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NYC

5 Magical Holiday Traditions in New York City 

Blog, New York City, student groups, walking tour

Imagine it. The twinkle of lights, the scrumptious scent of roasting chestnuts on street corners, and the hustle-and-bustle of people with packages just waiting to be wrapped in colorful paper with bows and ribbons. Add in some holiday music and you have the recipe for an idyllic holiday visit to New York City. 

The holiday season is a magical time for children and adults alike and New York City, withits colorful decorations, Broadway shows, and active city ambiance can set the scene for the most fantastic holiday trip to kick off the holiday season right. 

Let’s take a look at five NYC traditions sure to put you in the holiday mood and mark the beginning of your celebrations. 

#1 The Rockefeller Christmas Tree 

By far, one of the most stunning sights in NYC during the holidays is the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center Plaza on 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. 

You will want to see it all lit up so plan to visit during the appropriate hours. Starting December 1, 2022, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. On Christmas Day, the tree is lit for 24 hours, and on New Year’s Eve, it is lit from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to taking in the lights on the tree, there are many activities right in the Plaza that your group may want to partake in including skating, having winter drinks in a nearby restaurant, or shopping at one of the local holiday shops. 

#2 Radio City Music Hall Performance of the Rockettes

The dazzling Christmas Spectacular starring the high-kicking Rockettes is a must-see for groups trying to take in the holiday activities in NYC. 

The show stars not only the Rockette’s precision dance team but wooden soldiers, and Santa himself makes an arrival just in time to spread holiday cheer! 

The shows run from November 18th through January 2, 2023. Get your tickets here or have Wolfe Tours plan your trip entirely. 

#3 The Winter Village at Bryant Park 

Every winter, Bryant Park turns into a winter wonderland filled with holiday shopping options, an ice skating rink, twinkling lights, and of course, amazing restaurants. 

Visit over 60 shopping kiosks with handmade and original gifts for the season, many of them having an NYC theme to them. Get your fill of good food and cocktails and then work it off with a few spoons around the ice rink. 

Times Square

#4 Visit Holiday Fairs & Markets

New York City parks and streets transform every holiday season when small temporary kiosks pop up selling unique holiday items that are sure to cross off many items on your Christmas gift list. 

Check out the Union Square Holiday Market through December 24th, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Here you can find over 160 artisans and vendors selling holiday gifts. 

#5 Holiday Window Displays 

Sometimes the best thing about NYC is walking around and enjoying the sights and sounds. You won’t want to miss the window displays on 5th Avenue where you can enjoy holiday-decorated windows in a theater-like fashion from the end of November through the New Year. 

Spending the holidays in New York City can get even the biggest Scrooge in the mood for the holidays, doing it with a group of friends or family can make it even more special. Check out Wolfe Tours and Adventures options for touring with your group today. 

 

Tips for Traveling with Student Groups 

Blog, student groups

Some of the most enriching activities and experiences for students can be traveling to new environments, historical locations, or national landmarks. When students step out of the classroom to immerse themselves in history, it can make for some memorable educational and personal moments. 

Traveling with students can be a magical experience for them, but it can also be a logistical challenge because students can have different needs, physical abilities, and interests in the location you choose to visit. Here are a few tips on how to successfully travel with students from your school. 

Plan & Prepare 

Whether you’re headed to visit Washington D.C. in the Cherry Blossoms in spring or the historic towns right outside of Boston for Patriot’s Day, you will need to plan well in advance of your trip. Details such as handling the financial aspects of the trip, expectations of students and chaperones, and a general itinerary of each day. 

Several months in advance of your trip, meet with students and their parents about the payment plan, itinerary, and behavior expected while on the trip. Our dedicated Wolfe Tours team can help you create a tour for your specific needs and interests. Our team has been creating and designing memorable trips since 2002, and we love working with school groups and teachers!

Part of your planning should include:

  • Packing a variety of outfits with consideration to the weather, fancier dinners, and any locations that require a certain dress code. 
  • Proper footwear for walking tours. 
  • Making airfare and hotel accommodations. (Remember, we can do all of this for you!)
  • Assigning travel buddies and chaperones. 
  • Creating a fun but manageable itinerary for your destination. 
  • Payment planning. 
  • Creation of emergency forms and logistics. 
  • A list of things to pack and what to leave at home. 

Prior to your planned travel, it’s a good idea to also set certain behavior expectations for your trips such as quiet hours in the hotel, appropriate language, and check-in times for chaperones. Don’t forget to plan for some downtime so your students can recuperate from the day’s activities or tours. 

Getting Organized 

If your tour takes you to the airport, get yourself organized with identifications, boarding passes, and passports when necessary. Having a tour group like Wolfe Tours plan your trip will help you to navigate the airports as well as check-ins and check-outs at hotels or historical sites. 

Keep all necessary documents in one place where they are easily accessible. It’s also a good idea to have multiple forms of communication available for parents who will want to know where their student is and how to contact them if needed.

Anticipate Student Needs 

Planning prior to an event can sometimes put us in an unrealistic mode. This could mean forgetting about the logical needs of your students to stop for snacks, bathroom breaks, and the always-needed rest break for themselves and you. 

For students with special needs, build these breaks into your itinerary to reassure your students that they will have time for eating, restrooms, and having fun with friends. 

For more information and our frequently asked questions about our student tours, check out our website and start planning your next tour with Wolf Tours and Adventures.