New York City at Christmastime

Following breakfast, a local guide joins us for a tour of The Big Apple. The sights and sounds of New York City during the holiday season are truly a magical experience! See Rockefeller Center and its famous ice-skating rink, the Lincoln Center Christmas Tree, and Grand Central Station. We also have an opportunity to admire the windows adorning the shops on 5th Avenue. Following a delectable Welcome Lunch there is time for shopping or exploring midtown Manhattan. This evening we attend the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes®. Debuting in 1933, it is both brilliantly grand and genuinely moving – a glittering combination of old favorites and new delights. Enjoy the flawless precision of 140 people while they sing and dance in the legendary Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. Experience Santa’s magical ride to the North Pole, where massive ragdolls come to life, and marvel at the stunning reenactment of the first Christmas as the Living Nativity unfolds before us on stage.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we take a relaxing cruise of New York Harbor. Our excursion travels past Battery Park, Lower Manhattan, and Liberty Island for breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, America’s symbol of freedom. The statue was a gift from France to commemorate liberty and friendship, dedicated on October 28, 1886. We also cruise past Ellis Island, the former gateway to America for millions of immigrants. The remainder of our afternoon is free for shopping at the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park and more. Tonight we come together to take in a production of The Nutcracker™ performed by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The once-in-a-lifetime experience of this classic ballet will stay with you forever and warm your spirit. Gorgeous costumes, a one-ton Christmas tree that magically seems to never stop growing, and a 62-piece orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless music make this performance truly unforgettable.

Our morning begins with an included breakfast at the hotel before we visit the observation deck of the Empire State Building, a landmark recognized worldwide. The Empire State Building first opened in 1931 as the tallest building in the world until the 1970s. We gather this afternoon and enjoy a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Lunch. The remainder of the day is ours to explore The Big Apple as we wish.