CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK, ANYONE?

New York City at Christmastime…it’s famous for a reason! We’ve all seen those iconic holiday landmarks time and time again in photographs, on sit-com holiday specials, and even on the big screen – think John Cusack & Kate Beckinsale meeting at the Central Park ice rink in “Serendipity,” Will Ferrell discovering the Empire State Building in “Elf,” and of course, Macaulay Culkin reuniting with his mom in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in “Home Alone: Lost in New York.”

Known for its extravagant holiday shows and decorative displays, NYC might be the most festive city in the US this time of year! The entire town is one big holiday tradition, making it a must visit destination in late November/December.

Last week I had a work conference in NYC and decided to extend my stay to spend time with a friend who recently moved there. The city was packed and the weather freezing, but we didn’t let that dull our Christmas cheer! This was our first time in NYC in December and we only had two days, so we bundled up and hit all the main stops on our holiday bucket list. 

NEW YORK CITY HOLIDAY TRAVEL GUIDE
HOLIDAY HOT SPOTS:

Below is my list of holiday landmarks that you must see if you’re in New York during late November/December. Most are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to complete in a day or two.

    • Radio City Music Hall ⇢ The iconic Rockettes perform in their Christmas Spectacular until the first week of January.
    • Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center ⇢ The tree is lit daily from 5am to midnight and all day on Christmas Day!
    • Window Displays & Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue 
    • Lotte Palace Christmas Tree ⇢ One of the hidden holiday gems of Midtown located in the courtyard of the luxurious Lotte Palace Hotel.
    • Winter Village & Ice Rink at Bryant Park
      • The Winter Village is an outdoor, European-style Christmas market that rivals Chicago’s Christkindlmarket! It features a number of food vendors and artisans from around the world and entry is completely free.
      • Tip: Skating at Bryant Park is much cheaper than at Rockefeller Center. The rink is much larger plus there’s a beautiful view of the Empire State Building! If you are looking to skate, book tickets in advance here.
    • Additional holiday spots:
      • Empire State Building ⇢ While not technically a Christmas display, the Empire State Building is lit up in a festive red & green during the holiday months. Seeing the view from the top is an absolute must have experience if it’s your first time in New York. 
      • Central Park & Columbus Circle Holiday Market
      • Union Square Holiday Market
FOOD & DRINK RECOMMENDATIONS:

New York is full of amazing bars and restaurants – throw a coin and you’ll probably hit a spot with a 4+ star rating on Google. There are so many restaurants that I need to explore, but if you’re looking for a place to start here are a few spots that I really enjoyed (and are backed-up by NYC locals!)

  • Brunch: You can’t go wrong with Bubby’s in Tribeca. The menu sources local ingredients and there’s a number of breakfast and lunch options to please everyone. The ambiance is really cute and rustic, and the food is delicious! Make sure to book a table in advance during the week; tables on the weekend are first come, first served.
  • Dinner: La Lanterna definitely makes my list for top restaurants I’ve ever been to. Famous for its extensive martini list and delicious lasagna flights, I highly recommend making a reservation at this cozy, Italian spot! ⇢  Tip: Try to book a table in the lantern-lit, indoor garden in the back! The ambiance is something special. 
  • Drinks: If you’re looking for one of the best happy hours in the city, look no further than Art Bar! This West Village staple offers a daily happy hour from 4 – 7pm…can anyone say $5 cocktails? This spot is also a short walk from my dinner rec above!
ADDITIONAL NYC MUST-SEE’S:

While this is technically a holiday guide, I wanted to share some activities that any NYC newbie should experience at least once! So if you have some time in your itinerary, check out these iconic NYC spots. 

  • If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, you must see a show at the Comedy Cellar where many of New York’s top comedians come to perform! ⇢ Tip: There’s a ton of comedy shows in the West Village but this one is the best! I’ve been to this show on three different occasions and each time I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard. 
  • Take in the view from the Top of the Rock, the observation deck at Rockefeller Center.
  • Visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and climb up to her crown!

Life is too short so let’s go somewhere! New York during the holidays is a bucket list destination that everyone should experience at least once. If you follow this guide, I know you’ll have an amazing time. My only piece of advice is to make sure you get into the Christmas spirit and bundle up with a hat and scarf (“because baby it’s cold outside”)! Happy Holidays!

Much Love Mandy Signature v3