Last month, I visited New York City and got to see the city decorated for the Christmas season at the start of the season. Thankfully, I missed the snow and freezing weather so that I could enjoy the visit without feeling too cold as a lot of time is spent outside when in New York City. The most decorations were around upper Manhattan and Fifth Avenue - Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Saks, the luxuary brands, the Rockerfeller Centre, malls, Radio City, Bryant Park, and a number of other winter markets dotted around New York City.
Fifth Avenue has Saks department store, and there was a light show set to music every fifteen minutes. Down Fifth Avenue are many other shops decorated for the holidays too.
Saks
Sak's is near The Diamond District, which had some lights.
Cartier
Decorations on Fifth Avenue
Chanel
Dior
Louis Vuitton
The department stores looked impressive. Bloomingdales had decorations by Burberry with a bow in plaid tan, red, black, and white. On one side of the building were knights in armour in the windows, and they were doing Christmas things like having a dinner party, bringing home gifts, and decorating a tree. The other side of the building had window displays decorated like train carriages with the background moving to winter scenery and items for sale in each carriage room.
Macy's, known for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, is also known for its displays. The shop is located on 34th street, which is based on "Miracle on 34th Street". On one side of the building was Thanksgiving with the turkey, and the other featured a Santa. The window displays features several interactive games and karaoke. It was the 99th year for the parade, which featured a new Minnie Mouse balloon.
Some of the buildings in the city were also lit up.
Of course, Thanksgiving cupcakes features a lot as the city rang in for Christmas and the start of the festive season.
Radio City also looks festive with the tree and candy canes across the street.
Near the financial district, the Tin Building looked festive.
New York City also has a few Christmas markets, such as Union Square Park and Bryant Park. Below is Union Square Park, which I was able see without large crowds.
Bryant Park was busy, so it was hard to see the markets.
There were other decorations as well, such as outside Grand Central Station.
The Rockerfeller Centre is known for its decorations and famous Christmas tree. The Christmas tree isn't lit until the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, so I did not get to see it lit up.
I stayed at Lotte Palace, which has a beautiful Christmas tree and a little courtyard with drinks. Inside, they had a lit-up and decorated gingerbread version of the hotel.
New York is very festive over the Christmas season with decorations and shows, such as the Rockettes. The city does not have Christmas lights hung up like in London; the decorations are more commercial and tied to the businesses or buildings themselves.
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