Rockefeller centre and its Xmas tree

Hi,

Could you please tell me if Rockefeller%26#39;s Xmas tree can be seen on Xmas day? That is it%26#39;s not closed off due to closed business on the day? Our first time to NYC. We%26#39;ll be there from 24th Dec and looking for something to do on Xmas day. Ice skating will not be open, I guess?

Rockefeller centre and its Xmas tree

the Christmas tree is outdoors and can be seen by anyone 24/7

2005-2006 schedule for the ice rink

http://www.nyctourist.com/xmas_rockice.htm

Rockefeller centre and its Xmas tree

When you arrive here, get a copy of Time Out New York - it will list all the attractions in New York that are open. There will be plenty to do. Just walking around is fun!

The tree at Rockefeller Center is always available. It%26#39;s outside, as are many other Christmas decorations around the area. Central Park is another lovely place on Christmas. Some plays are open Christmas night and last year I found that to be a lovely finish to a wonderful Christmas Day. My experience: Sleep in, coffee in room. Christmas Dinner at The Mark, games and nap in early afternoon, walk in Central Park in late afternoon. Pre-theater meal at small cafe near Lincoln Center, Belle Epoque at Lincoln Center. Then a cab back to The Mark for a nightcap, late snack and comfy snooze.

I believe all the ice skating rinks in public parks are open but may have limited hours or begin their day later (2 in manhattan, 1 in brooklyn, 1 in queens.) I highly recommeend Wollman Rink in Central Park.

www.nycgovparks.org

The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is outside as is the skating. You can go up to it and see it day or night. Rockefeller center has it%26#39;s own site and it should have the skating rink schedule listed. In NYC most everything is open. It%26#39;s not called the city that never sleeps for nothing! :) The NBC Building is right there too so try not to miss the studio tour! GO HUNGRY! Have some roasted chestnuts found at almost every hot dog vendor. If you like onions, don%26#39;t pass up the red onion sauce on a dog from a street vendor. TOO YUMMY! The scent permiates the crisp air and it just feels like Christmas. Most everyone is in a good mood that time of year regardless of thier faith. The warmth seems to rub right off on to everyone. Enjoy!

Bundle up! The wind gets mighty chilly whipping through the streets and this comes from a gal who lived in Lake Placid!

Hey, keep your eyes peeled too. NYC is certainly NOT the crime capitol but it is a large city and tourists who don%26#39;t know thier way around are an easy mark in ANY town. Even in po-dunk old Glens Falls NY, where I live now.

Have a great Christmas! I don%26#39;t think there%26#39;s anyplace better than Christmas in NYC. It%26#39;s been ten years since I have been and being from Long Island originally, I really miss it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! *%26lt;:)

Thanks heaps for all the help. We%26#39;re Aussie family and have always dreamt of being in NYC for XMas and New Year.

It%26#39;s a long way from home and we could only afford to go this time as there was a very special deal with Air Tahiti Nui for Aus$1100 round trip. We%26#39;ll try and make the most out of it. We%26#39;ll arrive in the afternoon on Xmas Eve and stay for less than two weeks. And if we like this coming NYC trip, we%26#39;ll have to save for a long time to go again. We%26#39;ve been to California twice and Florida once and we love every bit of them.

Could you also suggest where to go for nice dinner on Xmas Eve around Embassy suites hotel in Downtown? We%26#39;ll probably still very jet-lagged to venture much on our first night

Many thanks

Hi visi8,

We%26#39;re an Auusie family who will be in NY on xmas day also (we certainly didn%26#39;t get such a great airfare with qantas though!)

We plan to spend xmas day in central park, visting Saint Patricks Cathedral, Ice Skating and enjoying all the stores xmas lights and decorations. We%26#39;re still not sure where we are going to find somewhere to have xmas dinner or lunch either so let me know if you find something, and who knows we may see you around (would you believe last time we were in NY we meet some aussie on the staten island ferry who lived in the same suburb as us!)

More Aussies in NYC on Xmas Day!

We aren%26#39;t sure where to eat either...and plan on going to the tree at Rockefeller, St Patricks etc. Voyagereuse has posted some ideas for Christmas lunch in his sticky. And I emailed the maitre d at Gramercy Tavern - they aren%26#39;t open but she told me as the day gets closer, she%26#39;ll let me know a list of restaurants that are. I%26#39;ll post them on tripadvisor for everyone.

Enjoy yourselves - looks like there%26#39;s a good chance if you bump into people wandering New York on Christmas Day, they%26#39;ll be Aussies.

Hi all and special greetings to Aussie fellows,

We%26#39;ve not decided where to have our Xmas dinner yet but we%26#39;re told lots of places in Chinatown and Jewish quarter (where most Jewish live in NYC) are open even on Xmas day. All suggestions are very welcome. US don%26#39;t seem to have Boxing day so 26th Dec is not a public holiday and I%26#39;m told there%26#39;ll be big sale on then. Hope to bump into you guys somewhere far away from home.

I don%26#39;t think going to celebrate Christmas in a Jewish restaurant on Christmas day would be appropriate. Like a previous poster said, there will be some notices re Christmas closer to the date. A few years ago I ate Christmas dinner at Istana, in the New York Palace hotel:

http://www.newyorkpalace.com/

It is beautifully decorated at Christmas.