If you’ve ever been to New York City, you know how amazing the city is. But to visit NYC in December is magic like you’ve never seen. We were lucky enough to spend one day in New York City in December with our girls. We were visiting Philadelphia and realized we had time to rent a car and make a day trip to Manhattan. And I am so glad we did!!!
Getting to experience NYC with my family at Christmastime is one of my favorite memories! We hit the ground running from sun-up to sun-down and were able to see so many incredible sights, eat amazing food, and really experience the spirit of Christmas in the Big Apple. Here’s our one-day in New York City in December itinerary!
The Magic of New York City in December
There’s something truly magical about New York City in December. From the gorgeous decorations in the shop windows to Macy’s to Rockefeller Center to all the countless holiday markets and pop-up shops throughout the city. I could go on and on! New York City in December is a truly magical experience. It’s the perfect time to explore the city and experience all that it has to offer. It’s sure to put you in the holiday mood!
Must-Visit Landmarks
If you’re visiting New York City in December, there are a few must-visit landmarks that you won’t want to miss. Here are two of our favorites:
Times Square
Times Square is one of the most iconic places in New York City, and it’s especially magical during the holiday season. The bright lights, towering billboards, and bustling crowds make it feel like the center of the universe.
We recommend taking a stroll through Times Square at night to fully experience its energy. Our girls were blown away by being somewhere they’d only seen on movies and tv shows. While Times Square gets a bad rap for being a tourist trap, it’s absolutely a must-visit spot at Christmas, especially if you’re visiting for first time visitors.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is another must-visit landmark in New York City in December. This complex of buildings in Midtown Manhattan is home to the famous ice skating rink and the towering Christmas tree.
We didn’t skate, but we loved watching the skaters and snapping some pics in front of the massive Christmas tree. In fact, my husband and I were in NYC the weekend they were setting up the tree, so it was amazing to come back a couple of weeks later to see it fully decorated!
While you’re in Rockefeller Center, make sure to check out the gorgeous window displays in the shops there. They are magical!
Central Park
Central Park at Christmas is a must-visit spot. Despite the chilly weather, you’ll love the festive feel of the park. Be sure and take the kids for a spin on the Central Park Carousel. You should also book a horse-drawn carriage ride for a whimsical holiday experience you’ll never forget!
If you visit after sunset, you can enjoy the gorgeous lights decking out parts of the park, like the world’s largest menorah at the southeast park entrance and the dazzling lights at the Dana Center.
If you’re lucky enough to visit when it snows before Christmas, you can sled at Pilgrim or the less busy Cedar Hill. We haven’t gotten to experience NYC when it’s covered in snow, but I can just imagine how beautiful it looks!
Holiday Shopping Hotspots
If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday shopping experience, New York City has got you covered. If you’re looking for the most gorgeous holiday displays paired with fabulous shopping, you’ll be in Heaven at these spots.
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous streets in the world for shopping, and during the holiday season, it’s even more special. With its iconic department stores, designer boutiques, and luxury shops, Fifth Avenue is the perfect place to stroll, enjoy the window displays, and possibly find that one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones. Some of the must-visit stores on Fifth Avenue include Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Tiffany & Co.
Macy’s Herald Square
Macy’s Herald Square is the largest department store in the world, and during the holiday season, it’s transformed into a winter wonderland. With its elaborate holiday window displays, festive decorations, and special events, Macy’s is the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit. And with 11 floors of shopping, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list.
If you want to visit Santa while you’re there (believe me, you do), make sure you book your visit ahead of time. I thought I blew it when we visited. I realized upon arrival that I had scheduled our visit for the day before! I was in tears and felt horrible, but luckily, the Macy’s employees were the nicest ever and let us visit despite my screw-up. So the day was saved!
Saks 5th Avenue
My absolute favorite store to visit in NYC is Saks 5th Avenue, opposite Rockefeller Center. This store is beautiful on a regular day. At Christmas, it’s a whole other level of FABULOUS.
You’ll be wowed by the famous outdoor light show on the building’s facade. The interior is decked out, as well, and worth visiting even if you aren’t planning on shopping.
FAO Schwartz
If you have kids with you, (and even if you don’t!) you’ll want to at least peak in FAO Schwartz at Rockefeller Center. It’s a toy store like no other you’ve ever seen! At Christmas it’s decked out in lights, life-size toy soldiers and teddy bears, and all things Christmas. It’s truly incredible from both an adult and child’s perspective. Just be prepared for the potential long lines to enter the store if you’re visiting on the weekend or days before Christmas.
Festive Food and Drink
Looking for some delicious food and drink options to get you in the holiday spirit? Look no further than New York City in December! Here are our top picks for festive eats and drinks:
Christmas Markets
One of the best things about the holiday season in NYC is the abundance of Christmas markets. These markets are the perfect place to find unique gifts and mementos, and they also offer plenty of tasty treats to enjoy while you shop. A couple of our favorite Christmas markets for food and drink include:
Union Square Holiday Market
This market features over 100 vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to artisanal food products. Be sure to check out one of the hot cider stands. It’s to die for!
Bryant Park Winter Village
In addition to an ice skating rink and plenty of holiday shopping, this market opposite the New York Public Library offers a wide variety of food options, from gourmet grilled cheese to Belgian waffles. The smells alone are worth it!
Little Italy Christmas Village
I will find any excuse to visit Little Italy, and their Christmas village is the perfect reason! You’ll find all sorts of gourmet foods, confections, teas, and gifts. While you’re there, you can enjoy dinner at one of our favorite spots, Benito One, a long-time Little Italy establishment. And don’t forget to grab some cannolis from Ferrara Bakery and Cafe.
Grand Central Station
You might be surprised to find Grand Central Station on the list for holiday shopping. But when the weather is cold, it’s the perfect spot to do some holiday shopping and dining. At Christmas time they host a holiday fair with lots of vendors. And it’s all indoors and away from the blustering cold!
Hot Chocolate Spots
Is there anything cozier than sipping on a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a chilly winter day? Here are a few spots in NYC where you can indulge in this classic winter treat:
City Bakery: This bakery is famous for its rich, decadent hot chocolate, which comes topped with a giant homemade marshmallow.
Jacques Torres Chocolate: This chocolatier offers a variety of hot chocolate flavors, including classic, spicy, and even a frozen version for those who prefer their hot chocolate on the rocks.
Holiday-Themed Restaurants
These holiday-themed restaurants are on my list for the next time we visit!
Rolf’s: This German restaurant is known for its over-the-top holiday decorations, which include thousands of lights, tinsel, and ornaments. The menu features classic German dishes like schnitzel and bratwurst, as well as plenty of seasonal cocktails.
Miracle on 9th Street: This pop-up bar in the East Village is decked out in Christmas decor and serves up holiday-themed cocktails like the Snowball Old Fashioned and the Christmapolitan. The bar is only open from November through December, so be sure to check it out while you can!
Seasonal Shows and Performances
If you’re in New York City during December and have more time than we did, you won’t want to miss out on the seasonal shows and performances that take place throughout the city. Here are a few that are on my list!
Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular is a holiday tradition that has been entertaining audiences since 1933. The show features the world-famous Rockettes, who perform a series of high-energy dance numbers and holiday-themed routines. The show also includes live music, special effects, and plenty of holiday cheer. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting New York City during the holiday season, so be sure and book your tickets early.
The Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet is another holiday classic that is performed by The New York City Ballet. The show features beautiful costumes, stunning choreography, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed by some of the very best ballerinas in the world. Whether you’re a fan of ballet or just looking for a festive way to spend an evening, The Nutcracker is sure to delight.
Broadway Show
You can find some amazing holiday-themed Broadway shows to enjoy while in NYC, including classics like A Christmas Carol or modern arts, like Cirque Dreams Holidaze and Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve. There’s something really special about dressing up for a night at the theater to make it feel like Christmastime!
Ice Skating Rinks
New York City in December is a winter wonderland, and what better way to enjoy the season than by ice skating? There are plenty of ice skating rinks to choose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to two of our favorites: Bryant Park Winter Village and Wollman Rink.
Bryant Park Winter Village
Bryant Park Winter Village is located in Midtown Manhattan and is a must-visit during the holiday season. The rink is surrounded by festive holiday shops and a giant Christmas tree, creating a magical atmosphere. Skating at Bryant Park can be affordable if you book ahead of time, with skate rental ranging from $15-$50, depending upon the date. If you bring your own skates, admission is FREE!
If you’re not a confident skater, don’t worry – Bryant Park offers skating lessons for all ages and skill levels. In addition, there are plenty of food options to choose from, including hot chocolate and snacks from the holiday vendors.
Wollman Rink
Wollman Rink is located in Central Park and offers breathtaking views of the city skyline. admission prices start at $10 for kids and $15 or adults on off-peak times or up to $35 on holidays, and skate rentals cost an additional $10. While it can be pricy, the beautiful setting and the chance to skate in Central Park make it worth the extra cost.
Wollman Rink also offers skating lessons for those who need them and has a snack bar where you can warm up with a cup of hot cocoa. It’s a popular spot, so be sure to arrive early to avoid long lines.
Holiday Decorations and Lights
December is one of our favorite months to be in New York City, as the city is transformed into a winter wonderland with holiday decorations and lights everywhere you turn. Here are two of the best places to see the festive displays:
Dyker Heights
Located in Brooklyn, Dyker Heights is a neighborhood that takes holiday decorations to the next level. Every year, residents go all out with their displays, creating a magical and festive atmosphere that is truly breathtaking. From life-sized Santas to huge Christmas trees, the decorations are a sight to behold. The best time to see the displays is at night when the lights are on, and the streets are illuminated with a warm glow. We recommend taking a guided tour to get the full experience and learn more about the history of the neighborhood.
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
For a more upscale holiday experience, head to Saks Fifth Avenue on Fifth Avenue. As I mentioned above, the department store puts on a spectacular light show that is projected onto the facade of the building. The show features a different theme each year, and the music and lights are perfectly synchronized to create a magical experience. The best part? The show is completely free and runs every ten minutes from 5 pm to 11 pm. We recommend getting there early to secure a good viewing spot, as the show is very popular and can get crowded.
Getting Around NYC
NYC has an incredible public transportation system. Even though we had a rental car, we found an affordable parking garage in Manhattan, booked it for the day, and then walked and rode the NYC subway everywhere! It’s super easy to navigate and was such a nice change from driving everywhere like we have to do in Texas.
Since we were only there for the day, we purchased pay-per-ride tickets and did as much walking as we could handle. A lot of the sights we wanted to see, like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Macy’s, and Fifth Avenue are all within walking distance, so it was easy to hit up lots of sights for free.
While you could book an Uber or Lyft, we found it much more affordable to ride the subway with our family of 5, and it’s a really great experience for the girls to travel like kids in NYC travel. I would absolutely travel this way again.
If you’re coming from out of town and don’t want to drive your car into Manhattan, you can also park and book a ferry ride over from multiple departure points. This is an affordable way to travel and offers really awesome views of the Manhattan skyline from the ferry. Ferries depart about every 40 minutes. This was our original plan, but since we were on a tight schedule, we decided to play it safe and drive over so we’d have more time to fit everything in. But we’re definitely doing this next time!
Conclusion
What a day in New York City in December! It was a whirlwind of excitement and adventure, and we loved every minute of it. From ice skating in Central Park to taking in the stunning views from the Empire State Building, we experienced so much of what this amazing city has to offer.
As the day came to a close, we found ourselves reflecting on all the incredible sights and sounds we had experienced. We couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to explore this vibrant city and all it has to offer.
If you’re planning a trip to New York City in December, we highly recommend it. There’s something truly magical about the city during the holiday season, and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with it just as we did.
So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an adventure you’ll never forget. New York City is waiting for you!
