Assuming you want to feel the Christmas spirit, I suggest you head for Fifth Avenue between 49th and 59th Street. The place to start, of course, is at the Channel Gardens Promenade at Rockefeller Center. Here you have so many iconic views - the Christmas Tree, ice skaters in the sunken plaza with the gilded statue of Prometheus (sculpted by Paul Manship) and the gardens lined with illuminated angels. If you face Fifth Avenue from the gardens (top photo) you will see Saks Fifth Avenue and their spectacular illuminated snowflake display timed to music. And, of course, their legendary holiday store window displays. Many people come from far and wide to see them - there are typically lines for viewing. Their beautiful interior winterscape decor is also worth a visit. At the corner of Fifth and 50th is St. Patrick's Cathedral - a must see for anyone. And what better time than the Christmas season?A stroll up Fifth Avenue will take you through a who's who of flagship retailers, all of which are bedecked for the holidays. Cartier has decorated their entire building to look like a gift box, Tiffany's has winter/holiday scenes with subjects adorned with various jewels (see their beautiful display in 2006 here), Henri Bendel has a themed window, Louis Vuitton has an electronic display. Everyone participates - Takashimaya, Piaget, Gucci, Pucci, Bottega Veneta, Trump Tower, Prada, Abercrombie, Fortunoff, Disney, Versace and Bergdorf Goodman. I give Bergdorf the prize for their imaginative, impeccably crafted windows - I will feature these at a later date.
The annual tree is the epicenter of it all and the whole selection, installation and lighting process is a story in itself (I wrote about it here). This year's tree is a 77 year old, 8-ton, 72-foot-tall Norway spruce from the Varanyak family in Hamilton, N.J. The family had it as their Christmas tree in 1931, then planted it outside.
I hope you get a chance to stroll this area. Be prepared for crowds but they are easily tolerated if you have the Christmas Spirit :)
9 comments:
Nowhere is Christmas as beautiful (or as chaotic!) as in NYC :-)
Just absolutly gorgeous!
Thanks to share
Lovely, Brian. And I appreciate the detail you always include with your posts, fleshing out and explaining. Happy Holidays!
By the way, my wife is a Dubè, originally from Malone, NY, but grew up in Montana.
Aw man, it looks absolutely beautiful there. :)
I googled "NY city daily blogs" and I happened upon your blog. It was just what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Brian, Great post as usual. I can't wait to visit NYC over the holidays and try to collect some photos like yours.
FYI. After following your post for over a year, I decided to do my own photo blog. Not a daily blog, more like weekly.
Regards,
Mike
Oh i miss being there!!
Jen Ramos
'100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
Very nice, makes me want to visit.
Gary.
First picture looks very beautiful, Its look like a galaxy, and the crystal ornaments look like star.
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