OK, so you've seen the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, maybe the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. If you're visiting New York City during the holidays, why not do something festive and free?

Among my favorite destinations during the holidays in New York City are the magical department store windows that are dressed up for the holidays. You will see animated scenes, creative designs that took a year to conceive, and pure whimsy that enchants visitors year after year. Don't miss seeing these windows if you're in town.

The grand dame of New York City department stores has once again pulled out all the stops on its holiday windows display. The windows, unveiled in November, match the theme of Macy's holiday advertising campaign, “Believe,” based on young Virginia O’Hanlon’s now famous letter to the New York Sun, asking if there really is a Santa Claus. The Macy’s windows, all 34 of them, include interactive fun, if you can get close enough. Macy's is on Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets.

The famed Saks Fifth Avenue, which always has one of the most popular window displays because of the its location directly across from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, has partnered with Swarovski Elements to create its holiday windows and decor for the 2008 holiday season. The windows feature one-of-a-kind, “crystallized” creations from designers including Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen, Missoni, Isaac Mizrahi, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Carolina Herrera, and Michael Kors. The Saks windows were unveiled, along with the famous Fifth Avenue Snowflake, on Nov. 24. Saks is located at 611 Fifth Avenue, at 50th Street.

Bloomingdales unveiled its holiday windows, with Tony Bennett performing, on Nov. 20. The windows were inspired by the crooner, and are decorated in a vintage style harking back to the 1950s and '60s. it's been described by the Bloomingdale's folks as a kind of "pop-up greeting card. Bloomie's is located on Lexington Avenue and 59th Street.

Lord & Taylor’s windows were unveiled on Nov. 13, with the theme, "My Favorite Christmas Treats," a salute to gingerbread, peppermint and other holiday treats. The opening of the animated windows included a performance from the Broadway cast of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” This year’s Lord & Taylor windows are dedicated to The Fund for Public Schools. You can find Lord & Taylor at 424 Fifth Avenue, and 39th Street.

Barney's always breaks the mold on department store holiday windows, having unveiled "eco-friendly" designs last year and Andy Warhol-themed windows in 2006. This year, the theme is "Have a Hippie Holiday," which pays homage to the fashions, designs and symbols of the 1960s. Groovy. Barney's is located at 660 Madison Avenue and 61st Street.