8 Magical Ways to Spend Christmas in New York
The Peninsula Hotel Lobby
Undoubtedly one of Fifth Avenue’s most glamourous addresses, where a few nights at the 5-star Peninsula Hotel during the holidays could set you back a small fortune (before taxes and fees), checking out their holiday decorations in their opulent lobby can be enjoyed by anyone. While the Plaza Hotel might not let you in unless you're a paying guest, you can snap photos in front of the Peninsula’s tree and beautiful displays for nothing! It’s always an impressive, festive and cozy display, and you can take pictures with the giant Christmas tree – absolutely one of the best photo opportunities in all of Manhattan at this time of year (because of the lack of crowds). When I visited, it wasn’t as busy as I expected it to be, especially when you consider its proximity to the most visited or more popular attractions near Fifth Avenue.
Hudson Yards
This is where you’ll find one of New York’s best holiday displays, as well as The Vessel. The mall at Hudson Yards is a vibe and normally I’m not one to go to malls at home or on holiday, and I avoid them like the plague in December and January but I’m happy to visit the one at Hudson Yards for its displays at Christmas time because it’s just beautiful. Probably one of the prettiest malls in America during the holiday season. Once you've seen it for yourself, you'll have to tell me if you agree.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
This has been one of my favourite New York City bakeries since the invention of the cronut, but this SoHo bakery has a big reputation for a reason. Expect there to be a queue outside when you go, with 20 minutes being usual during the holidays but it is definitely worth the wait. The staff are really friendly, they sometimes hand out samples outside while you wait and there are so many Christmas-themed items to choose from – cookies, pastries, and it would be a great spot to visit just to get some gifts. The chocolate chip cookie shots are really popular, but if you want something really special, you have to try the blossoming hot chocolate! You get a thin marshmallow flower bud that blossoms into a flower, and it doesn’t just look good…it tastes good too.
Hidden Christmas Trees
Now, let’s talk about those under-the-radar gems. Granted, the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree is the biggest in NYC and the one that featured in the movie Home Alone 2, but if like me you prefer to take your photographs without the crowds, there are two lesser-visited outdoor Christmas trees that are just as beautifully decorated where you’ll find 90% less people than at the Rockefeller Centre tree. One of these lesser-known spots is the Christmas tree outside the Lotte New York Palace hotel. It's always so pretty so if you're staying near Times Square it's well worth a look. The same can be said for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Christmas tree in Lower Manhattan. It’s just as gorgeous as the Rockefeller tree but gets zero love. If you happen to be staying nearby, make a point of heading to lower Manhattan after dark at least once, then walk through Zuccotti Park (the trees are lit in the most unique and magical way), pop into the Oculus for some fun holiday displays, and wander over to South Street Seaport for a Christmas surprise in the Financial District.
Brookfield Place & The Oculus
Brookfield Place is a winter wonderland where holiday spirit fills the air with lights and dazzling displays. You’ll find a beautiful winter village atmosphere, charming pop-up shops and delicious seasonal treats. The atrium sparkles with shimmering lights, and the ice-skating rink at Brookfield Place is probably one of the least well known of all the big ice-skating rinks in Manhattan. It’s an ideal spot for shopping, eating, and soaking up the NYC holiday magic. And then there’s the Oculus—it’s an architectural marvel that’s even more stunning at Christmas time. Its soaring, white ribs glow with lights, and inside, it's transformed into a buzzing holiday hub. The shopping area is fully decked out, and there’s an undeniable energy as people hustle through, taking in the beauty of the season.
Bryant Park’s Winter Village
There are many popular Christmas markets in New York City, but as far as I’m concerned, if you just do one it would have to be Bryant Park’s Winter Village. It’s such a lovely place and I’ve sent people to New York before who now go every single year. There’s just so much to do there! You can see the Empire State Building from the village, there’s an ice-skating rink and bumper cars on ice, cosy pre-bookable igloos, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, fantastic festive gifts that you can buy, and there’s festive food and winter treats everywhere. What’s not to love?
Around Radio City
The Times Square of New York City during the Christmas is around the Radio City area at the Christmas Balls Fountain. Not only is it an iconic NYC Christmas selfie spot, but recently giant holiday candy canes were added so if you’ve been to New York at Christmas before and want to take some fresh photos for the album, head to right across the road from Radio City Music Hall. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes is a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should check out once if spending any time in New York City during the holidays. I would say find the time to do it of you can. You definitely won’t regret it—the Rockettes are incredibly talented and it’s an unforgettable experience to have.
Seasonal Cocktails & Tinselled-up bars.
If you’re not worried about a spot that’s a little out of the way in Alphabet City, then you have to check out Miracle on Ninth Street, a Christmas themed cocktail bar. My top tip would be to arrive there early. We visited about 1 hour after opening on a Friday and the cocktails were surprisingly potent and tasty. They have cocktails such as the Run Run Rudolph, and the decorations are as Christmassy as you’d expect for a holiday themed bar. If you’re staying anywhere near the East Village or downtown Manhattan, then it is definitely worth stopping by but if it's out of the way, head to Oscar Wilde for their famous festive decorations, great food and killer cocktails.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"
