New York at Christmastime

New York City at Christmastime is beautiful and if you add in some snow, it is truly what Christmas dreams are made of. It seems like all the stores and restaurants get into the holiday spirit. Even the New Yorkers are in a brighter mood despite having to deal with the masses of tourists invading their city. Bryan and I loved our time visiting the city at this magical time of year and I hope this guide will help you enjoy your time, too.

It’s no surprise that New York City has plenty of hotel options for all types of travelers. Whether you’re on a budget or want a full panoramic view of Central Park as the snow is falling, NYC has you covered. If this is your first time visiting New York City during Christmastime, I recommend staying in or close to Midtown Manhattan since that is where all the Christmas magic is happening.

While I don’t typically recommend Midtown for those who have been to NYC before, if you are planning on doing any of the touristy Christmas things that NYC has to offer, it will be a lot easier to get around by staying in Midtown compared to SOHO or the East Village. But, I also have those options listed here as well.

For those looking for a true Christmas experience in New York City, here are my favorite hotels that go all out for Christmastime:

• The Plaza
• Lotte New York Palace
• The Standard East Village
• The Peninsula
• St. Regis New York

For those that just want a nice hotel that won’t break the bank, here are some great options:

• Hotel 50 Bowery
• Refinery Hotel
• Benjamin Royal Sonesta
• Hyatt Grand Central New York
• Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
• The Muse New York

And, for those that just want to look on their own, you can use the booking finder below to browse.

To put it simply, what isn’t there to do in New York at Christmastime? There is honestly so much to see and not enough time to do it all if you’re only there for a weekend. But, if done correctly, you can definitely maximize your time in the Big Apple and see all of these top things to do while in New York.

The Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes is one of the best things to do while visiting New York City during Christmastime. Sure, it’s cheesy but it really puts you in the Christmas spirit and if you have kids, they will love it. Note, be sure to buy your tickets in advance here and show up at least 30 minutes before show time to get through security and not miss an act. And, don’t forget to snap a picture of Radio City’s ornaments across the street as you leave the show!

If you’re being honest with yourself, seeing the Rockefeller Christmas tree is probably why you booked the trip in the first place. It’s iconic, it’s huge and it’s the center piece of the Rockefeller Center. It really doesn’t matter what time of day or night you go (it’s best at night for obvious reasons) there will be a crowd so just be prepared to bump elbows with a few people to get a good view and snap a picture of the tree.

For the best view of the Rockefeller Christmas tree, head to Channel Gardens between West 48th Street and West 51st Street and Fifth and Sixth avenues.

If you’re looking for some fun and unique gifts or just want a place to warm up from the cold, the Grand Central Station Holiday Fair is a great stop. The Holiday Fair opens at 10 AM and is located in the Vanderbilt Hall. We were able to find a few great gifts for our families here and bought one of the cutest NYC illustrations for our home.

Let’s talk about Rolf’s. It’s like walking into a Christmas dream. Every year around Christmastime, this New York restaurant decks out the place with ornaments and lights covering every inch of the ceiling. There are two ways to get inside Rolf’s and both are equally as difficult. One, you can make a reservation well in advance of when you’ll be there (we booked in September for a December reservation). Two, you can head to Rolf’s on the day you want to visit and wait in an obnoxiously long line.

I always love taking time to stroll through Central Park when I visit New York City. It reminds me of running through it while finishing the NYC marathon. But, there’s something even more special about it during the Holidays. If you are up for some ice skating, head to the Central Park skating rink and relive one of my favorite Serendipity scenes.

Another spot for ice skating and shopping is at Bryant Park’s Winter Village. There are so many little shops to choose from in the village as well as food and some of the best hot chocolate. While it’s less busy during the daytime, it’s a lot more magical at nighttime when you get to see the city skyline lit up in the background while you’re ice skating. They even have toasty chalets for those that want to escape the cold and eat some food.

There’s a reason Lotte New York Palace is a hotel that tourists flock to at Christmastime. They go all out with their Christmas decor. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, you can still enjoy its iconic tree out front. Unfortunately, when we visited, the hotel was under construction so the tree was enclosed unlike how it’s been in years past. But, I’m sure by the time you visit, you’ll be able to see the tree in all its glory.

So many stores decorate their storefronts at Christmastime in New York City that no matter where you walk along 5th avenue, you’ll be sure to see a few. Here are some you won’t want to miss:

+ Cartier
+ Chanel
+ Macy’s
+ Tiffany’s
+ Bergdorf Goodman
+ Sak’s

Another great thing about New York at Christmastime is that 5th avenue closes for pedestrians to shop on Sundays. You can enjoy this perk on Sundays from 12-6 PM.

As I mentioned before, there are so many New York City stores, restaurants and bars that really get into the Christmas spirt. Be sure to check out the bars below for some holiday chalets, igloos or just have all around great Christmas decor.

Unlike the rest of the recommendations on this post, what I’ve listed below on where to eat in New York at Christmastime are all restaurants that just have good food. Plain and simple. You aren’t going here for the deocr, you’ll want to visit just because the food is great.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan a perfect trip to New York City at Christmastime. For other New York City travel inspiration, check out my first timers guide to New York City. And, if you ever have questions or need travel advice, reach out on Instagram!

Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.