| rating the New Year in New York City has to be one | | | | creations at Macy's : Herald Square, the Christmas |
| of the most exciting times to visit this fascinating | | | | scenes filled with animated figures and vehicles at Lord |
| cosmopolitan city. The main event at this time of year, | | | | & Taylor, and Sleeping Beauty at Saks Fifth |
| and one you don’t want to miss, is standing in | | | | Avenue, complete with mechanical dolls dancing to the |
| Times Square and being part of the thousands that | | | | Tchaikovsky ballet. |
| see in the New Year when the ball finally drops from | | | | The view from the top of the Empire State Building is |
| the flagpole in One Times Square. | | | | another ‘must-see’ that just |
| And this is no ordinary ball, it’s actually a 2 foot | | | | can’t be passed up if you are in New York City |
| geodesic sphere whose surface is covered in 2,668 | | | | this New Year’s Eve. The building is over 1,453 |
| Waterford crystal triangles and it weighs 11,875 pounds. | | | | feet from its base to the top of the lightning rod and |
| The 2,668 crystals are powered by 32,256 Philips | | | | has 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor. |
| Luxeon Rebel LEDS, and its palette consists of over | | | | There are 2 observatories in the Empire State Building, |
| 16 million bright colors and billions of patterns creating | | | | the one on the 86th floor is at 1,050 feet and reached |
| an impressive array of patterns. | | | | by high speed, automatic elevators. You can admire |
| Don’t visit New York at Christmas time without | | | | the views from the glass-enclosed area or venture out |
| some forethought. This time of year the weather can | | | | to the outdoor promenades on all four sides of the |
| range from slightly cold to bone-chilling icy, it can even | | | | building. If you are feeling brave then carry on up to the |
| snow. Make sure you take plenty of sweaters and | | | | 102nd floor Observatory, and take a look through the |
| warm clothing with you as you will be outdoors for a | | | | high powered binoculars available on the promenades, |
| majority of the evening and it will spoil your night if you | | | | perfect for admiring the 360-degree view of the Big |
| can’t bear the cold. | | | | Apple and surrounding city. |
| There are plenty of other attractions in New York City | | | | Ice skating in Central Park is the dream of many. |
| of course and here are just a few that just | | | | Particularly charming in the winter evenings it is such a |
| shouldn’t be missed if it is your first time here. | | | | romantic location with the crisp frosty air and moon |
| One of the most inspired holiday traditions in New York | | | | and stars twinkling above. There are skating coaches |
| City has to be the big department store windows. | | | | available to teach you to skate, or just teach yourself, |
| Every Christmas designers work their magic by | | | | its fun! Central Park has two skating rinks, Wollman |
| transforming them into the most imaginative | | | | Rink and Lasker Rink where you’ll find |
| landscapes, fantasy creations and festive winter | | | | hundreds of in-line skaters taking lessons or honing up |
| wonderlands that have people travelling to the city | | | | their skillful moves. There’s also an ice skating |
| from all over. Don’t miss the Santa Land | | | | rink at the Rockefeller Center rink. |