Sparkling storefronts, glimmering trees, and lights galore – the best parts of the holiday season are just a short commute from your Secaucus apartment in the city that never sleeps. Holiday time in New York City is a grand tradition that everyone should experience at least once. From the tree at Rockefeller Center to the bustle of Macy’s flagship location at Herald Square, the holiday season transforms this busy metropolitan area into winter wonderland full of charm. Here are some must-see sites in New York during the holiday season:

Rockefeller Center

Every year, one lucky tree is selected from across the country to be shipped in and erected at Rockefeller Center to serve as the Christmas tree towering over the historic ice rink below. If you’re lucky enough to live close by, you can visit the tree on the night the lights are switched on and later in the season, too, to take in all the glimmering LED lights topped by its famous Swarovski star. This year’s lighting celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 30, and is open to the public. If you can’t make it out of your Secaucus apartment, you can always watch the celebration on television.

Holiday Shopping

With endless options, New York City provides some of the most fruitful shopping in the world. During the holiday season, New York shops provide an even more magical experience. Stores from Bergdorf Goodman to Macy’s offer whimsical window installations every holiday season. Many stores don’t just stick to windows either. Several shops along New York’s Fifth Avenue take advantage of the entire facades of their buildings. Window shopping isn’t the only thing great about New York during the holiday season. The city provides ample opportunity to do actual shopping for everyone on your list. The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park provides more than 125 vendors selling clothing, jewelry, household items, crafts, art and more. The market runs from late October to January 2, 2017.

All of the Lights

Beyond the normal sparkle that New York provides, the holiday season provides an opportunity for that extra bit of light everyone comes to expect. One of the most beautiful holiday light installations can be found in Brooklyn. The neighborhoods of Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge have a holiday tradition of decorating homes to the nines with thousands of lights, toy soldiers, Santa, and more. Official tours are offered, but you can also elect to take a self-guided tour, though the organized option follows the route with the best views and ends back in Manhattan.

Take advantage of all of the holiday cheer near your Secaucus, NJ apartment. Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate while strolling past glistening storefronts, or testing your skill at the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, New York has numerous options that’ll ignite your holiday spirit.