Highlights
Experience New York at its most enchanting, wrapped in lights, music and pure Christmas magic
Wander through New York’s festive Christmas Markets, including Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, with the chance to lace up and ice skate
Enjoy discovering New York with a Go City Pass, including four attractions
Dyker Lights Christmas Trolley Experience to visit some of the most beautiful lights in Brooklyn
2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass to discover all New York has to offer
Visit the famous Rockefeller Tree and New York Streets that feel straight out of a Christmas movie
Gilded Age Mansions Tour of New York
Enjoy a dazzling Broadway performance
Be uplifted by an authentic Harlem Gospel performance
Experience an enriching full-day journey to Philadelphia and the heart of Amish Country, including a traditional horse and buggy ride
Enjoy the iconic Christmas Spectacular with the world-famous Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall — a festive New York tradition filled with sparkle, music and unforgettable holiday magic
Walking tour to uncover the hidden secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Delight in a luxurious Plaza Hotel afternoon tea experience
Friends for Company!
**All of the above highlights are included in our tour package - all other sightseeing is at your own cost.
Inclusions
Fully escorted by an experienced Sisterhood Tour Hostess who is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return airfares to New York, including taxes, ex Melbourne (other departure cities upon request)
All sightseeing as per detailed itinerary
Any meals as per detailed itinerary including light breakfast each morning
All transportation as per detailed itinerary
4 Star accommodation in a great location
Willing to share option (subject to availability)
Meet and greet prior to departure via Zoom
Taxes and Fees
** Your Sisterhood Tour Hostess will happily assist with arranging any extra sightseeing during your free time.
Notice
This is a Free & Easy Adventure
An option for more independent, active travellers - designed to include return airfares from any city in Australia, accommodation including breakfast, transfers and some sightseeing, not to mention friends for company - the rest of the itinerary is up to you. You can enjoy free time for shopping or sightseeing. The choice is yours, and your Sisterhood Tour Hostess will be on hand to facilitate any additional arrangements you'd like to enjoy during your Free & Easy Experience! Usually, longer stays at each destination are required to really give you a sense of a place's culture. You will need to be independent, active and be able to manage your own luggage whilst on any of our Free & Easy tours. We will need to make our own way to/from each included sightseeing activity, which may be by subway, walking, or bus (at our own cost).
** Many of our included sightseeing tours may be enjoyed with other travellers**
Please note that tipping is customary in the USA. As gratuities are not included in our tour price, individuals will be responsible for tipping during meals and for any sightseeing activities. As a guide for restaurant and meals, 15-20% for table service, for any group meals, a USD 3-5 tip per person is appreciated for good service. For tour guides, a half-day tour costs USD5-10 per person, and a full-day tour costs USD10- 20 per person. For taxis, 10-15% of the fare or USD1-3 for shorter rides** These are at your discretion and are a guide only **
Our itinerary may be amended at any time due to operational or local considerations. We will make every effort to follow the published schedule and provide the whole experience wherever feasible.
To enter the USA, you will be required to complete an ESTA authorisation. For more details, please click here. It is also essential that you regularly check the Smartraveller Website for updates on entry into the USA and other important information.
Minimal meals have been included due to their cost. Our hotel has a cafe/bar with all-day dining available 7 am - 10 pm. As a group, we'll meet each morning at the cafe to start our day.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday 1 December 2026
Melbourne - New York (Meals Inflight)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel. Meet your tour hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for your flight to New York, USA.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment as we head towards our next adventure.
Upon arrival in New York, we'll be met and transferred to our accommodation.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
New York at Christmas is pure magic, and sharing it with your Sisters makes it unforgettable. Twinkling lights line every street, festive windows sparkle along Fifth Avenue, and the city feels like it’s wrapped in its own shimmering snow globe. Together, we wander through Christmas markets, admire the Rockefeller Tree, stroll Central Park in its winter glow and soak up that cosy holiday spirit found only in NYC. With your Sisterhood beside you, the season feels warmer, safer and even more joyful. It’s the perfect time to tick off bucket-list dreams, make memories and celebrate the beauty of connection - NYC style.
Day 2 - Wednesday 2 December 2026
New York Sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, we'll begin our exploration of NYC with our Go City Pass. We'll take the Hop On Hop Off Bus to discover all that New York has to offer. Christmas time will bring out all the tinsel and festive magic as we'll explore Downtown with ease, visiting Times Square, 5th Avenue, Broadway, and Wall Street. We can jump off in Little Italy for our foodie fix, and stop off at the Brooklyn Bridge for a selfie. We will also head to Uptown, where we can hop off and enjoy the tranquillity of Central Park. Our Go City Pass give us a 2-day hop-on, hop-off pass, so for your free day tomorrow, you can jump back on and continue exploring. It's the perfect way to experience the Big Apple.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue. (Depending on departure time for Dyker Lights, dinner may be before or after)
Tonight, we'll enjoy a Dyker Lights Christmas Trolley ride with a walking tour of some of the most spectacular lights in Brooklyn. All aboard our festive Christmas Trolley for a sparkling holiday adventure through Dyker Heights, one of Brooklyn’s most unique and charming neighbourhoods! Every year, this community transforms into a dazzling wonderland that has earned it the nickname “The Christmas Capital of Brooklyn.” During the holiday season, the residents of Dyker Heights go all out — decorating their homes with thousands of twinkling lights, giant inflatable Santas, reindeer, nutcrackers, and even animated displays that bring Christmas to life. The result is a breathtaking sight that attracts visitors from all over the world. Our evening begins with a comfortable trolley ride from Midtown Manhattan. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy a guided walking tour through the most spectacular streets — the perfect opportunity to feel the holiday spirit up close. As we make our way back to Manhattan, sit back and relax in the trolley's warmth while festive music sets the perfect mood for the season.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 3 - Thursday 3 December 2026
Free Day to Explore at Leisure (B)
Today is a free day. You can enjoy a 2nd day utilising your hop-on, hop-off bus pass, or use your Go City Pass with your choice of over 10 attractions. Our pass includes four attractions that you can visit - click here for all the details. These can be done on our free days, and there are so many to choose from.
New York at Christmas time brings out all the tinsel, magic and pure childlike wonder. The city glows under millions of lights, every storefront becomes a festive spectacle, and the air feels charged with excitement. We are within walking distance of the famous Rockefeller Tree, there are holiday markets scented with cinnamon to explore, and streets that feel straight out of a movie. From ice-skating moments to cosy cafés and dazzling displays along Fifth Avenue, Christmas in New York wraps us in warmth as we explore.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 4 - Friday 4 December 2026
New York Sightseeing (B)
We have a free morning before our Gilded Age Mansions Tour of New York, where we explore the storied past of New York City’s Gilded Age through the mansions left in its wake. We'll learn about the people who designed and lived in these buildings during this pivotal time in American history. We'll have a guide show us around these incredible buildings and regale us with tales of everything from romance and generosity to scandal and murder.
After our tour, we'll walk back to our hotel with the afternoon at leisure.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 5 - Saturday 5 December 2026
Free Day to Explore at Leisure (B)
Being in Times Square, there is so much to see and do on our next free day. Times Square is the pulsing heart of New York—bright, bold and buzzing with energy day and night. We can soak up the giant neon billboards, watch the street performers, browse flagship stores like M&M’s World and Sephora, and snap those iconic photos under the shimmering lights. Why not enjoy a classic New York slice of pizza or people-watch as the world rushes by? It's your day to explore, even just walking the nearby streets, admiring the beautiful Christmas displays is an activity in itself.
Tonight we'll enjoy a Broadway show, one of the must-see shows in the Big Apple. Depending on the time, we can have dinner before or after.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 6 - Sunday 6 December 2026
New York Sightseeing (B)
Sunday is church day! During our four-hour Harlem Gospel tour, we'll learn all about the place where legends like Billie Holiday, Malcolm X, and Michael Jackson lived and developed their craft. In addition to ticking several landmarks off our sightseeing list, the tour will conclude with a visit to Harlem Gospel Church, where we'll enjoy a traditional gospel performance.
The rest of our day is free to explore and continue to use your Go City Pass. Take in a Museum, enjoy Central Park, visit the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock or explore trendy Chelsea Market before taking the High Line. There are over 100 attractions that you can choose from.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 7 - Monday 7 December 2026
Full Day Tour to Philadephia & Pensylvania's Amish Country (B)
Today, we'll experience Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s Amish Country on a guided group day tour from New York City. Discover Philadelphia’s historical highlights, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, before heading into Lancaster County for a rare insight into how the Amish people live—and even enjoy a traditional horse-and-buggy ride. This is a long day, with an early start but such an interesting one.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 8 - Tuesday 8 December 2026
New York Sightseeing (B)
This morning, we'll enjoy the Secrets of Grand Central Station walking tour. Millions of travellers pass through New York City's Grand Central Terminal, but most never discover the secrets behind its elegant architecture. Our small-group tour reveals the origins and evolution of the Beaux Arts train station from its heyday to disrepair and restoration. Spot detail and design quirks, and hear stories of its past that will give you a deeper understanding of the landmark building than you could get alone.
An afternoon at leisure before a special treat. We're off to Radio City to enjoy the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular. This production features nine numbers showcasing the group’s signature precision dance style, dazzling costumes, and spectacular stage effects. Audiences can expect timeless scenes such as the Wooden Soldiers and Living Nativity, re-imagined alongside digital projections, holographic Santa moments, and festive new choreography. If ever there's an event to really bring Christmas alive, it's this!
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 9 - Wednesday 9 December 2026
Free Day to Explore at Leisure (B) (AT)
A free day to explore. Nearby Bryant Park at Christmas is like stepping into a little winter wonderland in the heart of Manhattan. The whole park transforms into a sparkling Holiday Village, complete with cosy wooden chalets selling handmade gifts, ornaments, artisanal treats and the most delicious hot chocolate. For the more adventurous sisters, they can glide around the iconic ice-skating rink, browse the magical market stalls, or soak in the twinkling lights and festive atmosphere. With Christmas music floating through the air and the city wrapped in holiday charm, Bryant Park is the perfect spot to wander, shop, sip and share the joy of the season—together. The Public Library of New York is a short walk from Bryant Park and offers free tours (must be pre-booked on Sunday).
A special treat this afternoon with an afternoon at The Plaza. The Palm Court at the Plaza feels like stepping into a movie: high ceilings, a stained-glass dome, palm trees, plush furnishings — beautifully revamped by celebrated architect Thierry Despont to preserve old-New-York glamour. The delicious menu offers a refined selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream & preserves, elegant pastries, and a wide choice of loose-leaf teas.
Dinner at leisure tonight - Your tour hostess will suggest a venue for our farewell dinner. Here's to great Christmas memories shared with new friends.
Overnight - The Muse New York (or similar)
Day 10 - Thursday 10 December 2026
New York - Home (B)
After a fun-filled Christmas-themed adventure to New York, we say farewell to the Big Apple and start our journey home with a transfer to the airport.
Please sit back, relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment of our airline as we head towards Melbourne.
Day 11 - Friday 11 December 2026
In Flight (Meals onboard)
In flight
Day 12 - Saturday 12 December 2026
Welcome Home
We arrive back in Melbourne. Thank you joining us for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back.