A Jolly NYC Christmas

 

Y’all, there’s no more magical place during the Holidays than a NYC Christmas. The lights, the decorated store windows, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the Rockettes….I’m feeling jolly just thinking about all the fun…but you know what’s missing?  REALLY good Christmas Cookies!

A few years ago, I took my kids to NYC for their first time. We had a ball running around seeing all the sites, but my absolute favorite experience revolves around a cookie…a Christmas cookie!

 

 

Pasticceria Rocco

 

Get out your map, and spread it out on the kitchen table. Am I dating myself? OK, open up your app…and find Bleecker St. and 6^th Avenue, in Greenwich Village. Bleecker Street is a GREAT street in NYC rich in history, and I’ll do a post soon about all the fun you can have just strolling down Bleecker. Anyway, walking west on Bleecker, once you cross 6^th Avenue, you are in the heart of Greenwich Village, and there’s a number of fantastic Italian bakeries in this area.

My personal favorite, is Rocco’s. Rocco Sr. started on his American Dream when he left his native Italy for a new life in NYC when he was 16. He arrived on January 1, 1957 and started working as a dishwasher in a bakery in the West Village. Few years later he became a head pastry chef and eventually bought the shop on Bleecker Street in the West Village in 1974. In 2010 Rocco Sr. retired, leaving his children to carry on that dream.

Rocco’s offers so many kinds of Christmas cookies, and the brightly lit cases are a feast for the eyes. Select your favorites, and the staff will tie up your cardboard cookie box with their signature red and white twine.

 

 

It’s a Wonderful Life

Now, walk back to 6^th Avenue, turn left and walk up a short block to the IFC Center movie theater, well-known for screening independent and unique films, tuck your cookie box carefully away, and purchase a ticket to the Jimmy Stewart classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. Yes….I know you have seen this film a million times on the TV, but I promise y’all….there’s no substitute for seeing Clarence and George Bailey on the big screen, while you happily much your way through a box of Rocco’s Christmas cookies. A truly unique NYC Christmas experience!

This is a wonderful activity for kids, or kids at heart. Christmas Cheer in high gear!

Hoping everyone has a Holly Jolly Season!!!

TRAVEL TIPS

• If you need to kill time before the movie starts: There’s a tiny little park at the corner of 6^th and Bleecker St. called Father Demo Square. There’s a fountain in the center, and lots of benches to rest your weary feet! A favorite NYC Christmas treat is to enjoy carolers will gather and entertain everyone in the Square. A very special holiday treat!
• Be sure and follow @shopbleeckernyc on Instagram! There’s always some great sales and promotions going on, and you will be always in the loop with what his hip and happening on Bleecker St.
• For more Christmas Cheer, or to simply stretch your legs after the movie, walk up to Washington Square Park by walking one block North on 6 Avenue, and taking a right on 4^th Street! There’s a wonderful Christmas Tree there, and if you stand in the right spot, you can see the Empire State Building in the distance, framed beautifully by the Washington Square Arch!

 

Looking for more NYC Christmas Cheer?  Check out this post!

 

 

If I can help you plan a wonderfully curated and individualized trip to NYC, please email me!  marythecuriouscowgirl@gmail.com

Giddy up, y’all!

Mary, The Curious Cowgirl

Tags: Bleecker Street | Christmas | Christmas Movie | Family Fun | It's A Wonderful Life | Italian Christmas Cookies | Little Italy | Manhattan | New York | New York City | NYC | NYC History | Rocco | Travel with Kids