As much as New Yorkers complain about tourists in the city, there’s TRULY nothing better than this place during the holidays.
Growing up, the holidays in New York City were always the best times for me and my family. I’ll never forget the tradition my dad started with two of his coworkers for my sister, me, and all of their kids. We would head into the city early in the morning (legitimately before the sun came up) and get breakfast at the InterContinental Hotel. Next, we would head to (the iconic 5th Avenue) FAO Schwarz and spend LEGITIMATELY hours searching for toys. Then, we’d get a late lunch/early dinner together.
We did this every year for as long as I can remember. I really think that’s what made me fall in love with New York City at such a young age.
Now that I’m older, I feel like I’ve done my fair share of New York City Christmas things (The New York City Christmas Spectacular, ice skating at Central Park and Bryant Park, seeing the Rockefeller Center Tree, etc.), but there’s SO many more things to do! This year, I want to do more fun holiday things, so I decided to share my bucket list (some of these things are definitely geared towards winter, but whatever):
- See The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center (ok fine, I already have tickets)
- Watch the Philharmonic holiday concert (ok FINE, I already have tickets)
- Head to Hudson Yards for their “Shine On” light display
- Drink Veuve Clicquot at Mr. Purple
- Instead of waiting on line at Rolf’s, go to Paddy Maguire’s
- Try as many bars as possible with fireplaces
- Pick up a bag of doughnuts at Doughnuttery after dinner in Meatpacking
- Walk around South Street Seaport before heading to iPic for a movie
- Warm up from ice skating at Central Park at The Plaza Hotel.
And there you have it! My somewhat non-traditional New York City holiday guide! Of course, there might be some touristy things to add to my schedule – I mean, not a Christmas goes by that I DON’T see the tree at Rockefeller Center. I wanted to share a little more of a “local” aspect to New York City during the holidays because there is just SO much to do.
What else can we add to this random New York City holiday bucket list?
