Andrew Harper’s New York Holiday Calendar
Posted on November 20, 2009
Andrew Harper is the pseudonym of a gentleman traveler who, frustrated by commercially driven travel coverage, began writing his own candid reviews of smaller, unique hotels. The Hideaway Report, which began as a small newsletter for friends and family, is now one of the most distinct voices in luxury travel.
Impatient with pretense and skeptical of passing trends, Andrew Harper has an abiding passion for classic hospitality and refined service amid peaceful surroundings. He is on the road for several months each year, and hotels are his second home.
These are his personal tips for traveling in New York during the holidays:
By Andrew Harper
In many ways, New York gave Christmas to America. The television spectacles from Rockefeller Center have their roots in the books and broadsheets of 19th-century New York writers and illustrators such as Washington Irving and Thomas Nast. Today, the city plays host to hundreds of holiday celebrations. Here are a few of my favorites.
Window Displays
The holiday window displays in New York’s finest department stores (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Saks) make an excellent excuse for a winter walking tour of Manhattan. Start at Bloomingdale’s (59th and Lexington), then make your way west to Fifth Avenue via Barneys (Madison and 61st) and head south (past Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Saks and Lord & Taylor) to 34th Street (Macy’s). This map details a two-mile itinerary that takes roughly 90 minutes: http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/l/bl_xmaswindows.htm.
Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony, traditionally a very crowded affair, takes place on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving (December 2). That said, Rockefeller Center is a mandatory stop during the holidays, if only to size up the tree (traditionally a Norway Spruce) and take in the general revelry. On Sunday, December 13, at 3:30 p.m. the Ice Rink will host a special performance of “Tuba Christmas,” which has to be seen to be believed.
Radio City Music Hall
Needless to say, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is far more than a few camels and a can-can line. These days the production seems to be taking a cue from the flamboyant Cirque du Soleil affairs, replete with special effects and flashy dance numbers. This dedicated web site features ticket details and a video trailer, as well as information on the national touring production: http://radiocitychristmas.com.
92nd Street Y
One of the city’s most treasured public speaking venues celebrates Hanukkah with a variety of family-oriented events throughout the holiday season, including challah-making, menorah-lighting events and a midday festival on Sunday, December 6. Other light-hearted events include “AcapaJewza — A Celebration of Jewish Acapella Music” on December 12 and a talk on December 20 by New York Times metro reporter, Jennifer 8. Lee titled “Jews and Chinese Food: A Love Affair.” Check the December calendar for more details: http://www.92y.org/calendar/calendar.asp?subject=View+All+Subjects&month=December&year=2009&catalog=92y%5FCatalog&site=Y.
American Museum of Natural History
The venerable New York institution is home to two unique holiday traditions: the annual origami tree and the festively decorated “Holiday Barosaurs.” The origami tree, a museum tradition for 30 years, features more than 1,000 striking paper compositions representing highlights from the museum’s collection. It is on view from Thanksgiving through January 1 in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall on the first floor. The dinosaurs, resplendent in their holiday best, can be found in front of the Central Park West entrance to the museum. For more details, visit the museum’s official site http://www.amnh.org/programs/specials/holiday.
The New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden hosts one of the holiday season’s best-kept secrets — the Holiday Train Show. Dozens of miniature steam engines and trolleys wind their way past more than 140 woodsy and whimsical reproductions of New York landmarks, from the Guggenheim to the brownstones of Brooklyn. The museum also offers a remarkable gingerbread house exhibit featuring creations from well-known bakers. Advance tickets are recommended, as this is always a popular attraction. Check here for more details: http://www.nybg.org.
Lincoln Center
While there will be no Christmas tree this year owing to ongoing construction, Lincoln Center plays host to one of the most popular musical events of the season, the “Messiah Sing-In” (http://www.nationalchorale.org). On December 22 at Avery Fisher Hall, four accomplished soloists and 17 of the city’s best conductors will be accompanied by an audience-chorus of nearly 3,000 singers (participants are asked to bring their own scores). Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in nearby Time Warner Center, hosts the annual “Jazz Jam Red Hot Holiday Stomp” (http://jalc.org/concerts/details309a.asp?EventID=2047) December 10-12, a “Crescent City Christmas Card” featuring a rousing New Orleans take on the holiday classics.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
This Gothic cathedral near Columbia University is probably one of the most spectacular venues in the city (you can fit the Statue of Liberty inside it). Ensemblist Paul Winter curates one of its most popular annual events, the celebration of the Winter Solstice (http://www.stjohndivine.org/30thWinterSolstice.html). This year’s 30th anniversary performance returns to the main cathedral space after several years and will feature the newly restored Great Organ. Performances run December 17-19.
Holiday Markets: Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park
The holiday markets in New York make for wonderful strolls, depending upon the hour and the weather: Grand Central is perfect for a blustery day (http://grandcentralterminal.com/go/mallEvents.cfm?eventID=2145364365); Union Square is great on a bright afternoon (http://www.unionsquarenyc.org); and the new market in Bryant Park is magical at night (http://www.ThePondatBryantPark.com). Union Square is perfect for downtown dining and the European-flavored holiday market at Bryant Park features a free skating rink. While it’s much smaller than the other two, you can finish up your browsing at Grand Central with a festive drink in the Oyster Bar or The Campbell Apartment.
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