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NEW YORK SIGHTS - At
Christmas Time 2004
1. Museum of the City of New York - 1220 Fifth Avenue between 103rd and
104th Streets. Has more than 1.5 million paintings, prints, photos,
costumes, toys, rare books, manuscripts, sculptures, decorative arts
objects and other artifacts including silver and furniture. Suggested
contributions: $12.00 family, $7.00 adults, $4.00 seniors, students, and
children. Wed.-Sun.: 10-5. Guided tours Tuesday by appointment. Small
scale museum very easy to tour.
2. Park Avenue - Between 46th Street and 96th Street. See two miles
of lighted Christmas trees.
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art - At 85th Street and Fifth Avenue. On view
is a majestic candlelit blue spruce adorned with 18th century Neapolitan
cherubs and angels. Set in front of the 18th century Spanish choir screen
from the Cathedral of Valladolid and with recorded Christmas music in the
background. First floor, Medieval Art - Nov. 23 to Jan. 6.
4. Rhinelander Mansion - 867 Madison Avenue. Ralph Lauren's flagship store
is one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century great homes. Built by
Kimball & Thompson in the 1890's, the house fell into disrepair after the
owners never moved in. Beautiful carved staircase, antique furniture and
chandeliers.
5. The Crystal District - A five block stretch of Madison Avenue between
58th and 63rd Streets recently received its official designation. Visit
Lalique, 712 Madison at 63rd Street, Daum, 694 Madison at 62nd Street,
Steuben, 667 Madison at 61st Street, Baccarat, 625 Madison between 58th &
59th Streets and Swarovski, 625 Madison at 58th Street. Steuben has three
airy beautifully illuminated levels showing their crystal.
6. Barney's - 660 Madison Avenue at 61st Street.
7. Plaza Hotel - 768 Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. Hotel is a National
Historic landmark and has beautiful decorations. Across from the Plaza is
the famed Pulitzer Fountain by sculptor Karl
Bitter built 1914-1916. Figure on top is Pomona, Goddess of Abundance.
8. Bloomingdale's - 59th Street and Third Avenue. Seven windows along
Lexington Avenue celebrate scenes from the new film "The Phantom of The
Opera".
9. Time-Warner Bldg. - Columbus Circle (between 58th and 59th Streets off
of Eight Avenue). New $1.7 billion dollar complex of shops, restaurants,
hotel and apartments. Contains Whole Foods, largest supermarket in
Manhattan. A wonderful new addition to "must see" New York buildings. The
150 foot tower on the prow of the building is lit each evening from 4 to
11 p.m. Its 36 panels in 12 groups of changing colors change colors every
3 minutes. Best seen from 8th Avenue.
10. FAO Schwartz - 767 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street. Famous toy store
bedazzling children since 1870.. Doormen dressed as wooden soldier's guard
the doorway.
11. Van Cleff and Arpels - 744 Fifth Avenue between 58th & 59th Streets.
Famous jewelry store.
12. Giant snowflake - A 27 feet in diameter illuminated snowflake hangs
over Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.
13. Bergdorf Goodman Department Store - 754 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.
Windows this year depict a series of vaudeville scenes, including dog
trainers, strong men and magicians.
14. Tiffany & Co. - 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street. Famous jewelry store
founded in 1837. A distinctive shade of blue on their bags & packages is
universally recognized as their trademark. Windows feature reindeer, swans
and penguins celebrating the holidays.
15. Trump Tower - 725 Fifth Avenue between 56th & 57th Streets.
Beautifully decorated lobby and pink marble waterfall. A "must see"
building. Stop in here or "you're fired!".
16. Henri Bendel - 712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street. Most exclusive of New
York's department stores. Set in a graceful building with windows designed
by Rene Lalique and a sumptuous tearoom.
17. Dahesh Museum of Art - 580 Madison Avenue between 56th and 57th
Streets. Collection focuses on 19th and 20th century academic paintings.
Some city guides call it a "jewel box".
Hours: Tue.-Sun.: 11:00-6:00, Fri.-Sun: 11:00-6:00. Admission:
Adults: $8.00, Students & Seniors: $4.00.
Closed Monday. Enjoy a meal or tea in Café Opaline. Teddy Bear tea for
children from 2:30 to 5.
18. Harry Winston Jewelers - 718 Fifth Avenue between 55th & 56th Street.
Another famous jewelry store.
19. Carnegie Deli - 854 Seventh Avenue between 54th and 55th streets.
"There is Only one and this is it". Hankering for a pastrami or corned
beef sandwich - this is the place. Try the cheesecake too.
20. The House of Cartier - 653 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street. Founded in
1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, master jeweler to Europe's crowned heads.
The whole building is gift wrapped in a gigantic red ribbon with a 20-foot
bow.
21. Rockefeller Center - Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. The
Christmas tree tradition began in 1933. This year the 71 foot tall, 40
foot wide, 9 ton Norway spruce is from Suffern, Rockland County, NY and it
is decorated with 30,000 lights. A large crystal star is a new feature
adorning the tree this year. Tree will be lit from Nov. 30 through Jan. 6.
22. St Patrick's Cathedral - Fifth Avenue and 50th Street. The largest
decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the U.S. Construction
began in 1858 and it opened in May 1879.
23. New York Palace Hotel - Madison Avenue between 50th & 51st
Streets-almost directly behind St. Patrick's. Front of hotel is the old
Villard House built in 1882 by Stanford White. Marble fireplace at head of
stairs is by Augustus St. Gaudens. See this place at night with its
beautiful white lights in the courtyard. If you need a restroom this is
the place-2nd floor.
24. Radio City Music Hall - Avenue of the Americas between 50th & 51st
Streets. Recently restored to its original splendor. Site of the annual
Christmas Show with the Rockettes.
25. Saks Fifth Avenue - 611 Fifth Avenue between 49th & 50th Streets. This
year the windows feature scenes from the book, SantaKid by James Patterson
about Santa Claus's daughter, Chrissie.
26. The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel - 301 Park Avenue between 49th And 50th
Streets. When you walk into the Park Avenue Lobby you may be overcome by
the grandeur of this Art Deco masterpiece. Wonderful Christmas
decorations.
27. Diamond and Jewelry District - 47th Street. The US is worlds largest
consumer of diamonds and 90% move through the diamond district. More than
2,600 independent businesses are on this street.
28. Joe Allen Restaurant - 326 W. 46th Street. Phone 212 581-6464. A
friendly spot for a satisfying bite before the theatre or a mid-day
respite from the chaos of Times Square. Theatre types blend in with
businessmen on lunch break. The food is a standard mix of reliable tavern
fare interspersed with more unexpected choices. The mashed potatoes are a
sure fire winner. Rosie likes the desserts here.
29. Tkts Booth - Times Square and 47th Street. Half price tickets for
Broadway shows. Opens at 10 AM for Wednesday and Saturday matinee tickets.
30. Toys "R" Us - Times Square and 46th Street. Has a 20 foot animatronic
T. Rex dinosaur and a 60 foot Ferris wheel.
31. Hershey's Times Square - New York's new candy land headquarters:
Hershey's factory-inspired store in Times Square is a chocoholic's dream
come true. Look for the steaming cup of cocoa on the marquee.
32. New York Yacht Club - 37 West 44th Street. Beautiful 104 year old
building whose design is inspired by Dutch sailing ships. Founded by
J. P. Morgan and friends, the building is awash in
limestone anchors and carved wooden seaweed. If you are a architecture
buff you want to see this building.
33. Chrysler Building. 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street.
Completed in 1930, building is Art Deco masterpiece. Lobby is full of
inlaid wood, stainless steel, African marble, Italian marble, blue marble
and amber onyx. Each elevator is inlaid with a different wood. Lobby
ceiling has world's largest canvas mural.
34. The Westin New York At Times Square - The largest new hotel built in
New York City. The hotel's facade uses more than 1,000 permutations of
curtain wall panels and intricate patterns of colored glass inspired by
earth and sky tones. The architectural signature of the hotel is a
brilliant beam of light that runs up the entire 42nd Street face of the 45
story tower and is launched beyond the physical structure with pulsing
lights that pierce the nighttime sky. A nice little bar on the second
floor lobby for a quiet drink.
35. New York Public Library - Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Stone
lions in front were dedicated May 23, 1911. Sculpted by Edwin Clarke
Potter from pink Tennessee marble. Lions named by Mayor LaGuardia during
the depression to symbolize spirit of New Yorkers. South lion is Patience
- North Lion is Fortitude.
36. Fetes de Noel, The Holiday Shops At Bryant Park - Offers gift worthy
items in an old-fashioned outdoor market styled in the European Holiday
tradition. Located behind the New York Public Library - Fifth Avenue and
42nd Street. Open Nov. 26 - Jan. 2. Features 126 artisans, boutiques,
cultural institutions, designers, food merchants, and gift shops from
around the world.
37. Grand Central Terminal - Park Avenue and 42nd Street. See the
new matching marble staircase. Lower level has numerous food
establishments with plenty of tables and chairs. Holiday Laser Light Shows
11:00 AM-9:00 PM - six distinct shows rotate every half hour on the sky
ceiling. Special laser show this celebrating 100th anniversary of the N.
Y. Subway System. Vanderbilt Hall Holiday Fair 72 specialty
merchants present a wide assortment of gift items. Grand Central Market -
New York's most exciting European-style Food Hall, featuring fresh
foods for holiday entertaining and gifts. You will not believe the display
of fish and seafood from all over the world.
38. 42nd Street Food Court - 234 W 42nd Street next door to Madame
Tussad's. Nine different choices in one location. Choose from Chili's
Grill & Bar, Manchu Wok, California Pizza Kitchen, Jody Moroni's Sausage
Kitchen, Ruby's Dinette, Applebee's, Carvel, Cinnabon and Starbucks's.
Great place for a quick snack and drink. Two for one drink specials and
.99c mugs of beer available.
39. Lord & Taylor Department Store - Fifth Avenue at 39th Street. Probably
the most elaborate and popular of the Christmas windows. This season's
windows feature a series of scenes depicting the development of the United
States Postal Service. 40. Morgan Library - Madison Avenue and 36th
Street. Medieval & Renaissance manuscripts, books, etc. and rotating
exhibits. Note: Now closed to the public for its major expansion and
renovation. Will reopen early 2006.
41. Macy's Herald Square - Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets. See
Christmas window displays. This year's windows on Broadway depict scenes
from the new movie "The Polar Express". Store windows on the 34th street
side will, as always, showcase scenes from "The Miracle On 34th Street"
The facade of the building is decorated with a tree of lights. Visit Santa
on the 8th floor where 12,000 square feet of space is bedecked in
twinkling lights, sparkling stars and outsize lollipops to create
Santaland.
42. Forbes Magazine Galleries - 60 Fifth Avenue and 12th Street. Free
admission. Hours are Tue.-Wed.: 10-4, Fri.-Sat.: 10-4. Thursday reserved
for guided tours - advance reservation required - 212 206-5548. The ground
floor houses one of the most enchanting museums. Some rooms are devoted
to toys including 12,000 toy soldiers and 500 toy boats. Also has a
section devoted to political memorabilia with an emphasis on U. S.
Presidents. Sad to say, the fabulous collection of Faberge Easter Eggs and
Faberge jewelry is now ancient history. Collection has been sold and
returned to Russia.
Note: Items 1 to 42 above are listed in descending order from 103rd Street
to 12th Street.
Unfamiliar with how the Avenues in New York run?
Order of Avenues is:
First (East River)
Second
Third
Lexington
Park
Madison
Fifth (Walking down Fifth with the side streets going lower - 45th, 44th,
43rd, etc., the above Avenues will be to your left. The Avenues below will
be to your right)
Broadway
Sixth (Ave. of the Americas)
Seventh
Eight
Ninth
Tenth
Eleventh
Twelfth (Hudson River) |
