New York’s got some classic things to see and do in the winter – ice-skating at the Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular and Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue to name just a few. But, Manhattan isn’t part of the city with fantastic events at this time of the year.
It’s well worth venturing to the other four boroughs for these lesser-known holiday season events. (Our featured image today is © NYC & Company)
Christmas lights of Dyker Heights– Brooklyn
Dyker Heights has been lit up with a dazzling display of tasteful illuminated decorations (think angels, reindeer, giant toy soldiers and trees blanketed with fairy lights) every Christmas for more than 25 years.
The best displays can be seen on the blocks between 83rd and 86th Streets from 11th to 13th Avenue in this small neighbourhood between Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. (Did you see our Brooklyn-related post yesterday? Alternative New York hotspots to sample as hit US show Girls comes to the UK)
Tour with the Queens Historical Society – Queens
The Queens Historical Society has been celebrating and preserving the heritage of New York’s most sprawling borough for more than 40 years. They run a programme of cheap walks, tours and lectures year round.
The Historic Holiday House Tour stops at five festively decorated museums and historical sites, including the Queens Historical Society at the Kingsland Homestead, the Flushing Quaker Meeting House, Flushing Town Hall, the Voelker Orth Museum and Lewis H. Latimer House.
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum – The Bronx
This mansion set in beautiful landscaped gardens probably isn’t the kind of place most out-of-towners (New Yorkers either, for that matter) associate with The Bronx. Yet here it is, one of the most beautiful historic houses in the city – a national landmark, even.
The museum holds an Annual Holiday Family Day every year with activities including a shadow-puppet show, holiday crafts and photos with Santa.
Historic Richmond Town – Staten Island
Occupying almost 50 acres and featuring more than 30 original historic structures, this living history village is the real deal. The historic society that runs the museum is very proud of the fact that none of the buildings here have been reconstructed or rebuilt.
Christmas in Richmond Town sees the village decked out in glittering ornaments and ringing to the soothing sounds of carolers.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
