Grand Central Terminal, the historic train station, is also a wonderful midtown destination for shopping, dining, public events, and tours. Shop in over 50 specialty stores; enjoy elegant dining in Cipriani Dolci, Metrazur, Michael Jordan's The Steak House NYC, and the Oyster Bar; and find fresh foods in the Grand Central Market. Browse through the Holiday Gift Fair and its endless rows of craft booths (through Dec. 29, closed Christmas Day), or marvel at the Kaleidoscope Light Show projected on the walls of GCT's Main Concourse (every half-hour, 11am-9pm, through Jan. 1). There's also the Grand Central Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store (through Jan. 13). 42nd St. & Park Ave., 212-532-4900Want to check out a somewhat smaller railroad than the one that normally runs out of Grand Central? One of the great holiday traditions is the free model train exhibit, The Station at Citigroup Center, running through Dec. 28 (closed Christmas Day). Kids and kids at heart will be delighted by the miniature towns and street scenes and the tiny trains that make their way through hills, tunnels, and bridges. Citigroup Center Atrium, 153 E. 53rd St. (Lexington Ave.), 212-559-1747
Another holiday layout of model trains can be found at the New York Botanical Garden, one of America's foremost public gardens, with fifty gardens and plant collections situated on 250 acres. Their Holiday Train Show features orange slices, cinnamon sticks, poppy pods, pine cones, and other plant parts as the materials used to create the more than 140 architectural reproductions of New York City landmarks. 200th St. & Kazimiroff Blvd., The Bronx, 718-817-8700; www.nybg.org
You can't visit New York City during the holiday season without stopping by the world-famous Rink at Rockefeller Center, still magical after more than 70 years. Admission for each skating session is: Fri.-Sun.--$14 for adults and $8.50 for children under 11; Mon.-Thurs.--$10 for adults and $7.50 for children under 11. Skate rental is $8. Or, watch the skaters wheel around below the famous statue of Prometheus for free. Fifth Ave. btw. 49th & 50th Sts., 212-332-7654; www.therinkatrockcenter.comFestive music echoes off the buildings of Rockefeller Center on Sunday, Dec. 9, when the sounds of hundreds of tubas fill the air during a mid-afternoon concert at the annual "TubaChristmas" under The Great Tree at Rockefeller Center--the Rink is closed that day!
There are more skating options around town, too. Have some free fun in Bryant Park (42nd St. & Avenue of the Americas) at their skating rink, The Pond. You can rent skates for under $10--unless you happen to bring your own--and the setting is beautiful from morning to night. Central Park offers two skating options, Wollman Rink (enter the park at Central Park South & Sixth Ave., 212-439-6900) and Lasker Rink (near 110th St. & Lenox Ave., 212-492-3857). Of course you know that the tree is ablaze with lights at Rockefeller Center, but there are lots of other lesser-known trees that deserve your attention: The tree decorated with musical instruments is the centerpiece of the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center. Columbus Ave. btw. 62nd & 65th Sts.; www.lincolncenter.org
You'll find another famous tree downtown at South Street Seaport, as another tradition is played out in the cobblestone plaza between Water & Front Sts. "The Singing Christmas Tree" is a live choir, The Big Apple Chorus, standing in tiered rows resembling a tall tannenbaum. It's a delightful occasion with several performances every weekend until Christmas Eve. For schedule info, call 212-732-7678.
At dusk on Dec. 4, the Lighting of the Giant Chanukah Menorah takes place at Grand Army Plaza at 59th St. & Fifth Ave., marking the start of the Chanukah holiday. Lit through Dec. 12.
Shopping for gifts? Try the Holiday Market at Columbus Circle (Dec. 1-24) for a huge selection, including imported and handmade holiday ornaments and decorations, antique prints, fine art, toys for the kids of all ages, gourmet foods, drinks, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry and leather, golf accessories, and more. The Holiday Market is open Mon.-Sat., 10am-8pm, and Sun., 10am-7pm. Columbus Circle, 212-529-9262
There's also the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, located throughout the park and around The Pond, with a unique and diverse selection of gifts from around the world. They're open daily through Dec. 30 (Mon.-Fri., 11am-8pm; Sat., 10am-9pm; Sun., 10am-6pm). For info, call 866-221-5157. You can also visit the 12th annual Union Square Holiday Market (Union Square Park's South Plaza, 14th St. at Broadway, 212-460-1200), which also offers shoppers unique gifts for the holiday season through Dec. 24 (Mon.-Fri., 11am-8pm; Sat., 10am-8pm; Sun., 11am-7pm.). These markets close early on Christmas Eve.
