Refinery’s Favorite NYC Holiday Traditions
New York City is one of the greatest destinations on Earth for travelers hoping to get into the holiday spirit. And there’s no shortage of fun ways to celebrate the season throughout the month of December. So, to help you choose the merriest activities of all, we turned to Refinery staff members and asked them to share their favorite holiday traditions. And it turns out, there are a few tried-and-true classics even resident New Yorkers love to revisit year after year.
“After Christmas music starts playing on the radio and the Rockefeller Christmas tree goes up, I look forward to embarking on the NYC holiday traditions I’ve created with my friends. Every year, we make sure to trek out into the city on a random weekend with the following agenda: Brunch at The Smith; walk down [to see] the Fifth Avenue Christmas window displays; stop by the Rockefeller tree; and continue down Fifth Avenue until we reach Bryant Park, where we go ice skating and end the night with a round (or two) of carouseling!”
— Hanhe Cho, Human Resources Manager
Cho isn’t the only Refinery staff member who loves The Pond at Bryant Park.
“[It’s] super fun to go ice skating and visit all the tiny shops surrounding it … and the admission for ice skating is free during this time of the year. I especially like the French carousel and Christmas tree they put up, it makes for the perfect spot close to my work where I can grab a bite and take in all the holiday spirit.”
— Ashley Gabel, Conference Service Manager
The annual holiday “train show at the [New York] Botanical Garden” in the Bronx is a favorite activity for kids, grown-ups, and Refinery’s revenue analyst.
— Sanem Oral, Revenue Analyst
“Going to Carmine’s for a big feast and then walking it off down Fifth Avenue with hot cocoa while admiring the beautifully-decorated windows of all the department stores. And then, of course, hitting Rockefeller Center.”
— Allison Cirillo-Herits, Director of Sales and Marketing
Refinery group sales manager has not one but three holiday traditions. Step one? “Escape Manhattan and enjoy Winter Wonder at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Westchester. Looks like a perfect Christmas card there.”
Step two: “Get up early … for [the] winter special cronut [at] Dominique Ansel Bakery — always worth the wait!” And finally, step three: “Enjoy a homemade Dutch cheese fondue with family and friends, and start the evening with gluhwein.”
— Lisa Wand, Group Sales Manager
