13 Must-See Things In New York At Christmas

13 must-see things in New York at Christmas or anytime you’re in New York City – and a few more.

As many of you know, we live in a coastal seaside town in Connecticut. One of the best things about where we live is that we are only an hour from Manhattan!

Every city and town has a lot going on during the holiday season, but maybe no place in the United States quite like New York City and all the landmarks. There are Christmas decorations, holiday markets, and iconic places that are a must-visit every season. There are also a few places that you might forget about. But no matter what you choose to see, Christmas time in New York is all around you….wherever you go!

The holiday decor and attractions in New York City typically go up in late November and run through early January (December being peak time) so plan your trip accordingly – especially if you’d like to catch the tree lighting ceremony or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Here’s a list of a few things, touristy as they might be, that everyone will love:

There are so many fun things to see and do during the holidays. And it’s impossible to get to all of them. Here’s a short list of just a few of them and you can choose the ones that make sense for you and your visit.

• Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (The locals’ favorite neighborhood for the holidays, it’s like a winter wonderland of homes and lights – and many of them have your favorite Christmas carols playing in the background! It runs from 83rd to 86th streets between 11th and 13th avenues in Brooklyn.) It’s like its own light show.
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Midtown Manhattan)
• Bank of America Winter Village/Bryant Park’s Winter Village (in the center is an ice rink and a great place for a cup of coffee or hot cocoa)
• Macy’s Holiday Window Displays
• Wollman Rink (Featured in so many movies this skating rink is a must-see. It’s another great place for a cup of hot chocolate)
• Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden (the model trains running through the miniature villages are quite amazing)
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Lincoln Center Holiday Lights
• Brooklyn Bridge (a walk across the bridge is amazing at any time of year but especially fun during the holidays)
• Times Square (although it’s always packed full of tourists, it is a sight to see during the holidays and not far from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree)
• Union Square Holiday Market
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market
• Grand Central Terminal Holiday Market

And here are a few Christmas markets that are fun to visit:

• Union Square Holiday Market (And Union Square Cafe is right there for a wonderful dining experience or just a cocktail at the bar to warm up)
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market
• Grand Central Terminal Holiday Market

Although full of holiday visitors, there are a few department stores worth checking out at Christmas

• Macy’s at Herald Square (and you might even see Santa Claus)
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Bergdorf Goodman

13 must-see things in New York at Christmas

Cafes in New York that make you feel like it’s Christmas

Buvette

Buvette is one of my all-time favorite places in New York and Paris. The decor is stacks of plates with perfectly folded napkins in squares, a huge footed compote filled with butter, and a crate of oranges beside a large bowl of pomegranates. Magnolia wreaths with big red bows dress up the windows.

Via Carota

On the same street as Buvette, Via Carota serves delicious Italian food in the most beautifully renovated cafe with vintage chapel chairs that hold the menu (where a hymnal would normally be found). It’s cozy but comfortable. We always try to get a seat at the bar or one of the tables outside on the street.

Via Carota has a new cookbook, and they have a special tiny shop across the street selling the books and Pandoro and Panettone cakes in boxes hanging from the ceiling! The shop is just barely large enough for 2-3 people to visit at a time, but they have managed to pack so much visual goodness into this little place that it’s worth a visit! And if you have dinner at Via Carota, you’ll want the recipe for the sherry vinaigrette on the Insalata Verde!

La Mercerie

La Mercerie is within the gorgeous RW Guild store in SoHo. Wonderful French food is served all day and night. They have the most delicious shortbread cookies stamped with the initials LM.

Laduree

Do not let the diminutive storefront of the Laduree shop in SoHo deter you from visiting. There may even be a line outside to buy macarons. Once inside, make your way to the back, and you’ll find a few rooms where you can settle in for coffee, tea, and sweet treats. My favorite spot is the terrace, which looks gorgeous in all seasons!

Shops in New York that make you feel like it’s Christmas

John Derian

If you’ve never been to the John Derian shop in the East Village, Christmastime is the most magical time for a visit. The shop is filled with baskets of lovely objects from floor to ceiling, and trees are everywhere, dripping with shiny ornaments. The windows are all aglow with stars and twinkling lights.

Last Christmas, my friend Stefanie visited from LA, and after a coffee at Buvette, we wandered over to John Derian, where we both bought gold star tree toppers. Last year’s tree, with its gold star tree topper, even made it into Better Homes & Gardens. You can read more about that here.

Note: Make sure to check hours before visiting. They are open Tuesday through Sunday during the holidays.

RW Guild

RW Guild is one of the most exquisite shops I’ve ever experienced. The seasonal flowers by Artist Thomas Little are amazing! Follow him on Instagram here to see all the places he designs. The shop is filled with textiles, furniture, pottery, and all in a home or loft-like setting.

The bathroom on the lower level is gorgeous! I first wrote about RW Guild in this post.

Places that you need to at least walk by

Even a walk by any of these places and you will instantly be in the holiday spirit. Many are in a small radius, making it possible to see them all quickly, depending on how much time is spent at each location.

Macy’s

Macy’s at Christmastime takes my breath away! I’m not often in this area, but during the holidays, I make it a point to visit Macy’s. They have the last wooden escalator that’s still functioning! The escalators date back to 1920. The wooden escalator makes a click-clack sound that the minute you hear it, you think, yes, that makes sense! You can even make a reservation to visit Santaland!

Radio City Music Hall

Even if you don’t have tickets to see the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes, just walk by on your way to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Both my kids, for a time, lived within a few blocks of Radio City. I wonder if they know how lucky they are.

New York Public Library

Walking up the main steps at the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, you’ll be greeted by Patience and Fortitude, the marble lion statues wearing wreaths with big red bows. Be sure to walk inside to see the beautiful Christmas tree.

You can sign up for a free tour if you would also like to see the historic Rose Main Reading Room.

Bryan Park

Go ice skating at Bryant Park or visit the Winter Village of shops. It’s an open-air market with tiny shops selling a little bit of everything.

Wolman Rink in Central Park

There are a few places to skate in New York, but my favorite is Wolman Rink in Central Park. It always reminds me of Sleepless in Seattle, when Annie says to Walter while dancing, “ice-skate in Central Park.”

Grand Central Terminal

I often drive into the city, but at Christmas, when the traffic is especially hectic, I’ll take the train arriving at Grand Central; any time of year is magical, but at Christmas…it’s next level.

The Holiday Fair is back at Vanderbilt Hall with 36 local artisan vendors. It’s open seven days a week through Saturday, Christmas Eve!

The Metropolitan Musem of Art

I could spend hours roaming the halls and galleries at The Met, but even when I don’t have time for a proper visit, I stop by to check out the gorgeous flowers in the main lobby. There’s always a towering arrangement at the center of the information desk and then four bursting bouquets in the sandstone alcoves of the lobby.

I’m unsure how often they change, but I love to check them out if I’m in the area. They are always abundant with seasonal flowers, branches, seed pods, and plants.

Tip: There are restrooms available even without visiting the museum. Access them by using the door to the left of the main lobby entrance. You cannot access it from within the lobby, but the door is just to the left as you are facing the museum. There’s also a lovely museum gift shop in the same part of the building.

If it’s a pleasant day, order some french fries and a drink at one of the vendors and enjoy people-watching on the steps of The Met! It’s one of my favorite things to do in New York, even at Christmas!

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Lightscape

The after-dark light show is definitely something you don’t want to miss. Along the approximately one-mile trail and different lights capes with accompanying music. The installations are curated specifically for Brookly Botanic Garden. There is no better way to celebrate winter and the holiday season than attending this spectacular light show. 

Adult tickets on a peak night are $45, off-peak nights are $36, and value nights are $24. Here is a link to their website: Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Now let’s go see what’s happening in my friends’ hometowns!

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