Wondering what to do in New York in Winter? This vibrant city really comes alive at this time of year and there are many iconic experiences to enjoy, from seeing the beautiful Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center to visiting snowy Central Park and reliving moments from your favorite festive movies!
In this guide, you’ll find some of the best New York City winter activities, celebrations, and attractions.
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Go Ice Skating
There are lots of places to enjoy ice skating in New York City in winter, with rinks in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The rink at the Rockefeller Center is the most well-known and certainly worth a visit. This is especially true at Christmas time when the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree is beautifully illuminated and you can skate until midnight.
The only downside is that it can be very crowded and tickets are expensive.
Another great spot to try is Bryant Park. It may be in one of the most built-up sections of the city, but as temperatures drop it is transformed into the winter wonderland known as the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Lockers and skates are available to rent and there is something quite magical about gliding across the ice with a stunning backdrop of the city skyline.
Once you’ve finished skating, head to the Village surrounding the rink to enjoy hot chocolate and comfort foods like deep-fried macaroni and ramen.
Looking for something a little more unique? Then make your way to the 23rd floor of The William Vale hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where you can ‘skate the skyline – an awesome experience you won’t forget.
Other ice rinks to try include the Wollman Rink at the south of Central Park, Brookfield Place in Battery Park, and the Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink in Harlem.
Visit The Botanical Gardens
The New York Botanical Garden looks simply stunning in winter, with ethereal frosty trees and a blanket of snow underfoot.
It is also home to the Holiday Train Show, where you can see model trains travel around a miniature New York City. It is held in the Conservatory, worth a visit just for its striking architecture and collection of tropical plants.
Be sure to book tickets online in advance, as this is a popular attraction that sells out quickly.
Visit A Museum
If you want to escape the cold, one of the best things to do in NYC in winter is to visit one of its excellent museums.
There are certainly lots to choose from, so no matter what you are interested in you’ll find one to suit!
If contemporary art is your thing, head to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown Manhattan. It is among the largest and most influential of its kind. Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket.
Another ‘must see’ is the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) in the Upper East Side, which houses over 2 million pieces spanning more than 5,000 years. Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket.
The Guggenheim Museum houses an extensive art collection but is perhaps even more famous for its bizarre architecture. Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket.
If you’ve ever watched Night at the Museum then you will recognize the American Museum of Natural History where it was filmed. Located in Upper West Side, it is the largest natural history museum in the world.
Other museums worth visiting if you have time include the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island, the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum – New York’s answer to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum – and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in the Financial District.
See The Christmas Lights In Brooklyn
These are not your typical Christmas lights! Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights is home to one of the most ostentatious displays you’ll ever see, with some residents in the area splashing out up to $20,000 for professional lighting.
The whole tradition began when a woman called Lucy Spata moved to the area in the 1980s. Shocked that her neighbors didn’t put up any lights at Christmas, she decided to go over the top and cover her own house with them.
Her neighbors complained – so the following year, she put up even more! Eventually, her neighbors joined in too and the displays became so large that they started to attract tourists!
Today, the homes at Dyker Heights are an awesome spectacle, with life-size Santas, reindeer, snowmen, and tens of thousands of lights. They are illuminated daily from mid-December until New Year’s Eve, from dusk until 9 pm.
Visiting the display using public transport can be tricky, so your best option is to either drive there or take a bus tour. Guided tours will often include nearby communities like Bay Ridge which have started to put up displays to rival their well-known neighbors!
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Shop The Christmas Markets
Throughout November and December, you can shop for some festive bargains at one of New York’s many Christmas markets.
One of the best is at Union Square, with 100 red- and white-striped holiday booths selling ornaments, leather goods, New York memorabilia, and lots more. There is, of course, plenty of delicious food available too!
Alternatively, head to Central Park, at the southwest corner of which you will find the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. European in style, it has hot mulled wine, handmade crafts, and unique ornaments on offer.
Other markets worth a visit include The Market at Westfield World Trade Center inside the Oculus – designed to look just like a winter village – the Grand Holiday Bazaar in Upper West Side, and The Grand Central Holiday Fair located at Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central.
Enjoy Winter Fun In Central Park
Winter in New York City turns Central Park into a beautiful snowy wonderland, with frozen lakes and scenic frosty bridges. The Arthur Ross Pinetum at its center looks like a scene straight from a Christmas card, dotted with snow-laden pine trees.
There’s plenty of fun to be had here, from making snow angels or snowmen to engaging in a good old snowball fight! And if you’re lucky enough to visit when the depth of the snow exceeds 6 inches, you can even go sledding!
The most popular spot is at Pilgrim Hill (near 72nd and Fifth), or you can opt for the more sedate Cedar Hill (near 79th and Fifth). You can also try snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing, or visit attractions like the Central Park Zoo that stays open during winter.
And if you’re visiting in the Holiday season, don’t miss the iconic Central Park carousel.
Join The New Year’s Eve Celebrations At Times Square
With over a million people attending, the New Year’s Eve gathering at Times Square has to be one of the best and biggest parties around! You need to get there early – people start arriving from around 3 pm to secure themselves a good spot.
There are live performances by famous artists to enjoy as you await the big moment – when a 5386kg crystal ball drops from a flagpole on top of One Times Square at the stroke of midnight.
If the thought of standing in the freezing cold for 9 hours doesn’t appeal to you, then you can book a table in a Times Square bar or restaurant to get a ringside seat – but be prepared to pay a hefty price for the convenience!
Check Out The Frosty Views
For the best views (and photographs) of New York City in winter, you need to get some elevation. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to do just that.
The Edge Hudson Yards, the Top of the Rock, and the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt all serve as awesome observation points for snowy Central Park, or you can head to the One World Observatory or the Empire State Building.
But one of the most important things to do in NYC in the winter is to take a walk across The Brooklyn Bridge.
The official landmark of the city, it gives you a wonderful view across the East River to Brooklyn, plus it’s a great opportunity to appreciate the cool architecture of the bridge itself.
Just be sure to wrap up warm and try to visit at midday, which is when it will be about as warm as it gets!
Watch The Chinese New Year Parade
Celebrations for the Lunar New Year take place in Chinatown and attract locals and visitors alike. Starting at 1 pm and making its way down East Broadway towards Manhattan Bridge, the parade ends at Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
It is a riot of color and sound, with traditional dancing, stilt walking, floats, awesome dragons, and incredible costumes.
There is lots going on throughout Chinatown during the parade, with a variety of street vendors and festivities.
Final Thoughts On Visiting New York City During Winter
There are many wonderful things to do in New York in winter when its blanket of snow gives it a magical atmosphere that makes the city feel extra special.
I hope this guide helps you enjoy every minute of your time in this picture-perfect destination.
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