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Giant red Christmas ornaments are displayed in a fountain on Sixth Avenue in New York City, with skyscrapers reflecting on their shiny surfaces.
New York

New York for Christmas: A Festive Celebration

Program No. 20446RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
9 meals ( 4B, 2L, 3D )
4 expert-led lectures
5 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. Join us in the meeting room to register with the program staff and receive a final itinerary and any updated information. The location of our Road Scholar meeting room will be sent to you the week before in a welcome email from the program provider. Hotel security will also be able to direct you. If you arrive after this evening's scheduled events, the Group Leader will leave an envelope with the Front Desk; please ask for it when you arrive. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. In the same space, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. We will be walking a lot and using the New York City subway system which involves going up and down flights of stairs, long corridors, and often crowded conditions. It’s what New Yorkers do every day! Everyone will receive an OMNY card for use during the program. The fare is included. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In on of the hotel's restaurants. Dinner is available even if you arrive late. This program is able to offer vegetarian and gluten free meal alternatives. The gluten free meals are not guaranteed against cross contamination. While modifications to accommodate other dietary restrictions might be possible on a case by case basis, they cannot be guaranteed. Participants requiring other alternatives should discuss with the group leader upon arrival, be prepared to self-select from the included menu choices and discuss modifications with the serving staff at the restaurants.
Evening:
After dinner, our Group Leader will lead us on a short stroll to familiarize us with the neighborhood around the hotel and to see some of the holiday displays. Upon arriving back at the hotel, the rest of the evening is yours to continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars or to rest up for the week.
Activity Note
Use of New York City subway; extensive stairs. Walking up to 5 miles; city streets. Museum walking/standing.
Breakfast:
In the Tick Tock Diner located within the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined by a local historian who will give us an illustrated lecture on the history of Christmas and holiday celebrations in New York City. You may be surprised to learn how many traditions originated here in NYC. Following the talk, we’ll take the subway uptown to Central Park, which we’ll stroll across to arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art where an art historian who will give us an exclusive introduction to the museum, focusing on some works of art that are relevant to the season including the beloved Christmas Tree and Neapolitan baroque crèche. This display is an annual NYC tradition and is a work of art in itself. The majestic tree is adorned with beautifully crafted antique angels and cherubs keeping watch over the Nativity, shepherds, the Magi, crowds of townspeople and peasants, scores of animals, and more. We'll have several hours to explore the museum independently.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We'll regroup mid-afternoon and return to the hotel for a short break.
Dinner:
At a neighborhood restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll take the subway to the charming neighborhood of Greenwich Village and attend a performance of “A Christmas Carol” at the Merchant’s House, a New York City landmark dating to the 1830s. Seated in the house's front parlor amid authentic 19th-century period furnishings, we’ll celebrate the season with a captivating one-man performance. Dickens himself often gave readings of his beloved tale and visited New York in December 1867. This evening's script is adapted from those readings.
Activity Note
Use of New York City subway; extensive stairs. Walking up to 5 miles on city streets.
Breakfast:
In the Tick Tock Diner.
Morning:
This morning, we'll head downtown to the bottom tip of Manhattan Island for a visit to historic Trinity Church. Trinity was started under charter by King William III in 1697 making it the oldest parish in NYC and worth a visit in this, the United States' Semiquincentennial year. We will learn about the parish history from one of the church's archivists who will also point out important and historical aspects of the current building before heading outside for a stroll through the storied churchyard, resting place of Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton, among many others. Afterward, we'll head uptown to Times Square.
Lunch:
We’ll have a pizza lunch in Times Square. Here's a tip: Pizza is finger food for New Yorkers who pick up their slice and fold it to make it easier to eat
Afternoon:
After lunch is free time. From our lunch location in Times Square, you may choose to walk a few blocks over to the New York Public Library, best known for the lion sculptures proudly sporting enormous holiday wreaths. Inside is a wonderful free Treasures Exhibit featuring countless items from the library’s collection: a Gutenberg Bible, the original grid plan for Manhattan Island, Christopher Robin Milne’s “Winnie The Pooh” doll, Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, etc. The library also has a marvelous gift shop. Directly behind the library is the Bryant Park Holiday Market, one of the best places to pick up a unique gift for your loved ones. And of course, there is Broadway. Wednesday is a two-show day with matinees and evening performances, if wish to take in a show. Same-day tickets for many Broadway and off-Broadway performances are available at 20-50% off regular prices at the TKTS Discount Booth. The Group Leader will be happy to give advice on how to use this valuable resource. The app TODAYTIX is also helpful. One can often purchase future performances at a discount. The fee is modest and well below those paid on Ticketmaster or Telecharge. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and logistical guidance. Return to the hotel at your leisure.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. The city is filled with performance opportunities at this time of the year beyond Broadway. If you're interested in classical performances, the websites for Carnegie Hall, The Met Opera and Lincoln Center are all excellent resources.
Activity Note
Use of New York City subway; extensive stairs. Walking up to 5 miles; city streets.
Breakfast:
In the Tick Tock Diner.
Morning:
We’ll head to the heart of the city this morning: Midtown and Rockefeller Center, which we'll explore with our Group Leader. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.’s “city within a city” went up during the worst days of the Great Depression, providing jobs for more than 40,000 people. As Christmas neared during the first year of construction, the workers erected a modest sized tree on the site and a tradition was born. As we'll see, today’s tree is anything but modest! Radio City Music Hall – where this afternoon we'll see the Christmas Spectacular featuring the world famous Rockettes – is located in Rockefeller Center. As a pre-show treat, we'll get a personalized look inside the legendary venue from staff.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Rockefeller Center.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will see a performance of "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes" from orchestra seats. The world famous Rockettes are marking their 100th birthday this year, having originated in St. Louis in 1925. Radio City Music Hall has been their home since 1933 and they have become part of the fabric of New York City’s entertainment tapestry making appearances for special occasions well beyond the Christmas season. This amazing stage show showcases their legendary, high-kicking precision dancing, original choreography, lively music, more than 100 performers, vibrant holiday scenes, cutting edge technology, and even Santa Claus himself! After the performance, we'll regroup and return to the hotel for some “down time” before dinner. Alternatively, you may choose to take this opportunity to check off those last few items on your NYC to-do list.
Dinner:
One of New York’s unique holiday traditions is having Chinese food on Christmas Day. We’ll move up the day and enjoy a family-style Chinese dinner at a restaurant near the hotel.
Evening:
Nothing says New York at Christmas more than Fifth Avenue. Our Group Leader will take us on a stroll down the famous thoroughfare to marvel at the department store window displays, festive lights and an animated video show. We'll also return briefly to Rockefeller Center to see the famous Tree in all its glory. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure following our final session in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the Tick Tock Diner.
Morning:
We’ll wrap up our festive celebration of New York at Christmas with an expert-led discussion of living in NYC during the holidays and how some authors and writers have interpreted this wonderful time of the year. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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