• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
October 6, 2014

From Parade to Hot Chocolate: Fall Fun in New York City

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

It’s a busy time of the year already here at the Cains. We have one big family trip still up our sleeves this year and I have a few solo trips on my own before hanging my wings, as I do every year, to celebrate the holidays at home with my family.

My kids are all about Halloween and yes, even talking about the Thanksgiving menu already. I know people are finalizing their visits to New York City right about now too, which always gets me excited because it truly is the best time to visit!

I wanted to get a little list of favorites in New York around Thanksgiving to help plan your trip.

NYC Fallphotography_girlgonetravel

Ours pre-holiday days are whirlwind days taking in the city as tourists do. One of our absolute favorite tours in the city, especially during the holidays, are with The Ride NYC. It’s theatre from a bus and throughout NYC. Want to learn about the city while also enjoying some fun entertainment surrounded by holiday scenery? This one is for you.

We also really enjoyed the tour with Holiday Lights and Movie Sights with On Location Tours. If you are like me, and love all those fun holiday movies every year, then you will get a kick out of this tour as you get to see exactly where the scenes of some of the most popular holiday movies, from Scrooge to Miracle on 34th Street, were filmed. The bus also makes a few stops at some of the city’s most popular window displays and gives you time to get off for photographs.

I’m also a huge fan of eating tours as a way to discover New York. Taste the diversity through Multi-Ethnic Post-Thanksgiving Eating Tour, the season’s harvest at the Autumn Wine Festival both in NYC and NJ, and a bit of everything in the Festive Food and Holiday Fun in Midtown tour.

Read more tips on Holiday Fun in NYC  for pop-up shops some of which open after Thanksgiving Day. Our favorite holiday pop-up is in Bryant Park, where you can shop, ice-skate, get hot chocolate, and even enjoy a movie!

Shows to watch are The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, George Blanachine’s The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet, and The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden.

Of course, the main attraction in New York City during the month of November is the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Spectators come out the day before to see the big balloons inflate. It used to be something that only a few locals cared to see, but over the years this day has taken a life of its own drawing huge crowds that can span several blocks.

Sadly, to avoid them you have to get there early, but then there isn’t much to watch as the balloons don’t start taking shape till about 4:30PM. They give out tickets now too, with the last one being handed out around 9:15pm. It’s a long line and crowded, and difficult if you have a stroller but it will probably be the closest anyone gets to the balloons and kids of all ages love it. Balloon inflation for 2014 will be on November 26 and takes place on Columbus Avenue and 77th street.

Lastly, tree-lighting doesn’t really start happening till beginning of December (in 2014, the Rockefeller tree will be lit on December 3) but you can check out all the spots where a tree is set up: Bryant Park, South Street Seaport, of course Rockefeller Center, and Lincoln Square are art the top of our list.

The Met, The Plaza, St. John the Divine (on 112th street and Amsterdam), and the American Museum of Natural History have some spectacular holiday trees as well.

To get into the holiday spirit, I also like to spend time at Macy’s Santaland. Get there early and you can have your photo taken with Santa without the long lines.

For hot chocolate break and a break out of the cold weather, I like Max Brenner‘s holiday pop up in Bryant Park, Jacques Torres, La Maison du Chocolat, and MarieBelle.

Overall, what really makes New York City beautiful in November are the colors, the coolness in the air, the holiday joy, and the energy from so many different people visiting.

Enjoy the park, the weather, the festive sounds, and even the smell of roasting chestnuts in every corner. It’s as good as it gets during late fall in NYC.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
8 Comments
  • karenjrinehart
    October 6, 2014

    Makes me want to be there! Alas I must wait until mid-December. (hint hint blog fodder hint hint)

    Reply
    • caincarol
      karenjrinehart
      October 7, 2014

      Haha! I hear ya loud and clear! : )

      Reply
  • hotmamatravel
    October 9, 2014

    Sounds fantastic! I would love to see NYC during the holidays!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      hotmamatravel
      October 9, 2014

      I hope you do! It\’s my favorite time!

      Reply
  • Erin Janda Rawlings
    October 13, 2014

    I’ve always wanted to go to NYC for the holidays! I would love to see the parade and the tree! Putting it on my list of things to do with the kids!!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Erin Janda Rawlings
      October 13, 2014

      Do it!! I love the excitement in my kids eyes every year. Even my teen always has a smile from ear to ear : )

      Reply
  • Janice & George (@SandInSuitcase)
    October 31, 2014

    New York City is probably exciting any time of the year – shows, food, luxury hotels. November sounds like a great time for a family trip :-).

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Janice & George (@SandInSuitcase)
      October 31, 2014

      Oh, there is never a shortage of things to do in the city, for sure. But, this year just makes me smile so much more!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Fall Road Trip to The Berkshires, MA
Next Post
Behind the photo: Les Musiciens de Poitiers

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for it and a relief to not be living here full time.

I love that there are still communities holding on to remaining close knit, authentic, and supportive of each other. Nowhere anywhere can compete with the diversity - food, people, languages - all of it. 😭

The access to creativity…and if you come in the spring (or in the fall) it’s magic. 

But…there is so much that remains inaccessible to so many. The inequality and economic disparities are glaring and any sense of balance is a dream, with so many living paycheck to paycheck trying to get their heads above water.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it here. I miss it, and feel so damn lucky that I can come and get my fix, see family, visit with friends any time I want without a hassle. It is my city and I’d be mad if someone talked sh*t about it 😂😂 But I get it. It’s tough. But that’s why I love fellow city folks too, because we’re tougher.

Grateful for everything life in the Finger Lakes has gifted us. We remain so happy to have made the move and have built such a dream life there. And also that my city is a short drive away. ♥️

#nyc #lifeinnyc
New York City moment: This poor hawk was just tr New York City moment: 

This poor hawk was just trying to have its breakfast when a large audience not only gathered to watch it, but also proceeded to mislabel it calling it an eagle. The insult. 😂 

One lady to her male partner:
 Her: “Omg. I didn’t know eagles ate other birds!”
Male partner: “Of course eagles do! They are predators!”
Me: 💀💀

#nyclife #nycmoment #nyc
Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in the historic South St Seaport of Manhattan on Pier 17. 

This 53,000-square foot, two-story market really is a beautiful culinary destination. Shop for everything from delightful sweets, unique spices and aromatics, olive oils, coffee, and other artisan goods. Eat everything from vegan to seafood, pastas, and meats. Or, like I did, spend time with friends at any one of their eateries.

This marketplace opened in September 28, 2022, by French Chef and restaurant owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten and is helping to bring new life to a beloved NYC neighborhood that has continuously worked to recover after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

I absolutely indulged in shopping at this market, loved my dining experience at Frenchman’s Dough, and can’t wait to go back.

#nyceats #upscalemarketplace #tinbuilding #iloveny
This photo is 12 years old. Hahaha...can you tell? This photo is 12 years old. Hahaha...can you tell? This memory. I had just started blogging not too long before (2008!!!)...and was already experiencing so many accolades, a surge of opportunities, success, and growth. I honestly could not believe my life then; I had entered this space so blindly. I just wanted to share my insights with my family, not realizing it would reach so many more. And I certainly had NO idea how far it would take my family AND me. My goodness.

I recently sent my CV...yup, my whole resume, to someone who requested it, and in doing so, I seriously thought, "Oh, they're not going to think I've accomplished enough in my professional life." Instead, in the following interview, they expressed being in awe of all I have done and continue to do. "You are BUSY!" Though these hardworking-but-never-hard-enough immigrant genes don't always allow me to appreciate all I have accomplished, photos like these take me back to this moment that truly says, "Damn, girl. YOU DID THAT." Thank you to all the readers and followers who uplifted me and my work over these 10+ years and continue to do so. It's been an incredible adventure!
If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext

Copyright © 2023 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice