New York City - 2025

    New York City during Christmas time is quite a big experience to partake. Whether it be travelling there, going to an event or a place, or seeing the others be in the festive mood. 

I find myself in the Big Apple that weekend, thankfully with a tour company. (The last time I went, I found myself stuck in the airport overnight, trying to head home), celebrating the Holiday season in style.

Walking along Seventh Avenue, you can see quite a lot of people passing by, other tourists trying to recreate the Kevin Macalister moment, some wearing Santa Hats (as it turned out, that weekend was also the infamous 'Santacon' - where people dress up like Mr. and Mrs. Claus and donate to Charity Drive, while bar hopping around town*) and others are just taking in their moment. As I always say, everyone has a New York moment or story one way or another. 

Here is a Google link on more information regarding 'Santacon' 2025. ⮟

*sidenote I'll write about Santacon in the future. 

Before I get started, I need to show everyone this: (lol) we went to Walmart near the hotel and in the beauty section, they had this stand. They were promoting their beauty lineup, and if you are a big Bravo fan as I am, you'll know who they are.....

BravoCon Stand found at Walmart - lol that I love to share

That is Ciara Miller (Summer House) and Ariana Madix (Vanderpump Rules). 

Lincoln Tunnel

The next day, we were in a tour bus and the tunnel underneath is called, the 'Lincoln Tunnel'. 

This tunnel connects New Jersey and others to the heart of Manhattan. 

To my right picture: we were underneath full of other cars heading to the city on a tour bus. The traffic there was terrible, hence it was also rush hour. 

I'll write a future blog post and get into details of the Lincoln Tunnel later, because there are a lot to talk about. 

Using this, we got to the main city and picked up our tour guide. 

Tom was a native New Yorker, who gave us a lot (I mean 'A LOT') of information. He told us about a time when this lady who used to live in the same apartment saw a listing for USD $20,000 and what she did not know what she got an entire floor with the rooms. 

So she decided to not only rent the rooms to fellow tenants, but to also open an art gallery and studio. SoHo, the neighbourhood that stands the building is famous for art goers and art lovers. The famous Jean-Michel Basquiat, June Paik, Donald Judd, among others worked and lived in SoHo. 

Charging Bull

While we drove around the neighbourhoods of New York, particularly South on Broadway, we stumbled upon this bull. 

You probably seen it on Instagram or other social media channels, but this is called, 'Charging Bull'.

Apparently, if you touch the bull, it's supposed to bring you abundance and joy but also make you financially rich. 

As far as I know, there were a lot of people wanting to take photos of it, and touch it as well. 

You can find this at Wall Street. I'll write some more in a future blog post. 

Unfortunately, we did not get off and touch the bull, but if I do, I'll let you know....

Nah. I'll keep it to myself.

The place where they eventually dropped us off was the Oculus Transportation (aka World Trade Centre Station) and the 9/11 Memorial from One World Trade. 

Back in 2001, a cataphoric event took place that changed the lives for New Yorkers. They decided to create a memorial plaque to commemorate those who are not with us. Those included victims of the attacks and those who perished. 

Oculus Transportation Hub (World Trade Centre)

They said that if there is a white rose attached to the name of the person, it means its their birthday. Here is an example on the right. To the left is pictures of me with the Oculus. The first one is what's inside. A really huge concourse. And the bottom picture is the actual station. 

9/11 Memorial (a rose means its their birthday)

Inside of the Oculus

Oculus Gif!!!

Macy's Herald Square

So we ended up having free time on our hands, so my newly friends and I decided we go to Macy's to check out their holiday village.... well technically me, but you know what I mean 😉

Inside... oh boy... it was massive!!! The actual store was full of people who crowded around the beauty section and fragrance smelling stations... 

But I did get something from Macy's... its for secret Santa and won't reveal until then....

Macy's Outside

Inside Macy's

New York City is an amazing place to go to during Christmas, but I think its better to go during weekdays. I tried both, and the weekdays tend to be much quieter. While weekends are traffic, people walking around, and yeah... its a mess..... 

Rockefeller Centre

Another thing that I went to was the Rockefeller Centre infamous Christmas Tree. When we went there, I saw people gathering in circles and watching buskers dance. They also brought in a few lucky (or unlucky) crowd to come join them. 

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

And during that time too, it was crowded. I remember trying to squeeze myself out from the crowds. It was packed like Sardines like a subway train in India. 

It was funny because those crowds did not go to Fifth Avenue and checked out a 'quieter' area where the tree is lit. Unfortunately, we did not go at night where it was nicer and Instagram-worthy. 

Statue of Liberty

While we are having fun in New York City, the tour also included a boat ride to see the Statue of Liberty! 

Did you know; the Lady Liberty was intended to celebrate abolition in the US. This was a gift from French Aristocrats as a gift for friendship between the two nations. 

There is this link for really cool interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty. Check it here:

Statue of Liberty Fun Facts

Me on the boat seeing the Statue of Liberty

Brooklyn Bridge. - it was a cold brisky day where I took this shot.

Circle Line Boats (the festive one is our boat)

The Statue of Liberty

I learned a lot from New York City and every time I go there, I always have this mindset of going into a big city and creating my own NYC moments. To quote John Updike (American Novelist, poet, and art critic) shared this:

"“The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding.”

My last post for a while, I am wishing everyone here a safe, joyous Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. Wishing everyone love, light and good energy for a smooth year ahead.

I'll post 2025 recap next week. Stay tuned for that.