If you know me, you know I see the year in two pieces- summer, and Christmas. I love love love the holidays!

One of my favorite traditions is that my dad takes us to New York every year the day after Thanksgiving for the weekend. There really is no where like New York at Christmas time, and the spirit that runs all through the city! I’m so glad my dad started this tradition when I was little and has kept it going my whole life. I remember being so excited to stand in line and go into the American Girl store when I was young, going into the old ToysRus for my brothers, and walking around central park while my older brothers climbed rocks and explored just for fun. Throughout the years we’ve definitely narrowed down our favorite things to do while in the city, and our Christmas-kick-off weekends are near perfect!

Where we stay

We stay at the Hyatt Grand Central every year and have no complaints!

Where we go to eat

We get breakfast at Pershing Square, a precious little restaurant across from Grand Central Station. There’s usually a line going out the door, but once you sit down, prepare for the best hot chocolate of your life!

Lunch places we love are Serra by Birreria and The East Pole- both very cozy and unique! Serra is a covered rooftop restaurant that changes with the seasons, and The East Pole is more of a cozy, pub-like atmosphere.

Dinners are kind of all over the place, and sometimes we don’t even make it to dinner until nearly 10P because whatever play we’re seeing goes too late, but more times than not we end up at Olive Garden in Time Square! Not like Olive Garden would ever be my first choice for a fancy dinner on vacation? But the fact that it’s right in Time Square makes it kind of fun and this is no average Olive Garden!

What we like to do/see

We’ve taken the Circle D Cruise line around the Statue of Liberty several times and loved that! We’ve also done the “Cocoa and Carrolls” Christmas cruise around the harbor the last few years and really like that one. The boat is DECKED out for the holidays, there’s a live band onboard, unlimited drink service, and the whole trip is a jolly Christmas caroling experience! WHAT is better than that!

A few seasons ago we went on a tour of NBC studios- super fun!

We love central park and have gone about it a few different ways- this last year by carriage ride!

The Rockefeller ice skating rink is a treat (even just to watch- no falling on ice required!) and underneath the rink is a neat bar/restaurant to check out

Saks / catching the light show outside on the side of the building

Seeing a Broadway play! We always catch a play when we go, whether that’s the Rockettes, Lion King, Blue Man Group, or whatever else is showing! My dad plans the whole weekends agenda around the play. My most recent favorite was School of Rock!

Happy holidays & happy SHOPPING!

LOVE,

Jaime