New York is without a doubt the most magical place to be during the Christmas season. The lights, the decorations, the carols singers and street musicians, and the sound of the Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells. There’s something about the city that screams festivities and good feelings. There are so many things to see and do during the holiday season, and so we’ve rounded up the must-do activities for Christmas in NYC, as well as the best places to eat, drink, and dance.
Where To Stay in NYC
The Plaza Hotel, NYC
Langham Hotel NYC – For The Views
The Langham NYC is a stunning modern hotel on Fifth Avenue, making it ideal for shopping and being right in the thick of it. Their suites include views of the Empire State Building, and you’re given complimentary use of the hotel’s town car. As with all Langham hotels the staff are fabulous and make sure to remember every guest by name.
The Plaza – Traditional
One of the most famous hotels in New York, The Plaza is a great option if you’re looking for more of a traditionally styled hotel. Located right on the corner opposite Bergdorf Goodman and Central Park, it’s a brilliant choice for families and visitors looking for a little magic during their Christmas vacation. And you have the bonus of being able to photograph the famous Plaza Christmas tree without being accosted by the security men outside!
The Knickerbocker – On-Trend
The ‘Knick’ as it was fondly called back in its heyday is back with a bang. After extensive renovations, it reopened a couple of years ago and is undoubtedly the most luxurious hotel on Times Square. The jaw-dropping exterior has remained untouched, while the interior is incredibly trendy and contemporary. Enjoy a drink on the rooftop bar, and when you’re ready for bed you’ll be able to sleep soundly with the sound-proofed bedrooms.
Top Christmas Things To Do in NYC
Wollman Ice-rink, NYC
Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center is probably the most famous location for Christmas in New York. Make sure to see the Rockefeller Christmas Angels, Nutcrackers, the Christmas Tree, and go up the Top of the Rock for sweeping views over the whole of Manhattan and the Empire State Building.
Window Displays on Fifth Avenue
Start at Lord & Taylor near Langham NYC, then walk up Fifth Avenue towards Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdales. The walk may take a while as you’ll constantly be stopping to take in the stunning Christmas displays. The most impressive is Saks Fifth Avenue, as they have an impressive light-show each year.
Ice-Skating at Wollman Rink, Central Park
There are plenty of ice-rinks to choose from in New York, but the Wollman Rink is still the most breathtaking. Skating around it feels as though you’re in a Christmas movie; the tall skyscrapers all lit up in the evening and the park surrounding you really is something quite special.
Columbus Square Holiday Markets
The Columbus Square holiday markets are a collection of wooden huts in the middle of Columbus Square with cute handcrafted gifts, and a wide selection of festive food and drink (and not-so-festive treats – their churros are divine).
Lincoln Center Big Band Holidays Concert
Each year the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis put on the Big Band Holidays Concert, a Grammy Award–winning holiday extravaganza. The concert features soulful big band arrangements of Christmas songs and carols, and special guest vocalists join the band each season for imaginative new versions of classics like “White Christmas” and “Merry Christmas, Baby.”
The Nativity at St Andrew’s Cathedral
The Nativity at St Andrew’s Cathedral is not to be missed, even for those who are not religious. The Nativity is a beautiful scene in the Cathedral, and a worthy divert off Fifth Avenue for a quiet moment of reflection.
Holiday Village at Bryant Square
For everything festive you can’t miss the Holiday Village at Bryant Square. There’s a free ice-rink (just pay for your skate hire), holiday markets, and food huts galore. Pick up some adorable NYC-themed Christmas decorations here for your tree back home, and remember your New York Christmas forever.
New York Public Library Christmas Tree
One of the most beautiful Christmas trees in all of New York is the New York Public Library tree. The public library is usually quite quiet compared to other attractions in NYC, and the tree always looks incredible. Whilst you’re there admiring the tree, make sure to head upstairs to see the famous Rose Main Reading Room – you’ll recognise it from countless TV shows and movies.
Christmas shopping at Macy’s Christmas Department
Macy’s is a Christmas wonderland this time of year, with a huge Christmas department perfect for picking up Christmas decorations to take home with you. The famous store usually have plenty of offers on this time of year too, if you’re looking for a bargain or any Christmas gifts.
Washington Square Park
The location of that famous scene from When Harry Met Sally, Washington Square Park is also the location of a gigantic Christmas tree every year. The tree is most impressive at night due to the lights, so avoid it during the day and save it for the evening.
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
If you do one thing in New York at Christmas, see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Book tickets far in advance, and make sure to get seats in the stalls about halfway back from the stage so you can see the performers’ synchronized dancing.
Where To Eat in NYC
Monkey Bar Restaurant, NYC
Breakfast – Cupping Room Cafe
Originally the Cupping Room Cafe was opened in the 1970s as a cafe for the local Soho artists, but these days it’s a trendy cafe more popular with the new locals of Soho – well-to-do millennials and young families. This is one of the best places in NYC to get a great coffee, and we recommend ordering the french toast or pancakes. It’s also advisable to book as it gets extremely busy, especially on the weekends!
Breakfast/Lunch – The Standard Grill
Ideal for either breakfast or lunch, The Standard Grill is part of The Standard Hotel and has a very NYC-fashion-crowd vibe to it. They serve an array of traditional breakfast and lunch options, as well as on-trend items such as smashed avo on sourdough. Again, make sure to book in advance as it’s a popular place!
Lunch – BG at Bergdorf Goodman
On the seventh floor of Bergdorf’s is BG Restaurant, their luxe-relaxed dining space that is the epitome of New York City’s upper class. Book in advance and request a seat by the window, where you can alternate between staring out over Central Park and The Plaza, and looking around at the New Yorkers casually having lunch in one of the finest stores in the city. It’s a fantastic spot for people watching and really feeling as though you’re right in among NYC’s high society, and the lobster mac & cheese is delicious!
Dinner – Monkey Bar
The only way I can describe Monkey Bar, is it feels as though you’re in one of those 80s movies. As a Brit, Monkey Bar and BG’s both made me feel as though I had been transported onto a movie set and I was suddenly playing the part of a glamorous New Yorker. The white linen table cloths, red leather and dark wood booths, caricatures adoring the walls, and loud chatter of well-heeled guests made my heart swoon, and the delectable food and cocktails gave me even more reason to fall in love with the place.
Dinner – TAO Downtown
TAO Downtown is a place for those who aren’t looking for the stereotypical New York that you see in the movies. It’s the place for those who are searching for the coolest places in town; the places to see and be seen. Book a table for dinner and enjoy exceptional sushi, sashimi, and melt-in-your-mouth black cod, and then head round to the nightclub and tell them you’re with Troy Gordon (contact him beforehand here).
Where To Drink in NYC
Campbell Apartment bar, NYC
The Campbell bar at Grand Central Station
At Christmas it feels like you’re sitting in an adult version of Hogwarts as you sip on Christmas cocktails and take in the surroundings of the glamorous Campbell Bar in Grand Central Station. Think wood paneling, green Christmas foliage, and the local business crowd out for fancy work drinks.
Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel
The Carlyle is Rosewood Hotel group’s luxury NYC property, with Bemelmans Bar being named after the author of the Madeline children’s books, Ludwig Bemelmans. The bar features an art deco interior, jazz nights, and cocktails and the large-scale murals in the hotel bar are the only surviving Bemelmans’ commission open to the public.
Esther & Carol, East Village
At Esther & Carol you’ll spot celebs casually sipping on their drink at the swanky bar, before seeing them on the dance-floor downstairs later on. It’s also just a short walk from The Flower Shop so ideal if you’re doing a small bar crawl!
Where To Dance in NYC
Boom Boom Room, NYC
Boom Boom Room at The Standard Hotel
Glamorous and classy and located at the top of the High Line, The Standard Hotel’s epic views over NYC are not to be missed. Where else can you spy the Empire State Building whilst tipsily washing your hands in the toilet? Dance the night away at the Boom Boom Room – you won’t be disappointed.
TAO Downtown
Contact Troy, arrive at TAO Downtown nightclub (the door is round the corner from the restaurant), flash your ID, and enjoy. Alternatively, for the ultimate VIP treatment book a table and order a few bottles. The music at TAO is epic and the crowd is sophisticated and elegant with just a touch of debauchery.
1OAK Nightclub
1OAK has been the place to go in NYC for a number of years now, and if you’re only going to one nightclub in NYC, it has to be 1OAK. Again, contact Troy and he’ll sort you out, or book a table and enjoy the bottle service.
Enjoy the Magical Holiday Season
Christmas in New York really is magical, and the very best Christmas experience you will ever have; soak up the atmosphere, eat all the Christmas food, and drink plenty of festive cocktails. It felt like a dream during the entire trip, even just walking around the streets had me grinning from ear-to-ear continuously. Follow our guide, and you will have an unforgettable visit to the city that never sleeps.
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Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
