A New York Christmas

The longstanding seasonal traditions and cultural touchstones of New York City have long made it a key destination for Christmastime tourists. Simply put, it is difficult to deny the unique charm and exceptional spirit of the Big Apple during the winter holidays. 

This year, the seasonal pull of New York City promises to be stronger than ever. As people across the United States and around the world begin to emerge from quarantine in the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are particularly eager to come together in celebration, return to our favorite places, make longtime dreams come true, and cross a few items off our bucket lists. 

It has often been said that New York City feels like the center of the world. What better place to visit after being forced to spend so much time inside your home, isolated from loved ones as well as the public at large?

And if you want to stay in the heart of it all while ensuring that you are entirely safe and supremely comfortable, it is tough to beat the luxurious Intercontinental Times Square hotel in Midtown Manhattan. This elegant high-rise hotel contains 607 sleek and well-appointed rooms and suites as well as incredible amenities and public spaces that include a stunning sculpture garden. 

While enjoying the lavish accommodations at the Intercontinental Times Square, you have easy access to so much of what makes New York City so special over the Christmas holidays. And these beloved seasonal spectacles and activities mean even more this year as they represent the very warmest elements of the “return to normal” that we all want so badly.

From visiting the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park, the magical allure of the New York City holiday experience is certainly like no other. Since 1933, trees that average from 69 to 100 feet tall have graced the Rockefeller Center courtyard to the delight of residents and tourists alike. And Wollman Rink has been immortalized in so many different films and television programs that you might just have to pinch yourself as you skate over the same ground as some of your favorite Hollywood stars. 

Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade ends with an early visit from Santa Claus. As he comes to a stop in front of Macy’s department store on Manhattan’s 6^th Ave, it marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season, which just wouldn’t be the same without the legendary shopping window displays along the adjacent 5^th avenue. The biggest department stores in the world use these windows to frame unique and often breathtaking presentations of holiday cheer, typically with some highly creative theme or a throw-back to a bygone era. 

Even the iconic Empire State Building gets into the spirit of the season. Standing at the center of the New York City skyline, it sports Christmas lights of red and green over the holidays. This special seasonal lighting debuts each year along with the opening night of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For some people, there is no Christmas tradition more vivid than the high leg kicks of the precision chorus Rockettes as they grace the stage at Rockefeller Center’s Radio City Music Hall for this time-honored holiday event.

But, of course, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is far from the only show in New York City. Perhaps the most exciting news of all, Broadway is reopening in advance of the winter season. Nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced all 41 Broadway theaters to go dark, some of the biggest and most popular stage productions in the world are now back. 

These shows include the classic Chicago, the family favorite The Lion King, the award-winning Wicked, and the international sensation Hamilton. Producers and theater administrators have protocols in place to optimize safety for both cast and audience members. 

Located in the middle of the New York City Theater District, the Intercontinental Times Square hotel also places a supreme emphasis of the health and wellness of its guests and staff. By partnering with Ecolab, Diversy, and the Cleveland Clinic, the Intercontinental Times Square is using the latest in proven science and advanced technology to ensure that viable wellness protocols are firmly in place and that both public and private spaces are exceptionally clean. 

Guests to the Intercontinental Times Square have everything they need to enjoy the perfect Christmas vacation, whether relaxing in front of their in-room smart TV or grabbing a bite at the fine Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen. The property also offers panoramic views of the New York City skyline, with many rooms designed with striking floor-to-ceiling windows.