Tuesday, November 10th – “Start Spreading the News, We’re Leaving Today!” Our morning departure from Salt Lake City will have us arriving in the afternoon ready for a wonderful time in one of the world’s most festive cities! Upon arriving in New York City, we will check in to our incredible accommodations for the next five evenings. Your hotel is located the heart of Broadway’s theatre district and just a two minute walk to Times Square. This evening you will have time on your own to explore or relax in the “City That Never Sleeps.”
Wednesday, November 11th – The holiday magic begins as we visit nearby Rockefeller Center. We’ll stop by the famous Channel Gardens, the famous Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink, and also peek inside the window where the “Today Show” is broadcast from. A visit to “The Top of the Rock” is a must when visiting “The Big Apple.” From Central Park’s green sweep to the Empire State Building’s Art Deco crown, the city fold beneath you on a classic New York rooftop. Right across the street (Fifth Avenue) from the Rockefeller Center we will pay a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. This evening we will attend the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes at the legendary Radio City Music Hall.
Thursday, November 12th – After breakfast at the hotel this morning we will walk a few short blocks to nearby Bryant Park, which is transformed into a winter village complete with an outdoor ice skating rink, festive decorations, a giant Christmas tree and fun shops and boutiques set up for the holiday season. The atmosphere here is truly magical and festive. While in the neighborhood be sure to check out the New York City Library and the Rose Main Reading room. “It’s Christmas Time in the City,” where the lights twinkle festively as the holiday rapidly approaches. We have kept your afternoon free so that you can explore on your own. Perhaps you’ll want to stroll past places like Tiffanys, Bergdorf Goodman or Saks all on Fifth Avenue and decked out for the holidays. In a different direction nearby, you’ll find Macy’s Department Store with its window dressed for the season. Maybe you’ll enjoy tea at the Plaza Hotel or tour the United Nations Building. The city is filled with museums, and if it is a beautiful day, you are welcome to take a stroll in Central Park with Barry and stop by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Enjoy your afternoon in the “Big Apple.” This evening as the sun sets, the lights on Broadway come alive and it’s Showtime. This evening we have reservations for you at one of Broadway’s top musicals (the performance will be announced in mid-June). New York promises and delivers the world’s top entertainment and tonight you will be treated to a spectacular performance.
Friday, November 13th – Today at 10 am we head down the mighty Hudson River for our landmark cruise, past Hudson Yards and Little Island, gliding by the towering One World Trade Center, past Ellis Island until you are just a stone’s throw away from the Statue of Liberty. Experience breathtaking view of lower Manhattan before quietly slipping under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges for a shorty journey up the East River before returning to Pier 83 in midtown Manhattan. Here we will meet up with our private motorcoach that will take us to lower (downtown) Manhattan where we will stop at Winter Garden for lunch. Winter Garden is a soaring glass atrium known for dining, shopping and people watching. Afterwards, we will cross the street to immerse ourselves in a deeply moving journey as we explore the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, honoring the memories and stories from September 11, 2001. Then we will make our way back to our hotel which is centrally located near so many attractions. You’ll have the rest of the day to do as you chose. Perhaps you’ll want to take a carriage ride in Central Park, ice skate at Rockefeller Center, enjoy the lights of the city high atop the Empire State Building, take in another Broadway show, attend a performance at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, or enjoy a nice dinner out on the town. Whatever you do – have a memorable evening in this fabulous city.
Saturday, November 14th – After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we will board our motorcoach and drive up Broadway to Central Park. Along the way we will pass the Ed Sullivan Theater (home of the Tonight Show), Columbus Circle and drive alongside Central Park. We will make a photo stop at the Lincoln Center, which is home to the New York Metropolitan Opera, New York Ballet and more. Julliard School for the Performing Arts and The Manhattan LDS Temple are located across the street from the Lincoln Center. Central Park is a breath of fresh air and is loved by the citizens of this great city. We will make a stop and take a short stroll into a small section of the park and visit Strawberry Fields and the Lake. As we continue our drive we will pass the Museum of Natural History and then make our way down the Upper East Side of Fifth Avenue past many world-famous museums, mansions and apartment buildings of the wealthy. We’ll stop for lunch at Grand Central Station, which also features a Christmas Faire Market during the holiday season. Then we will make our way to the airport for a late afternoon flight home. Happy Holidays!
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in New York City and we are delighted to visit New York in November when the weather is much better than December and the tour costs are a much better value than during the busy shopping weeks of December. The lights on the Rockefeller Christmas Tree will not be lit until December 2nd, but we feel you’ll still have a marvelous holiday experience in NYC. Radio City Music Hall Rockettes will kick our tour off to a spectacular start, and the festive decorations, holiday markets and window displays will all add to a magical visit to New York! We hope you be able to join us in the city that we love.
