New York City's Beautiful Christmas Trees

If you're heading to New York City during the holidays, try to visit at least a couple of the city's memorable holiday trees, beginning with the grandaddy of them all, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Here’s a list of six can’t-miss holiday trees that are dressed and ready for viewing, or will be very shortly.

This is the most celebrated of the Big Apple’s Christmas trees and a magnet for visitors and cameras. This tree engulfs Rockefeller Center, where you can soak in the holiday spirit and watch as ice skaters make their way around the Rockefeller rink. Nothing says Christmas like this scene. The tree can be found at RockefellerCenter, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and 47^th to 51^st streets. While you’re in the neighborhood, cross Fifth Avenue to visit the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows or light a candle in memory of a loved one at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The LincolnCenter tree is located in JosieRobertsonPlaza at the performing arts center and while you view the star-filled tree, you can enjoy the scenes in and around Lincoln Center or better yet, grab some tickets to the New York City Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" in advance and really enjoy yourself. LincolnCenter is located at 64^th Street and Columbus Avenue.

The Singing Christmas Tree at South Street Seaport is a tradition heralded by many New Yorkers, and it's known as the Chorus Treet because members of the Biug Apple Chorus sing in a tree-shaped formation in front of the tree every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the holidays and on Christmas Eve. If you’re headed to the Seaport, check out the brand new 8,000-square-foot skating rink that opens for the first time on Nov. 28 at nearby Pier 17. “Seaport Ice,” as it’s called, is open through Feb. 28th, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to10 p.m. Admission is $5 and skate rentals are $7. South Street Seaport is located at South Street and Fulton Street.

The legendary American Museum of Natural History has celebrated the holiday season for 30 years by putting up its origami tree, and this year it's decorated with mythic-creatures including mermaids, dragons, and unicorns The tree opened to the public on Nov. 19and will be on display throughJan. 1^st. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and the museum is located at Central Park West at 79th Street.

Thousands of New Yorkers of many faiths visit this holiday tree each year, because of its message of worldwide peace. The Cathedral’s tree is always decorated with 1,000 origami paper cranes and other peace symbols, and St. John the Divine offers workshops for children who want to learn how to make the cranes. Take a walking tour of the impressive Cathedral, which explains how St. John the Divine celebrates the holidays. The Cathedral is located at 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art displays its beautiful Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche this year from Nov. 25 through Jan. 6. The 20-foot blue spruce features beautiful 18th-century Neapolitan angels and is located in the Museum's Medieval Sculpture Hall. Lighting ceremonies are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 4:30 p.m.; and on Fridays and Saturdays at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m.. The museum is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street.