Let's go to Brasil!

Go to the Macy's Flower Show in Herald Square to teleport to Brasil. The theme this year is the Gardens of Paradise. The Flower Show, which has traditionally been held inside the store, has moved to an outdoor tent in the intersection of Broadway Plaza. It is an over-sized greenhouse. The show this year is exotic, energetic, and bursting with color.  You walk through the native plants and flowers of the Amazon forest, cross a bridge, and end up in front of a hidden waterfall. But I enjoyed most was how the setup looked like someone's colorful house and garden in Brasil.  (I love the flower chandelier!) Come here and you'll feel like you're in Rio! And if you have time, go to the windows on the 34th street side and you'll see a Carnival celebration complete with sounds of the jungle.  This is on display now until April 7th, during store hours.  The lines aren't too long around noon and the price is free.  A free event in New York - such a rare find!

Christmas in Dyker Hill, Brooklyn

There is a little area in New York City that is known as "The Undisputed Capital of Christmas Pageantry." Almost every house in Dyker hill participates in professionally decorating their homes. It is reportedly said that residents here spend anywhere from $1,000-$20,000 decorating their homes for Christmas. It's not even one particular block, but a radius of the whole neighborhood. There are motorized 20-foot-tall toy soldiers, Santas, reindeers, Christmas Angels and most homes even blast Christmas music! Some even take it as far as turning their garage into a life-size nativity scene! The decorations are so over the top that it is reportedly said that Con Edison gives the residents free electricity for the month to sustain the lights! How crazy! And these are mansions! Even without the lights, these houses are gorgeous! One house has a huge fountain and several marble statues all over the lawn! But visiting Dyker Heights is definitely a New York City thing to do around the holidays that can't be missed. So layer up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, park your car, and be prepared to walk around the neighborhood in awe! Don't forget your camera!