Plan an electrifying day trip to New York this holiday season

Written by LINDA HARKCOM

ew York City is a popular tourist destination and, since it is only a little over a four-hour drive from the Hagerstown area, people can choose to go for the day, a weekend or longer. But no time of the year attracts people more to the Big Apple than when it is decked out for the holidays.

“A visit to New York City during the holidays is a spectacular and special way to celebrate one of the most joyful times of the year. The holiday season is an ideal time to take part in New York City’s beloved and iconic annual events and to explore the many new experiences offered across the five boroughs,” says NYC & Company Executive Vice President of Global Communications Tiffany Townsend.

Garry Kline, owner of Kline Tours in Greencastle, Pa., says his company offers one-day trips to New York City, monthly from April through December.

“We go to New York City and stay for about eight hours. You are on your own, to do as you please. Shop, take in a show,

Plan an electrifying day trip to New York day trip to New York this holiday season this holiday season

COURTESY OF NYC & COMPANY or see the sights. It’s a way to pop over and spend the day in the city to do as you choose,” Kline says.

For the holidays, Kline’s company offers weekly trips beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving through Christmas. The $93 per seat tours leave from Hagerstown at 6 a.m. and return around midnight.

“The number one reason people go on our bus trips is to go shopping, and during the holidays they want to see the lights and the decorations. They also want to go to see a Broadway show or Radio City,” Kline says.

For people who really wish to spend more time seeing the sites, Belinda Stull, owner of Travel Leaders in Hagerstown, recommends going for more than one day.

“Christmas in one of the busiest, if not the busiest time of the year to go,” Stull says.” I recommend clients consider a two to four-day trip. One day to see the sites,

Rockefeller Center is renowned for its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the end of November.

Historic South Street Seaport, along the Hudson River in lower Manhattan, offers a variety of shops, dining and holiday festivities.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a New York City holiday tradition for 96 years. one to go to Radio City and one to see a Broadway show or The Nutcracker.”

Stull recommends her clients take the train to travel to New York City. Trains leave out of Harrisburg, Pa., Union Station in Washington, D. C., and from Penn Station and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, both in Baltimore, Md. There are paid parking garages available at every one of those sites.

“That’s the easiest way to get there. It brings them right into Penn Station in New York City,” Stull says.

For those who choose to drive to the city, Stull warns that parking in the city is quite an experience, but can be done.

“Parking can cost $60 a day or more, and you have to find an available space. I would make sure you choose a hotel that has parking available,” Stull says.

To avoid parking in the city, Stull notes some people drive to Newark, N.J., and take the train into the city from either Newark Airport or Penn Station.

Stull’s agency offers packages that include a hotel stay and show tickets, and they can tailor the packages to the client’s needs.

“I would talk with the client about what their budget is, as well as what they want to see, what they want to do and what their mobility issues may be since when you are in New York City, there is a lot of walking,” Stull says.

Once in the city, there are many things to see and do, especially around the holiday season. NYC & Company is the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City. They offer several suggestions on events and things to do in the city around the holidays.

The Christmas Spectacular, starring the Radio City Rockettes, runs from Nov. 18 through Jan. 2, in Midtown Manhattan. The holiday tradition at Radio City Music Hall is a musical stage show for audiences of all ages. It is known for its incredible costumes, festive songs and synchronized high kicks.

“It’s such an incredible show,” Kline says. “Probably one of the most popular

shows of all time.”

Kline’s company offers a special package to see the Rockettes on Nov. 28. The package includes the bus ride and a ticket to the show for $199.

With more than 360 lanterns representing nearly 90 animal and plant species, Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, running November 18 through January 8, is a walk-through, holiday lights festival that connects visitors with real wildlife. The park comes to life with immersive light displays, large, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows that shine across the zoo. There are also seasonal treats, holiday music and other entertainment.

Stull says there are many light displays throughout the city, and some tour companies offer trips to see them. One of the bigger light displays she mentioned was the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Display in Brooklyn. This light display begins the day after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve.

Broadway will also offer up some holiday entertainment with the One Man Show: ‘A Christmas Carol.’ The show has a limited run from Nov. 21 through Jan. 1, at the Nederlander Theater in Midtown Manhattan. In this special adaptation, Tony Award-winning actor Jefferson Mays tackles more than 50 roles.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

will be held Nov. 24 in Manhattan. This is the 96th year for the holiday tradition that features larger-than-life helium balloons, fantasy floats, clowns, performance groups, Broadway’s best musicals, celebrity appearances and more.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Nov.30 at Rockefeller Plaza, in Midtown Manhattan.

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden, located in Fordham, the Bronx, will run from Nov. 30 through Jan. 16. The model trains run through a display of more than 190 famous New York landmarks, all recreated from natural materials such as birchbark, lotus pods and cinnamon sticks.

Times Square provides the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience.

COUNTDOWN TO 2023

Times Square is known throughout the world as one of the top destinations to ring in the new year.

“Witnessing the Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball drop is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fun way to ring in the New Year,” says Tiffany Townsend, NYC & Company Executive Vice President of Global Communications.

According to www.nycgo.com, roughly 1 million people pack Times Square, in Manhattan, to ring in the new year each Dec. 31.

Townsend says she recommends attendees bundle up and dress in warm layers in case of colder temperatures. She also suggests they bring snacks or eat beforehand.

“And be sure to plan the trip ahead of time before arriving at Times Square—we recommend taking the train,” Townsend says. Belinda Stull, owner of Travel Leaders in Hagerstown, says those going to view the ball drop from the street, must follow the rules, like staying in the corral because there is a lot of security present.

“Book well in advance, unless you are going to be very wild and crazy and drive in for the event and drive out. I think even finding space in New Jersey is difficult,” Stull says.

Stull notes that it is more comfortable to watch the ball drop from a hotel. But, she adds, there are very few options available, and the cost is very expensive per night.

“Rooms can sell out a year in advance or more,” Stull says. “Packages include a party, you get to see the ball drop, and you usually get a meal. You usually have to stay a certain number of nights to be able to get these packages.”

– LINDA HARKCOM

City Cruises Holiday Themed

Cruises leave from Manhattan throughout the holiday season. These dining cruises feature festive decor, meals, and stunning views of the city while sailing across the East and Hudson Rivers from the glass-enclosed deck.

Stull recommends The Ride NYC sightseeing tour, where participants take a 4.2-mile bus ride and see a 75-minute show along the way on the streets of New York City.

“You sit sideways, theater-style, on the bus. They tell corny jokes and at all of the stops there are staged performances where Santa is there, or caroler appear and sing or dancers show up and perform,” Stull says.

Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebra-

tion will be held at The Apollo Theater on Dec. 30 in Harlem, Manhattan. This annual event features Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theater in a power evening of music, percussion, and modern and African dance.

Stull also says people enjoy shopping and taking in the specially designed holiday windows.

“There are craft markets all around the city including Bryant Park, Union Square and Columbia Circle. Grand Central Station has a huge Christmas market there and it’s indoors,” Stull says.

For more information on Kline Tour’s bus trips, call 717-597-5997 or visit www.klinetours.net. To get further details on booking a trip through Travel Leaders in Hagerstown, call 301-739-4600 or email hagerstown@travelleaders.com. For more information about visiting New York City, visit www.nycgo.com.

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx

Midtown Manhattan’s Bryant Park is all aglow throughout December.

Within its late 19th-century architecture, Carnegie Hall is one the nation’s premier concert halls and offer a several programs of holiday music during the season.