Holiday Things to Do in NYC: A Whirlwind 24-Hour Adventure

November 23, 2025 Lisa Rossmeissl Travel Tips, USA No comments

New York City in the holiday season has a magic all its own — and even though Cheryl and I were in town for a whirlwind 24 hours for the Dominican Republic Roadshow, we were not going to miss out on soaking up some of that famous NYC sparkle.

So lace up your shoes and get ready to explore with us, because the best part about the city at Christmas is that you can experience so much holiday cheer without spending a fortune (unless, of course, you shop like I did… and come home with a fabulous new faux-fur coat!).

Macy’s Holiday Windows & Herald Square

We kicked off our mini holiday tour with the classic Macy’s displays — a must-see tradition that instantly puts you in the spirit. Several of the windows were interactive games, and of course, Cheryl and I had to try them… I may or may not have beaten her three times in a row. (I’m sure she’ll want a rematch!)

Herald Square was buzzing, festive, and full of that unmistakable NYC energy.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is one of my favorite holiday stops — a sparkling maze of artisan shops, twinkling décor, and festive flavors. We grabbed a delicious bratwurst from the German Bratwurst stand and topped it off with hot cocoa, which hit the spot on a chilly day.

It’s truly the perfect mix of cozy and magical.

Fifth Avenue Storefronts

From Saks to Cartier to the boutiques lining Fifth Avenue, the storefront décor is a show in itself. You could spend an entire evening strolling this stretch, just taking in the artistry, lights, and creativity. No admission needed — just wide-eyed wonder.

Times Square (Because You Have To!)

Times Square may not scream holiday, but it does scream NYC — and it’s always worth the stop. Bright, loud, iconic… and the perfect backdrop for those “we did NYC!” photos.

Rockefeller Center

We swung by Rockefeller Center for a peek at the rink and decorations. While the tree wasn’t lit yet, the area was still buzzing with excitement as crews prepared for the big reveal. Even in its pre-glow state, it’s a special place to stand and soak it all in.

Radio City Music Hall

A quick stroll past the famous marquee reminded us that the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular is one of the most beloved holiday traditions in the city. Even if you don’t catch a show, the atmosphere outside is filled with nostalgic charm.

Hudson Yards & The Vessel

Next stop: the shimmering holiday displays at Hudson Yards. The Vessel makes for a dramatic backdrop, and the shops are beautifully decorated this time of year. If you want modern, upscale holiday vibes — this is the place.

Rooftop Magic at The Haven

We tucked in a cozy break at The Haven, a rooftop bar that gave us a festive breather from all the walking. Warm drinks, city views, and holiday ambiance? Yes, please.

A Classic NYC Deli Breakfast

No visit to New York is complete without grabbing breakfast at a deli — and let’s be honest, you just can’t beat an authentic New York bagel. It’s the perfect way to fuel up before heading home (or diving into another busy day in the city).

A Festive NYC Escape, Even in 24 Hours

What I love most about visiting New York during the holidays is that you can feel the magic without spending a dime. Strolls, windows, lights, parks, shops, displays — the city becomes one big open-air celebration.

But of course, if you want to snag a little something special for yourself, you might come home with a fun new coat, too. 😉

Whether you’re planning a day trip or a complete weekend escape, NYC is the perfect place to spark that holiday spirit.

If you’d like help planning a festive getaway — or scoring discounted Broadway tickets while you’re there — reach out. I’m here to help you Return to Your Happy Place, one holiday adventure at a time.

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Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, WI, ID, and SC.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Things to See & Do in New York City

April 18, 2021 Lisa Rossmeissl Travel Tips, USA 2 comments

There’s something special about New York City. No matter the season, there’s always something to see, somewhere to explore, and something new to discover in the city that never sleeps.

A few years ago, I spent five days exploring New York City with a friend who was visiting for the first time. I had the opportunity to play both tour guide and tourist, rediscovering some of the city’s iconic attractions while experiencing a few things that were new to me, too.

And after another wonderful afternoon in the city recently, enjoying lunch, cocktails, and time with friends on a beautiful fall day, I was reminded that New York doesn’t always require a packed sightseeing itinerary to be memorable.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another adventure, here are some of my favorite things to see and do in NYC.

Central Park

One of the great beauties of New York City and an absolute must when visiting.

Whether you’re enjoying the spring blooms, the beautiful fall foliage, or simply taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Central Park is a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

Take a leisurely walk, relax on the lawn, or explore some of the park’s many pathways and scenic spots.

During our original visit, we even stumbled upon filming for The Gilded Age! You never quite know what you’ll discover while exploring New York City.

The High Line

An architectural beauty and landscape masterpiece, the High Line is a wonderful way to experience the city from a different perspective.

Built on a former elevated railway, this unique public park combines landscaping, interesting architecture, public art, and views of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Allow yourself time to stroll, take photos, and enjoy the changing scenery along the way.

It’s a great reminder that sometimes simply walking through a destination can be one of the most memorable experiences.

Walking Tours

One of the best ways to discover a city is with a knowledgeable local guide.

During our five-day visit, we took a fantastic Art Deco walking tour that introduced us to the architecture, history, and design details of buildings we might otherwise have walked right past.

The tour lasted about two and a half hours, and I loved discovering some of the city’s hidden architectural treasures.

From history and architecture to food and neighborhood explorations, New York City offers walking tours for just about every interest.

I highly recommend including at least one guided walking experience in your itinerary.

The Empire State Building

No visit to New York City would be complete without experiencing at least one of its iconic observation decks, and the Empire State Building is certainly a classic.

Rich in history and offering incredible views of the city, it’s an experience worth including, especially for first-time visitors.

If possible, consider planning your visit around sunset for a particularly memorable view.

Advance reservations are a good idea, especially during busy travel periods.

The Museums

New York City is home to some of the world’s most incredible museums, and we managed to visit several during our five-day stay.

Some of my recommendations include:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art — An extraordinary collection of art spanning cultures and centuries.
The Museum of Arts and Design — A wonderful stop for those who appreciate creativity, craftsmanship, and design.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) — A must for modern and contemporary art lovers.
The American Museum of Natural History — A fascinating experience for visitors of all ages.

If museums are high on your list, consider researching attraction passes that may offer savings on admission.

Just be sure to compare the options carefully, as not every pass includes every museum or attraction. Some museums also offer their own discounted admission programs.

The Food Scene

You certainly can’t visit New York City without enjoying some of its incredible food!

One of my favorite recommendations is to start your morning at a neighborhood diner. There’s something about enjoying breakfast where the locals eat.

For lunch or dinner, the possibilities are practically endless.

From casual neighborhood cafés and international cuisine to rooftop dining and memorable fine-dining experiences, New York City offers something for nearly every taste and budget.

On my most recent visit, it was all about meeting up with friends, enjoying lunch and cocktails, and catching up over great conversation. Two stops, plenty of laughs, and a wonderful afternoon!

And don’t forget to leave a little room for those unexpected discoveries. Sometimes the restaurant you stumble upon becomes one of your favorite memories.

I recommend making reservations for popular restaurants, especially for dinner or larger groups.

There’s Always a Reason to Return

One of the things I love about New York City is that no two visits are ever quite the same.

There’s always another neighborhood to explore, a museum to discover, a restaurant to try, or a different perspective of the skyline to enjoy.

And while it’s wonderful to have a list of must-see attractions, don’t forget to leave a little room in your itinerary for simply wandering and enjoying the experience.

New York City is definitely a destination worth visiting again and again. With so much to see and do, one trip is rarely enough!

Planning a city escape? Whether it’s New York City, another favorite U.S. destination, or somewhere farther afield, Boomerang Escapes can help you create a getaway that fits your interests and travel style.

Return to Your Happy Place.

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Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in North Myrtle Beach, SC, with agents in TN, MS, ID, CO and WI.

Gossip Girl Hotspots

August 9, 2017 Lisa Rossmeissl USA No comments

Do you know Gossip Girl?

If you aren’t under 25, probably not. If it weren’t for my three young adults, I may have never known about this series that originally ran on the CW, but they introduced to me on Netflix. Netflix indeed has changed the way we watch TV and this cult creating show is just one example of many that are out there that have created “cult” viewers. But what this show exhibits is exactly what we as travel planners can do for you. We create escapes based on your passions.

So, for my daughter and her friend who came to visit us here in New Jersey, I did just that and created a Gossip Girl Hot Spots itinerary for them during our visit to New York City.

For a little more background, Gossip Girl was an American teen drama series that ran from 2007-2012 based on the book written by Cecily von Ziegesar. Gossip Girl is a ruthless mysterious blogger who reveals secrets about the teens living in upper east side New York. The show brings the upper east side into our lives as roller coaster romances and piles of secrets are found out and shared by Gossip Girl. With the show taking place on the upper east side, fans have not only become obsessed with the characters, but the places featured as their “hot spots” in the city.

My daughter and her friend couldn’t wait to have me map out a day that would take them to the places they’d seen their characters at. Most of the places were just a chance to get a photo for social media to say “I was here”, but some of our spots included visiting and eating at restaurants the characters ate at.

Here’s our adventure into Gossip Girl’s elite society as we checked out the New York City spots where hot young actors like Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen), Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf), Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass), and Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald) take on the roles of young socialites living in Manhattan.

We started our day by taking our appetites to Sarabeth’s for brunch. While not the location we had hoped to get reservations at, it was still a time to channel our inner Blair and Serena sharing scandalous news as we filled up on morning delicacies. We can highly recommend the eggs benedict, salmon and egg scramble, and their blueberry pancake.

Next we were off to the luxurious Palace hotel courtyard for a must have photo op. In the show the hotel is fictitiously owned by the Bass Industries and is where the Van der Woodsens would wake up to a fully catered breakfast.

From the hotel we walked to Laduree which is a Paris based confectionary to purchase macaroons made famous from a scene from season 4 where Blair is in a bathtub eating these little bites of heaven. We each purchased two as an on the walk snack after getting our next mandatory photo outside the storefront.

With treats in hand, we beat feet to go hold court at Met steps. It is a famous perching spot for Blair and her minions and perfect spot for another photo op.
It was now time for a little rest break and a bottle of water to cool off from the New York summer heat. We opted for a park bench in Central Park and did a little people watching while we decided where to head for lunch. Our lunch stop was not a spot on the “Gossip Girl” tour, but was close and convenient before making trek to our next location. We walked about a block or so from the Park and found EAT were we enjoyed some very fresh salads and air conditioning.

After lunch, back to Central Park we went as we meandered our way through it to make our way to the Empire Hotel. Stopping here and there to take photos, we came across the location where Blair and Chuck had their split second wedding as they were on the run.

Finally, we arrived at the famed Empire Hotel, Chuck Bass’s home and business. After getting another mandatory photo, we popped into the Starbuck’s to recharge our phones and energize ourselves with some tea and coffee.

Back hitting the pavement, we headed to Times Square for a little souvenir shopping and sight seeing before heading to our final stop of the day–Butter Restaurant. Butter Restaurant is an exclusive niche restaurant maintained for stylish Manhattanites.

Butter, in Gossip Girl world, is the restaurant where Jenny Humphrey, the “poor” girl who lives with her aging rock star dad in a fabulous loft—and Blair—the queen of the Upper East Side—had a major showdown on Jenny’s 15th birthday back in season one. It is also a go to restaurant throughout the show for the characters.

Do you have a favorite show or movie? Lord of the Rings? Outlander? Downtown Abby? Game of Thrones?

Just like Gossip Girl in NYC, a trip can be planned around your favorite characters aka obsessions. The sky is the limit when planning your escape.

Until next time XOXO

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

My Afternoon in NYC

January 15, 2017 Lisa Rossmeissl USA No comments

New York–

“The city that never sleeps”. It’s a bucket list place to visit for almost anyone. Having landed myself on the other side of the waterway from this bustling metropolis, I finally had a chance to be a bit of a tourist for the day. My older two were in visiting and had a short list, okay long list, of sights they wanted to tick off. With time being limited we did what we could on a quite cold winter’s day in January.

We started the day off with the train ride into the city to meet girlfriends of mine in Chelsea for lunch. The city itself is divided into many different neighborhoods like Chelsea, Greenwich, Soho, and the Financial District where you find Wall Street. In addition, it is made up of 5 boroughs with Manhattan being one of the most famed. From the train, we decided to hoof the 10 blocks to the Japanese restaurant. The kids wanted to walk everywhere.

New York is truly a city of energy that is best felt on the streets.

After a delightful lunch of sushi and catching up with friends we headed off with our walking directions to check off the biggest priority– the Empire State Building.

To me, the Empire State Building exudes romance. Having a prime role in two of my favorite romance movies, “An Affair To Remember” and “Sleepless in Seattle”, I was thrilled to finally be going up to the observatory decks. So many films feature NYC and this iconic building that stands tall in the midst of it. We timed our visit just as the sun was beginning to set over the city, and it was quite magical. I thought I would be terrified being so high. We did go all the way to the 102nd, but it wasn’t like that at all. Instead, my movies flashed before my eyes and I found myself wishing to meet someone atop of these floors.

As night descended we moved on our trek to Rockefeller Center to see the famous gigantic Christmas tree. We took our mandated photos and continued on to Times Square. The girls were loving it with all its lights and big screens as they took photo upon photo for their social media stories. My son, however, was not as enamored. He said, “It’s not even a square and much smaller than it appears on screen.” After hitting these 3 major points of attraction, we had a couple of must see locations left, but at this point our feet had grown quite tired and we were getting hungry for dinner. Time for the subway! We took the subway to 5th Avenue to see Tiffany’s of course. With 2 girl, where did you think they wanted to go? And of course, another place featured in an all-time classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. After Tiffany’s we made a turn around the corner to make a pass by Trump Tower. You couldn’t walk directly in front of it, but we crossed to the other side to get a picture. Police and camera men were everywhere on the block. After our photo was captured, we headed back to the subway only to see a long black stretch limo. Curiously we wondered what famous person we had just passed.

The afternoon/evening concluded with a quick comfort meal of Italian at Barillas just a couple of blocks down from Penn Station. It was an incredible day spent exploring the city and braving the cold winter temps. Exhausted, we plopped ourselves on the train and started planning the next visits excursions. One can never see all or it in one trip. That is why we return again.