Holiday season is here! Finding outdoor activities close to your Glenwood apartment for you and your family will help make lasting memories! Visiting the Rockefeller Tree this year is a fun, distanced activity that is enjoyable for all! If you saw pictures of the tree when it first arrived, you may know it came in looking a bit disheveled- but don’t fear, it has gotten branch extensions (yes apparently that is a real thing!) and it now looks full and beautiful. Keep reading to find out more about visiting the tree this year.

History Of The Rockefeller Tree

This is Rockefeller Center’s 92nd annual Christmas Tree! The first tree was back in December of 1931. The workers paid for a 20-foot-tall tree to lift spirits! They even created their own tree ornaments and garlands. Holiday cheer can lift spirits- which is especially important this year! 

When To Visit

The 74-foot tree will be on display through the beginning of January and you can visit from 6am to 12am. On New Year’s Eve, you can only visit until 9pm. It can get crowded, so if you have the chance to visit during an hour that isn’t so popular, try that to get the closest and best view possible!

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Where Did This Year’s Tree Come From

This year’s tree is 74 feet tall and came from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. When the tree is taken down, the wood becomes used for Habitat For Humanity. Then, the search for the following year’s tree begins again- it takes months to locate the perfect tree! 

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Great Fact About The Tree Lighting

For thirteen years straight, the Christmas tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity once it has been taken down after this holiday season! The tree becomes lumbar that the organization will use to build homes.  Truly the holiday gem of Midtown East!

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Attending The Tree Lighting

Mark your calendars for the evening of December 4th, when the lights will be live for the first time on the Rockefeller tree! From 7pm to 9pm there will be live performances by top singers and bands as well as the Radio City Rockettes. At 9pm on the dot the lights will be sparkle upon the tree for the very first time. All of this will be taking place at Rockefeller Plaza between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

So you’re probably wondering: “Okay, so how early do I have to get there to score a decent spot?” Unfortunately, you’ll have to plan several hours in advance since this is such a popular event. To ensure that you nestle into a spot where you can actually see what’s going on, it’s recommended to get to the tree no later than 3pm (the earlier you are, the better the spot!) And if seeing the performers is high on your list, arrive closer to noon (there’ss very limited spots near the stage.)

Things to know:

• The tree lighting is free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.
• Like any large event, security measures will be in full force. You will not be allowed to bring any large bags, backpacks, or umbrellas into the area.
• If you prefer to watch the tree lighting from the comfort of your own apartment, it’s broadcast live on NBC from 7pm to 9pm, and is also available streaming through NBC.

The location is ideal for residents living at The Bamford and The Bristol, since the lighting is just a few short blocks away!

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Visiting The Tree At Other Times

If braving the crowds isn’t your idea of a good time, know that the tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 9pm on January 7, 2019 (it’s lit daily from 5:30pm until 11:30pm, except on New Years Eve when the lights turn off at 9pm).

December is obviously going to draw the crowds no matter what day or time you swing by, but the influx of tourists does tend to die down once Christmas hits (The tree will be practically desolate on Christmas morning! And another perk about visiting on Christmas? It’s the only time that the tree is lit 24 hours.) So if you’re a local Glenwood resident you have the advantage of being able to plan your visit post-holiday rush, really savoring the beauty of the spruce and the spirit of the season, sans the crowds.

And don’t forget to check out last year’s post on where to catch all the Christmas tree lightings in New York City!

Are you excited to attend the Rockefeller Center Christmas Lighting? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

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If you've decided to once again to skip New York's Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center, well… smart move. The crowds are insane at that thing! The NYPD keeps everyone penned into "viewing areas," and unless you arrive five hours early (or are have a VIP pass), you'll wind up standing somewhere around the corner, out of sight from the tree itself, watching the ceremony on a jumbotron.

This is what Rockefeller Center looked like last year… THREE HOURS before the ceremony even started (the gentleman in the blue coat, lower right, seems about as happy as I would be if I were there):

No thanks. That said, I do love how this city gets decked out for the season–for several years our family holiday card was pictures of my kids in front of as many trees as I could drag them to–so here's a list, in no particular order, of my Top 6 Best NYC Christmas Trees. 

1. The South Street Seaport Christmas Tree

The South Street Seaport gets the nod this year not only because it's just a nice tree, but also because it's right next to the spanking-new skating rink. There are new shipping-containers shops in the immediate area (part of the Hughes Corporation's See/Change initiative), and lots of neighboring restaurants and bars have finally reopened after Sandy. Worth a trip. 

2. Central Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony

Up at the north end of Central Park, the Charles A. Dana Discovey Center hosts one of the prettiest holiday-lighting ceremonies in the city, with a 17-tree flotilla out on the Harlem Meer and thousands of LED lights on the building itself. The festivities (which also include ice carving, Santa photo-ops, and hot chocolate) are this Thursday, December 4, at 5:30 p.m.   

3. American Museum of Natural History Origami Tree

There are two museum trees that I always took my kids to when they were little: the elaborate Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History. The theme this year is Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful, to go with the terrific Power of Poisons exhibitions.

4. The Met Museum's Neapolitan Tree

The Met's 18th-century, Angel-laden Neapolitan Tree, notable mostly for its detailed "Baroque Creche" surrounding the base. These are great for playing the "can you find the…." game, and admission for both museums are suggested, so it's easy to pop in for a quick viewing for a buck or three.  

5. Park Avenue's Annual Lighting Ceremony

No NYC Christmas season is complete without a late-night cab ride up Park Avenue, the dozens of fir trees twinkling on the mall from 48th to 97th Streets. The annual lighting ceremony (which began in 1945, to honor the men and women killed in World War II) is this Sunday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. outside the Brick Presbyterian at Park and 91st.

6. The Washington Square Park Tree

And make sure you get to the lovely, 45-foot Washington Square Park tree as well, either for the lighting ceremony next Wednesday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m., complete with music and sing-alongs. Tastefully illuminated and beautifully framed by the park's iconic arch, this might actually be my favorite NYC Christmas tree of them all.     

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