OK - we can all agree that the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is the epitome of the "Christmas in New York" experience no thanks to Buddy the Elf and that spoiled brat from Home Alone 2. BUT it isn't the only beautiful tree in the city - and if you're like me and don't love swarms of tourists, running into people from high school, and 83 moms stopping you to take a family photo - you'd probably appreciate the atmosphere surrounding these more low-key city evergreens.
Bryant Park Christmas Tree
Although the Bryant Park tree is also in Midtown and tends to attract stragglers from Rockefeller Center, I personally believe this tree has much more to offer. First off, Bryant Park has an ice skating rink which is both cheaper than Rockefeller and allows you to fall without an audience of 2000 people watching you from above. Another reason to choose Bryant Park is the Christmas Village. Whether you fancy fried pickles or chocolate flavored hot sauce you'll be sure to find something delicious. There's also really cool gift vendors that will make it look like you went out of your way getting your great aunt that Himalayan-art-inspired poncho.
Christmas Tree at the MET
As one would expect - the tree at the MET is a work of art. The tree is decked with 18th century silk robed angels and surrounded by a beautiful array of Nativity figures that remind us what Christmas is all about. Paired with the historic paintings in the museum and the building's incredible architecture, the tree at the MET gives its visitors the feeling they are laying eyes on something much more than a festive instagram backdrop. The only drawback is paying for museum entrance - but it's much more respectable and rewarding than being charged up to $45 to ice skate!
South Street Seaport Tree
The South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan is a beautiful scene to begin with and houses some of the city's best shops and coffee spots. Now imagine the beautiful waterfront brick buildings paired with a skating rink, circulating snowflake lights, and a giant glowing tree and you get a true Santa's-North-Pole atmosphere even Macy's can't beat. The Seaport keeps em' guessing with a new tree theme every year. This year's decorations were designed by Kris Ruhs, the creator of the popular Italian concept store 10 Corso Como which is just steps away at Fulton Market.
NYSE Christmas Tree
Since 1923 a 65 foot tall Noway Spruce from upstate New York has been lighting up Wall Street when the holidays roll around. The atmosphere makes me feel like I'm in a movie mesh of Elf and the Wolf of Wall Street - AKA a confusing yet award winning feeling. The tree is also right near One World Trade, the 9/11 memorial, and the Oculus shopping center which might motivate you a bit more to make the trip down to Wall Street. PLUS - if you're feeling extra festive or your little brother just couldn't get the perfect photo angle it's just a short walk from the Seaport tree.
American Museum of Natural History Tree
Not gonna lie this tree is a little weird to me but it's definitely interesting. I have yet to see it in person but from what I understand it's a 13 foot tall tree made solely of paper origami crafts. The figures were created by artists from all over the world and has been put up in the Museum for over 40 years. Like the Seaport tree, there's a different theme every year. This year's theme is "Oceans of Origami" which doesn't exactly scream Christmas to me but it's still probably really cool to see especially if you majored in Marie Bio like my college roomie and enjoy long, damp walks sampling swamp seaweeds.
Washington Square Park Christmas Tree
In my opinion, the Washington Square Park tree is the second most photogenic tree on the list, carefully centered right under the Park's famous arch. Along with the arch, the tradition of the tree itself is historic - it's the second oldest tree location lighting up Manhattan. Located in Greenwich Village, the tree is surrounded by art galleries, the cute little coffee and brunch spots, great bars, and super trendy clothing and jewelry shops.
New York Botanical Garden Trees
The Botanical Garden during Christmas time is a must see. The garden's famous holiday train show is composed of over 175 New York landmarks - and they are all made with real tree bark and leaves. The tracks are almost a half mile long and are surrounded by a beautiful replica of the city. The gardens also offer bar car nights, a cappella performances, and a full calendar of special family themed nights. This year, the show will be displayed at the One World Trade Center and will stay up until late January.
Cathedral of St. John the Divine Peace Tree
Every holiday season, far away from the holiday hell that is midtown, the Cathedral of St. John in Morningside Heights puts up a heartwarming tree overflowing with over 1,000 paper cranes. It is known as the Peace Tree, as cranes symbolize peace which we all learned from that old lady in the park in Home Alone 2. The tree isn't as big or bright as the other trees on the list, but it is quite an uplifting sight. The cathedral itself is decorated beautifully and a great place to go to a holiday mass if you're with family or want to get away from the crowds at St. Patricks. You can even take a walking tour of the cathedral and learn about the pre-origins of Christmas, that way your Grandma will know you don't think Christmas is just about the Sephora gift sets. This is the only tree on this list I have never been to or knew about until I moved into NYC, but it's definitely on my bucket list for this season.
Lincoln Square Tree
So being a typical New York newbie I was late to the party on this one, because the Lincoln Square Winter's Eve festival, which already happened, is what makes this tree so special. The celebration happened earlier this week and is the city's largest annual holiday celebration (again totally unaware) featuring dance and music performances and tons of cozy comfort food spanning from Lincoln Square to Columbus Circle. With central park, Columbus circle, and Lincoln Center all right there, the tree is definitely a must see and now that I think about it will probably be way more pleasant without 20,000 New Yorkers and tourists downing fried dough under its branches.
Lotte New York Palace
Just a few blocks from Midtown, stands the tree at the Lotte New York Palace. This tree is by far my favorite tree on the list and is rarely as crowded as some other trees in the city. I personally think it's the brightest, most photogenic, and the most aesthetically pleasing of all the holiday greens in NYC. The tree is beautiful from any angle and I have a hard time believing Martha Stewart didn't strategically place every ornament and tie every red Christmas bow herself. The tree is also a total party animal and stays lit all day long and is blindingly but beautifully bright once nighttime rolls around.
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