For a holiday trip like no other, head to NYC. From its Holiday Shopping, amazing holiday displays and festive outings, New York City is the top destination in the U.S. for holiday travel. From Thanksgiving until the New Year, Manhattan is utterly magical. Take in its holiday markets to holiday performances to ice skating and train displays, NYC needs to be on your list. Here are the top things to do in NYC for the Holidays.
Top Things to Do in NYC for the Holidays
See the Rockefeller Tree and Ice Rink at the Rockefeller Plaza
Browse at the Bryant Park Winter Village
Walk By the Macy’s Herald Square Windows
See the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
Shop for Toys at FAO Schwartz
See a Holiday Performance
Go Shopping at a Holiday Market
See the Trains
Take in the Sites at Gingerbread NYC
Enjoy Holiday Lights in NYC
Go Ice Skating
Get Hot Chocolate
See the Rockefeller Tree at Rockefeller Plaza
A walk through Rockefeller Plaza to see its Christmas tree, ice skating rink, along with its holiday decorations is a must. Prometheus statue is another must during your visit to Rockefeller Plaza.
The LEGO Store windows feature NYC landmarks built in LEGOs, a must for all ages. Also, find popular chain clothing stores in the immediate area for Holiday Shopping.
Rockefeller Center offers many dining options, from coffee and donuts to fine dining across its property. The wintertime Chalets overlook the skating rink and require a reservation.
To ice skate, a reservation is required, and prices start at $21 for general admission. The ice rink is in operation from late fall through winter.
Top of the Rock is another top thing to do in New York City. I recommend going at dusk to see the lights of the city twinkle as the sun sets. Adult admission is $40, and kids are $34.
Located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Plaza. Open 24 hours a day. Free to enter. The Rockefeller Tree arrives on Nov 9, 2024, and is lit on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024. It is on daily from 5 a.m. to midnight through mid-January. The
50 Places to Feed a Kid in NYC
Browse at the Bryant Park Winter Village
With its ice rink and a holiday market, Bryant Park is one of the top things to do in NYC for the Holidays. The jewel box and glass-enclosed shops sell unique gifts from around the world, along with artisan-made items. Additional to the ample shopping, there are bistro tables and lots of quick-service food outlets serving holiday favorites.
Visitors might even see Santa in the morning as he visits with kids from 10 a.m. to noon the week before Christmas. The Lodge Bar and Food Hall offers cocktails and rink-side seating. For a chance to pick up a new sport, reserve a spot at the Curling Cafe and Bar.
Reserve a time slot for an ice skating session on the outdoor 17,000-foot rink. For kids, take a ride on the carousel ($4 a ride, open daily from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.). After New Year’s, the bumper cars return to the ice for a super fun activity.
Located between 5th and 6th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Streets. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until March. The rink is open starting November 7, 2024, from Thursday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to midnight. In December, the rink is open daily from .8 a.m. to midnight. Reservations required and you can bring your own skates. The Holiday shops are open from October 25, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The rink is open until March 2, 2025.
45 Places to Discover with This NYC Itinerary
Walk By the Macy’s Herald Square Store Windows
As the Macy’s Flagship Store, the legendary Macy’s Holiday windows are a must for any trip to NYC during the holidays. A tradition since 1889, the animated windows are revealed the week before Thanksgiving and up until New Year’s Day.
“America’s largest department store” is a must for those in NYC for shopping with 11 levels and it covers the entire city block. This location was built in 1902 and included the first escalator at the time. To experience the wooden escalator, built in the 1920s and 1930s, head to the upper floors.
Santaland is located on the Eighth floor. To visit Santa, make a reservation five days in advance. Unfortunately, no walk-ups.
Located at 151 W. 34th St. Open daily with extended holiday hours.
Museum Musts for New York City
See the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show–CANCELLED FOR 2024
With a synchronized light show and stunning window displays, Saks Fifth Avenue is another one of the Top Things to do in NYC for the Holidays. With LED lights climbing up the sides of the building, even during the day, it’s impressive.
For the nightly shows, head across the street from the legendary store for the best view. From 4:35 p.m. and every 10 minutes after, the shows go on until 10:35 p.m. from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
Located at 611 Fifth Avenue. Free
Shop for Toys at FAO Schwartz
The legendary toy retailer now lives at Rockefeller Center with life-sized stuffed animals, games, toys, and even candy. It’s a must even for big kids and particularly magical during the Holidays.
Located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with extended holiday hours. Free to enter.
Mid Town Musts for NYC
See a Holiday Show
Make it a special holiday getaway by seeing a show while in NYC. This is one of my favorite things to do in New York, no matter the season.
Reservations are a must; however, during the busy holiday season, there are many times available, especially for the Rockettes, who perform up to four shows a day.
The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes
If it’s your first trip to NYC, then get tickets to the Rockettes. The show is a fantastical, glittery holiday production perfect for families and couples. The high-kicking troupe of dancers makes it look effortless, and the costuming is dazzling.
The Radio City Music Hall is an Art Deco masterpiece and features rich architectural details from a bygone era. Though traveling shows are good, seeing a production in NYC can’t be beat.
Located at 1260 6th Ave. Advance tickets are required.
The Nutcracker
A holiday classic, The New York City Ballet’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a treat with its exquisite costuming and swoony sets. This is a holiday tradition for many NYC families.
Performed in the David H. Kock Theater in the Lincoln Center at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza. Shows run from Thanksgiving until New Year’s. Advance tickets are required.
Christmas Concert at John the Divine
St. John the Divine is a Gothic Revival Cathedral completed in 1899. With its stunning acoustics, its annual holiday performance is a favorite with its traditional carols.
Located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue. Usually held the second week of December. Advance tickets are required.
Best Things to Do in Lower Manhattan
Christmas Concert at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
As the Neo-Gothic Cathedral in the center of midtown, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is right across the street from Rockefeller Plaza. Open to all, the space is decorated for Christmas. Its annual A City Singing at Christmas showcases the building’s unbelievable acoustics.
Located at Fifth Ave. Between 50th & 51 St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The annual Christmas Concert is usually in the third week of December. Free to enter, though donations are accepted.
Top Things to Do in Central Park
See the Trains
There’s something about the holidays and train displays. New York City offers several train displays in the winter, and each attracts both young and old.
The Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden
This timeless classic is a must for train enthusiasts and has been a highly anticipated event since 1992. There are 25 G-scale model trains chugging down one-half mile of track.
During your visit, you will see close to 200 landmarks of NYC recreated using natural elements, like bark and leaves. This indoor-outdoor event is on Haupt Conservatory Lawn.
Located at 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx. The Trains run from November 16, 2025, to January 20, 2025. Adults are $39 and kids ( 2 to 12) are $27 and students are $35. Reservations are required.
Train Display at Grand Central
For over 20 years, Grand Central has hosted its own holiday train display. In this beloved holiday exhibit, visitors will see Lionel model trains traveling along a 34 foot long, two-level, O gauge model train layout. It even departs from a miniature replica of Grand Central Terminal.
Located at the New York Transit Museum Gallery and Store in the Shuttle Passage at Grand Central Terminal,
89 E, 42nd St. Open from November 14, 2024, to February 2025, Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free to enter.
New York Historical Society’s Holiday Express
This beloved display includes handcrafted and hand-painted pieces dating from approximately 1850 to 1940. Located on the first floor, in addition to the train display, families will find activities.
The New York Historical Society offers temporary exhibits on a variety of subjects.
Located at 170 Central Park West at 77th St. The Holiday Express is open from November 15, 2024, to February 4, 2025. Advance reservations are recommended. Aduts are $24, kids (5 to 12) are $6.
Take in the Sites at Gingerbread NYC
You can see all the NYC icons in gingerbread! From the city’s ice skating to department store windows and the tree at Rockefeller Center, it has been recreated in the classic holiday treat. Best of all, NYC bakers did all the rolling and decorating, and it is on display at the Museum of the City of New York from November 8, 2024 to January 12, 2025.
Located at 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults are $24 and kids 17 and younger are free.
Go Shopping at Top Holiday Markets in NYC
Holiday Markets are a thing in NYC. Here are the top ones to visit.
Bryant Park Winter Village
This is the top holiday market, and as a bonus, it continues through the winter. Located between 5th and 6th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Streets.
Union Square Holiday Market
At the location of a popular farmers market, during the holiday season, Union Square is transformed. Union Square Holiday Market is a shopping destination. Located at Broadway and Park Ave. South at 17th St.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
With a location close to Central Park, this holiday market is another favorite with visitors and locals alike. Located at Central Park South, Central Park West, Broadway and 8th Ave.
Grand Central Holiday Fair
Walk through the Beaux Arts Masterpiece and the largest train terminal in the world. The ceiling of the main concourse features an astronomical ceiling, a four-sided brass clock and Tennessee marble used for the stairs and the floors. The Holiday Fair is located in the Vanderbilt Hall, located off the main concourse. Located at 89 E. 42nd St.
Top 70 Places to See in New York City
Enjoy Holiday Lights in NYC
The city is glittering during the holiday season. It is one of the reasons NYC is a popular winter getaway.
See the City Lights from the Ferry
For the Wall Street Ferry Port, you can catch a ferry to popular spots like DUMBO, Governors Island, and even Midtown and the Upper East Side, along with several locations in Queens and Brooklyn. With open-air decks, it’s a fun ride with exceptional views of Lower Manhattan and Midtown.
Located at South Street at Pier 11. Ferries run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s $2.75 to ride one way, and tickets (or the app) are available at the ferry dock.
Holiday Harbor Lights Cruise
See the glittering lights of lower Manhattan, including the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges in this guided tour. Decorated for the holidays, the City Line boats offer indoor and outdoor seating along with seasonal cocktails, beer and wine available for purchase.
Departs from Pier 83 at W 42nd St. First Cruise at 7 p.m. Admission is based on age.
Washington Square Tree Park
In addition to the Rockefeller Tree, the Washington Square Tree is a must. The 45-foot tree is illuminated from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
Located at 5th Ave between Waverly Place and W. 4th St. Free
Central Park
If strolling through Central Park, visitors can stop by Tavern on the Green to see its tree and holiday decorations.
Located at 67th St. and Central Park West.
National Park Sites in NYC
Go Ice Skating around NYC
The top spots are Rockefeller Plaza rink and the Bryant Park rink, though find over a dozen rinks across NYC. The Wollman Rink in Central Park is another picturesque spot to skate.
If the weather outside is frightful, then head to the indoor rink at Chelsea Piers. Riverbank State Park is outdoors with a roof and overlooking the Hudson River.
Another rink in lower Manhattan is The Rink at Brookfield Place. Close to Penn Station, the Rink at Manhattan West is another outdoor rink.
Additionally, find rinks in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
Grab a Hot Chocolate
If the weather is chilly and you need a cup of hot chocolate to keep your hands warm, you’ll find it in NYC.
L.A. Burdick sells handmade chocolates and some of the best hot chocolate in the city. Located at 156 Prince St, New York.
Angelina Paris is a mainstay from Paris and now open in NY. Located at 1050 Sixth Ave. New York.
Thierry Atlan Soho sells macarons, chocolate and drinks. Located at 436 W Broadway, New York.
Where to Stay in Manhattan
Find a host lodging across Midtownm like The Gregorian Hotel.
