NYC: Planning a Holiday Visit

Here’s a guide to the best of what New York city has to offer throughout the holiday season and beyond!

Enjoy the city's charm in more than one way: ice skating, watching dancing nutcrackers fly about the stage, shopping at vibrant markets, or participating in the New Year's Eve countdown heard 'round the world’.

(Russkiy and Español Translations available)

#1: Visit Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Christmas Spectacular is known as New York's most famous holiday production, but there is also a vast calendar of festive productions unfolding in each year, including special concerts and theatrical performances. From the New York City Rockettes to the JOE HISAISHI SYMPHONIC CONCERT, you're sure to find some merrymint at the Music Hall!

#2. Find a Christmas Tree lighting

The Rockefeller Center tree-lighting ceremony is the most well-known in the city, however, it's not the only one! There are a number of other tree-lighting ceremonies around the city for you to enjoy. Bryant Park and the 'Winter Village' return this year, as well as Lincoln Square and the South Street Seaport. The trees will be on nightly throughout the season once they've been lit, so you can stop by whenever you like to take in their beautiful glow.

#3 Go Ice Skating

New Yorkers are thrilled to have ice skating returning this Holiday Season! Not only is skating on these rinks fun all winter long, but several of them offer a terrific holiday atmosphere. Have a whirl under the towering tree at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, or follow up your skating with some holiday shopping at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (free, though you'll have to rent skates). Other Rinks to reopen are The Sky Rink and Chelsea Piers, the City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City, and of course, Central Parks famous Wollman Rink (opens November 15) — Closest Park Entrance: Center Drive. W 59th St.

#4 Grab Some Hot Cocoa

New York City offers a lot in the way of Holiday Dining. Finding delicious hot chocolate is easy. Whether you're looking for a sugar rush to help fuel your holiday shopping spree, or are wanting to warm up after a whirl on the ice skating rink, hot cocoa abounds. If you're looking for a truly artisan NYC Cup, I suggest L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates! With seasonal releases for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, you're sure to find something to enjoy!

#5 Take your time at Grand Central Terminal

Voted one of the 15 Best Instagram Spots in NYC, Grand Central is a magical place around the Holiday Season. Each year visitors will find new and exciting things to see! If you’re planning on visiting this year,The Grand Central Holiday Fair returns to Vanderbilt Hall in November 2022! You’ll find updates and info here.

#6 Go Shopping

Make your way to Fifth Avenue if you're looking for iconic holiday displays. From Cartier to Saks Fifth Avenue, the lights and Windows are a yearly sight to behold. Looking for local vendors? Be sure to check out the outdoor locales like Bryant Park, Union Square, and Columbus Circle, where some of the city's best markets unfold and purchasing wares can be paired with hot cocoa and seasonal nosh. If you prefer to stay toasty, Grand Central Terminal is the best with the indoor market (#5) in its atmospheric Vanderbilt Hall.

#7 Get cozy by a Fire

Winter nights during the holidays are made cozier by a crackling fireplace and your favorite beverage. Seats are available in bars such as Employees Only in the West Village, Brandy Library in Tribeca, and the Churchill Tavern in NoMad. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy festive holiday decor at most of these bars.

#8 Visit Central Park

Central Park is like no other park, especially in the later part of the year. It is a lovely place to visit whether you come during the fall foliage or during the snow-capped season. Taking up over 800 acres, you can easily miss some of the attractions. Here are some of the most iconic spots for you to visit in the Park.

• Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace (and the adjacent fountain), Gapstow Bridge

• Belvedere Castle , Wollman Rink (skating) , The Carousel, Mall and Literary Walk (this is the ideal spot for fall foliage), Strawberry Fields, Conservatory Garden , Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir , Shakespeare’s Garden , Ladies Pavilion , and last but not least ... Trefoil Arch.

#9 Visit the New York Botanical Garden Glow

The New York Botanical Garden will host the second annual NYBG Glow experience on the grounds this year. The outdoor light show will feature thousands of energy-efficient LED lights and fun installations.
Guests can enjoy this 1.5-mile colorful extension with more colourful illuminations than last year, including plant stories, and whimsical, picture-perfect installations that reflect the gardens surrounding them.

#10 Go find Santa Claus

The season wouldn't be complete without a visit with Old St. Nick. Happily, he manages to get around town quite a bit each year, with go-to stations for pictures with Santa at stores like Macy's. In 2021 Celebrate the holiday season with a visit from Santa Claus. Bring the kids to take photos with Santa at our tree lightings and holiday celebrations.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stuff Oui Love: By Ashley M Lands & Team

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