Hi friends, welcome back! I’m wrapping up my Christmas Bucket List and today I’ve got some of the most iconic trees in the city. I’ve been seeing on social media that the crowds at Rockefeller and Bryant Park are miserable, so I planned to beat them all one morning. I left my apartment a little before 6am and ubered up to Rockefeller before sunrise. There were a decent amount of people where it didn’t feel like a ghost town, but everyone was very polite waiting their turn to get pictures at the popular spots. I’d 1000% recommend doing this if you’re looking for that Hallmark movie vibe vs. not being able to move freely near Rockefeller.
While I was getting my pictures it started snowing those big, fluffy flakes and it felt like a very magical morning. This year’s tree is from East Greenbusy, NY and is about 75 feet tall. It’s adorned with a Swarovski star and over 50,000 multicolored lights.
I then walked up and down Fifth Avenue and had the windows all to myself. By the time I made it back to Rockefeller, the sun had risen and I got my daytime pictures. A very productive morning!
You can start skating here at 7am, bright and early! The general admission skate ranges from $24-124 for one hour. Seems like a long time to skate in a tiny circle.
After Rockefeller I headed to Bryant Park to see the Christmas tree and was happy to see all the ornaments on the tree. There were a few years they skipped ornaments and it didn’t sit well with me.
I was here around 8:30am before everything opened but come twelve hours later and this place is an absolute zoo.
That wraps up all the big decorations in NYC! I’ve got two more posts of all the other decorations around the city so stay tuned 🙂
Lovely Lyssy. How productive, to arrive there before the crowds for the best photo opportunities. I agree that Christmas trees and baubles should always go together!
It was well worth the early start to my day! I’ll be doing that every year now.
Well done Lyssy. The early bird catches the lights. I would love to see NYC all decked out for Christmas and you made that wish come true. Have a great Friday. Allan
Glad I could make that wish come true! I’ll be waking up early every year now for that nice experience.
Clearly the early bird does get the best photos, these are delightful Lyssy. NYC always puts on a good show.
Thank you! It was nice not battling crowds for good photo opportunities. The snow was a bonus.
Absolutely
That was a great idea to get up early and beat most of the crowds. Your photos are lovely!
Thank you! It’s hard to leave the warm bed, but worth it!
Always look forward to your Christmas walks in NYC. You capture so much. Thank you for allowing us to see all the beautiful decorations.
Happy to hear that! I made it to almost everything on my list this year, I was very efficient.
Magical 🙂
I agree!
Good call on going super early in the morning to get good pictures and not have to deal with the crowds. Looks magical with all those twinkling lights.
It was a magical morning! Definitely felt like being in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Beautiful trees! NYC sure knows how to do Christmas.
They really do!
You’ve completely put me in the festive spirit! I thought $124 to skate was the shocking part, not the 1 hour time slot 😊. But why the price range? Does one include skates?
I don’t think it includes skate rental! It’s based on peak times and dates. I am guessing in October when it opened it was closer to the $24.
You’re determined to complete your “”Christmas list”! The stroller must be getting a good workout. Glad your early rising rewarded you with people-free photos. I prefer the Bryant Park tree over the one at Rockefeller (I’m clearly more traditional). And I have to ask – why is there a range of $24-$124 for an hour on the Rockefeller ice – time of day? There’s no way I’d pay more than the bottom of the range. They must be cashing in on the selfie craze 🙂
Sorry, one more random thought. Who the heck named it “East Greenbusy, NY” and why? That one made me LOL.
I really am! I left Violet with Jon for most of these for maximum efficiency. A lot of jay walking was required. I do like a more traditional tree too. The range is based on time of day and I think date too. I imagine October was pretty cheap when it was 70 degrees. They are probably printing money! Oops nobody because it’s supposed to be East Greenbush ha! I should probably change that.
The result is spectacular; the night photos are exactly what one would expect from the Rockefeller Center during the festive season.
It was so pleasant not fighting the crowds!
Everything looks so beautiful, and that is great advice to get there early before the crowds!