NEW YORK CITY 2006
The Perfect Christmas Destination!
(View of the Empire State Building from the Top of
Rockefeller Centre)
| A vanity thought-let:
I love New York City with a passion akin to a great love
affair. Here's my
published poetical take on
New York City!
-Sheree- |
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Please note: These images are NOT public
domain; they belong to Sheree Zielke.
Please ask permission first if
you would like to use a photo. Thanks.
|
Where can
one see a Giant Snowflake, "Santaland", 3 miles of Christmas Trees, take a
Chocolate Tour, marvel at 140 illuminated animal sculptures, see the world's
most celebrated Christmas Tree, eat at great Italian restaurants, see a
Celebrity or two, and ride one of the most exciting Subways in the world?
Why in the Big Apple, of course! |
 There is
no better time of year to visit NYC. Only the Big Apple really knows
how to doll itself up for the Holidays.
From window shopping on 5th Avenue to Christmas in Little Italy, if you are
seeking a little Holiday spirit, you are sure to find it here.
Here's a pretty crystalline tree decoration in the
popular Bryant Park Market and Ice Rink. |
The really
good news is that if you can travel over Christmas Day or Boxing Day, the airfares are
very affordable and Hotel rates are relatively lower. Never cheap, but
lower.
 And there is nothing like the
Big Apple at Christmastime. Just ask these little tourists taking in
the Rockefeller Centre sights. |
Love traveling?
Maybe some of my past trips can be of assistance to you while you
plan
your next adventure.
Click on any link below.
Need CRUISE TIPS? Try some of these published
articles.
Cruising: The Best Vacation Value? ***
Cruise Ship Activities for Seniors ***
Avoiding Seasickness on a Cruise ***
Before-You-Cruise Check List
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December, 2006
We have secured a nice room in a European boutique style hotel. The
reviews on Helmsley Middletowne on
Trip Advisor
cemented the deal. Comes complete with a daily breakfast.
Sounded good to us...and with our early booking through
Expedia.ca we have already saved over
$200 since the fees have now gone up.
UPDATE:
Having stayed there, we realize the higher floors are probably more
desirable. Furniture (on the 6th floor) is old and rickety, carpet
is heavily soiled, heat is very hard to regulate, but staff is great.
And location is very central and convenient. You be the judge.
This wonderful market located inside Grand Central
Station is only about a 10 minute walk from the hotel.
There is a great food court inside the station, too. Impossible to
go hungry in the Big Apple. |
December
18, 2006
Here's a 2006 view of the above picture I shot
2 years ago. Not much has changed but I like this shot perspective
much better.
Twilight view from atop the Rock!
A snow-less Central Park!
An underside view of the famous Brooklyn Bridge from
Old Fulton Street. |
December
19, 2006
Can't
visit NYC at Christmastime and not take a tour of the department store
windows. And Macy's and Saks do not disappoint.
Saks windows
were spectacular ranging from high fashion to fairytale whimsy.
Saks also has
this wonderful surprise in store for visitors - choreographed snowflake show
set to classical music. Wonderful!
The
line-ups in front of the fairytale windows rarely thinned out. The
window displays told a cute little story about a snowflake coming to a
realization. |
|
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Need information on NYC? Click the above link for a great reference source. |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
December
20, 2006
Today I hopped aboard the subway and headed Downtown.
Great shots in the early morning light.
I visited one of my favorite spots, Ground Zero, to watch them erect the
first beam of the Freedom Tower.
Lots of activity while a handful of onlookers awaited the big moment.
It was staged for the outgoing politician. And they made a big
boo-boo.
The stenciled flag has been done backwards.
The flag stencil was removed...and re-done correctly
in just a couple of days. (See Dec 23)
The Winter Garden Room, just across from Ground Zero,
is a pretty sight. Thousands and thousands of tiny lights.
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December
21, 2006
The day was grey but the adventure was grand. We
went in search of both Jacques Torres Chocolate on Water Street and the
Brooklyn Bridge.
I love the look of this vintage area with its classic buildings and old wall
advertisements.
Here's some of the wall art just near the chocolate shop.
Art I have found on walls on side streets tends to be far better than some
of the stuff I've paid to see in big museums.
We also spent a little time in this totally abandoned State Park which
afforded us great views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
*****
In the afternoon, we took in the Radio City Hall Christmas production
complete with this massive live nativity scene.
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December
22, 2006
One of my favorite days -- window shopping.
I loved the imaginative take in the various department store windows.
And of course, one must see Tiffany & Co.
Then there's Chanel...
And the giant 5-foot snowflake hanging above 5th
Avenue...
And of course, a trip across the way to Central Park
where a visit to the Wollman Skating Rink is a must, snow or no snow.
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
December
23, 2006
We returned to Ground Zero to see the fixed flag which
had caused quite a stir in the media.
We had a wonderful walk back to Midtown visiting some of the squares on the
way. Union Square was a lovely surprise filled with crafter booths and
farmer's market fare. Like this flower vender.
The amazing weather and lack of snow made it seem more
like a cool fall day than a winter day. Here's a chess game going on
at Union Square just a day before Christmas.
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December
24, 2006
Christmas Eve Day in New York!
We decided to do the crazy thing and brave the crowds doing their
last-minute shopping at Macy's. That took courage. But we can
say we did it and...survived.
Good deals could be had on markdowns if you could bear the crowds.
Crowds gather outside of churches for Christmas Eve
services and masses.
We went window shopping Christmas Eve, too. Very
pretty like this Hugo Boss store.
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December
25, 2006
Christmas Day in New York!
We walked around Central Park as thousands of others did, too. The
weather was gray but dry and NOT a snowflake in sight.
Many people took advantage of the horse-drawn hansom carriages.
Artisans were hard at work!
Be sure to nosh on a cheese-filled pretzel sold from
carts all around the perimeter of Central Park. Well, at least once.
Even DeBeers is all decked out on Christmas Day!
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
December
25, 2006
Continued
Many spent time just walking the paths
Christmas Day!
View right across from Central Park!
And speaking of pink, I caught the reflected colors of this sign in a pool
in the Park.
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December
26, 2006
On our way home. It was cheaper to fly
today than closer to New Year's Eve. We didn't want to stay for the
ball-dropping spectacle anyway.
We're coming back!
But first, it's time to lose the scarves and parkas.
My dear husband and I must spend a little time tanning in
Hawaii. |
In
Conclusion!
We loved New York at Christmastime. This
could become one of our favorite destinations for the Holidays. We
still don't want to be there for the Times Square ball-dropping ceremonies
on New Year's Eve, but the Christmas week was terrific.
Thanks NEW YORK! We'll be seeing you again in
March!!!
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Tip #1
Ride the subway. Buy a Metro Pass first. |
Tip #2
If traveling over the holidays, fly back to your destination on Christmas or
Boxing Day for cheaper rates. |
Tip #3
Talk to the locals. They have proven to be both friendly and helpful.
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