10+ Things to Do in New York in Winter – December & January Activities & More

By Casey Makovich
New York

Winter in New York City is full of wonder and enchantment.

The city is one of the world's top destinations during the holiday season where you can delight in magnificent department store window displays, street performers and singers, fabulous shopping, outdoor skating, seasonal festivals, and so much more. You might even catch some magical snowfall...

So if you’re looking for things to do in New York in winter, check out our list of the best holiday activities and attractions.

Go Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

New York City has a few places to enjoy the popular winter sport, so you have a few options to choose from:

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Ice skating at the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center might be the most quintessential winter New York City activity and it's one of the most iconic places in the world to skate.

After some laps around the rink, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa at any of the nearby coffee shops or cafes; we like Rock Center Cafe for its prime views of the rink.

Snap a holiday card-worthy pic with the famous tree in Rockefeller Square, tour the center, and take a trip to the top of the building for sweeping winter views of the New York City skyline.

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Image credit: Bryant Park Facebook page.

If you'd rather avoid the hard-to-navigate crowds that are sure to be at Rockefeller Center, head to the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park for free admission for ice skating every day, through January. At Winter Village, you can get quality Skate rentals, sharpening, lessons, and there are bag checks and lockers available. Afterward, stop in Celsius for a bite to eat and festive drinks while you warm back up.

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Head to Wollman Rink in Central Park for skating with a picturesque background and a convenient location close to lots of attractions, including...

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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If skating isn't your thing, Rockefeller Center Plaza is still worth checking out for its iconic Christmas tree scene. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is carefully selected each year among candidates from across the country, this world-famous tree is the best of the best.

Lights go on just after Thanksgiving, and the tree is available on display for all to see for the entire month. It’s worth a visit to Rockefeller Center for even just a glimpse of this tree.

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square

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It's iconic for a reason, tons of fun to be had celebrating the ball drop in Times Square. If you are planning on attending, be sure to check out these tips for New Year's Eve in Times Square – it's a long, long day waiting out in the cold, but can be all worth it if you plan properly.

Visit a World-Class Museum

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Want to get in a little culture during your visit to New York? Head to one of New York City’s top museums. Whether you're looking to experience the emotional tour of the 9/11 Tribute Center, explore all things weird at Ripley's Believe It or Not!, or want to experience a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece (the Guggenheim Museum) in person, you're bound to find a museum that suits your interests.

For a more traditional museum experience, some of our top picks are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’s most renowned art museum, with its special exhibitions during the winter months, and the Guggenheim Museum, the sensational modernist building with its famous 'corkscrew' interior structure that plays hosts to a number of works by impressionist masters.

Check Out Yankee Stadium

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For a taste of real New Yorker life, be sure to check out the legendary Yankee Stadium with a behind-the-scenes tour.

You'll learn some of the unique history that makes the stadium great (at least in the hearts of Yankee fans). It's a great opportunity to take photos of Yankee artifacts and exhibits, as well as the field, dugout, and other specialty areas. Indulge your love of baseball in the offseason!

Winter Jazzfest

What started as a one-day event has evolved into a full multi-day annual festival. Jazzfest features some of the best established and up-and-coming jazz artists to make for an unforgettable event that celebrates the history and culture of all things jazz. Check out this year's lineup and settle in for a week of smooth tones.

Under the Radar Festival

Photo credit: Under the Radar Festival's Official Facebook Page

The Under the Radar Festival at The Public Theater is one of the most exciting ways to experience New York City's famous theater culture. The annual event features diverse comedy troupes from around the world performing over a dozen shows.

These performances provide high-quality cultural entertainment at a fraction of the price you’d pay to see a show on Broadway. Take a look at their site for all the latest information.

Empire State Building Run-Up

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If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to work out more, consider heading to the Empire State Building for a totally unique and totally challenging workout: the annual Empire State Building Run-Up (ESBRU).

While only a quarter-mile in distance, a sprint to the top of the 86th floor is no easy feat. The trip to the top takes visitors under a minute by elevator, and the fastest runners can do all 86 floors in 10 minutes. Start training now for this event.

Check their site for more information and available dates. If you're interested in touring the Empire State Building but could do without the running, visit on another day to see the Art Deco interiors and amazing views from the exterior.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
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Image credit: Radio City Christmas Spectacular Facebook page.

Attending the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a popular NYC bucket list activity for visitors and residents alike. The show is always a little bit different each year, making it a fun tradition for those who've even already seen it.

It’s got nutcrackers, dancing animals, flying presents, amazing special effects, and the world-famous Rockettes® – the best way to get in the holiday spirit! Can’t make the show? Take a tour of Radio City Music Hall and go behind the scenes of the famous show.

Admission to this event is separately ticketed, but Radio City Stage Door Tour tickets are available with a Go City® pass.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

So there you have it. Our list of a few things to do in New York in the winter, including holiday events, other seasonal activities in December, January, and more.

Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available with Go City. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available New York passes, attractions & prices.

Please note, the winter events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available on a Go City® pass. We hope you plan to add a few of these fun options to your winter vacation itinerary.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Little girl on a traditional Easter egg hunt.
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What to do on Easter Weekend in New York City

Easter is a great time to visit New York, as the east coast shakes off its winter chill and the city bursts into colorful, vibrant life with a riot of tulips, cherry blossom and forsythia. Then, of course, there’s the Big Apple's annual Easter Parade, when a flamboyant forest of the biggest, boldest (and downright wackiest) bonnets you’ve ever laid eyes on weaves its way through Midtown Manhattan. Egg hunts, too, make for a cracking Easter day out for kids aged three to 93 and, who knows, you might even get a chance to meet the Easter bunny herself. So, pack your spring layers, brace your sweet tooth for joy, and read on for our eggs-pert guide to all things Easter in NYC. The Big Apple in Bloom If flowers float your boat and plants set your heart aquiver, there may be no better time to visit New York than over the Easter weekend, when many of spring’s best-loved blooms will be out in force. Central Park is as good a place as any to start your olfactory odyssey. Hit up the Bridle Path at 90th Street, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and the aptly-named Cherry Hill at 72nd Street for your cherry blossom fix – the pretty pink blossoms opposite the fairytale folly that is the park’s Belvedere Castle make for some of the finest spring selfie opportunities in town. If the weather plays ball, rent a bike to explore all of the park’s hidden nooks, or take a rowboat out onto the tranquil lake. The brief but beautiful annual cherry blossom explosion continues over at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where 26 species ensure good coverage from March through May. Meanwhile, the New York Botanical Garden adds a fragrant themed display of thousands of blooming orchids to the 200-or-so flowering cherry trees within its 50-acre forest. Want more? Take a spring stroll along the High Line (with a tour guide, if you so wish), where colorful wildflowers meet hip outdoor art installations and picnic spots are alive with the sound of birdsong and chattering squirrels. You’ll spot pretty Lady Jane tulips, Sunburst witch hazel and Virginia bluebells along this elevated former railway line on Manhattan’s west side. Or tiptoe through the tulips on Park Avenue: tens of thousands of the colorful blighters burst into bloom along the boulevard every spring. New York Easter Parade Put a great big hat-shaped marker in your diary for Easter Sunday, the eggstraordinary pinnacle of Manhattan’s Easter calendar. For today is the day that New Yorkers from across the state converge at 49th Street to follow the short Easter Parade route along Fifth Avenue, clad in some of the most outlandish headgear you’ll see in this galaxy, or any other. Yes, we’re talking about the annual festival of Easter bonnets, in which you can expect to see people in everything from period costume (a hat-tip to the parade’s 19th-century origins) to iconic New York landmarks in hat form (you may well lose count of the Empire State Buildings and Statues of Liberty), flamboyant flower-festooned fashion statements, and – for the very brave – pyramids of carefully balanced (real) eggs pointing precariously skywards. There are no prizes to be won, just the fawning admiration of your peers as you strut your stuff along Fifth Avenue in your eggstravagant Sunday best. It’s free to join and you can spend all day mingling with behatted fellow revelers along the half-mile route, with somewhere in the region of 30,000 people expected to turn up most years, weather permitting. Easter Egg Hunts in NYC Whether you’ve got kids or not, there’s surely no better way to spend your Easter weekend than mingling with the Easter bunny, having your face painted in a rainbow of colors and, of course, getting your sticky paws on some sweet, sweet Easter candy. You’ll find plenty of events taking place in parks and playgrounds across the Big Apple over Easter weekend. Note that while there are dozens to choose from, NYC Easter egg hunts are extremely popular so book ticketed events well in advance and turn up early for free hunts to avoid disappointment. Hit up East Harlem for the admirably punny annual NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza, a free event that includes timed egg hunts, plus egg painting, a street fair and photo opportunities with the Easter bunny and pals. Over on Governer’s Island, there are hunts tailored by age group, with a whopping 10,000 painted wooden eggs to be found across 120 acres. Expect magic shows and puppetry as well as arts and craft stalls and a beer garden for the grown-ups. You can even make it educational. CMoM (the Children’s Museum of Manhattan) runs a fun Easter Egg scavenger hunt that’s included with your admission ticket. Set your little bunnies loose to seek out the cute critters hiding in eggs around the museum. There are prizes for successfully completing the challenge and Miffy – a close relative of the Easter bunny – may also make a guest appearance on the day. Easter Brunch in NYC Brunching is practically a religion in New York so, if the above activities sound just a little too taxing for a relaxing Easter weekend break, feast your eyes on these beauties for some of the finest Easter brunches in town. And remember to book in advance! The Dutch NYC. This SoHo stalwart promises long boozy brunches fueled by some of the best pre-noon cocktails in Lower Manhattan. Pair heaving platefuls of cornmeal blueberry flapjacks and avocado toast with a reviving Matcha Sour, or a punchy Oaxacan Sunset, with tequila, mezcal, hibiscus, lime and cassis. Jacob’s Pickles. Hit the dive bars a little too hard last night? This Upper West Side diner has you covered, with comfort food classics including heart-stopping biscuit-and-egg breakfast sandwiches and fluffy pancakes with buttermilk fried chicken. Wash down with a Bloody BLT – vodka, bacon and a jalapeño-pickled egg. Balthazar. The Oyster Marys at SoHo’s Balthazar are worth the entry price alone, but stick around for the divine eggs florentine and uber-comforting corned beef hash. The Garden @ The Standard. This East Village garden lets you tuck into oysters, steaks and mimosas in your own private yurt. There’s even an adult Easter egg hunt, with prizes including an overnight stay at The Standard. Ideal if you’ve overindulged in cocktails and chocolate eggs. Wynwood. For a family friendly option complete with epic brunch buffet, egg hunt and Easter bunny photo opportunities, make for Wynwood on Staten Island. Grateful grown-ups get a mimosa or bellini on arrival. Save on things to do on Easter weekend in New York City Save on admission to NYC attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Art, Parks, And More Near The High Line
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Art, Parks, And More Near The High Line

Discover free parks, art, and culture near NYC’s High Line
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Guide to Visiting One World Trade Center

All you need to know about visiting the One World Trade Center, 9/11 Museum & Memorial and One World Observatory. Plan your trip now. When planning your visit to New York City, One World Trade Center – also known as Freedom Tower – must be on the bucket list. Located in the New York City’s bustling financial district in Downtown Manhattan, it offers some of the most breath-taking views across the city up the One World Observatory and it is home to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It’s also one of the most unique places to enjoy sunset cocktails and fine dining – so any experience of this modern landmark will offer something to remember. Everyone remembers where they were when they found out about 9/11 so what better way to honor this day than to pay homage to the victims at the Memorial & Museum. Situated on the site of the original World Trade Center, the 9/11 Museum uncovers the story of this ill-fated day with over 10,000 artifacts on display, as well as interviews of 2,000 first-hand accounts, photographs and family testimonies. The One World Trade Center’s Museum also features a Permanent Collection with exhibitions of items donated as well as the incredible account from John Stiastny, one of few survivors of the national disaster. The Foundation Hall contains a segment of the surviving wall of the original structure of the World Trade Center and visitors can still see inscriptions, memorials, and missing posters from the aftermath in 2001. Outside visitors can also see the two memorial pools on the North and South end, the 80-foot Tridents columns as well as International flags which were suspended in the lobby of the original Twin Towers prior to the devastating incident. You can easily spend half a day at the site if you then head up the 102 stories to the One World Observatory. The elevator takes just 47 seconds and, on the way, up you can enjoy a dynamic display learning of the transformation of New York City from its original settlement and bedrock to the concrete jungle of today. At the top, the Forever Theatre audio-visual exhibition thrusts you into the vibrant city life and the interactive displays and presentations will help you get to know Gotham’s rich culture and unique history. Don’t miss the Sky Portal, a glass floor that looks down onto the streets beneath you 100 stories below... Be warned: if you have vertigo this will be a challenge! Indulge in an evening to remember at ONE Dine, One World Trade Center's New York’s ultimate dining and drinking experience. The New York themed menu is a fun way to celebrate something special and guests are welcome for a cocktail, bar snack or a gourmet meal. Tip: you will need an Observatory ticket to enter and make a dinner reservation. Of course, you won’t want to forget your camera for shots of the iconic skyline which, by day or night, is one of the most breathtaking vistas in all of New York. You can also make the most of a professional photographer for a take-home souvenir and visit the souvenir shop full of One World Trade Center-themed gifts. A trip to the Big Apple during the holiday season is one of the best times of the year to experience the iconic city in all its cheer. One World Trade Center's Winter Onederland promises a giant snow globe, Santa Visits, family-friendly Christmas displays, as well as Christmas themed drinks and dining - fun for everyone! If you plan on visiting the One World Trade Center’s 9/11 Memorial & Museum you can visit between 9AM – 8PM daily. To visit the One World Observatory, it is open 9AM – 9PM 7 days a week with last admission 8:15PM (check website for amended holiday hours over Christmas & New Year and during the summer months). ONE Dine is open for meals from 12PM – 9PM daily with last reservations at 6:45PM. Nearby you can also visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and historic Ellis Island Immigration Museum to make the most of your New York experience. If you plan on arriving by Subway, the stop is Fulton Street/Park Place or enjoy a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour experience and jump off at stop 11, 12, or 13 on the Downtown route. Alternatively, the address is 180 Greenwich St. World Trade Center should you be arriving by Taxi or car.
Shashia Mitchell

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