Get into the holiday season in one of the most festive cities in the U.S. and spend Christmas in New York City
By Ford Hammontree
During Christmas in New York, there are thousands of Christmas lights, festive decorations, and various activities to get you in the holiday spirit. Like the subways of New York, figuring out how to make the most of your holiday vacation can be tricky. Don’t be fooled by the mall Santas, street vendors, or flashing signs. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, here are some critical do’s and don’ts for not getting lost in this winter wonderland.
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PLAN EARLY
Before you even think about seeing the New York City Christmas Markets, you should start planning what you want to do. The city is one of the busiest places in the country during the wintertime. You don’t want to be aimlessly wandering around; you should plan for what you want to see. If you’re considering going to a fancy restaurant, make a reservation. Did you see an ad for a play? Buy the ticket before you even get there.
PACK HEAVY
Before looking at all the festive activities, you should pack accordingly. Winter in the Northeast region is no joke. Many city residents talk about how much colder it is than the surrounding states. You should pack layers of clothes instead of those oversized jackets and snow pants. That way, if you ever get too hot, you can just remove a layer. You should also pack extra socks so you don’t have to worry about your feet getting cold and wet.
ICE SKATE AROUND THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE
The pine tree is a Christmas staple, and New York is home to one of the most decorative Christmas trees in the world. When you head to Rockefeller Center, you should enter from the 6th Avenue side. This route is usually less busy. Speaking of less busy, the earlier you go, the less busy it’ll be. Viewing the tree isn’t the only attraction at Rockefeller Center; you can also skate the ice rink surrounding it. You’ll probably want to make an appointment, especially if you have a larger group.
WALK AROUND CENTRAL PARK
Central Park is a staple of the Big Apple and it’s particularly pleasing during the winter. From the frozen ponds, wondrous wildlife, and the icey rocks, there’s so many beautiful photo opportunities throughout the park. Photo opportunities aren’t the only positive of Central Park, go to one of the many hills and you’ll be sure to find a perfect chance to sled. If sledding isn’t what you’re looking for you could always make a snowman or start a snowball fight.
CHECK OUT AN NYC CHRISTMAS MARKET
If you’re in the mood for an authentic NYC experience and want to support local businesses, explore the numerous Christmas markets downtown. There are plenty around the city, all of them with their own unique Christmas spirit, along with some delicious hot chocolate. The largest one is The Union Square Holiday Market. Not only does it have 200 hundred vendors, but it’s also been around the longest. If you can’t find anything good there, head down to the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park for more shops and a chance to ice skate. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, walk over to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, home to over 140 vendors.
SPOT A POP-UP ATTRACTION
The city is full of wonderful festive attractions during winter that exude Christmas joy. Feeling like getting a drink? Stop at Miracle on 9th Street in East Village. Do you want to see a colorful yet unique take on Christmas? Go to the Museum of Ice Cream in SoHo and experience the beauty of Pinkmas! The attractions aren’t here for long so make sure you prioritize these festivities.
WATCH A BROADWAY SHOW
Even though plays aren’t the most merry, you’re in New York during Christmas. You’ve got to check out the legendary Broadway Theatre. There are definitely showings of some wonderful Christmas plays, and if not you can catch a showing of Wicked or maybe even Hamilton.
ENSURE YOU HAVE TIME FOR EACH DESTINATION
NYC is the biggest city in the world, so it’s important for you to use your best navigation skills to get from place to place. Managing your time properly can turn a hectic vacation into one of the most joyful times of your life. Allocate yourself more than enough time for each destination but also remain aware of what you have planned for the rest of the day. Don’t let your time run amok, stay on top of your schedule.
If you find yourself lost in the concrete jungle, look around, there are thousands of people around who you can ask for help.
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