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 near Rockefeller Center.
Afternoon:
Radio City Music Hall is part of Rockefeller Center, so we’ll stroll a short distance over there and see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes from orchestra seats. Originating in St. Louis in 1925, the Rockettes have been performing in Radio City Music Hall since 1933 and have become part of the fabric of New York City’s entertainment tapestry. This amazing stage show showcases the legendary, high-kicking Rockettes with their precision dancing, more than 100 performers, lively music, vibrant holiday scenes, original choreography, multiple costume changes, cutting edge lighting technology, and even Santa Claus himself! After the performance, we’ll have some “down time” before dinner — an 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 our Chinese feast 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. Department store window displays, a marvelous animated video show projected onto a building, and festive lights including an enormous Baccarat crystal snowflake — also known as the UNICEF Snowflake — will be a feast for the senses. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure following our final session in the morning.