The EVERYTHING Guide to NYC During the Holidays

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The holiday magic is endless in the city that never sleeps! Most days I want to escape the busyness of NYC for somewhere quiet and rural but that is NEVER the case during the holidays. We don’t even have to step outside of the city for pumpkin patches anymore! I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else this time of year because the magic in the city is ENDLESS. NYC is an extremely popular place for tourists visits and I get how such a big city it can seem overwhelming. Here is a quick guide to helping you navigate the holidays in NYC.

The Trees

The tree at Rockefeller Center is probably one of the most popular trees in NYC during Christmas. I honestly look forward to them bringing the tree into the city every year and the tree lighting which usually happens after Thanksgiving, along with a huge show. It’s truly the holiday tree of NYC. But it isn’t the only tree great for photo ops! You may want to check out some of these other trees as well. The tree at South Street Seaport is beautiful and you can usually get closer (bundle up! it’s always colder near the water!).

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – Between W 48th and W 51st Streets

The Tree at South Street Seaport – @ South and Fulton Street

Holiday Tree at Bryant Park – Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Street

Lincoln Square Christmas Tree – Broadway and 63rd Street

The Shows

I remember seeing the commercials for all kinds of Christmas shows on Broadway from being a little girl. I’ve always wanted to see one and I have YET to experience it even though I’ve lived in the city for the whole 28 years of my life. One of my main goals as a parent is to give my children the memories I don’t have, and that includes at Christmas. Though you can probably google and find loads of different versions of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, these holiday shows are usually at the top of the to do list when it comes to what to see.

Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes – Radio City Music Hall November 12th – January 1st

The Hip Hop Nutcracker – New Jersey Performing Arts Center / December 14th

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The Hulu Theater @ MSG / December 13th – 30th

Ice Skating

Skating is fun year round, but skating during the holidays is something different. I try to go ice skating every year because 1. I love to skate, and 2. skating with the holiday decorations up is amazing. There are plenty of indoor rinks to check out but if you want to go skating with a holiday view, these three rinks are amazing for that purpose.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center – 5th Ave between 49th and 50th Streets

The Rink at Winter Village at Bryant Park – between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Lakeside in Prospect Park – Lincoln Road and Parkside/Ocean Avenue

The Displays

If but for nothing else, a trip into Manhattan is worth it just to see the store displays. Fifth avenue is illuminated this time of year with holiday displays in all of your favorite stores. Many people know about the huge window display at Macy’s Herald Square, but there are so many other stores that have huge displays worth visiting.

Bloomingdales – 59th Street and Lexington Avenue

Macy’s – 34th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue – 5th Avenue and 49th Street

Tiffany & Co. – 5th Avenue and 57th Street

Have you been to NYC during the holidays? What’s your favorite part of holidays in NYC?