are also there to entertain the guests.

This budget hotel was built in 1903 and has never forgotten about service and security for its guests. There is a 24 hour security service on site along with a 24 hour front desk.  This Manhattan hotel has 13 floors with 133 rooms for guests to occupy. There are laundry and dry cleaning services available along with a babysitting service if needed. The staff is multilingual.

This hotel offers group rooms where there are up to 10 beds in one room with a shared bathroom, or there are private rooms. The standard room amenities include refrigerators, iron and ironing boards, hair dryers, TV with cable and satellite stations, microwaves, DVD and VCR players, in room broadband along with wireless internet throughout the facility, coffee makers, and telephones with voice mail.

This is one of the  trendy and good budget choice city hotels.  New York City has so much to offer and this is a great location to start from.
7 East 27th Street
New York, NY

Click Here to make a reservation or check prices at the Gershwin Hotel or any of the New York City Motels and New York City Hotels.

{ 1 comment }

The Marrakech Hotel is one of the upper west side Broadway hotels.  Being less than 3 blocks from Central Park, a nice stroll can be enjoyed at any time. With a subway station just moments away from this Manhattan hotel, access to the city could not be easier.

This gives guests the opportunity to visit Times Square, Broadway Theaters, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, The Empire State Building, Penn Station and Grand Central Station along with Wall street to the extreme south and the hallowed museum at Ground Zero.

This is a Moroccan themed hotel that has a bar and lounge named the Kazbar to relax in. For those that wish something a little different there are also a Thai Restaurant and a Starbucks on site. In the lobby is a fireplace for those cool nights that guests can snuggle up next to upon arrival.

The lobby also has ceramic tile and Moroccan lamps. There is a 24 hour front desk, concierge services and a business center with a fax, copying and printer for guests to utilize when needed. There is also available internet access in public areas and a friendly doorman to greet you at the entrance way. There is a no pet’s allowed policy at this establishment.

With 127 rooms available, accommodating your needs is assured. The standard room amenities include down duvets, European bed liners, coffee makers, hairdryers, blackout curtains, CD players, color TV with cable channels, and the bathrooms have showers only.

One of the trendy upper west side Broadway hotels is the Moroccan themed Marrakech Hotel.
2688 Broadway
New York, NY

Click Here to make a reservation or check prices at Marrakech Hotel or any of the New York City Motels and New York City Hotels.

New York Deal of the Day Everyday!

{ 2 comments }

New York City at Christmas is a magical sort of place.  The businesses and NYC Hotels are all adorned in Holiday Splendor.   We call your attention to just a few.

Christmas NYC Hotels

Christmas NYC Hotels

To find out about all of the best places to veiw the Manhattan Chritmas lights be sure to read the bottom of this post.

Christmas at New York City Hotels

Manhattan hotels entice tourists with holiday deals | Neighborhood …

As the holiday season approaches, New York City’s businesses hope to get an additional boost of customers from the tourists who come in masses to see the city’s sights. Although hotels in the past were used to having all their rooms booked during the holiday … Dewees said that although the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is popular for travelers to visit the city, hotel occupancies around the city are still expected to be lower this year than in recent years. …

The First (frenzied) Weekend of the Holiday Season « Woman Around Town

We are the oldest Christmas shop in New York City. The Christmas Cottage specializes in designer-themed trees along with a unique line of New York ornaments. Everything you need to make your holiday special can be purchased in our store …. The stylish Tribeca Grand Hotel hosts this series of Sunday film screenings with a different theme each month. Tonight’s movie is the James Bond adventure, Casino Royale, 6:30 PM. Visit www.tribecagrand.com for more information. …

Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour -- New York -- TravBuddy

Honest reviews of Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, New York, New York: Radio City Music Hall is probably New York City’s most famous performance venue. The theatre at Rockefeller Center has been in operation since 1932 … Description of the Radio City Mu… Description of the stage machinery. Mezzanine Level mural. Spirit of the Dance sculpture. Art Deco Men’s Lounge. Rockette costume display. Rockette Christmas costume. Rehearsal room … New York Hotel Deals …

Tim Burton Retrospective at MoMA

December in New York City · Free New York City Travel Planner · One Day Tour of New York City · New York City Hotel Deal Sheet · Broadway Discount Tickets 101. Most Popular. Rockefeller Christmas TreeBest NYC …

One of the Christmas Light Displays that adorn Manhattan.

Hotel Roger Williams Christmas Lights

Christmas light display that I like on a hotel on Madison Avenue in NYC.

NYC Christmas Lighting

NYC Christmas Lighting

The very best list of 55 locations to view the Best NYC Christmas Lighting.

This blog at City-NewYork.com went way above and beyond the normal blog post with this article.  Each of the best viewing locations are described and include information on all the business, museums, stores, and points of interest as well as the Christmas lighting.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Click on the “Hotels” ad to find a last minute hotel room reservation.

{ 0 comments }

We bring you snippets of news and events that would be of interest to NYC people or travelers headed to Manhattan for the Holidays.

If you need a New York hotel please take a look at all of the free unbiased reviews here on this website.  We give a full description of the hotels near Time Square and throughout all of the city.

You may search or scroll through this site to find your lodging of choice and please use any of the banner ads or click links to make your holiday hotel reservation.

Stories with a NYC Hotel twist:

Into the Driver’s Seat: 6400 Miles to Learn | Taxi Gourmet

… 500 museums and galleries, and who knows how many hotels and hospitals – and I started to panic. I knew there was no way that 24 hours of rules and regs and geography would be enough to help me pass the taxi exam on December 11. … In the meantime, if you happen to get into a yellow taxi in New York City or anywhere in the world this weekend, please salute your driver. Obviously, I’ve always believed that we should appreciate our cabbies, but until I started the …

This Day … In Jewish History: This Day, December 5, In Jewish …

1909: Many of New York City’s most prominent Jewish leaders took part in a memorial meeting this afternoon in honor of the Rabbi Joseph Mayer Asher, Professor in the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and rabbi of the Orach Chaim Synagogue, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 37 on … 1937: The Palestine Post reported that in Jerusalem Abraham Perlman, 20, was shot dead and two young girls were wounded when they strolled together towards the King David Hotel . …

White Rabbits Invade New York For Alice « Official Blog

FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT TO A WHOLE NEW WONDERLAND AS SYFY KICKS OFF MARKETING CAMPAIGN BEHIND FOUR HOUR MOVIE EVENT ALICE, PREMIERING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, AT 9PM. 50 White Rabbits Hunt for Alice and the Hatter Aboard New York City Buses, … Outdoor advertising on Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles Local radio promotion in 10 markets. National cable schedule. Local cable schedule in 10 markets. In addition to Bates and Scorsone, the stellar cast of Syfy’s contemporary …

Two Events to Celebrate and Connect with Young Social Change …

The event is sponsored by their Young Professional’s Council which raises awareness amongst New York City college students and young professionals about alleviating extreme poverty, while simultaneously providing social and … Saturday December 12th 7pm-11pm, The Renaissance Hotel at Two Times Square, tickets $85-$100. This year’s event will be honoring young philanthropist Beverly Bond who started BlackGirlsRock! A nonprofit that supports at risk girls of color and …

New Year, New York: Vacations with Excitement and Romance …

With a trip to New York City for New Year’s Eve, you will not have to choose! The Big Apple has activities and events to suit any visitor over the New Year’s Eve weekend. Of course, the place to be in New York City on New Year’s Eve is … If you’re planning a romantic getaway, why not splurge and book tickets at one of the nicest hotels in town? Midtown Manhattan is home to four and five star hotels like the Kimberly Hotel, the St. Regis, and W New York that offer a …

Eight Holiday Activities for Families near NYC | offManhattan

December 4-6, celebrate the annual Dickens Festival and get merry with Dickens characters like Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge. Caroling will be plentiful, and the town’s gorgeous ice-skating rink is open for the holiday event. … I also love the tip on the miniature trains in New York city. How cute! Thanks for putting on the travel information too. I find sometimes these aren’t listed on travel websites or books and guides and this makes it so much more achievable to …

Diet Coke Radio City Spectacular Sweepstakes | Free Stuff Times …

Grand Prize: A “Spectacular” Weekend for 4 in New York City. Travel dates: December 18-20, 2009. Winner must be able to travel to and from New York, NY on these dates or the winner forfeits prize. All package details, including but not … Sponsor is not responsible if the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, sightseeing tour or panoramic view tour is delayed, postponed or cancelled for any reason during the travel dates specified herein, in which event that portion of the …

Flavorwire » Good Times in NYC: The Work of Photographer Joshua …

The intense eyes of a guy shooting a camera in a hotel room, or a guy staring at the camera while holding a gun, make for genuine photos that pique curiosity. Despite his editorial portfolio, Wildman is best known for his photo blog, … Wildman’s show, i have known you too long, opens at Fuse Gallery on Saturday, December 5 and will run through January 2. Wildman previously exhibited drawings at the gallery as part of the “Draw” Tour. His work has appeared in Dazed and …

Please scroll on through to the many other articles we have on this website that review all the best hotels in Manhattan.

{ 1 comment }

One of the hotels near Times Square New York City is the Club Quarters Midtown. This midtown Manhattan hotel is just blocks away from not only Times Square, but also Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central Station and the Broadway Theater District.

This is one of the registered landmark hotels that you can stay at while enjoying your visits to the Big Apple. Without even leaving the hotel, guests can stop by the exclusive members club at this establishment called “Catch 45” and enjoy dinner or a drink.

There are 4 different types of room available including a single with a full size bed. A standard room with one queen size bed. A studio has an oversized room that comes with a fully equipped kitchenette and a one room suite that has a kitchenette and a sofa bed along with a queen size bed. This exclusive hotel has a restricted entry door manned by a security guard.

There is also a 24/7 full service concierge desk, free high speed internet access, private club room with free coffee and tea, free use of a computer and printer, a fitness room, valet laundry service and free chilled purified drinking water.

There are 155 rooms at this midtown Manhattan hotel. Standard room amenities include free high speed internet access from the data port of the speaker phone along with voice mail. Cable color TV with on demand movies, 24/7 room service, shopping service along with refrigerator stocking, coffee maker and a hair dryer.

This is a premier private hotel that anyone can stay as a guest. One of the best hotels near Times Square New York City is the Club Quarters Midtown.
40 West 45th Street
New York, NY

Click Here to make a reservation or check prices at Club Quarters Midtown or any of the New York City Motels and New York City Hotels.

{ 0 comments }

With all the Midtown Manhattan hotels included, only the Library Hotel a Member of Hkhotels has between 25 to 100 books in each room. This is a hotel that has the feel of a private club. Each floor of this exclusive Manhattan hotel has a different theme according to the Dewey Decimal system. There is a floor where books on Art, math and science, literature, philosophy, and languages to name a few can be found.

Located on Madison Avenue and 41st Street, this hotel is perfectly situated for site seeing in the Big Apple. Walking to Times Square to the west is easy along with all the Broadway theaters and Radio City Music Hall. To the north is Central Park and Carnegie Hall. Just to the east is Grand Central station and south is the Empire State building, Macy’s, Penn Station and Madison Square Garden.

There are 14 different floors to this hotel that was built in 1912. Standard hotel amenities include babysitting service, valet laundry and dry cleaning services, multilingual staff, an onsite restaurant that is open for business or your dinner can be delivered to your room. The business center is fully equipped with computers, fax and copying machines and the entire facility is covered with wireless internet access. The concierge desk is open to help you with your travel plans and the whole hotel is accessible to wheelchairs. For security, this site has active security cameras that are constantly monitored.

There are 60 rooms on the different floors for guests to occupy. The rooms come standard with a free newspaper, air conditioning, refrigerators, Iron and ironing boards, telephones with data ports and voice mail, cable TV, DVD and VCR’s, and in room safes.

The Library Hotel a Member of Hkhotels is the choice of Midtown Manhattan hotels for not only those that like books but knowledge.
299 Madison Avenue
New York, NY

Click Here to make a reservation or check prices at The Library Hotel or any of the New York City Motels and New York City Hotels.

{ 0 comments }