Tonight officially kicks off the holiday season at Rockefeller Center with the 76th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.  The event kicks off at 6:45pm and the lighting takes place at 8:55 pm.  Expect lots of crowds as the ceremony involves celebrity performances.   If you can’t make it to the lighting tonight, don’t worry you can view the tree throughout the holiday season, along with all of the other holiday decorations New York has to offer.  In fact a trip to New York City during the most wonderful time of the year is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.  Take in the beautiful lights of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, browse the amazing holiday window displays at stores like Lord and Taylor and Macy’s, experience the Miracle on the 34th Street for yourself by visiting Santaland at Macy’s, and don’t forget the ultimate NYC holiday experience- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

Yosemite Tenaya Lodge

Today’s Photo of the Day is from the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite National Park.  Tomorrow officially kicks off the holiday season with Thanksgiving and we thought these beautiful holiday decorations would help put everyone in a festive spirit.

Yosemite National Park is a magical place in it’s own right.  It’s amazing views and terrain will leave anyone breathless.  The Tenaya Lodge located two miles from the south entrance of the park brings a little extra magic to the park this season with it’s holiday offerings.  These packages offer plenty of activities at affordable holiday prices.  From sledding, ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides outdoors to hot cocoa, gingerbread house competitions and cookie decorating workshops, children and their parents are sure to make lasting memories.

This year, Tenaya Lodge is offering a variety of family-friendly holiday packages for guests to enjoy. The 2009 Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Family Holiday Packages are the “Kids Dinner with Santa” package (from $235 per room) where children have a holiday adventure that concludes with a dinner with Santa himself, and the “S’more Ice Skating” package (from $239 per room) where adults and children can enjoy a night of ice skating under the stars and warm up near a crackling fire with s’mores and hot cocoa.

Today’s Photo of the Day comes from Mary, founder of Besttraveldeals.net.  Over the summer Mary traveled with her son to Yosemite and brought back some amazing shots including this one of Yosemite Valley.   If you’ve never been to Yosemite this picture will certainly inspire you to go. 

For more information on our nation’s National Parks be sure to check out PBS’s special “The National Parks” which is airing all week on PBS.

Also don’t forget to share your own travel photos on our facebook page for chances to win prizes such as an Amex gift card.