New York for the Holidays

Schedule your flight to arrive into New York City no later than 2:00pm to have time to transfer to the hotel and check in. Should you arrive earlier in the day, go exploring or relax. Our tour begins at 4:00pm in the lobby of the hotel. We will meet as a group and enjoy a Welcome Reception to get acquainted and then enjoy a dinner at the hotel before our Christmas lights walking tour.

Starting in Times Square, we’ll take the subway to 61st St & 5th Av. We can pop into the lobby of the Plaza Hotel to view their beautiful Christmas tree. We’ll then walk down 5th Av to view the holiday windows of Bergdorf-Goodman, Versace, & Tiffany. And of course, we’ll see other designer flagship stores like Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, & Cartier. Our next stop is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, home of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, completed in 1878. Then we come to Rockefeller Center, a complex of 19 buildings, the first 14 were built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. between 1930 and 1938. We’ll see the magnificent Radio City Music Hall, a part of Rockefeller Center, and of course the legendary Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The Rock Center Christmas Tree is a live tree that must be a minimum of 65 feet tall and they are always donated by landowners, usually from within a 250-mile range of NYC. The tree is covered with over 40, 000 led lights and topped with a 9. 5-foot Swarovski crystal star!
Accommodations: Riu Plaza NY Times Square

In this walking tour of Central Park, we will discover the charm and beauty of this urban oasis through its art. From the statue of the famed sled dog Balto, to the Bethesda Fountain Angel of the Waters, the first public commission received by a woman in New York City, to the statue of Alice in Wonderland, one of the first statues inviting children and adults alike to touch, climb, and interact with Alice and her friends.

We will gaze at the bronze panther crouched in a tree, which has scared many a jogger, and loop back to Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon, designated as a quiet zone in the park. We will end our walking tour at the start of our Holiday Markets Tour, Columbus Circle.
NYC’s Holiday Fairs and Holiday Markets are a Shopper’s Paradise! From November through the end of December you’ll find the best that New York City has to offer – unique gifts items including jewelry, clothing, home goods, arts, crafts, antiques, electronics and so much more. Holiday markets and fairs include the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, Union Square, Columbus Circle and the Grand Central Holiday Fair.
Free time tonight to take in a Broadway Show.
Accommodations: Riu Plaza NY Times Square

Today we will experience another iconic NYC attraction, the Subway, as we travel to Madison Square Park to see the famed Flat Iron Building; the oldest skyscraper in the City and get a great picture opportunity of the Empire State Building.

Visits today will include the World Trade Center, with a trip to the top of One World Observatory viewing deck atop One World Trade Center, 9/11 Tribute Museum and memorial and a stop to learn about the Survival Tree called the Callery Pear Tree, Wall Street, photo op at the Charging Bull, the New York Stock Exchange and then a sailing trip over to Staten Island and back on the famous Staten Island Ferry: You will enjoy the New York Bay and views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of New York City; we will visit the world famous, Brooklyn Bridge.
Accommodations: Riu Plaza NY Times Square

After breakfast we will head to The Radio City Music Hall for a 75-minute guided backstage tour. We will go behind the scenes and explore the history and beauty of Radio City Music Hall. Discover art deco masterpieces including the palatial 60-foot high Grand Foyer and Radio City’s secret apartment, The Roxy Suite. Get exclusive views of the majestic auditorium and learn the history of the iconic Great Stage.

Plus, complete your tour by meeting a Radio City Rockette and commemorate your experience with a photo. We will see the world-famous Rockettes perform in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. With a cast and crew of hundreds, an awe-inspiring living nativity and magnificent special effects, this is an unparalleled Christmas show with universal appeal that lifts spirits and creates memories. It’s a holiday tradition here in New York City that can’t be missed.
Tonight we will meet at the hotel at 5:30pm and head to Chelsea Pier. Step aboard the all-glass, European-inspired Bateaux New York for an elegant and unforgettable evening. You will enjoy a leisurely three-hour cruise along the New York Harbor featuring upscale cuisine freshly prepared and seasonally inspired by our onboard Executive Chef. While you dine, enjoy live band entertainment and unobstructed views of the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and more.
Accommodations: Riu Plaza NY Times Square