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15 Magical Things to Do in New York at Christmas
Christmas in New York really is the most magical time of the year. Here at Mother Daughter Travel we love spending the Christmas season in New York! New York is the perfect mother daughter trip and going during the holiday season makes it even more fun.
Here are 15 of our favorites things to do in New York at Christmas, from the best decorations to the best places to eat to the must-do holiday traditions!
Don’t forget to pack these items!
If you’re visiting New York around Christmas, make sure you remember to pack these commonly-forgotten items to make your trip go smoothly:
- Hand warmers: It gets extremely cold in New York during the winter and you will be glad to have these hand warmers to wear inside your gloves or keep in your pockets!
- Portable charger: Your cellphone battery will die faster in the cold (thanks Apple) and the last thing you want is a dead battery on a busy day of sightseeing! I bring this portable charger everywhere with me and it has been a lifesaver.
- Rain boots: If it’s going to be snowing while you’re in New York, save yourself hours of discomfort walking around with freezing wet feet by bringing a pair of rain boots! I love my black Hunter rain boots and they keep my feet dry.
- Wool socks: Keep your feet warm and dry by wearing one (or two!) pairs of wool socks.
- Chapstick: Your lips will get incredibly dry walking around the extremely cold and windy streets of New York, so make sure to bring along some Chapstick to keep in your purse!
Without further ado here are our top 15 things to do in New York at Christmas!
1. Ice skating in Central Park
Ice skating in Central Park is a fun way to celebrate the holiday season in New York, especially after it has snowed and turned the park into a winter wonderland! The rink at Central Park can get crowded, so make sure to go early in the day to avoid crowds.
2. See the Rockettes at Radio City Musical Hall
There is nothing quite like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. This festive dance show is a lot of fun for the whole family.
3. Admire the holiday window displays
All along Fifth Avenue, storefronts are transformed into magical Christmas displays. Some of the best displays can be found at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys. The Tiffany store on Fifth Avenue is always decked out as well.
4. Sixth Avenue Christmas decorations
On Sixth Avenue, you can find all sorts of fun, oversized Christmas decorations, including giant Christmas ornaments, Christmas lights, and toy nutcrackers.
5. Go sledding in Central Park
Central Park is a true winter wonderland after it snows, and what better way to enjoy it than by sledding in the park? The two best hills for sledding are Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill.
6. See The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a holiday classic, and it wouldn’t be Christmas in New York without it! There is nothing quite like dressing up to go see this ballet at Christmas.
7. Have a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity
Serendipity has all sorts of delicious foods and desserts, but they are especially famous for their giant frozen hot chocolate! Just make sure to bring someone with you to help you finish this tasty treat because you probably won’t be able to have it all on your own 🙂
8. Check out the Bryant Park Winter Village
Every Christmas, Bryant Park transforms into a magical Winter Village complete with an ice skating rink, food hall, and shopping vendors.
9. Check out the Union Square Holiday Market
There’s another Christmas market located at Union Square with amazing vendors selling unique, handmade gifts. It’s the perfect place for holiday gift shopping!
10. Go to Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights
While Manhattan is famous for its Christmas decorations, Brooklyn has the magical Dyker Heights lights display that is a must-see during the holidays! The residents of this Brooklyn neighborhood go all out decorating their homes for the holiday season. The best lights are on 11th to 13th Avenue between 83rd and 86th Street.
11. Do some holiday shopping at Macy’s
There’s no better place to do some holiday shopping than at Macy’s in Herald Square – that is, if you can brave the crowds! If you have kids then make sure to bring them to Santaland at Macy’s to meet Santa and his elves.
12. Have a cookie and milk shot at Dominique Ansel
Get into the holiday spirit with a reimagined version of Santa’s favorite treat. The cookie and milk shots at Dominique Ansel’s bakery in Soho are absolutely delicious!
13. Check out the holiday decor at famous hotels
Some of New York’s most famous hotels get a lovely holiday makeover every year. You can channel your inner Kevin McCallister in the lobby of The Plaza Hotel, or admire the beautiful tree in the courtyard of the New York Palace.
14. Enjoy a rooftop dinner
Rooftop dining probably isn’t the first thing to cross your mind when you think “winter in New York.” But during the holiday season, some of the city’s best rooftop bars and restaurants are converted into cozy indoor, heated winter wonderlands. Some of the best are the Winter Garden at The Standard East Village, BAITA at Eataly, and Refinery Rooftop at the Refinery Hotel.
15. See the world’s most spectacular Christmas tree
Between the beautiful decorations, ice skating rink, and enormous Christmas tree decked out in thousands of colorful twinkling lights, there is nothing quite like Rockefeller Center at Christmas!
Where to Stay in New York at Christmas
The Plaza Hotel: One of New York’s most iconic hotels with absolutely beautiful Christmas decorations! It’s also the setting of family favorite Christmas movies like Home Alone 2 and Eloise at Christmastime. The location of the Plaza cannot be beat – you’re right on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South!
The New York Palace: Fans of Gossip Girl will recognize this hotel as the home of Serena van der Woodsen. It’s also home to one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in the city and conveniently located to many popular Christmas attractions like Rockefeller Center!
The Peninsula: This is another hotel that goes all out with holiday decorations. You will feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas fairytale staying at this beautiful hotel!
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