By Jay Lloyd

NEW YORK, N.Y. (CBS) — This week, the tree is glowing in Rockefeller Plaza, and once again New York City is a magnet for holiday shoppers, strollers, and gawkers.

And it’s an easy day-trip getaway.

The bells of St. Patrick’s are the musical magnet.  Just steps from Rockefeller Center and the fabled holiday show windows of Fifth Avenue (below), the cathedral spires form the centerpiece of the nation’s most fabled boulevard.

(The Cartier store on Fifth Avenue gets dressed up for Christmas. Credit: Jay Lloyd)

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More than 100,000 Irish cross “the pond” to do their Christmas shopping in New York.  Many find their way to this neighborhood, to see the tree, visit the cathedral, and see Central Park just a few blocks away.

“It’s so quaint and quiet in the park, especially at Christmastime,” said one visitor from Ireland.

Fortunately, we don’t have to travel that far.  Dozens of buses leave Philadelphia and the suburbs daily for a less-than-two-hour ride to midtown Manhattan.

There’s Bolt and Megabus from 30th Street, Peter Pan and Greyhound from the Market East terminal.  And for suburban convenience, Bieber leaves from the Norristown Transportation Center.

Fares are as low as $20, round trip.  Go and come back, all in a day!

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