It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… and more importantly, it’s starting to feel like it. While my time in New York City was far too brief, I did manage to cram a lot in, including a snowy stroll to Rockefeller Center to see the tree, festive nights out to the titillating Duane Park in Manhattan and to hotspots Shrine and Red Rooster in Harlem. I love the theme that developed in this week’s photos — the city after dark.
As crushed as I was to say what felt like a very abrupt goodbye to the big city, returning back upstate to Albany this weekend felt pretty damn good. It may not be as tall as the one on 49th street, but there’s nothing like coming home to the Christmas tree all lit up in the house I grew up in. The Glee holiday album on repeat, frantic holiday party planning and regular fireside sessions are all on the agenda as I look forward to sleeping in the same bed for more than two weeks straight. In other words, look for plenty of cocker-spaniel-in-a-Christmas-sweater portraits in next week’s edition.
For now, onto Photo of the Week… a Manhattan edition!
Photo A
The holidays in New York City
Photo B
An impressive night at Duane Park
Photo C
Festive modern art Radio City
Photo D
Live music at Shrine in Harlem
Photo E
Christmas at Rockefeller Center
Which photo is your favorite?
None! I’m operating out of jealousy here. We were supposed to visit NYC this month but backed out of our trip. Now I’m jealous!
New York will definitely always be there š I actually love it most in warmer weather, but I have to admit there is something magical about the city at Christmas.
I’m picking D this week because there are few things better than some good live music!
So true — and Shrine is a really special venue!
GUH, I really want to see NYC all decked out for Christmas sometime!!! So pretty!
When that day comes, I hope you are more prepared than I was. I think I would have enjoyed all this a bit more if I had some non-leaking boots and some slightly warmer layers on š
It’s a tie between Photos A and C for me. I just love how festive they are and I can almost feel the cold of the snow…I miss snow š
Ha, I’d be happy to send you some! I’m over it š
Love photo C! Although I’ve never visited New York, this photo totally captures exactly what I imagine a snowy & festive New York Christmas to look like š
We were lucky that the rain changed to magical snowflakes while we were out to see the tree at Rockafeller Center. Gorgeous!
Definitely the giant red ornaments in front of Radio City. I love NYC at Christmas and I’m really missing home right now! Great shots!
I agree it’s tough to spend the holidays away from home. I’m very happy to be here this year!
I will choose photo C. Love the red ornaments next to Radio City. They remind me of the one I saw in Covent Garden Market.
I can imagine London would be quite festive at Christmas as well!
A!
I love the colour combination.
Hope you’re having a great time at home, can’t wait for the cocker-spaniel-in-a-christmas-sweater pictures!
It’s totally coming š
E! Love the perspective.
I was doing a pretty major backbend to snag it!
C for me! Oversized Xmas baubles and snow. What I picture for any northern hemisphere white Xmas š
It definitely is iconic. I wouldn’t mind going back and seeing the Rockettes again some year, either!
Way cool Alex! After spending last year in Thailand, Fiji and Bali we returned home to New Jersey last week. Then, we were off to a house sit in NYC for a week and I hit the tree and a few other holiday hot spots in the City. So nice to se NYC in the winter as it’s the first time for me, for like, 25 years. We went in all the time as kids but we stopped for a while, then, I started my world tour some 44 months ago and was in some tropical hot spot over the holidays.
There is no place like NYC during Christmas time. I was grateful to be in the city last week to see just about the best spot on earth for enjoying the holidays. So much positive energy, love and cheer during these few weeks….and the decorations aren’t half bad either. We really loved being there and even though we’re a 45 minute train ride away, we still miss it quite a bit here in NJ.
Really neat photos Alex! I love them all but if I had to pick one I’d go with photo A, because I was in that exact spot 9 days ago, jostling through the masses as everybody tried to take their selfies on mobile devices with the tree in the background….or, with Saks 5th Avenue and their stunning store front in the background.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
You are so welcome Ryan! It’s great to hear some love for wintertime in NYC. It is pretty darn special. I complain about the cold but you’ve reminded me to embrace it š
I love Photo E! Such a cool perspective.
Thanks Ashley! I got some weird looks while practically lying on the ground, ha…
I love this week’s theme!! There’s something so special about New York during Christmas…despite how nasty the weather is, it just warms my freakin’ heart. I love C but I think E is the real winner.
It wasn’t an intentional one, but I do love when themes emerge š
I have to go with A! I love the striking colors, the contrast, the composition– everything!
I’ve never been to NY (hopefully making me first trip next month) but I think it would be so magical to be there during Christmas.
Oooo, welcome to New York! (Assuming you make it here, because you should š )
your night photography is fantastic. i’m going with B — fire eating, warm orange light & an old-timey theater!
It was such a cool show — really exceeded my expectations!
A & C! Freezing temps aside, it feels amazing ripping and running through the Big Apple during the holidays…. No city is quite as magical.
I love how festive your family is, and I’m looking forward to your warm & fuzzy holiday @ home photos!
Aw, thanks Kristen! I always wonder if people get bored when I post about that stuff (I’m sure many do) so it makes me happy to hear someone looks forward to it š
I’ve only been to NYC in the summer and so would love to experience the holiday season there. Photo A is my choice because it’s that iconic image that gets drummed up in my mind when I hear ‘New York’ and ‘Christmas’ in the same sentence.
New York really is a distinctly different city in each season — something I love about it!
Photo E is my favorite this week!
Seems to be a tie between E and C š Thanks Stef!
Photo A – love it! I would love to visit New York in the festive season, it’s fantastic in London and it looks like it is celebrated in a similar way in NY – giant trees, outdoor iceskating and lots and lots of decorations š
SO MUCH ice skating. I’ve been skating in like 5 different rinks in winter in New York state — love them all.
Photo D is my favourite.
What musicians did you see?
Hey Rashaad, there was quite the lineup! I don’t remember the band names but we saw what I’d describe as a Korean jazz band, a hipster funktronica experiment, and a cover band that also sang arias. It was amazing!
Manhattan at Christmas time is a dream, I’m sure!
Photo B is amazing, it’s so sharp and dramatic, though they are all stunning!
Hope you have a great time at home!
Thanks Marie! It’s great to get some downtime!
More NY Christmas tree close-ups please š
Ha, there might be some coming š
Very pretty! These photos have me so excited for my first trip (finally!) to NYC coming soon. Any tips?
Exciting! Well if the trip is quite soon, my main advice is to really pack some heavy duty cold weather stuff. It truly is bitingly cold, and while you might not think of NYC as an outdoor destination you really do spend so much time there out on the streets walking between sights, soaking up the atmosphere, etc. I did not have proper footwear for this trip (my boots were kind of leaky) and I kept thinking how much more I’d be enjoying myself if I had warm dry feet! So yeah, come prepared for a snowpacolypse, basically š