CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK // YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO A MAGICAL VISIT

If you are looking for the perfect trip to take over the holidays that will absolutely get you in the holiday spirit, look no further than New York City. Twinkling lights everywhere, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, The Rockettes, Santa Clause at Macy’s. This is hands down our favorite trip to take in December.

We have visited NYC twice over the holidays. The first time we visited over New Year’s Eve and the second time we visited during the week of Christmas. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to see and do that will get you in the magic of the season. Most everything I list here is open from the end of November through New Year’s Day. 

GETTING HERE:

If you’re flying into LaGuardia Airport, pick a seat on the left side of the plane for amazing views when you land

If you are flying into NYC, you have three airport options: JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport in New Jersey. I will always check the cost of flights (or award availability) into each airport to compare.

GETTING INTO NYC FROM EACH AIRPORT: 

From each airport, you’ll have multiple options for getting into NYC and to your hotel including public buses and taxis. We have taken the AirTrain several times and found it pretty simple to figure out. While it costs more, we always budget for an Uber upon arrival. It’s just easy to use, easy to find and worth it to be dropped off right in front of our hotel.

From Newark: 

• AirTrain: You can hop on the AirTrain from any terminal and it will take you straight into NYC Penn Station via the NJ Penn Station in about 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Penn Station you can either walk or Uber/Taxi to your hotel.

• AirTrain to PATH: This train will take you from the airport to World Trade Center station in Manhattan and is a great option if you’re still in that area.. We actually took the PATH train during a road trip when we stayed in NJ to save money. For both options you can purchase your tickets in a kiosk or in the app in the airport. 

From JFK:

• If you’re staying in Midtown or Upper Manhattan, take the AirTrain from right inside the airport to the Jamaica Beach station. From here, you can hop on any subway line to get you closest to your hotel. The ride costs about $10.75 and is a little bit over an hour.

• If you’re staying in lower Manhattan, take the AirTrain to Howard Beach station to connect.

From LaGuardia: 

There is no subway or AirTrain that connects directly from the airport into Manhattan. But you can take the Q70 “LaGuardia Link” Bus which runs nonstop to the Jackson Heights Roosevelt Avenue Subway station. It departs every 8-10 minutes or take the M60 bus to the subway. 

Pro Tip: I highly recommend downloading the City Mapper app before you arrive. It’s so easy to use for the NYC subway system. Just put in your location and destination and it tells you exactly how to get there, including walking instructions and if you need to switch trains. 

TOP THINGS TO DO DURING THE HOLIDAYS

DEPARTMENT STORE HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAYS

We love walking down 5th Avenue to admire all the holiday window displays. We start our walk at the Plaza Hotel on the southeast corner across from Central Park and 5th Avenue. Make sure to check out the Pulitzer Fountain which is always decked out with an animated holiday scene. Then we start heading down 5th Avenue towards Rockefeller Center. You’ll see lots of fun department store window displays along the way. 

The Pulitzer Fountain and its animated holiday display

ROCKEFELLER PLAZA

Seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree was on my bucket list for so many years and you guys, it did not disappoint. My stomach still does a little flip every time I see it. There’s lots to see in and around Rockefeller Plaza, here are our favorites:

• Rockefeller Christmas Tree: For the best views, stand in front of the ice rink where you can see the Saks Fifth Avenue lights on your right and the Christmas tree on your left. There are a series of fountains here called the Channel Gardens that are lined with harking angels. It is super crowded here, but worth it to work your way in. It’s really quite a sight. Remember to come back here at night too. It’s magical. Pro Tip: Want to experience your own tree lighting ceremony? The tree is lit every morning at 0600, so head over early and you’ll have your own, almost private tree lighting ceremony.

• The Lights at Saks Fifth Avenue: This is super popular and super crowded. The music show begins at 5pm every night and runs every ten minutes. The best place to stand is across the street along the Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens where the angels are.

Ice Skating: Sure, it’s crowded and expensive, but you have to skate on Rockefeller Ice under the Rockefeller Christmas Tree once in your life don’t you? We found arriving right when the Rink opens to be the best time. We went at 0900 on New Years Day and there were maybe ten people there. Make sure to pack thick socks for this one! You can find out more here!

• The Radio City Rockettes: Located in Rockefeller Plaza, don’t forget to buy your tickets to the Christmas Spectacular show. Tickets go on sale in the Fall. We had tickets last year and the show closed the day before we arrived due to Covid. Can’t wait to try again this year!

• Chalets: Last year, there were tiny ski chalets set up around the Rockefeller Ice Rink called Apres Skate as a way to wind down after skating. To sit inside one, you had to make a food or beverage purchase at the ticket booth nearby. When we inquired, the wait was two hours. I recommend checking in, book your slot, walk up and down 5th Avenue and return to hang out in your little ski chalet. They were so cute and I hope they’ll be back this year

• The Today Show: We watch the Today Show every morning and it was on our bucket list to see the Today Show team. But, both times we have visited, the main crew was already off for the holidays. You can go online and reserve a spot just in case. But be warned, they pre-tape a lot of segments for the holidays and if you’re visiting between Christmas Day and New Year’s there will probably be no one there. 

Sunset is our favorite time to visit the Top of the rock

• Top of the Rock: Even though there are several other observation decks in NYC, this one is our favorite. We reserve tickets  for the last hour of daylight and love watching the sunset up there. Pro Tip: You can line up outside on the side of the building, or head inside and go to the lower level entrance where there is never a line and it’s nice and warm!

Fifth Avenue walk from Central Park to Bryant Park Holiday Market

In and Around Rockefeller Plaza:

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral - on 5th Avenue right next to Saks. Free to enter and look around

• The Big Red Ornaments - across 6th street from Radio City Music Hall

• The Fox News Christmas Tree: West 48th & 6th street, just down from the big red ornaments in the fountain

• The Big Nutcracker statues: Outside of the UBS Building on 6th Ave

• Magnolia Bakery - at Radio Center Music Hall  - best banana pudding ever. Go early, lines usually wrap around the building.

• Shopping: You’ll find tons of shopping along Fifth Avenue and crowd favorites FAO Schwarz and Legos are right in Rockefeller Plaza. There is usually a long line to get into FAO Schwarz.

VISIT SANTA AT SANTALAND AT MACY’S:

Even though I don’t have little ones anymore, we reserved tickets to see Santa last year. This is an iconic Christmas activity in New York. And honestly, just seeing the historic Macy’s with the holiday window displays and wooden escalators made me feel very nostalgic about the holidays. Even if seeing Santa isn’t on your list, definitely pop into Macy’s, head to Santaland and take the wooden escalators down and down and down.

I’m completely obsessed with the wooden escalators at Macy’s Department Store in NYC

CENTRAL PARK: 

We love exploring Central Park in the winter time. You can literally spend half a day here. There are fantastic views of the NYC skyline. We ice skated here at Wollman Rink last year and had a blast. We pre purchased our tickets to avoid standing in two lines when you get there. While it may seem romantic to take a horse carriage ride here, we much prefer the more humane pedicab tours. You can pre book these. They take you to all the main sights and will even take your photos along the way! Keep in mind most pedicab tours only hold 2-3 people. My favorites are Go Hybrid NYC (ask for Prince) and Central Park Attractions.

We had so much fun ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park

HARRY POTTER STORE:

OK, maybe this isn’t holiday related, but we think all things Harry Potter are magical. Head inside for a taste of Butterbeer or pick out a wand at the wand shop. To enter you must head to the store, scan the QR code at the door and enter the virtual queue. You can then go sightseeing around the neighborhood. You’ll receive a text when your place is up in line and you’ll have one hour to return to the store. You can find out more here. The Harry Potter Store is just a couple of blocks from the Union Square Holiday Market.

THE VESSEL AT HUDSON YARDS:

My husband and I decided to go see this on our last night in NYC and I'm so glad we did. The Vessel is supercool to see at night, all the trees are covered in white lights. Head inside Hudson Yards shopping center to see the hot air balloons and hanging lights too.

HOLIDAY MARKETS

• Winter Village at Bryant Park: This is a magical Christmas Market with tons of shops and food kiosks surrounding a huge ice rink. Skating is free here but you have to pay for the skates. We did find this to be very crowded and lines to get food and hot cocoa were pretty long. But, it is truly beautiful when the sun goes down. Find out more here.

• Union Square Holiday Market: This one was smaller than the one at Bryant Park, but easily manageable and not quite as crowded. Click here for details.

• Columbus Circle Holiday Market: Located on the southwest corner of Central Park, this Christmas Market is a good one to visit after your pedicab tour or ice skating at the Wollman Rink. To see location and hours, click here.

• The Oculus: Located across from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and the World Trade Center, this holiday market is located inside the Oculus and out of the cold. They really transform the lower level of The Oculus. Worth popping in while you’re in the neighborhood. 

Warming up with hot cocoa at the Bryant Park Holiday Market

ENTERTAINMENT:

I love seeing a holiday themed show when we’re in NYC, it just really puts us in a festive mood. Top picks are: 

• Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Tickets can be pricey, but the cheap seats still have great views. I can’t think of a better way to kick off your holiday trip than to see this show in NYC. We have found that ticket prices are cheaper in November than in December. Also, according to our friends at Free Tours by Foot, tickets price out cheaper on Stubhub than they do directly from Radio City Music Hall. And, since I love points and credit cards, don’t forget to check your Chase offers as they will oftentimes offer discounts. As always, tickets for midweek will be cheaper than week-end tickets.

• The Music Man: This super popular musical starring Hugh Jackman is ending in January, so if you plan to visit NYC between now and the new year, get your tickets to this amazing show!

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: This show is magical and very popular so book tickets early. The great thing is that they have condensed what used to be a two day play (still is in London) into one night. 

• The Nutcracker: We have an annual tradition of seeing this in the city that we live in every year. You don’t have to be a ballet fan to enjoy this. The dancers are incredible, it’s really a must see in my opinion.

• Elf on the Shelf Musical: This one is super cute for kids. Check ticket info here. 

RESTAURANTS THAT DECK THE HALLS: 

• Lilies Victorian Restaurant: Locations in Times Square and Union Square. 

• Pete’s Tavern Gramercy: They go absolutely all out for Christmas. 

• Rolf’s in Gramercy: This one is super popular and reservations sell out quickly. By Union Square. 

OBSERVATION DECKS

There’s just something about seeing the New York City skyline and all the twinkling lights as the sun is setting. Your trip to NYC would not be complete without doing one of these: 

• Top of the Rock: This is our favorite observation deck. We love having the Empire State Building in our view. You can see the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and you can even see Times Square and the ball!

• The Edge: This one is fairly new and located by The Vessel at Hudson Yards. It’s the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. We’ve never done this one, but it looks super cool. Find out more information here. 

• Summit ONE Vanderbilt:  You’ve probably seen photos of this one on Instagram with all the big silver balls. This would be my number two option after Top of the Rock. More info here. 

FAVORITE NYC TREATS:

• Magnolia Bakery: In front of Radio City Music Hall. Best banana pudding ever

• Angelina’s Paris: Across from Bryant Park, corner of 40th and 6th Street. My fave hot chocolate from Paris can be found right here in NYC.

• Serendipity 3: Get out of the cold and head inside this adorable shop for a Frozen hot chocolate. Reservations required and fill up quickly in December. 

• Juniors Cheesecake: The tallest, creamiest cheesecake I’ve ever had. They are huge and you can get one to split.

• Levain Cookies: If you’re a cookie lover, take some of these home.

• Dominique Ansel: Try the blossoming hot cocoa and the famous cronut.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR OF DYKER HEIGHTS: 

This may be an unpopular opinion, but we were very disappointed that we spent money and lost four hours of our time on this tour. If you live in the United States, you will be very underwhelmed. The bus picks you up and takes you to Brooklyn where you get out and walk around a neighborhood decorated for the holidays. There’s about 3-4 houses that go all out, but honestly, I think most people in the US. have a neighborhood in their town that is just as good. I would skip this one for sure. I think most of the people on our bus tour were disappointed. Sorry, Dyker Heights.

We thought the entire neighborhood would look like this. Nope, just one house.

HARBOR LIGHTS CRUISE:

Instead of doing the Dyker Heights tour above, do this one instead. It’s a cruise around the New York harbor at night to see the skyline lit up. We have this booked for this year and I can’t wait. 

TIPS AND TRICKS:

Bring Cash: One of my favorite things about NYC during the holidays are the Salvation Army bell ringers. They don’t just stand there and ring the bell, they are usually playing loud music and dancing, so we always head out with some change or dollar bills to fill the kettle. 

Dress Warm: We have visited when it was mild and in the 40’s and 50’s and we have visited when it was freezing in the 20’s. We always bring thick wool socks, a large packet of hand warmers, a scarf (even for men), a ski cap or something to keep your head/ears warm and layers. Lots and lots of layers. Also, you will be walking a lot. We still wear our tennis shoes here and with nice, thick socks, our feet never get cold. If you’re dressed appropriately for the weather, you’ll enjoy your visit so much more. 

Souvenirs: We love buying snow globes when we travel and getting one in NYC as a keepsake from your holiday trip is a perfect gift. But, keep in mind that many of these snow globes get confiscated by the TSA because they exceed the 3 oz. liquid rule. So, if you plan to buy one of these, make sure it will fit in your checked bag.

Take the Subway: The NYC subway is very easy to use, once you get the hang of it. Use the CityMapper app to help guide you. We found that the worst thing that can happen is we end up one Metro stop further than we started if we get on going the wrong direction. You can buy a Metro ticket for each member of your family (honestly, the kids really like having their own ticket and swiping it) or you can use Apple Pay on your phone or just a credit card. I prefer not to get my credit card in and out of my purse every time. So, we always opt for a Metro ticket. 

Make Reservations: If you plan to visit any museum while you are in NYC make sure that you do your research. Most are now requiring a timed entry reservation. Also, when we visited NYC over New Year’s Eve, we purchased the City Pass. But, because this is one of the busiest times of the year, no museum was honoring the skip the line option and we basically waited almost two hours in the freezing cold. The museums we were able to get in were so crowded that it just wasn’t enjoyable. Now, we come to NYC over the holidays for the festivities and not the sightseeing. Set your expectations for crowds and you won’t be disappointed. 

HAPPY TRAVELS!

Find out how we used points to stay for almost free in New York City here.