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Jay Lloyd's Getaway: Stepping Away From Holiday-Frantic Manhattan

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By Jay Lloyd

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CBS) -- If you're joining the shopping migration to New York City this holiday season, I'd like to  suggest a way for you to avoid the crowds and escape to a nearby, scenic haven.

After I've seen the Rockefeller Center tree and the ice skaters, and the Fifth Avenue crowds become unbearable, I hop the "F" train to the first stop in Brooklyn.

A short walk brings you to one of the most heralded landmarks in New York: the Brooklyn Bridge, and its namesake park, with stunning views of Manhattan and, of course, the bridge itself.

"It never gets old, looking at that thing -- it's just magnificent," said one New Yorker I spoke with, "and this is one of the best places to see it."

Locals gravitate here to put some distance between themselves and the cacophony just across the East River.  There's a popular Prohibition-era carousel (photo below), gardens, eateries, and places to sit and enjoy the view.

It's across the street from two of New York's top pizzerias – Grimaldi's and Ignazio's.

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But if unique gifts are your quest, shop for that most welcome treat, incredible chocolates from nearby Jacques Torres.  For me it's the almond bark!

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