Travel

[maisiebrook]

I will be spending a day in NYC this week and plan to explore 1 or more of the markets.  If you have any impressions of the markets at Union Square, Bryant Pak, Columbus Circle, or Grand Central I would love your feedback.  TIA.

[I am still oxox]

Grand Central is nice and its indoors, from what I recall its many craft items. I have not been to any of the others. I hear Bryant Park has great food

[Kachina624]

@maisiebrook. I didn't even know they had holiday markets in NYC until QVC started making a fuss about theirs.  Please let us know what impresses you.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

I was at the Philly Christmas Village yesterday, and it was PACKED (free admission). 

Lots of interesting vendors--foods, crafts, gifts--- and many are local. We also have an ice skating ring, a ferris wheel, and a merry-go-round near City Hall. 

The German main vendor also sells lots of ornaments and decor.

There is another great holiday market here in PA nearby in a city called Bethlehem. That event is called Christkindlmarkt, and features the same German key vendor, Käthe Wohlfahrt.

I frequently go to NYC for a day or weekend during the holidays, and I would probably not spend too much time looking at the markets, because I love visiting all the fancy department stores and looking in their holiday windows!  Squeezing in a Rockettes show at Radio City Music Hall is so fun!

Also, every time I am in NYC I stop by the Rockefeller ice skating rink to see the fabulous tree, and I pick up a few sweet treats from Teuscher.

Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warmly. 

[reiki604]

@maisiebrook Manhattan is magical at Christmastime! Hope you have a wonderful time!

[roeroe1005]

My favorite is Bryant Park.  I haven't been in a few years, but loved looking at the vendors' wares.  And you are right next to the library and the windows on Fifth Avenue.  Grand Central also has a great holiday market. 

I can't say for Union Square or Columbus Circle as I've never been.

[kaydee50]

All I can see is be prepared for crowds!  Especially at Christmastime, NYC is wall to wall people.  Bryant Park is pretty, an ice skating rink and many vendors.  If it's bad weather, Grand Central would be a good option.

[Tori3569]

Bryant Park is my favorite.  We try to go at least 2 or 3 times during December.  

[Bookplate]

Union Square is the biggest in terms of number of vendors, so it's a good use of time.  Bryant Park has become very popular and is usually crowded.  Lots of soap, candles, jewelry kind of stuff. Grand Central is small, with carefully selected vendors who tend to be on the more expensive size.  Columbus Circle I have only visited a couple of times; its more spacious than Bryant Park and worth visiting if you're in the area; I saw vendors there I hadn't seen elsewhere.

[Etoile308]

All four holiday markets have websites you can visit ahead of time to see their schedules and vendors.