Krásné Vánoce v New Yorku - Flori na cestách

I've always wanted to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York with my own eyes. It's probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world. Since I was little, I loved the scene from the movie Home Alone 2 Lost in New York, which takes place right here, where Kevin wishes to meet his family and his mom finds him right here. That atmosphere always moved me in the movie and I always said to myself, I would like to be here someday. That's why this place is one of the places I had on my bucket list.

What to see in New York at Christmas

To start with, I have to say that I'm a little disappointed with Christmas New York. divided feelings. On the one hand, I was excited to be in New York, actually for the first time, and right at Christmas, seeing all the places I had dreamed of. You can read about how I planned my entire vacation in New York here here.

What spoils the impression a bit, and which I can't do anything about, are other enthusiasts, like me. Those famous places are full of people. You have to take that into account, but I found that you can avoid the crowds.

Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

The main attraction of my Christmas adventure in New York was, as it was for countless others, The iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. So that it doesn't. The organizers estimate that there will be people coming to the tree every day. until 750,000 visitors. My first steps in New York were also directed towards this place. Featured dream come true, a Christmas fairy tale in the heart of the big city.

Immediately after arriving at the airport in Newark I took the train to the station. Penn Station, which is at Madison Square Garden on 33rd Street. I left my suitcase in a storage room (here I can recommend the practical app Bounce, where you can find storage rooms in your area, make a reservation and pay) and excitedly set off to the tree. The weather wasn't exactly ideal, it was raining a little, but it was manageable.

Rockefeller Center is about 1.5 km according to the map and thanks to the layout of the streets in New York, it is impossible to get lost here. From Eighth Avenue, cross over to Fifth Avenue and then go straight for about 16 blocks.

It didn't even take 20 minutes and I already saw a beautiful, A 24-meter-tall Christmas wonder decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. A dream come true. Only the rain and the crowds spoiled the atmosphere a bit.

I even thought that I had never imagined it like this and my first impression was a bit of a disappointment. But what can you do? Fortunately, it didn't take long and I fell in love with the Christmas tree and actually the whole of New York.

A little bit of history and what it's like today

Lighting history The Christmas tree here dates back to the year 1931, when Italian-American workers decorated themselves during the construction of Rockefeller Center They ate a 6-meter-high tree.Two years later, in 1933, then there was the first official lighting tree, which was 15 meters high. In 1936, an ice rink was opened under it.

Nowadays, after anchoring the tree in place, a large scaffold is erected from which workers hang about 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star, which crowns the tree. It was created in 2018, has 70 spikes and three million crystals with LED lighting. It weighs around 400 kg.

Just squeeze through to the tree

I successfully made my way from Saks Fifth Avenue to Channel Garden, which is beautifully decorated with angels and its end is dominated by a Christmas tree. However, you can't get close to it. It is bordered by railings on the sides, and in front, or rather below it, there is an ice rink where you can go ice skating (prices range from $21 to $114, tickets can be obtained here).

I slowly made my way to the barriers from the front to try to take some photos without people. It was worth the effort. From there I walked over and tried my luck from the side, where there are also barriers, but no people. And the tree is also clearly visible here.

One tip

As Manhattan is "small", I walked around the tree several times. What I would definitely recommend is come later in the evening. Sometime after 10:30 PM it's almost empty here. Suddenly a completely different atmosphere, peace, tranquility, Christmas. It's worth it. And actually, if I digress a little, overall it was worth going everywhere "„off-peak„". On the Brooklyn Bridge between 7 and 8 am, and in the museums and skyscraper lookouts, there were also fewer people in the morning than they had accumulated during the day. If possible, I would definitely recommend the first morning slots for any visits.

Light show at Saks

If you turn your back on the Christmas tree, you will see a department store Saxon, which also creates a beautiful Christmas atmosphere thanks to its light show. The Christmas decoration of the entire house is only complemented by the Chanel Garden and the Christmas tree. A perfect scene takes place on the gable of the house. Christmas show.

A play of lights synchronized with classical Christmas music. I have stopped here several times and have watched this show with enthusiasm every time.

Christmas Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is main artery New York, which is considered the most expensive street in the world. You will find many luxury brand stores here. But you don't have to go here to spend a lot.

I just walked this street and it was worth it. Shop windows are full of winter and Christmas decorations. You can leave from Saks and go towards Central Park to the hotel Plaza on its corner. Or vice versa. Along the way, you will meet many other visitors to New York who are not shopping, but just enjoying the unusual window displays. Just like me.

Sixth Avenue between 48th and 51st Streets

I got to the next Christmas spot in New York in no time. Not even a 5-minute walk from Rockefeller Center and Saks, on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 50th Street is the building Radio City Music Hall. Its corner is decorated with a large Christmas tree made of lights that change their color. Right here you can also visit one of the most popular shows Ther Radio City Spectacular with the famous dance group The Rockettes. Although this tradition has been going on since 1931, it will have to wait a few more years for me. Maybe I'll check it out next time.

As I say that Manhattan is small, it's not like this concentration of well-known places confirmed. Across from Radio City Music Hall, I suddenly found myself at giant candy canes (like those bent umbrellas with red and white paint). But that's not all.

As I walked between 50th and 49th streets, I came to a fountain with giant Christmas ball. Another frequently photographed place in New York.

And one street further on, the house with number 1221, is dominated by a "square"„ decorated lots of golden lights and another Christmas tree with countless decorations. Beautiful.

Wall Street

Not much is known about this place. But I knew, so I had Wall Street on my list. Not so much because of the building Stock exchanges, but because of the Christmas tree, which could boldly compete with the one at Rockefeller Center compete.

It is vlarge, richly decorated and thanks to its "unpopularity" it is not surrounded by crowds of people. I was able to move around freely here, stop and enjoy myself. Just Christmas peace and quiet in the middle of the metropolis.

New York Christmas decorations

I walked a lot around New York. Every time I looked at the map, I realized that the next place I wanted to see was a few minutes walk away, so it was easier than taking the subway, waiting, and crossing. Plus, I could walk a lot of streets and find more and more beautiful places.

Among the popular ones is the winter village in Bryant Park, a perfectly decorated shopping mall Hudson Yards, Christmas tree in Washington Square Park or beautiful Christmas window displays in a department store Macy's. And that's certainly not all. There's still more to discover and I think I've saved a lot for next time.

Dyker Heights

Millions of Christmas lights, that's the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn. Tours are organized from Manhattan and several buses leave every day bringing tourists.

I haven't been to Dyker Heights personally, and I'm saving that for another time. I'm looking forward to those the most extravagant light decorations from all over the city.

When I was planning to go to New York, I followed an Italian (Marco Abbiati) on Instagram who brings thousands of tourists from all over the world here and organizes tours. But he also gives lots of tips for Christmas places New York. So if you're more interested in this, check out his Instagram too, you'll find him as mychristmasinnewyorkcity. I saw that this year they expanded the trips and besides Dyker Heights you will see other great places along the way.

Is New York at Christmas worth it?

Yes. For me, definitely. Visiting New York at Christmas in my opinion it is worth it. You will see. beautiful decoration and you will enjoy a unique atmosphere (if you beat the thousands of other people). Expect it to be a more expensive holiday, even when it comes to accommodation, I think Christmas and New Year are the most expensive times of the year. But what's expensive these days isn't, right?. This is definitely an experience that will stay with you..

In addition to these Christmas places, I also visited the observation decks in skyscrapers, went to a musical at the theater, and also to museums. So, I enjoyed not only Christmas here. Feel free to watch the video in the introduction, it's actually everything there.

I was also interested New Year's Eve in Times Square, but when I searched more and more about how things work here, I quickly changed my mind. Despite this, tens of thousands of people flock here. But more on that in another article.

Thank you for reading. and for more travel tips, photos and videos follow me don't forget to follow on Instagram a YouTube channel. Also check out the page with conductor, If you want more detailed information about New York, let me know, I'll be happy to send you the guide.