The Best of New York City at Christmastime!

I can’t think of a US city that feels more like Christmas to me than New York City. With its electricity and excitement, NYC puts on a great holiday show, so I visit every holiday season.  Here is why I love to visit NYC at Christmas time! I hope it helps you plan your New York City Christmas itinerary if you are spending Christmas in New York.

What to Do in New York City During the Holidays

Do A Holiday-themed Pub Crawl to see the Uber-decorated Bars.

Follow my step-by-step guide here.

Start your Day Around the Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Plaza is the location of one of the world’s most famous Christmas trees. There is a Lego Store here, which my kids loved, and a Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, which is lovely to meander through. All of the fabulous decorations to see are within walking distance of here, so spend some time wandering up the streets to see all the sculptures, lights, and decorated trees. It is least crowded in the mornings, so head out early.

Magnolia Bakery

The decorations are divine, and you can stop at the wonderful Magnolia Bakery where the Snickers Refrigerator Cake is chocolaty, rich, and delicious. Their banana pudding is the stuff of legends. Get your sweets, sit, and watch the decor and people.

Go Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center

Everyone should ice skate at Rockefeller Center at Christmastime at least once. It is festive, alive with holiday music, but expect to wait unless you book a lesson with an assigned time.

Check Out the Famous Department Store Windows

Be sure to walk up Fifth Avenue to see the magnificently decorated storefronts, and I always love to drop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Also, walk down to 34th Street to visit Macy’s Department Store, featuring the iconic Miracle on 34th Street windows.

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Walk into Times Square

We then went to Times Square, which is full of bright lights and characters of all sorts on every block. It is always one of the busiest parts of the city, but a place my kids still wanted to visit because they love the M&M Store, which is the most visited store in the world. Right near this area is the famous Broadway. You can stop by the TKTS kiosk in the middle of Times Square to try to score some discounted same-day show tickets.

Eat Roasted Chestnuts from a Street Vendor

Central Park

Be sure to take in the peace of Central Park, an oasis from the bustling energy of Manhattan.

I always love Central Park. It is so lovely with its winding bike paths and walking trails going through its hills. There are plenty of rocks to climb on or lie on for hours, taking in all the trees with the backdrop of the city. It is a splurge, but taking a carriage ride through the park is iconic and charming and will give a chance to see most of the park. If you didn’t ice skate at Rockefeller Center, you could skate here with shorter lines.

After Dark, Be Sure to see the Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Brooklyn

It is always a good idea to leave Manhattan and explore the other boroughs. Brooklyn is reportedly all dressed up for the holidays as well. Check out Christmas Lights in Brooklyn from Just Go Places for ideas on where to visit.

Check out the Christmas Market in Bryant Park

You don’t have to go all the way to Europe for an open-air Christmas market; there is one right in the middle of Manhattan- Bryant Park’s Winter Village.

A Story from my Visit in 2015

The crowds were noticeably thin for a beautiful, almost sixty-degree holiday season weekend. We spoke to some local business people who said, following the Paris bombings, people had been canceling their planned trips into the city. We have been visiting NYC during the holidays every year and have never seen it so quiet. It made me sad that the world is not a peaceful place and that tourists are choosing to let that deter them from their plans, but then a couple of things happened that lifted my heart. My friend’s daughter forgot her gloves, and a kind man on one of the ubiquitous carts selling hats and gloves gave her a free pair and spent time having a friendly chat with my son. Another night, my ATM card wasn’t working, so I didn’t have any cash. A food cart vendor offered my son anything he wanted from the cart for free. Those who depend on tourism for their livelihoods must feel the impact of terrorism, and it was encouraging to see their kindness and the positive side of humanity shine.

Where I Stay in Manhattan, NYC

Over the last few years, I have stayed at and loved these hotels:

Hilton Gardens Midtown East

Our large room had a large desk, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee/tea maker.  The rooms were large and clean, the staff accommodating, and the room was tranquil. The only downside was that it was about a 15-minute walk from the action, but the peace was worth it. They had a cute happy hour with candy, and we also had their breakfast buffet, which was a great way to start our day.

Radisson Martinique of Broadway

I have stayed here the last two times I have visited the City. The rooms are small, but the hotel is ideally located for Christmas exploration, just two blocks from Macy’s and ten from Grand Central Terminal. The staff is fabulous.

I hope you have a great holiday season and enjoy NYC as much as we did. Where is your favorite city to experience the holiday season?

Jamie

PS. This post contains affiliate links. If you book a room using them, I receive a commission at no cost to you. Cheers!

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