I have always dreamed about visiting New York City during the holidays. Growing up watching the Rockefeller Center tree lighting on tv, it seemed like New York had a magic to it around Christmas time. My husband and I were looking at airfare prices and found a great deal on tickets, so we booked them in November…3 weeks later we were in New York City for the holidays!
Here is a tourist’s guide to New York City during the holidays!
Union Square Holiday Market
The Union Square Holiday Market (or Christmas Market) was one of my favorite places to visit on my trip to New York City during the holidays! Located in Union Square, this market includes over 100 vendors. There is a wide variety of items being sold, including: jewelry, arts and crafts, chocolates, beanies, toys and a lot more! It’s a great place to shop unique gifts for your family and friends…or for yourself!
I also suggest stopping by Max Brenner’s for a delicious cup of their Oreo hot chocolate while you’re in the area! If you don’t end up in this area of Manhattan, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park have a similar holiday market set up by the same company.
Rockefeller Center Tree + Ice Rink
If you’re visiting Manhattan, New York over the holidays you have to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree! It can be very crowded in the evening but the tree looks beautiful at night and it’s worth fighting the crowd. If you want a picture near the tree with less people in the background, I suggest you stop by in the morning. The tree lights are on 24/7 so you can still get a beautiful photo during the daytime hours! Just try to find a stranger that is better at taking photos than the one we found…lol
The Rockefeller Center ice rink is right next to the tree and is a great place to ice skate. Just like every tourist attraction in New York City, try to come early as it gets very busy!
Radio City Rockettes
If you’re looking to visit a show while in New York, the Radio City Rockettes are a must-see during the holidays! The show is fun, well-choreographed, and great for all ages. We also thought the tickets were priced well; seeing the Rockettes was cheaper than any of the broadway shows we were considering seeing! Keep in mind that the line wraps around the block of Radio City Music Hall so be sure to get there early so you don’t miss the beginning of the show.
Ornaments and Christmas Lights
Across the street from the Radio City Music Hall are great photo opportunities! There is a large strand of Christmas lights and some ornaments that you can take photos with. They made me so happy to see…it’s like the city decorates for the holidays too!
Central Park
You may think that walking through Central Park in the cold doesn’t sound like fun, but the park is beautiful in the winter! If you don’t want to walk around the park with a hot cup of hot coffee or cocoa, take a carriage ride around the park! They’re generally easy to find because they can be pricey. But, taking a horse and carriage ride can give you the opportunity to warm up a little while you see Central Park quicker than if you were to walk.
If you are looking for something active, check out Wollman Rink in Central Park. It is pricey, but the location and experience may be worth it to you!
If you are a fan of Christmas movies, take a walk near Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. You may recognize this fountain from the movie Home Alone 2 and Elf!
You can also visit The Plaza Hotel, which is on the outskirts of Central Park. This is the hotel that Kevin McAllister stayed at in Home Alone 2! It was so cool to see in person from the outside, but please note that they only allow hotel guests inside. It costs about $400+ a night…my dream would be to stay there at least once in my lifetime! But I probably would only be able to afford one night, LOL.
5th Avenue Holiday Window Displays
Many stores on 5th Avenue are known for having cool window displays around Christmas time! 5th avenue is long so make sure to map out certain storefronts you want to see so you don’t pass any on your must-see list. Some of my favorites were Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tommy Hilfiger, Tiffany & Co, Bergdorf Goodman, and Salvatore Ferragamo!
Bryant Park Holiday Shops + Rink
We didn’t plan on going to Bryant Park because we had already visited other parks and thought they would be the same. We had some extra time one day and stopped by, and I’m so happy we did!
Bryant Park is one of New York City’s most popular holiday destinations. The park has over 150 vendors, including food and unique gift shops. The park also has a skating rink that is known to be priced lower than many of the other touristy ice rinks in New York.
One thing I love about New York during the holidays is that there are so many free things to do and see. Make sure to dress warm as most of these things are outdoor activities! If you have any questions about New York during Christmas time, or if you have visited and would like to share anything I might have missed, please comment below!
