Want to check out some fantastic New York City light displays without the holiday hordes? Follow this 7 part series of seasonal itineraries for outstanding alternatives to Rockefeller Center.

BOUCHON BAKERY & CAFE AT THE SHOPS AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE

Located in the Time Warner Center, the Shops at Columbus Circle is a high-end shopping mall featuring several floors of upscale boutiques, as well as a formidable roster of fancy restaurants.

During the holiday season, don't be surprised to see otherwise hurried shoppers suddenly stop in their tracks and gaze upward toward the soaring atrium ceiling. High above the action hang a dozen 14 foot LED stars that periodically flash, flicker and flare in captivating colors, changing in rhythm to yuletide tunes.

The best vantage point is from a table along the terrace of Bouchon Bakery and Cafe, located on the third floor. Here you can dine on delicious and reasonably priced French fare by acclaimed chef Thomas Keller.

After dinner, head one flight upstairs for a nightcap at Center Bar, a sleek cocktail lounge perched directly above Bouchon. The drinks are pricey but perfectly prepared and there's also live piano from 6:00-10:00 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.

Total Cost: About $75 per person for dinner and a drink at Bouchon + a drink at Center Bar. Tax and tip included.

Best Nights to Go: Friday and Saturday, as reservations are easily secured for both Center Bar and Bouchon.

Nearby: New York Historical Society- Located just a ten minute walk up Central Park West, this museum features an annual holiday installation of historic trains and toys, in addition to other excellent rotating exhibitions. Every Friday evening, the museum is open until 8:00 p.m. and admission is pay-what-you-wish after 6:00 p.m. You can also catch a movie at AMC Loews Lincoln Square, which features a true IMAX theater.

Check out other installments of this holiday series here.