Our Guide – New York in December

Whether you’re looking to admire show-stopping festive decorations, catch a vintage train show, or cozy up in a museum cafe, here are our fave things to do in New York at this time of the year.

By Sarah Harris
new york at christmas

Bustling festive markets. Streets enveloped with snow. Dazzling light displays. It’s true - New York City in December is the perfect winter wonderland! Whether you’re looking to browse the Christmas markets, go ice-skating at the Rockefeller, or party at the Times Square ball drop, the city promises a wide array of fun activities and exciting events for you and your loved ones. With so much to see, do and experience, one thing’s for sure – your trip won’t be boring! So, pack your best winter jacket and get ready to explore all that the city has to offer.

See the City

Image of Arch, Cathedral, Church, Gothic Arch, Flag, City, Person,

Everyone knows about the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Plaza, but those looking for a captivating seasonal experience may be interested in making a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Combining history, religion, and design, this Neo-Gothic style Catholic cathedral is a total must-see for history lovers and architecture buffs alike. Come Christmas time, the church offers special holiday tours so that visitors may admire its heavy bronze doors, stunning stained-glass windows, and high ceilings.

Image of Window, Person,

If you’re trying to avoid the cold, you might appreciate a day out at one of the city’s top cultural amenities. Situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Museum of Natural History seeks to cultivate curiosity in the natural world. Since its founding in 1869, the museum’s collections have grown to include a whopping 34 million specimens of plants, animals, human cultural artifacts, and much more. This total crowd-pleaser is sure to spark a sense of wonder and delight in anybody. A day at the museum is a day well spent in our books!

Whilst the seasonal markets and the snowy cityscape have their appeal, it’s understandable that you’ll be looking for some indoor activities to enjoy. Warm up by checking out some of the city’s highly revered cultural amenities for a fuss-free day out. One of our favorites is the Frick Collection, which features a wide array of Old Master paintings and European fine and decorative arts. The institute stands as one of the most popular spots for creative thought in the city, and we can easily see why.

Hit the Classics

Image of Person, Rink, Skating,

Those who are brave enough to brace the cold might enjoy the next item on our list. Open all throughout the month, The Rink under the Rockefeller Center offers a fun festive activity for you and your loved ones. The great thing about this place is that it offers skate rentals, so you just need to bundle up with a warm jacket and cozy scarf before taking a spin. To avoid waiting in line during the busy holiday season, make online reservations so you can skip the queues.

Looking for the quintessential winter in New York experience? Well, look no further! Since its premiere in 1933, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular has been captivating and delighting audiences with its incredible visuals. Combining traditional thematics with special features, the beloved Christmas spectacle offers everything from tap dancers and an original music score to 3D projections and a flying Santa Claus. Perfect for those travelling with family, this magical experience is sure to satisfy everybody.

Image of Urban, Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone, City, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Face, Head, Selfie, Helmet, Night Life, Car, Female, Woman, Hat,

We’ve seen it in all the movies: the spectacular New Year’s Ball Drop. Drawing in over a million spectators each year, the exhilarating event is known as one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world. If you’re looking to grab a slice of the action, head down to Times Square for an experience you’ll remember for years to come. Though the main event is clearly the ball drop, we recommend showing up early enough to catch some fantastic musical performances and feel the world hold its breath.

Anybody looking for a relaxing way to see the city will enjoy our next suggestion. An absolute New York classic, the horse-drawn carriages at Central Park will take you through the idyllic landscape and provide fantastic views of some of the city’s most magnificent structures. On the way, your guide will explain the intriguing history behind the famous landmarks as you pass them by. As engaging as it is magical, this one is a total delight for those of all ages.

Soak up the Atmosphere

Another one of our favorite things to do for the month of December is checking out the Holiday Train Show. For thirty years running, New York Botanical Garden’s artful display of the city in miniature has captured the imagination of visitors and natives alike. Marvel at model trains whizzing through a dazzling exhibit constructed from natural materials, such as pinecones, acorns and twigs. Drawing in train enthusiasts and novices alike, this enchanting visual experience is not to be missed!

Image of Lighting, Urban, City, Person, Bazaar, Market, Shop, Handbag, Shoe, Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Festival,

Come December, the city becomes host to a wide array of fun and seasonal pop-up events. For some easy cold-weather exercise and festive shopping, head down to Bryant Park Winter Village. The famous holiday market is known for presenting over 170 kiosks selling gifts, decorations, crafts and more. Whilst browsing, you can cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate, enjoy delicious treats, or admire the gorgeous tree. With its lively atmosphere, this place is a great destination to spend time with friends and family.

Just because it's chilly doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors! During this time of the year, the city presents a wide variety of fun and festive activities that are well worth checking out. One of our absolute favorites is the annual NYC Winter Lantern Festival, which combines Christmastime decorations with the craftsmanship of traditional Chinese lantern making to present a magnificent immersive exhibition. Festivalgoers of all ages will be awed by the beautiful handmade silk structures, coming in almost every form imaginable. This total crowd-pleaser is sure to put a smile on anybody’s face.

New York is incredible to explore in December. The air is brisk, the city is buzzing with life, and you’ll be able to find countless fun activities popping up all over the place. Whether you’re looking to admire the beautiful interiors at St. Patrick’s church, catch a vintage train show, or cozy up in a museum cafe, you’ll find many reasons to love New York at this time of the year. Make the most out of your travel experience and create unforgettable memories with our All-inclusive pass and Explorer pass. To find out more, check us out on Instagram and Facebook.

Sarah Harris
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Statue of Liberty
Blog

One week in New York: a seven-day itinerary for first timers

Seven days = several great big juicy bites of the Big Apple.
Katie Sagal
Blog

Best time to visit New York City

New York City is a fun and exciting place to visit any time of year. This sprawling city of more than eight million residents offers world-class shopping, sporting events, restaurants, and museums. It's also home to some of the most iconic American landmarks and attractions including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. However, some seasons in New York are better suited to different interests than others. Below are just a few suggestions on when you should visit based on what New York events and attractions you plan on experiencing during your visit. The best time of year to visit New York City for sightseeing New York weather can be fickle and sometimes make it difficult to navigate the city streets to see in the sights. That's why it's important to choose a seasonable time in order to make your sightseeing more enjoyable. The temperate New York weather in April, May, September, and October is perfect for walking tours of the city and taking in such sights as the 9/11 Tribute Museum, Top of the Rock, and the Empire State Building. Best time to visit New York for foodies Food festivals abound in New York City during the summer. The annual Taste of Times Square food festival takes over the theater district for a week every June. June also brings the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party to the Madison Square neighborhood. Early July brings French Restaurant Week to the city, and, at Coney Island, you can witness the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest on July 4th. In addition, farmers' markets set up all over the city from May through September. Best time to visit New York for shopping While there is really no bad time to visit New York City for shopping, some times of year are a little better than others. The holiday season, which begins in the city around the middle of November, brings a variety of gift items and seasonal merchandise. After Thanksgiving, the department store windows add a festive air to Fifth Avenue, Third Avenue, and Herald Square. For bargain hunters, January and February is sale season in New York, with white sales and discounts on holiday merchandise. Best time to visit New York for shows For ticket availability, visiting New York City in January/February or September/October is desirable. The city is less crowded during these times of the year and you're more likely to be able to get tickets to top shows. For ticket bargains, check out Broadway week, held in both January and September. You can get 2-for-1 tickets to more than 20 shows during these weeks. Best time to visit New York City for museum hopping While New York's hundreds of museums are fascinating to explore any time of year, they are less crowded during winter, when there are fewer tourists and locals are more inclined to stay home where it's warm. Escape the winter weather by spending a day at The Met - you still won't see all this wonderful and extensive museum has to offer. Or, museum hop along Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, with stops at the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, and The Frick Collection. About the pass One of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to New York City is to purchase a pass for New York by Go City that allows you to experience a variety of attractions for a single price. We make it easy. You choose the pass that best matches your interests, load it to your mobile device or print a hard copy at home and show it for admission to more than 90 NYC attractions. Plus, you'll avoid waiting in line at the ticket counters. Get your pass for New York today and start making huge savings on sightseeing.
Andrew Martineau
Little girl on a traditional Easter egg hunt.
Blog

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

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.