As mentioned in an earlier post, it can be difficult to squeeze everything that New York has to offer into just one week! It can even take several days just to see the best food establishments the city has to offer. When it comes to Christmas in New York, there are certainly a Top 5 of absolute must-sees over the festive season.
Disclaimer: These photos do not do New York at Christmas justice. Well they do a bit. All I’m saying is a little snow wouldn’t go amiss to add to the festive feeling…
5 – Bryant Park
This 9.6 acre park is often referred to as Manhattan’s Town Square. It’s only a 6 minute walk from Grand Central Station and there’s a Metro station practically in the park itself! Throughout the year, Bryant Park attracts hundreds of visitors, however when Christmas hits, the park transforms itself into a Winter Wonderland.
The bustle of New York brings itself to this hive of festivities with a gorgeous ice skating rink at its centre. All around the rink are countless stalls selling a whole host of trinkets, mulled wine and handcrafted artwork. The stalls are perfect for finding those unique gifts for friends and families at Christmas.
Rink-side there are several food stalls and limited seating areas to sit and watch the world go by. At the end of the day, who doesn’t love sitting with a hot dog and watching skaters fall!
4 – Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular
Anyone who goes to New York is sure to check out a Broadway show; it has to be top of anyone’s list! As the city prepares for the festive holidays, Radio City opens its doors for a fun, festive performance featuring the Rockettes. The show usually runs from the start of November to January, with showings throughout the week!
The first performance was presented in 1933 and it swiftly became a tradition in New York. A fun-filled, engaging performance predominantly geared towards families has something for everyone. Obviously I’m not going to spoil the plot (although the plot is rather loose), but the show brings together the magic of Christmas with some festive musical numbers.
3 – Macy’s
Located in prime location on 34th Street, Macy’s is one of New York’s most popular department stores. It sits in the shadow of the Empire State Building, which in the evening is a particularly beautiful sight. Throughout the year, Macy’s is a good tourist spot in itself. Even in London I am yet to see a department store as impressive. It’s the largest in the USA!
At Christmas, as with most places, it feels just that extra bit impressive. Even as you approach the store, you are greeted by interactive window displays and a giant inflatable snowman above the entrance. When you go inside you can appreciate the store’s 100+ year history by some of the ageing walls and escalators! The atmosphere inside, especially with the hundreds of people Christmas shopping, is second to none. I even took the chance to pick up a few festive pieces to take home!
2 – Rockefeller Tree
The 20-something metre tall Norwegian Spruce that stands in Rockefeller Square has been a New York tradition since 1933. It is usually put up around mid-November and stands until the New Year. There is a reason that around 125 million people visit this tree every year.
Not only are the streets lined to marvel at the impressive festive sight, but many also partake in ice skating underneath the tree. During our visit, there was not one evening where you could freely walk the streets in the vicinity of the tree; you’re shoulder to shoulder with people from all over the world!
There is a large underground concourse too, where you can grab a drink, bite to eat or just watch the ice skaters. The tree is just the flagship of this bustling Christmas attraction.
1 – Central Park
As much as this list is a personal opinion, very few people can argue with the impressiveness of Central Park. Christmas or not, an 843 acre park in the middle of such a bustling urban hub is worth a visit any time of year. Guided tours of the park, the Christmas stalls or the ice skating rink can all lose you many hours in the day. It is certainly worth visiting over a couple of days, as I suggest here.
When it comes to tours of the park, we opted for a cycling tour instead of the horse and cart version. Either way, on a cold winter’s day, to be wrapped up in a blanket being given a tour of the park, including its extensive features in movies over the years, is something special.
On the outskirts of the park at the major entrances there are a series of Christmas markets, similar to Bryant Park. There are spaces to stop for a drink, pick up a handcrafted Christmas tree ornament or find a unique Christmas gift for a loved one. If all that isn’t enough, there is also an ice skating rink to top off the festive experience.
New York has so much to offer, and it was very hard to narrow down the top Christmas attractions. Visiting the city at any time of year is special, but should you be lucky enough to go around December, it’s just that little bit more. And if you’re even luckier to experience snow, then you really are part of probably one of the most festive experiences in the world.