In place of their regular NY See the Lights! Tour, OnBoard Tours is currently offering an NY See the Holiday Lights! Tour through Jan. 10th. This three-hour bus tour showcases New York’s elaborate displays of holiday lights and Christmas spirit. The tours covers everything from the Rockefeller Center Tree to the department stores’ holiday displays, Grand Central Terminal, and Fulton Ferry Landing under the Brooklyn Bridge, where you can take in a spectacular view of the New York City skyline, lit by holiday lights at night, and brush up on the history of a few of the City’s prominent landmarks. The tour departs daily from Times Square, on the west side of Seventh Ave. btw. 50th & 51st Sts. (under the Mamma Mia! marquee) at 7pm. For reservations, call 877-U-TOUR-NY or visit www.onboardnewyorktours.com.

If you’re planning a trip to the Empire State Building, be sure to visit the second floor, where you’ll find NY SKYRIDE, a virtual aerial tour that allows you to hit all the major attractions New York has to offer. Narrator Kevin Bacon leads you through and above New York’s famous landmarks from the comfort of your seat in high-definition theaters, perfect for both children and adults. Through Dec. 31st, NY SKYRIDE is working with the Food Bank for New York City to collect canned goods for hungry New Yorkers. You’ll be able to purchase tickets for only $15 -- a $6 savings -- if you bring in a can of food and a downloadable certificate, available at www.skyride.com/fooddrive.html.

The holiday season is full of family traditions, and the Holiday Train Show at the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden is of the most eagerly anticipated. The amazing display of New York landmark replicas created out of plant materials and enlivened by model trains has returned to one of the country’s foremost public gardens through Jan. 10th with familiar favorites from seasons past and new additions to enchant audiences. Open Tues.-Sun., 10am-6pm.

There are a couple of world-famous New York City landmarks we know the whole family will enjoy seeing together over the holidays: Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall (currently home to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, through Jan. 3rd). On the Madison Square Garden All-Access Tour you’ll visit the Knicks, Rangers, and Liberty locker rooms, grab your very own souvenir Madison Square Garden backstage pass, and get a bird’s-eye view of the arena floor from one of the exclusive luxury suites. You can even take part in the thrill and excitement that the players feel at each home game by standing on the apron of the basketball court or sitting on the Rangers hockey bench. On the Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, experience the behind-the-scenes magic of America’s most popular showplace, as expertly trained tour guides take you on a one-hour journey through the history of one of the country’s most magnificent national landmarks. They’ll even throw in a real-life Rockette for good measure, and a peak at the Radio City Autograph Book, which has been signed with personal messages by every artist to ever grace the Great Stage.

Whether you are exploring New York for the first time, rediscovering your hometown or seeking a mini-vacation, a Circle Line Sightseeing cruise is a relaxing and fun way to see the world’s most famous skyline. There are numerous cruises to choose from, with beverages, wine, beer, cocktails and food available on board. To see the whole island, take their 3-hour tour and discover the secrets of the city. You’ll circumnavigate Manhattan Island and see it all: the 3 rivers, 7 major bridges, 5 boroughs, over 25 world-famous landmarks and, of course, a magnificent close-up of the Statue of Liberty. If you want to just hit the highlights, jump onboard their 2-hour Harbor Lights Cruise, and bask in the glow of the setting sun and be dazzled by millions of glistening lights. Beverages, food and souvenirs are available on board. On Dec. 31st, their New Year’s Eve Cruise (18 & over) features a full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a live DJ, and a champagne toast at midnight.