By Jacqueline Thomas
Free Things to Do in New York City on Christmas
There are few places more beautiful than
New York City at Christmastime. It's colored with lights, and the air is crisp with winter's frost and promises of a white Christmas. New York is the perfect destination at Christmastime, but it's also notoriously expensive. If you're interested in stretching your dollar while in Manhattan over this magical time of year, keep reading. There are countless ways to spend your time without spending a dime.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Visit the most famous Christmas tree in the world. Although the lighting ceremony takes place not long after Thanksgiving, you can enjoy its lights all December long. Stop by to see the tree's dazzling lights at sunset, and hang around to watch the ice skaters practicing their perfect eights.
Ice Skate at Bryant Park
For the budget-conscious who still want to skate, visit Bryant Park. Admission to the ice rink is free. Be sure to bring your skates to avoid rental fees.
Santaland at Macy's
Santa Claus and Christmastime are practically synonymous. For the best Santa Claus and North Pole you will ever see, visit Macy's eighth floor. Even without kids, Santaland will make all its visitors feel young at heart.
FAO Schwarz
Speaking of young at heart, no trip to Manhattan would be complete without a stop at this Fifth Avenue icon. The world's most recognizable toy store is legendary for its interactive displays, such as the fancy footwork piano, as shown in the movie "Big" with Tom Hanks.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
For a holy pause in all of your fun, visit St. Patrick's Cathedral. Built in 1878, this Catholic church has welcomed visitors of all denominations for over 100 years. Visit to witness a spectacular example of Gothic architecture.
Window Shop
All along Fifth Avenue, shops are adorned with Christmas decorations, but nothing compares to Saks Fifth Avenue's beautiful designs. Be sure to dedicate a part of your visit to Manhattan to just walking around, looking in shop windows.
Staten Island Ferry
Surprisingly, this ferry, which departs Battery Park every 15 to 20 minutes, is free. On the one-hour round-trip ride, you'll see unparalleled views of downtown and the Statue of Liberty.
Times Square
No matter what time of the year, Times Square is the most fascinating and exciting part of the city. Visit at dark to soak in all the lights and activity. There are plenty of restaurants and shops to duck into if it gets too chilly outside.
Bronx Zoo
If Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, you can visit the Bronx Zoo for a donation of your choice. Considering that admission fees start at $15 for adults, it's a great bargain if you donate anything less than that.
Resources
About the Author:
Jacqueline Thomas is an award-winning writer and poet. She studied creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and has written critically acclaimed pieces for over 20 years. Thomas is published in both traditional and online press, and has articles that reached the Digg Front Page.
Photo Credits:
Midweekpost, WTL, Alykat, Ckings, Rob Inh00d, Killrbeez, Randy Ohc, Saquan Stimpson/ Monstersh aq2000, Unforth, J Gutierrez, Flickr
