There are very few places that truly feel magical as an adult but the Rockefeller Tree is one of them. The moment I saw it in person I was immediately transported back to watching Home Alone as a child. It genuinely feels like stepping into the movie itself. Getting around the area is not exactly easy but despite the crowds, I found myself returning multiple times during my trip because it is just that special. The lights, the energy, the holiday spirit and the size of the tree create an unforgettable experience. If you're visiting New York during the holidays, this is an absolute must-see and worth every bit of the crowd chaos. read more

THE GOOD ---------------- + Of course the tree itself! Honestly, it never, ever gets old. + This is THEEE Christmas tree around the world and you quickly realize why when you see it in person. It's almost like a celebrity sighting when you see it for the first time live. + The tree is as beautifully decorated as any tree in the world and it typically towers over its audience at 75-85 feet. The star at the top is something to behold when you see it shining in person. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - Crowds, crowds, crowds during peak viewing times in the afternoon and evening. Be prepared to do plenty of shoulder bumping as you walk through the area to get your perfect photo. MIXED THOUGHTS --------------------------- = Nada. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = Don't settle for a far away photo with the tree. You can actually get pretty close to the tree for a great shot - either head on or to the side, but be fast because people can easily walk in front of your shot if you're not ready. read more

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is THE iconic Christmas Tree. I came here on Christmas Eve past 10pm, and the crowd was massive (if it was this crowded after 10pm, then I shudder to think how crowded it was earlier in the day and evening). I came with my cavapoo in his doggy bag, and I had to watch out to make sure people didn't bump and jostle into the bag. I joined the throng of tourists to snap pics of the tree on my phone. It's gorgeous, sparkling with so many colors and topped with a sparkling bright star. I nearly gave up on getting a photo with my dog until I saw a couple trying to take selfies. I offered to take photos for them in exchange for taking photos of me with my dog. Mission accomplished! I know it's a tourist trap, but I'll just say it's a tourist trap for good reasons. It's something you have to see at least once in person for Christmas! read more

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Jaw dropping. So stunning. Immediately gets me in the holiday spirit seeing it. I love visiting NYC at Christmastime and I have to see the tree at some point during my visit. Obviously it can get pretty crowded around this area but with a little bit of patience and politeness, you can move your way to the front and take a picture like this (so close up that it looks like no one else is at Rockefeller Center hahaha). I love the ice skating rink right below it too. Magical. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

MANHATTAN/Midtown: the iconic Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is truly something you have to see to believe. Towering, dazzling, and bursting with holiday magic, it is one of the most impressive seasonal sights in the world. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the complex, making it a fun spot to stroll, snap selfies, and soak in the sights around the area. It does get very crowded, so plan ahead, stay alert, and enjoy the experience. Be sure to follow Rockefeller Center for the latest updates. Just a short walk away, you will also find the World's Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza at 59th Street and 5th Avenue. Standing an incredible 32 feet tall, it is lit nightly through the holiday in celebration of the Festival of Lights and is another must-see outdoor attraction while exploring the city. And truly, the magic does not stop there. Nearly every block is glowing with holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and festive displays, making Manhattan feel like one giant winter wonderland. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

Of course I had to come see the infamous Christmas Tree before Christmas! It's even more beautiful in person! A couple of years ago I was unable to get a picture up close and personal. Last year was much different. Although it was crowded with tourists everywhere! I still managed to get pictures and videos of the beautiful tree. There's ice staking and some vendors alongside the tree as well. Seeeing the tree definitely puts you in the holiday spirit. I will aim to make this an annual tradition from this point forward. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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Don't be upset at me for dissing this beloved icon. It's huge, but I found it underwhelming. Maybe it's because I went during the day, it was after Christmas, and there weren't crowds so very little excitement built around this visit. The holes in the tree enable you to see all the way through to the other side. There are so many trees in NYC that were much smaller but decorated more uniquely and beautifully than just lights and no ornaments! read more

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This is likely the most famous Christmas Tree in the world. My wife has seen it in the past and I have seen pictures and videos. After seeing it for the first time in person I have to say pictures/videos don't do it justice! A sight you must see in person! The most obvious and most obnoxious part is the crowds you will be dealing with. I think that does speak to how important it is to visit/see. My wife and I went to a few different sides for a few different views of it. The most impressive Christmas Tree I have ever seen for sure, so many lights and such a bright tree. Even though we went during some of the busiest hours and dealt with large crowds I would recommend checking out at weird hours for smaller more manageable crowds. Do not skip out on this! read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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Must visit place in holidays - Christmas time . It hosts the famous Christmas tree . It's so crowded though. Make sure you don't go on a snow day or ice cold day . It's gonna be a nightmare for kids . Too crowded and it is difficult to even walk through the steeets. There are 2 lines - one which takes you close to the tree or u can just take slightly farther shots without waiting. Worth the visit ! read more

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Seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in person was such a beautiful experience. Pictures truly don't do it justice. The tree is massive, stunning, and feels even more magical when you're actually standing there taking it all in. We were visiting from out of town and specifically took the train just to see it, and I'm really glad we did. Yes, it was definitely crowded, but that's expected for something this iconic during the holidays. The crowd felt well-managed, and there were even people on site offering to take professional-style photos, which was a really nice touch and made the moment feel special. One tip for visitors: dress very warm and come prepared to be around a lot of people. The cold plus the crowds can be a lot if you're not ready for it, but once you're there and see the tree lit up, it's absolutely worth it. If you want a smoother experience, going on a weekday evening or later at night may help with the crowds. Plan ahead, keep your expectations realistic, and give yourself time to enjoy the moment. Overall, this is one of those classic New York experiences you should see at least once. It's festive, beautiful, and truly puts you in the holiday spirit read more

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is pure magic and easily one of the most iconic holiday sights in the world. Seeing it in person, lit up and towering over the plaza, instantly puts you in the Christmas spirit -- it's festive, emotional, and truly unforgettable. It feels like stepping into a postcard of New York City during the holidays. That said, it does get extremely busy on weekends and at night, with thick crowds and little room to linger. If you visit on a weekday, especially during the morning or early afternoon, it's much more enjoyable and easier to take it all in. No matter when you go, though, it's a must-see holiday experience and absolutely worthy of five stars. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Daytime. - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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All 61 inches and 135 pounds of lil' ol' me made it through the sardine-packed crowds of Midtown NYC... to see this massive, iconic tree. She's real cute! Will I do this again? Lol ask me in another 8 years becauseeeee I really don't see the big deal about it. Maybe it's because I'm not a tourist. I've lived 20 minutes away from NYC all of my life. Orrrr maybe it's because I've had it up to here with dealing with city crowds. I came, I saw, I checked in on Yelp, and left. MERRY CHRISTMAS, YA FILTHY ANIMALS! XOXO read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - I came, I saw, I checked in on Yelp, and left. - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

PROS: this is the most beautiful Christmas tree you'll ever see. It's huge, new tree each year, nicely decorated, center point of the entire plaza, and it's free to see CONS: you can't get up close to it as you can only take pics of it across from the ice rink OVERALL: if you're in midtown Manhattan during Xmas you have to see this. This should be the primary reason for you to go into the city during December read more

If you've never visited the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, it is certainly worth adding it to your NYC itinerary. A beautiful, well-lit tree overlooking the ice rink. My only gripe is the tree draws astonishing crowds in the evenings. Everyone wants to see the tree lit at night. So much it becomes an ingress and egress nightmare at all entrances to Rockefeller Plaza. I've visited the tree so many times over the years and in the evenings there is always a shockingly massive crowd. It also doesn't help that the Christian Dior & Saks light display on 57th & Madison draws stagnant crowds. Visiting with children or strollers is not recommended during peak hours as the crowds are simply unforgiving to parents. If you want to experience the tree without an intimate shoulder to shoulder experience, visit early in the morning between 5:30am - 7am. You will still run into tourist groups, however, the foot traffic is lighter, photo opportunities are better, and walking around the plaza isn't a hassle. Early in the morning also presents better opportunities for people to support one another with picture-taking. Just be sure to reciprocate by helping those who help you take photos. Be patient with others as many are not native to the area, country, or city etiquette in general. Overall, a great experience with planning and leveled expectations. read more

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If you're ever in New York during the holiday season, you absolutely have to stop into Rockefeller Center to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree! It's about as massive as the skyscrapers around it and just as impressive in grandeur, with its millions of sparkling lights. There's tons of stuff to do around the tree in Rockefeller Center too, like food, shops, ice skating and more. So don't think you're just stopping to look at the tree and there won't be anything to do. Go at night and during the day if you want to fully see it in the daylight, but then want to also see it with the lights shining in the dark. Whatever time of day you go, just go and see this massive sight in New York at Christmas time! read more

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I think this is a worthwhile stop if you are in NYC around christmas time and you haven't been there in the past. The tree is really big and bright, and it makes for good pictures. But beware coming here at night close to christmas, as it is super packed at the tree and the surrounding areas. You will almost definitely get someone else in the background of your picture. I am not sure I would return here anytime soon as it was kinda crazy packed getting to the tree, but I think it is a fun thing to do if you've never gone before. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

When I lived in NYC I made a trip to see the tree every year. This year's tree is not so spectacular. It is not very tall, nor very full. The lighting isn't great either. I'm still happy that I went to see it. Happy Holidays! read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - 2025 - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

Always a great time!! Great memories from childhood coming here.. crowded so try and go off times read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

I had a great time with my most favorite person this year at the tree.Everyone was extremely kind and respectful of one another's space .. especially when taking pictures etc.The people selling their goods were not as pushy and the vibe was nice.We took some pics at the F.A.O. windows which were decorated nicely and of course I headed to Flushing. My luck the cell died but,I'm back to my Yelping and Seasons Greetings,Happy Holidays to everyone read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - It's so big, that's what...oh nevermind it's Christmas - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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Lots of people there. The tree is available during the holiday season and security will block off the areas closest to the tree itself.

An iconic Christmas tree known across the world. I was a little disappointed at first, since the tree seemed much smaller in person than what it seems on TV (how can that be for an 80 ft tree?). The square gets very crowded at times. But, there's several angles to view it from (with the angels in front), at night, with the rink. If you take the Rockefeller Center walking tour, you can get behind the barrier and take unobstructed views with the tree. Highly recommend. 2023 #110 read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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I finally made it to see the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree! I was excited to check that off my list. However, the amount of people is really stressful to deal with. Luckily we went on a Thursday, so it wasn't as bad as the weekend. However, it was still pretty packed. Very pretty, but you cannot get as close to the tree as I thought you could. read more

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This is the most well known Christmas tree in the world, as is the location of the tree. I've been to New York multiple Christmases in the past to see this breathtaking beauty viewed by millions of tourists, where it's typically very crowded, and difficult to get a good view of the tree. I was very surprised when I went to the Rockefeller Center yesterday around 1:30, and it wasn't so crowded, I got uninterrupted pictures from top to bottom of the tree. Granted, the best effect is at night, when everything is glistening and sparking. Including the Swarovski crystal tree topper, featuring three million crystals. Despite it being the middle of the day, I could still see the thousands of colorful lights covering the entire 82 feet of this stunning sight of a Christmas tree. I'm so happy I saw it. There is still time, it will be waiting for you till the beginning of January. read more

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You can't miss it - the Rockefeller Center consists of commercial buildings as well as several points of interest, such as the Top of the Rock observation deck, the Christmas tree lighting, as well as the ice skating rink. We came here recently to check out the lit-up Christmas tree, and, as usual, it was super jampacked with both the locals and tourists alike. Easy to get to by public transportation. +Christmas tree read more

Ever since I was little it has always been a dream of mine to celebrate Christmas in New York and see the Rockefeller tree. It was everything I expected it to be and more. Since this is a famous tree it will get super crowded especially at night when all the lights are glistening! If you're celebrating the holidays in New York, this should be on your bucket list! read more

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Anyone has to admit it's not Christmas without the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. If you haven't seen it in person you've seen it in TV, on the news or in movies. Of course seeing it on TV isn't the same. Lots of tourists make it pretty annoying but suck it up for an hour. This is something that should be seen in person at some time. Check it out and see what New York is like at Christmastime. If you can guess busy then you already know one thing. There's something else you should know if you don't already, and this is maybe the best thing. It's free. Unlike ice skating, the tree has no admission price. It's too bad it's not possible to get super close without ice skating but you can still get some great pictures of the tree as well as ice. The tree is best when it's lit up. Makes going after dark the best time to see it. Of course everyone else will wait until later too. Be sure not to wait too late or the lights will be turned off and it won't be worth looking at. They usually do this before midnight. Big tree that actually stays up quite awhile. It usually arrives some time in November. This is usually removed before New Year's. read more

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We did the chalet experience. The biggest waste of money. For four of us, it was $434 plus there is a minimum of $25 per person for food after that. Naturally, everything is priced around $24 so you have to get multiple items. We did desserts and they were absolutely awful. The cookies in the cookie kit were hard as a rock and the icing had separated, causing it to be water-like and go everywhere. We could not see the ice skaters at all because the hedges blocked the rink. This was, by far, the biggest waste of money. Our total for two adults and two children was $534. read more

It's tradition in my family to see the tree around the holidays at least once during the season. I love going because it brings me so much joy and gets me in the holiday spirit. It can get packed but security has a good job of controlling the flow. You can't get too close to the tree because it's blocked by barriers but you still have a great view. I usually go at night right before they shut the lights off. It's also nice to see people ice skating. I wanted to go but they were booked until January so make sure you book in advance! You have to go see the tree tourist or native NY'er! read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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If you want to view the Rockefeller tree from Thursday, December 3, 2020 through early January 2021, here are the viewing protocols: There will be special tree viewing entrances and traffic patterns, tree viewing time limits, and masks and social distancing will be required at all times. TREE VIEWING ENTRANCES AND ZONES - 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues will be closed to vehicular traffic (limited loading dock access for Rockefeller Center tenants only). - Tree viewing entrances located on 49th and 50th Streets at 5th and 6th Avenues ONLY. - Dedicated tree viewing zones located on 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues ONLY. - The Rink at Rockefeller Center will be accessible on 49th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. - The Tree will be lit from 6 a.m. to midnight every day. - Virtual queuing will be used to help manage the flow of visitors viewing the Tree during busy times. Look out for QR codes around Rockefeller Center to begin virtually queueing when the lines are long. Once you have signed up, you will receive a wait time and SMS message when it is your time to return to view the tree. - Five-minute tree viewing limit. - Masks mandated at all times. - Six feet social distancing will be enforced. - Guests will be directed to delineated pods, spaced six feet apart, with no more than four people in one pod. Groups of more than four people will be separated into two pods. - Center Plaza, where the tree is physically located, will be closed to the public. - Entrance to tree viewing and social distancing will be managed by Tishman Speyer security. read more

The Home Alone Christmas Tree!!!! You can't celebrate Christmas without saying "Keep the change ya filthy animal!" This is probably the most iconic Christmas tree in the history of Christmas and who doesn't love Christmas? New York is expensive, it's even more expensive to stay at the hotels during Christmas time, but if you make it out to New York around Christmas, this is a must. It's not a far walk from Times Square and there's an awesome outdoor ice skating rink just next door. It will be crowded, but no need to throw elbows because Papa Noel aka Santa Claus is watching. People come and go taking photos and you'll be in an out take yours too. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Home Alone Christmas Tree! - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

Home to one of the world's most recognizable symbols of Christmas in Gotham, this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands proudly at 79 feet (24-meter) tall, 12-ton (10-metric ton) Norway Spruce from Elkton, Maryland which is the first-ever tree donated from that state. Visiting the tree is one of the top free seasonal things one can do any time but best at night from now until January 10, 2022. My partner's family and I came here yesterday on a weekday which is better with less crowd compared to weekend. Barriers now prevent you getting too close but it's still very visible and beautiful. It's a magical place especially during the holidays which we can recommend it. read more

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I don't get into Manhattan all that much, and whenever I do its almost never during the Christmas season. But all that changed yesterday. We went on a NYC bus trip through the employee club organized by my employer and after a stop at Arthur Avenue in the Bronx we had a pretty big window of time to do as we pleased in Manhattan. So after the 2:00 Broadway show we saw (Mean Girls), we walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the famous tree. It was probably around 4:30 or 5:00 on a Saturday night. The surrounding blocks were absolutely jam-packed - every square inch of sidewalk and blocked-to-traffic streets were crushed with tourists. The people everywhere were pretty chill and made small talk about the crowd as we slowly inched our way to see the tree, all except one brazen woman who was literally pushing her way through the crowd because "otherwise you'll never get there". Happy Holidays to you too! The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a tradition that's been around for over 80 years. And when you finally caught a glimpse of it off to the left, well you know that what you see on TV doesn't do it one shred of justice. This year's tree is a 77-foot-tall Norway spruce that weighs a svelte 12 tons. It was harvested from Florida, New York, in Southwestern New York where New Jersey and Pennsylvania and New York hook up. Simply put, the tree is magnificent and I'm glad we finally had a chance to see it. Peace on Earth and Happy Holidays to all. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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Visiting NYC during the Christmas month is a must. I was so happy to finally get to witness this Christmas tree and it was such a surreal moment seeing t. I visited on the day of the first snow fall of the season and that made it 100000x more memorable. We decided to stop by late at night as its always hectic during the day. We arrived at 11:50pm with only 10 minutes to spare and there was only one other couple there. It was freezing, snow was falling, and it was windy. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," by Michael Bublé was playing on the speakers. Surreal. Security was present and the lights and music did turn off at midnight. We also came back the following day to see the tree / center during the day and it was a madhouse. There was definitely no opportunity to take a good picture since people were all over the place. I recommend visiting late at night. This was definitely one of the highlights of my Christmas trip to NYC! read more

Honestly, I can't get enough of New York, it is one of the prettiest places I have ever been to. But what they do during the holidays is so beautiful. Rockefeller Center has super large and I mean huge Christmas tree which is beautiful in the day time and at night. So honestly it's up to you when you want to go and visit it. I came here during the day and night and you could also do it too. It was my first time spending the Christmas holidays here and I have to say I would mind coming back every year to see it. It's amazing how many lights they have and all that work that goes into it. Yes, there are a ton of people but isn't that what it's all about. I feel the Christmas spirit is in the air when I see all the lovely families and different generations getting along. This place brings people together and honestly I was so happy to see it in person. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Day time - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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The tree is a must see. Going there just before Christmas on a pleasant weather evening at any sane hour, however, is a challenge. Though not quite as bad as I remember Mardi Gras being it is still hard to walk around. It is not so much deciding on which way to walk but rather knowing which direction you want to go in and looking for the human "current" (think water) to become a part of to take you in that direction. Add strollers and people expecting the crowd to part when they are taking photos gives even more to look forward to. The tree itself is always amazing to see. You can get a detour in the surrounding stores to warm up and some of them are not crowded to the point where you want to jump out of any available window. Coming here post Christmas in much easier and the crowds do thin to some degree past the 11:00 PM hour as that at least eliminates some of the super young folk in strollers. I hear the super pro tip is to check out the tree just before sunrise where you might be able to see almost no one around, however, I have yet to test that theory. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - See it after Christmas to avoid the bulk of the crowds - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

An iconic sight for a proper NYC Christmas, and a beautiful one at that! It's pretty to see the tree from different viewpoints. From a distance at the sitting area going towards Uptown, from the ice skating rink, between Sak's and the skating rink, from the Today Show taping across the street, or up close... it's stunning. It's no secret why people from around the world flock to Rockefeller Center to see the tree in flesh. I want to come back here when the snow is falling- that would be a sight to see! read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Perspective from the skating rink - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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Even as a local the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a must see year after year. I have never had the courage to brave the tree lighting ceremony and probably never will. The tree is the least crowded during the day, for obvious reasons. I find the crowds are the most bearable very late at night. Always worth a visit in my opinion. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Daytime view of the 2018 tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

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Man, this thing is HUGE & a beauty up close. I was fortunate enough to go through the Rockefeller building and out the other exit to see this thing right in front of us. I didn't realize the area where exited was blocked off to the public so we didn't have anyone (except the one officer in the background) in our photos. Since we exited out that side, the officers didn't rush us and we were able to take a few minutes to take in the beauty of the tree. We couldn't see the ice rink from where we were standing. Seeing it in the day & night time is pretty amazing & I'd recommend seeing it both times. The brightness of the day sun against the ice rink & the colorful lights beaming from the tree at night. Can't go wrong walking past this sight. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Up close & personal (right outside the Rockefeller center) - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York

Rockefeller where you want to be during christmas Since I came to the USA, I always try to visit Newyork during Christmas. It's always festive kinda feeling around Rockefeller center-radio city- that red big ball at 6th Avenue. its kind of pilgrimage for us. even when I was in PA-CT-VA, I did visit during Christmas here. coming to Rockefeller, if you want to avoid the crowd, visit before Christmas weekend or visit during weekdays the crowd can be bit frustrating and annoying at times. they come in 100s and you won't even have a space for turning yourself away. The rink is open for skating during Christmas. Looking at the tree and purple building at the backdrop, it is such a beautiful sight. In the building, there are 4-5 restaurants to dine and also a few shops for shopping but I doubt you 'll get a seat. another great thing not to miss around Rockefeller is lighting show at 5th avenue just in front of the building. on certain intervals ( i guess 10 mins) it keeps repeating and it is spectacular. can't describe in words. in fact, whole 5th and 6th avenue is superbly beautiful during Christmas. The 2018 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was lit on November 28 at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The Tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 9 pm on January 7, 2019. read more

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Look at this beautiful Christmas tree! Absolutely stunning. This is a must see for anyone in NYC around the holiday season. The tree is so beautiful lit up at night. It's massive size towers over the gorgeous ice skating rink. read more

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - Christmas Tree - Christmas Trees Near Me - New York, New York