Fun Things To Do In NYC In The Winter

The winter season in New York City can be a magical time of year. With the holidays and snow adding to the sparkle, it’s a great time to explore the city. From hot chocolate and ice skating to holiday shows and art installations, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in NYC during the cooler months. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a local looking for something new, here is our guide to some of the best things to do in NYC in the winter.

A Brief Introduction To NYC

New York City (NYC) is the most populous city in the United States. The city is located at the mouth of the Hudson River in the southeastern portion of the state of New York and is one of the most iconic cities in the world. NYC is home to numerous iconic landmarks and attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Times Square. The city is one of the most diverse cities in the world and is home to a range of cultures, languages, and religions.

The history of NYC dates back to 1624 when Dutch settlers established a trading post in what is now known as Lower Manhattan. Over time, the city has evolved into a bustling metropolis with a population of over 8.3 million people. The city is a major center for finance, entertainment, culture, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and tourism. It is one of the most visited cities in the world and is home to some of the most recognizable landmarks and attractions.

Holiday Markets

One of the best things to do in NYC during the winter season is to visit one of the many holiday markets that pop up around the city. Holiday markets are open-air markets featuring vendors selling unique goods and gifts. They are often held outdoors during November and December and offer a variety of items including handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, toys, food, and more.

The most popular holiday market in NYC is Union Square Holiday Market which is located in Union Square Park in Lower Manhattan. This market opened in 1999 and has become an iconic part of the holiday season in NYC. The market has over 100 vendors selling unique items from around the world.

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is another popular holiday market in NYC. This market has been open since 2007 and features over 50 vendors selling jewelry, clothing, art, home goods, and other unique items from around the world.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, there is also the Grand Central Holiday Fair which takes place inside Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. This market features over 50 vendors selling unique handmade items from around the world.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is another popular activity during the winter season in NYC. There are several ice skating rinks located throughout the city that are open during the winter months. The most popular ice skating rinks are located in Central Park, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and The Standard High Line Hotel.

Central Park Ice Rink is one of the oldest ice skating rinks in NYC. This popular rink opened in 1949 and has been a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike ever since. The rink offers ice skating lessons as well as public skate sessions throughout the week.

Bryant Park Ice Rink is another popular destination for ice skating in NYC. Located in Midtown Manhattan near Times Square, this rink has been open since 2001 and features seasonal activities such as ice skating lessons and holiday parties.

Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is located near Radio City Music Hall and overlooks Fifth Avenue. This outdoor rink has been open since 1936 and features daily public skate sessions as well as wintertime events such as concerts and movie screenings on ice.

The Standard High Line Hotel offers a unique experience with its rooftop ice skating rink located above the High Line park in Chelsea. This rink offers stunning views of Manhattan as well as special events such as DJ sets and holiday parties throughout the winter season.

Holiday Shows

The holidays are a great time to take in a show in NYC. There are numerous Broadway shows that are popular during this time of year such as The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol as well as Off-Broadway shows such as Handel’s Messiah and The Yule Tide Spectacular.

The Nutcracker is one of the most popular holiday shows that takes place each year at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. This classic ballet tells the story of Clara who goes on an exciting adventure through an enchanted forest with her Nutcracker Prince. This show features stunning costumes, dazzling sets, and countless magical moments that make it a must-see each year.

A Christmas Carol is another classic holiday show that takes place at Lincoln Center each year. This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge who learns the true meaning of Christmas through a series of visits from three ghosts on Christmas Eve.

Handel’s Messiah is an annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s 1741 masterpiece that takes place at Carnegie Hall each year during Christmas season. This beloved oratorio tells the story of Christ’s birth through choral music and scripture readings and features some of Handel’s most beloved pieces such as “The Hallelujah Chorus” and “He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd”.

The Yule Tide Spectacular is an off-Broadway show that takes place each year at New World Stages on West 50th Street in Midtown Manhattan. This show features a mix of holiday favorites such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Let It Snow” as well as original songs and sketches written by cast members.

Art Installations

The winter season is also a great time to explore some of the amazing art installations that take place around the city each year. One of the most popular art installations during this time of year is the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center which draws thousands of visitors each year who come to see this stunning tree lit up with thousands of twinkling lights!

The Winter Garden at Bryant Park also hosts an amazing art installation each year featuring a canopy of lights over 6,000 square feet of space! This installation features thousands of lights suspended from above creating a stunning canopy for visitors to walk beneath.

The Standard High Line Hotel also hosts an art installation each year featuring thousands of colorful light orbs suspended above their rooftop bar! This installation offers stunning views of the city skyline and is sure to be a hit with visitors who come to take it all in!

Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing quite like sipping on hot chocolate on a cold winter day! NYC has some amazing cafes and bakeries where you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or even indulge in a delicious hot chocolate drink! Some popular spots to try include City Bakery, Max Brenner Chocolate Bar, Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven, and La Maison du Chocolat!

City Bakery offers a classic hot chocolate made with rich dark chocolate and topped with marshmallows or whipped cream. They also offer seasonal flavors such as peppermint or gingerbread during the winter months!

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar offers delicious hot chocolate drinks made with their signature melted chocolate blended with your choice of milk or cream! They also offer specialty drinks like their “Chocolate Chunk Milkshake” which is made with melted chocolate blended with vanilla ice cream!

Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven offers a wonderful selection of hot chocolate drinks made with their signature dark chocolate blended with your choice of milk or cream! They also offer specialty drinks like their “Hazelnut Hot Chocolate” which is made with dark chocolate blended with hazelnut syrup!

La Maison du Chocolat offers classic hot chocolate drinks made with their signature dark chocolate blended with your choice of milk or cream! They also offer specialty drinks like their “Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate” which is made with dark chocolate blended with salted caramel syrup!

Popular Tours

NYC offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to explore its rich history and culture through guided tours. Here are two popular tours that offer a great way for visitors to experience NYC during the winter season:

Central Park Private Walking Tour

Experience Central Park like never before on a private walking tour! This tour takes visitors on an exploration through the park’s history and beauty while visiting popular landmarks such as Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Alice In Wonderland statue, and more! Learn about its history from knowledgeable tour guides while taking in stunning views of this iconic park! To book this tour visit https://www.viator.com/searchResults/all?text=NYC+Central+Park+Private+Walking+Tour&sortOrder=RELEVANCE&destId=183026&packageTypeFilter=All&filterBy=All&tagId=0&sortOrder=RELEVANCE&tourTypeFilter=All&ratingFilter=0&priceFilter=0&travelerTypeFilter=All&languageFilter=All&topCategoryFilter=All&cabinClassFilter=All&durationFilter=All&stopFilter=All&themeFilter=All&budgetFilter=All .

Museum Mile Tour

Discover one of NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods on a Museum Mile Tour! This tour takes visitors on an exploration through Upper East Side’s Museum Mile which features some of NYC’s top museums such as The Metropolitan Museum Of Art and The Frick Collection! Learn about their history from knowledgeable tour guides while taking in stunning views along this historic stretch! To book this tour visit https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=NYC+Museum+Mile+Tour .

Conclusion

From hot chocolate and ice skating to holiday markets and art installations, there are plenty of fun things to do in NYC during the winter season! Whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking for something new to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this magical time of year!