Holidays To New York City

New York is one of America’s oldest cities. It’s home to some spectacular buildings that tell the story of America; from its colonial years through to the present day. St Patrick’s Cathedral and Grand Central Station showcase the city’s Victorian grandeur, while the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are testament to the confidence of the 1930s. The iconic brownstones that line the city’s older districts impart a classic elegance.

Central Park is a true one off. This vast open space sits in the centre of Manhattan, taking up 3.4 square kilometres of the world’s most valuable real estate. Skyscrapers edge the grounds, making for some truly astonishing vistas. You can even dine inside the park at the Loeb Boathouse, an institution established in 1854. The park is equally jaw dropping from above; there’s a great view from the observation deck at the top of the Rockefeller Centre.

Few cities can compete with Manhattan’s shopping experience. Fifth Avenue is one of the world’s most exclusive districts, and is where you’ll find legendary institutions like Tiffany & Co, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. It’s the perfect place to indulge in a little retail therapy.

During the last week of August and the first week of September, New York plays host to the US Open, the last in the year of four Grand Slam tournaments and the United State’s biggest sporting spectacle. It’s a really impressive event with some dramatic matches played by the biggest names in tennis.

Held each year on Thanksgiving Day, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic and unmissable celebration of the iconic American holiday. Thousands of people join the parade, marching the streets of Manhattan. With dazzling costumes, giant helium balloon characters, fun floats and marching bands, the parade is quite an impressive and fun thing to witness. 

The iconic christmas tree that stands outside of the Rockefeller Centre each holiday season is lit for the first time each year around late November or early December, attracting thousands of visitors and locals. The lighting ceremony features live musical performances and even ice skating performances on the Rockefeller Ice Rink. 

Twice a year, some of New York’s best restaurants participate in the New York Restaurant Week. It’s an amazing chance to try out some truly incredible eateries for less, with each restaurant offering at a fraction of their usual prices. 

Hand tossed dough is topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese and then baked to create the fresh, thin pizza that New Yorkers know and love. You’ll find this delicious fast food all over the city, often sold in huge individual slices to-go. Eat like the locals and fold the flexible slice in half before devouring. 

Brought to New York City by the Polish-Jewish community when they immigrated to the United States, the New York Bagel is the epitome of bagels. They’re hand rolled and boiled in New York water, which makers believe makes all the difference, then baked in the oven, resulting in a chewy, doughy bread. They’re then often filled with cream cheese, sliced tomatoes and onions, smoked salmon and capers, but you’ll find lots of other delicious fillings too.

A New York City holiday is the perfect excuse to sample this delicious desert wherever in the city you go. Dense, creamy and rich, authentic New York Cheesecake is simplistic, with no added extras.