NYC is my favorite place to be most of the year, however, it has an extra special place in my heart around the holidays. Filled with lights, colors, decorations, and snow – after Thanksgiving, NYC converts into a literal winter wonderland. If you’re lucky enough to be going around the holidays and experiencing the magic for the first time, here are 13 things you have to add to your NYC Holiday bucket list in order to have the most magical holiday experience ever!
1. Snap a picture at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Almost a no brainer – the number 1 item on any NYC holiday bucket is to snap a picture with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It is truly an incredible site. It’s pretty much always crowded so it can sometimes be a tricky shot but it’s something that you can 100% can’t miss.
2. Go Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
NYC has a ton of different places to ice skate but one of the most classic places is The Rink at Rockefeller Center. Haven’t we all watched that scene in Elf and wanted to have an ice skating date JUST like that??? We did a super nice package that included an early morning skate and then breakfast at a nice little restaurant overlooking the rink. It was the perfect winter morning. I can’t speak to the pros and cons of the other rinks (like Bryant Park and Central Park) but something about skating underneath the Rockefeller Tree just makes it a bucket list must.
3. Spend the day shopping at the Bryant Park Christmas Market
Probably my favorite part of NYC at Christmas is the Bryant Park Christmas Market. The market also has an ice skating rink and an iconic tree of their own (don’t forget to snap a picture here too!), but the best part is all the local vendors that have booths set up selling all kinds of awesome goods. My faves are Min & Mon and Pamela Barsky who always have booths set up. Some booths will even have sales or deals. Nothing says Christmas like strolling through the Bryant Park market. There are tons of different holiday markets set up this time of year but the one at Bryant Park is by far my favorite.
4. See ALL the Decorations
One of the best things about going to NYC around the holidays is all the lights and decorations. It’s what truly gives you the feeling that you’re walking through a literal wonderland. NYC is packed full of lights and decorations around the holidays – they’re literally around every corner. There are some classics that you can’t miss: the giant Christmas lights, the giant ornaments, and Radio City Music Hall (all close to Rockefeller Center); and of course, Saks 5th Avenue, and the Macy’s “Believe” sign. However, almost everything is lit up or decorated like the Empire State Building, Grand Central, the lions at the library and almost every single tree you pass by is coated head to toe in lights. Last year, Times Square even had “Show Globes” showcasing giant snow globes themed with some of the top Broadway shows of the year. You can usually find articles with any special decorations like that that may be going on the year you’re visiting. Although there are some decorations you won’t want to miss, most decorations you literally CAN’T miss even if you try. Be ready to have “Winter Wonderland” stuck in your head for the entirety of your visit!
5. Check out the Macy’s window display
A category of decorations all its own is the Macy’s window display. Located at the Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, the holiday window displays are something of legend. Hundreds of thousands of people gather daily to see the extravagant displays. Every year brings a new, fun theme (and most of them are interactive!). I’m going to cheat here and lump their indoor décor in with the window displays. It’s usually pretty awesome too. From their little parade and believe ceiling globes to last years “story” set up, it’s usually something you’ll want to go inside and check out.
6. Walk through the Forest of Christmas Love
A Christmas tree forest in the middle of the city? Yes please! The Forest of Christmas Love is a lot of decorated Christmas trees put up by the Church of the Epiphany on 22nd and 2nd. Each tree is put up in memory of a loved one that has passed on and has a little plaque dedicating that tree to that person or family. It’s such a beautiful dedication and a gorgeous display and not super well know. It’s a can’t miss that should be added to everyone’s NYC holiday bucket list!
7. Warm up with a yummy bowl of matzo ball soup and latkes at Roxy’s Diner
I’m a sucker for good kosher food. Roxy’s is about as good as it gets. After a cold day of walking around, nothing hits the spot like a great warm bowl of matzo ball soup. Roxy’s has THE best. Add a plate of latkes to share (with their house made applesauce) and you’ll be set. It’s right in the heart of the theater district on 8th Ave so you can’t miss it…nor should you!
8. Feel like a kid again at FAO Swartz
Even as an adult, FAO Swartz is a pretty cool toy store. The new location new Rockefeller center isn’t quite as classic as the old location but it’s still a Christmas tradition for a lot of people. The lines to get in can get pretty long (especially around the holidays) so be prepared to wait, and be sure to snap a picture with one of the FOA Swartz toy soldiers!
9. Take a stroll through Central Park in the Snow
Have I used the word “wonderland” enough yet? If not WONDERLAND, WONDERLAND,WONDERLAND! And if NYC itself with the decorations and lights don’t do it for you, absolutely nothing says wonderland better than central park coated in a fresh snowfall. I was lucky one mid-December to get a fresh sprinkle over an old snow while I was in town to create an absolute beautiful abyss. If you’re lucky enough to find Central Park covered in fresh white powder, do yourself a favor and take a walk through. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and definitely on of the best times to see the park. This is definitely one to check off the bucket list.
10. Eat as much candy as possible at the Lindt Chocolate store
This is something that doesn’t have to be just a holiday thing (it’s open year round), but something about the decadence of this room stuffed to the brim with truffles makes it something that we deem a holiday treat. We usually try to drop by the Lindt store (down the street from Macy’s) around the holiday season and take advantage of the deals they have going on the gift boxes of mixed truffles. We usually get a big box that lasts us most of the year (the chocolates last really well). I mean and if nothing else, you get a free truffle just for walking in the door so really there’s nothing to lose. Lindt chocolate basically tastes like Christmas to me now so it had to make it on the list.
11. Ring in Christmas Day with some Broadway stars at Feinstein’s/54 Below
One of the best and most intimate ways to catch broadway stars performing is by catching a show at Feinstein’s/54 Below. If you happen to be in the city on Christmas Eve, Feinstein’s usually puts on a really awesome show with broadway performers performing holiday favorites. It’s the perfect way to ring in Christmas day. (COVID willing) Feinstein’s keeps their schedule jam packed all year long with tons of awesome shows and mega talent. Keep up with their schedule on their website here.
12. Snap pictures of as many Hanukkah Menorahs as you can!
If you’re like me and celebrate both Christmas AND Hanukkah, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for all the giant menorah statues scattered throughout the city! They’re everywhere and are all different shapes, colors, and sizes. Be sure to watch for them and snap pictures of as many as you can!
13. Make some friends over some ale at McSorley's
After a long day of holiday antics, head on over to the East Village to historic McSorley's Ale House. The place is packed full of history (be sure to look for the wishbones left by the WW2 soldiers above the bar!). It can really get crowded especially around the holidays, so you can sometimes end up at a table with another group or couple which can lead to really interesting conversations. We went on Christmas Eve one year and the whole bar was singing Christmas carols together, it was a blast. You haven’t truly celebrated the holidays until you’ve been in a room of drunk people screaming the 12 Days of Christmas (each verse by a different table of course) at the top of their lungs. Real small town feel for a big city. SO much fun. Great cap off to a holiday trip.
NYC is one of the best places to be around the holidays. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the 50th time, the magic will keep you wanting to come back year after year. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get into the city this year due to COVID restrictions but I’ll be back as soon as they open the doors and walking in that winter wonderland before you know it! Hope you enjoy my NYC holiday bucket list and maybe even find a few things of your own to tack on!
