Journals

Now that Fall feels like it's over, and Winter is creeping in with its wind chills and near glove-wearing temperatures, I'm looking forward to a few seasonal activities in New York.   One of my absolute favorite parts of New York as I've mentioned before is Bryant Park . Just as beautiful and relaxing as it is in the summertime, Bryant Park is transformed into a winter wonderland come November. At the top of my to-do list this season is to ice skate at Bryant Park.      The park offers FREE ice skating admission at The Pond and you can rent skates for $12. The price is affordable, and you can't beat the atmosphere. You get to ice skate behind the historical New York Public Library amidst views of Times Square and the Chrysler Building among fellow ice skating beginners and families.   Bryant Park also turns into an outdoor holiday market. The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park feature beautiful ornament items, hand-made jewelry and accessories, high end clothing, eco-friendly vendors, delicious food and drink stands, plus lots more! I personally love sipping hot chocolate while I browse through the maze of shops here and pick out personal gifts for the family. This is certainly a great place to discover gift ideas for the holidays. I can't wait to be here!     Another must for this season's visit to NYC is museums! I'm kind of a nerd for art and history. I'm no expert by any means, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy admiring the works of my favorite creative artists and learning fun facts about their pieces. I enjoy modern art the most but have not explored all the museums in New York whom I've heard carry such great exhibits. So my next museum adventure shall be at the Guggenheim .     I've had my eye on this architectural wonder for a few years now, but have never stepped foot inside. Well not this time! For only $10 with a student ID I can finally marvel at the Guggenheim's "art, architecture, and innovation." I don't even know which exhibit to start with, but I am excited!   And finally, a Christmas tradition: Rockefeller Center . Just about every year on Christmas day, our family and close friends join us to New York for a day of sight-seeing and dinner. Our first stop is always Rockefeller Center to see the Tree.    Fighting for photo op space with the other hundreds of cramped tourists at this spot just adds to the fun that is New York during Christmas. Everywhere you go is busy and full of families, and though annoying at times, it's worth it. I love seeing people ice skate on the Plaza, I love walking by the NBC Store to get a peek at the latest Office memorabilia, I love smelling the sweet treats at Dean and Deluca, and I love admiring all the pretty colors of the New York buildings. After a few hours of sight-seeing here, it's off to Carmines for a big family dinner! This where we indulge ourselves in a rich, authentic Italian meal to end our day.   Ahh to spend the holidays in New York City. There's nothing better. . .