The 5 Senses of Christmas in New York City

New York City is always an exciting place to be. There is always so much going on, from subway performers to pop-up holiday villages to the hundreds of Christmas trees you’ll find. There is something for all the senses. Let’s take a sensory tour of the holidays in New York.

Imagine strolling along the street, just after dusk, with your breath puffing out into the chilly air. Your fingers are warm inside their mittens and your smart phone is forgotten in your coat pocket, because surrounding you on all sides are hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights twinkling in the night. Your eyes flit from eaves dripping with sparkling lights to the tallest Nutcracker you’ve ever seen and, in that moment, you can’t imagine anything more magical.

Where?Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. From 11th to 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th Streets. (35 minutes drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? The weekend after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, until 9pm

It starts with a countdown. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Play. It’s quiet at first. You hear some tinkling bells, some discordant notes. Then, as more people press play on their cassettes and smartphones, the melody emerges. Soon, you are surrounded by echoing bells, crashing bells, chiming bells. As you join the crowd of New Yorkers and tourists alike through the city, you question whether you are still in fact in the city, or whether you’ve entered some mysterious Christmas otherworld.

Where? Washington Square Park (20 minutes drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? December 17 at 6pm.

You can’t help but pause and close your eyes. The sweet, spicy smell of gingerbread pulls you from your walk and before you know it you find yourself in this little, bricked bakery. Wafts of vanilla, cinnamon, and maple float from the ovens to intoxicate you. You can practically taste the apple cake. Your stomach grumbles and your feet take you from end to end of each glass case as you try to decide what to taste first. It’s no surprise when you walk out with arms full and a contented smile on your lips.

Where? Two Little Red Hens Bakery. 1652 2nd Ave. New York, NY (10 minutes drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? Monday – Sunday (Varying hours)

You shuffle over to the edge of the skating rink, your stiff white ice-skates laced firmly to your feet. Cold seeps off the ice, greeting your already pink-nosed face as you ease yourself onto the ice. You give yourself a push, and…you’re off, cutting swooping circles through the ice. At first, you hold your arms out to steady yourself, before your confidence grows and your blood starts flowing. You zip around the rink like an Olympic skater. Just don’t get too daring…or you’ll feel that too!

Where? The Rink at Rockefeller Center (15 minute walk from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? October 11 to February 25

If you’re like us, you’re looking forward to the Holidays, not just for time with your family, but for the season of indulgence. You’re looking for sizzling steak that get your tastebuds watering, mashed potatoes that melt away in your mouth, jalapeno shrimp that spices up your tongue. It’s the fresh and creamy gourmet pumpkin pie and hazy contentment of the smoked old-fashioned. That is how you want to pamper yourself as your gift to you for Christmas.

Where? American Cut Steakhouse Midtown on 109 East 56th Street at The Lombardy Hotel

When? Open from 5pm-10pm Monday thru Thursday and 5pm-11pm Friday and Saturday

We’ll see you at The Lombardy Hotel, one of NYC’s oldest and finest, and a place where you and your whole family can enjoy the most magical time of year in New York City.