Explore New York at its lovelist and most romantic - during the Christmas holiday season!
Stroll down Fifth Avenue! Check out the shops at Columbus Circle for unique (and sometimes very inexpensive) gift ideas! See the trees at Rockefeller Center and Lincoln Center, take a spin around the skating rinks in Central Park, attend free concerts of seasonal favorites around town - or get a group of friends together and go caroling! There's a reason so many tourists come to New York this time of year!

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OUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS WALKING TOUR:
Walk down Fifth Avenue from 59th Street and look at all the holiday displays in the store windows and take in the holiday cheer! There are some beautiful churches along the way, from St. Thomas Church at Fifth Ave. & 53rd Street, to St. Patricks Cathedral at Fifth Ave. & 50th Street. At 49th Street, admire the windows at Saks Fifth Avenue. Just around the corner you'll see The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree! If you're celebrating Hanukkah, The Jewish Museum ( http://www.thejewishmuseum.org ) offers dozens of events including storytelling celebrating the holiday. There are also several large Menorah lightings around the city that are open to the public, including at Bryant Park ( http://www.bryantpark.org ) and in Central Park ( http://www.centralparknyc.org ).

Check out the Radio City Christmas Spectacular -- it truly lives up to its name! When I saw it, I felt like I was 6 years old again! ( http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/newyork/tickets.html ) While there, go experience Rockefeller Center in its seasonal glory - see the tree (30,000 lights!), and watch the skaters on its famous skating rink! Skating there is first come first skate, but if you plan ahead you can actually reserve skating time: ( http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurant.php?restaurants_id=74 )

A lovely way to experience winter is a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park! You can hire one of these carriages near the Plaza Hotel on 5th Avenue, or at the old Tavern on the Green by Central Park West near 66th Street.

GO SKATING!
Here are several other places to skate:
Chelsea Piers - http://www.chelseapiers.com
Bryant Park Ice Rink - http://www.bryantpark.org
Central Park Ice Rinks - http://www.centralpark.com/guide/sports/central-park-ice-skating.html

GO TO A MUSEUM!
There is a wealth of museums to see in New York City and what better a time to visit then when its cold outside? Here are just a few:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art - http://www.metmuseum.org
The Museum of Modern Art - http://www.moma.org
New York Historical Society - http://www.nyhistory.org
Museum of Natural History - http://www.amnh.org

GO BOWLING!
There are several bowling alleys in New York City - here are several:
Bowlmor Lanes (Greenwich Village) - http://www.bowlmor.com
Frames Bowling Lounge (in Port Authority, 40th St/9th Ave) - http://www.framesnyc.com

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OTHER FREE ACTIVITIES

TIME OUT NEW YORK - newyork.timeout.com - is also a great resource to find out whats happening around town daily. They have filters (day, time, activity, neighborhood, etc.) on each search that helps you find exactly what you're looking for.

Our favorite free concert website, MY FREE CONCERT - www.myfreeconcert.com - lists daily and weekly free shows, art exhibits and open bars around the city all available to you with an RSVP.

NYC PARKS AND RECREATION - www.nycgovparks.org - has a page that is constantly updated with lots of indoor and outdoor activities at free park-sponsored museums.

THE BRYANT PARK FALL FESTIVAL - bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/fallfestival.html - offers something for everyone whether you enjoy music, food or dance.

WWW.NYCGO.COM - www.nycgo.com - is New York Citys own about town website and lists many events and museum openings all around the city.