If you`ve never visited New York City during the winter season, you`re missing out. The celebrations and activities throughout this period are entirely unique and suitable for all age groups. In addition to NYC`s top attractions, you can enjoy limited-time events and pop-up experiences to help alleviate those winter blues.
While the harsh winter climate of NYC can be challenging, bundling up properly and preparing for wind, snow, and cold temperatures will allow you to comfortably experience all the city has to offer. Additionally, there are many indoor options for staying warm, such as visiting world-renowned museums, Broadway productions, and delicious dining establishments.
Furthermore, braving the weather means dealing with fewer crowds and cheaper prices. We`ve traveled to the Big Apple numerous times, and I can say that the city takes on a completely different atmosphere during the colder months. In this guide, I`ll share the best winter activities in New York City so you can have the most amazing visit during the most wonderful time of the year.
Table of Contents
1. Central Park, a beautiful place to see in NYC in the winter
First, Central Park is a must-see in all seasons, although it transforms into a wintertime wonderland starting in November. This is one of the best places to visit in New York in the winter, particularly if you want to celebrate the holidays.
The park celebrates the Christmas season through an annual tree lighting ceremony. Visitors can also explore the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, with over 100 vendors selling unique crafts and artisanal products. I recommend perusing the stalls for gifts or taking a leisurely stroll with a hot drink.
Additionally, Central Park serves as a refuge for sledding and ice skating. You can rent a pair of skates at WollmanRink and glide along the ice surface (skating aids are available for younger visitors). You can also skate at Lasker Rink near Harlem Meer.
2. Go to a museum, an indoor activity to do in New York City in the winter
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Another art gallery you’ll appreciate is the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Renowned as one of the premier museums in Manhattan, MoMA chronicles the most pivotal modern and contemporary art movements like Abstract Expressionism, Impressionism, and Cubism. It also has an impressive array of design and architectural exhibits. If you love modern art, the Guggenheim Museum is another place worth considering. In addition to its galleries, it has one of the most distinctive buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
If traveling with children, the American Museum of Natural History is consistently a major hit. Alongside its substantial dinosaur fossils, it has meteorites, animal skeletons, and a planetarium. I also believe the 9/11 Museum is an important place to visit. This touching museum honors the victims of the 9/11 tragedy and the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. It also has a beautiful outside exhibit, and it’s near One World Observatory.
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3. See a Broadway show, a fun thing to do in the winter in NYC
Another enjoyable winter activity to engage in while in NYC is taking in a Broadway performance. You`ll stay cozy while enjoying some of the premier entertainers across the country.
Additionally, there are numerous options to select from, including Broadway shows suitable for adults, families, and theater aficionados. We`ve experienced Wicked,The Lion King,The Phantom of the Opera, and Chicago, and each performance was spectacular. I would suggest any of these displays, although if you’re visiting during the holiday season, you can benefit from special events.
Some of the most prominently featured winter shows in NYC include ELF The Musical and Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet. Whichever show is selected, the lighting effects, costumes, choreographed dance routines, and musical compositions will be remarkable. Additionally, discounted Broadway tickets can be obtained at the ticket booth located in Times Square known as TKTS. While steep discounts are offered, the specific show attended cannot be pre-selected.
4. New York Botanical Garden, a cool place to go in NYC in the winter
New York Botanical Garden is a wonderful location to visit throughout the year, even amid colder periods. In wintertime, visitors can see Japanese camellia, resilient maple trees, bush clover, and other hardy species suited for chillier climate.
You can also experience one of the city’s most thrilling traditions: the NYBG Garden Glow. This New York City winter event covers a 1.5-mile trail of holiday lights and imaginative displays. As you make your way along the garden path, you can enjoy pop-up performances, Christmas carols, hot beverages, and more.
Access to the main attraction Tablas de Daimiel is cost-free all year long, though summer hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and winter hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. One of the most affordable and convenient means to explore this national park in Spain is by booking this tour.
5. Go ice skating, the best winter activity to do in NYC with kids
Going outside, engaging in an ice skating session is an enjoyable activity for a family, friends, or a couple to partake in together. Once more, Central Park has two places for ice skating, the Wollman Rink and the Lasker Rink. Skate rentals only cost $10, so this is an inexpensive thing to do in NYC during winter.
You can also go skating at RockefellerCenter’s famous ice rink. Situated in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the rink is open for skating all day and into the evening hours. It’s an entertainingoutdoor winter activity in NYC, and the rink is near several luxury stores where you can do your Christmas shopping.
6. Radio City Music Hall, one of the best places to visit in NYC in the wintertime
Radio City Music Hall is adjacent to Rockefeller Center, so after ice skating or shopping, you can see a world-class performance by the Rockettes. The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes is a treasured New York City tradition and one of the finest shows available.
The event features approximately 150 performers demonstrating the Rockettes` signature dances and flashy costumes. In addition to depicting the nativity scene and the marching wooden toy soldiers, the show plays classic songs such as “Jingle Bells”, “Blue Christmas”, and “Let It Snow”. Tickets are highly sought after, so if you wish to see this winter presentation in NYC, obtain yours beforehand here.
If you are unable to secure tickets to see the Rockettes, there are other wonderful alternatives. You can`t go wrong with the NYC Ballet and their energetic rendition of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, one of the most well-known Christmas stories.
Also, participating in the Winter Jazzfest is among the coolest things to do in NYC in January. It welcomes musicians from worldwide and holds shows in several downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn venues. So if you seek something to do in NYC at night, check out this winter attraction.
7. Go shopping, something to do in NYC during the winter season
It’s no secret that the large metropolitan area is a haven for those who enjoy shopping extensively, so if you want to go sightseeing of storefronts or search for Christmas presents, you can do so there. Of course, the high-end retailers along the prominent avenue are a huge attraction for people in search of notable brands like prestigious clothing designers. If you want to make your wintertime visit to the densely populated city extra special for the kids, check out the children`s lifestyle retail location.
If hunting for deals, head to one of NYC`s open-air weekend markets such as the renowned Brooklyn Flea. Here, you can uncover vintage items, clothing, jewelry, antiquities, and much more. The culinary hotspot Chelsea Market in Manhattan is another excellent shopping destination where you can procure artisanal products and baked goods. The outlet stores situated in New York and beyond also feature numerous discounts.
You can also find holiday-themed gifts like decorations at Christmas Cottage, the oldest Christmas shop in the area. Seeing the newest designs is possible during New York Fashion Week, one of the top things to do in New York City in February, which showcases trends. So a visit during that period allows seeing it.
8. See a holiday lighting in NYC, another way to spend winter in New York City with family
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Macy’s at Herald Square is one of the top spots to explore thanks to its striking interior attraction, though Bloomingdale’s on Third Avenue is also deserving of a visit. Spectacular Christmas lights can also be viewed at Barney’s New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co. A novel theme is implemented each year, and all the fanciful displays may be toured on this holiday lights walking tour.
The city’s annual Christmas tree illumination ceremonies are another fun winter activity in NYC. Several tree illumination events take place throughout the large metropolis, although Rockefeller Center is renowned for hosting one of the grandest. Its Norway Spruce reaches 80-100 feet in height and is decorated with over 50,000 lights, rendering it a magnificent spectacle to behold.
9. Dyker Heights Holiday Lights, an awesome winter attraction in Brooklyn, NYC
In relation to seasonal lights, an amazing display of yuletide cheer can be seen in Dyker Heights, one of the most popular areas in Brooklyn. Residents have a tradition here of decorating their homes and gardens for the Christmas season, so streets glow along Dyker Heights Boulevard from 83rd to 86th Streets.
Neighbors in this area go all out with inflatable figures, illuminated gingerbread structures, exquisite nutcrackers, light-up candy canes, and much more. Some of the displays are even synced to Christmas music and carols, generating a cheerful winter wonderland. It’s one of the best activities in Brooklyn in the winter, and you can even take a coach excursion to ensure you don’t miss anything.
10. Enjoy New York Restaurant Week, something to do in NYC in the winter as a couple
Twice a year, the culinary event called New York Restaurant Week brings delightful lunches and dinners to patrons for a fraction of the standard price. Taking pleasure in a warm meal is one of the most comforting activities to do in New York when it’s cold, and there are plenty of options to suit any appetite.
Just next to the Cathedral Square we found the earliest public square in the city; Plaza de Armas. A highlight of this plaza is the sizable open-air book market, along with some stalls displaying old second-hand relics.
The participating restaurants vary by year but include dozens of establishments offering everything from Asian fusion and Italian cuisine to Mexican specialties and New American dishes. You can grab a table at the STATE Grill and Bar in the Empire State Building, Stella 34 Trattoria at Macy’s, or on the City Cruise byHornblower, one of the top boat tours in NYC.
Even if you miss Restaurant Week, I still recommend reserving a table at one of New York City’s top restaurants.
11. Check out the Christmas markets, the best thing to do in NYC in December
The luxury stores in Manhattan are open throughout the year, but the Christmas markets are a winter attraction in New York City that can solely be seen during the holiday season. These quaint markets are filled with charming vendor stands selling all kinds of knickknacks and one-of-a-kind gifts, so they are the perfect place to go if you are still crossing items off your shopping list.
I previously stated the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and the New York Botanical Garden also has vendors on location. It’s also worth exploring Bryant Park’s Winter Village, an open-air marketplace where you can shop, ice skate, and spend time as a family.
The Union Square Holiday Market is another impressive attraction with over 100 vendors, while the Grand Central Holiday Market in Vanderbilt Hall is inside, so visitors can stay warm and comfortable. If you cannot choose one over the other, I propose taking this walking tour, which visits several markets.
12. Celebrate the New Year’s Eve, one of the most famous winter events in New York City
Without hesitation, celebrating New Year’s Eve at Times Square is one of the finest activities to partake in New York City during the winter season. The Times Square Ball Drop is a tradition that commenced in 1907 when the ball was constructed of wood and just a few lightbulbs. Today, it’s a gorgeous sphere of Waterford crystals with over 32,000 LED lights, and it’s programmed to have different light and color patterns.
Over one million attendees congregate in Times Square to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, so if you attend, be prepared for sizable crowds and make sure to dress warmly. The festivities include concerts, celebrity appearances, and counting down to midnight as the ball descends its position atop One Times Square. Undoubtedly a unique experience and a favored addition to many individuals` lists of memorable activities in New York City during winter.
13. Heated igloos at 230 Fifth rooftop, a nice place to go in the winter with friends in NYC
Seeking a unique winter activity for couples in New York City? Consider 230 Fifth, one of the city`s highest rated roof decks. Open year-round, its outdoor heated pods allow enjoyment of the views from November through April.
The igloos are transparent and come with blankets and Snuggies for staying warm and cozy. Thanks to the bar`s location on the 20th and 21st floors, incredible panoramic views of Manhattan are available, making this an awesome place to visit during the New York winter.
Additionally, 230 Fifth features an enclosed lounge and an al fresco bar, allowing you to comfortably socialize with friends or a partner after dark. Beyond just drinks, the bar serves hot beverages and sometimes screens movies. Undoubtedly, this is one of the coolest activities to partake in within NYC at night and our preferred rooftop venue, so be sure to experience it for yourself!
14. NYC Winter Lantern Festival, another fun family thing to do in NYC in the winter
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The Staten Island and Queens festivals feature walk-through displays with illuminated tunnels, archways, and pathways. There are thousands of lanterns included in the attraction, paying homage to the lantern-making tradition of the Han Dynasty in China. Be sure to spot all the different shapes and creations, such as flowers and animals. Performances also take place during this popular New York City winter event, such as street artists and Tibetan folk dancers, so it’s a wonderful activity for the whole family.
15. Winter Spa at The William Vale, a romantic wintertime thing to do in New York City
Finally, when you need some alone time with your special someone, head to the Winter Spa at The William Vale. A spa session is one of the most relaxing activities for a couple in NYC, as indicated by this source, and as one of the best hotels in Brooklyn, The William Vale aims to please in every way.
Yogyakarta has one of the best systems for public travel in Indonesia. Trans Yogya is composed of several air-conditioned bus lines that connect the whole city, like the airport and the Prambanan Temple.
During a visit, one can relax their muscles and find peace while lounging in a plush bathrobe and admiring the wintry views outside. And if wanting to extend the winter vacation in New York City, booking a room and staying overnight at this lovely hotel.
That piece has summarized the finest things to do in NYC in the winter season. I hope this article assists you in planning your winter journey to NYC or at least persuades you that the huge city is certainly worthwhile visiting during the cooler months. Once you`re prepared to construct your itinerary, utilize this map to easily locate the top attractions I mentioned:
I’d love to get your perspective on exploring New York City during winter months. Please feel free to share your thoughts on visiting NYC in the winter or ask me any questions you may have below. Have a wonderful trip and take full advantage of everything the city has to offer!
