MC Bucket List: Get in the Holiday Spirit, NYC style!
By Kayla Hutzler
Webstaff
The holidays can be overwhelming in Manhattan, especially with the loads of tourists that come to see the infamous holiday displays. They make the holidays feel a little hectic for all the real New Yorkers, right? Well, this holiday sightseeing tour won’t take you to the typical displays, but it will put you in the holiday mood. There is no promise that you won’t get stopped at all to take a picture, but it won’t happen every two steps like at Rockefeller Center.
Bryant Park offers lots of holiday cheer at a relatively small price. Take a spin on the city’s only free ice-skating rink, located on the Bryant Park pond. Skate rentals are $12 but try to pack light because locker rentals are $9 and bag checks are $7. They limit skating time to an hour and a half – but honestly, who can skate for longer than that anyway? If you thought it couldn’t get any better, you thought wrong. To avoid the lines you will soon be able to reserve your skating time at www.thepondatbyrantpark.com.
When you are done skating your pants off, make your way to Celsius, the raised restaurant over the east side of the rink. With floor to ceiling glass windows and an outdoor terrace (don’t worry, there are heat lamps) you won’t miss one second of the holiday festivities, and you can dine while checking out the Christmas tree. The menu offers holiday favorites, including home-style chicken pot pie, beef and three bean chili and macaroni and cheese gratin (my favorite!) For those over 21, they also offer a full menu of holiday inspired cocktails.
After eating, head over to the Shops at Bryant Park and pick up some Christmas gifts for your friends and family. Soy wax candles from Long Island Candle Factory are perfect for your mom, aunt, grandma or boyfriend/girlfriend’s mom. A funky patterned zip-up hoodie from Animated Closet is great for your spunky cousin or sibling. With over 150 vendors you will be sure to find something for everyone. If you have worked back up your appetite, you can satisfy your after-dinner sweet tooth at one of the six delicious treat shops. Offering Belgian waffles, fondue and kettle corn among many other things, you can quench all your cravings.
After checking everyone off your list, take a small detour on your way home and head to Grand Central Terminal to check out their holiday light show. Watch as the interior of the terminal lights up with snowflakes, stars and other holiday things accompanied by music of the season. The Grand Central Terminal “Kaleidoscope Show” occurs every half hour on the half hour.
From MC to Bryant Park:
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- Take the 1 train downtown.
- Get off at 42 St/Times Sq.
- Exit near 42 St. and Broadway.
- Walk east on 42 St.
- Bryant Park is located between 5 and 6 Aves and 40 and 42 St.
From Bryant Park to Grand Central:
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- Walk east on 42 to Park Ave.
From Grand Central to MC:
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- Take the S or the 7 to Times Sq.
- Take the 1 uptown to 242 St.
