New York City Christmas Itinerary (3 days & family friendly)

Looking for the best Christmas in NYC itinerary? You are in the right place! As a New York City local, I absolutely love the holiday spirit here every winter, from Christmas tree decorations to festive holiday bars and restaurants to stunning photo spots, NYC has them all. In this blog I will share with you how to have an amazing 3 days in New York City during the Christmas holiday season.

This blog contains occasional affiliate links, where I receive a small commission on sales of the products/hotels that are linked at no additional cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If there is one city you need to visit for Christmas in the United States, that city would be New York City. Even though I live in NYC, I still get amazed every winter by the lights, cheers and festivities all around the city.

Ever since I was young, I’ve watched movies and TV shows about Christmas in New York City and I’m sure you did as well. While everyone knows about the Rockefeller Center tree and ice rink and the Saks light show and window displays, there are so many other beautifully decorated places in New York City.

So in this post, I will show you how to best spend 3 days in New York City to see the best decorations and eat at the most festive restaurants during the holiday season. Keep in mind that this itinerary is family friendly and can easily be stretched to 4 days if you have more time!

So….does New York City have a white Christmas?

Nope, there is rarely a white Christmas in NYC. You probably have seen movies where the snow is falling at Rockefeller Center and the main characters are walking in the snow with the jingle bell tunes in the background. Sorry to break it to you but it’s just fictional.

It actually almost never snows around Christmas in New York City. It could be bitterly cold or even rainy, and MAYBE there is a layer of frost in the morning, but the chance of having a white Christmas in NYC is minimal.

Weather during Christmas in New York City

The weather in December in NYC can range from the 20s to the 60s! Although in general, you can expect the average temperature to be about high 30s to low 40s (Fahrenheit) or 1-5 degrees Celsius.

In recent years December hasn’t been awfully cold (and there’s pretty much no snow) but there’s always a couple of days of the month that can be very cold (almost freezing) or very warm. Ultimately you will need to check the weather forecast a week before you arrive to get a more accurate forecast.

Keep in mind that New York City can get pretty windy, so if it’s a windy day, the “feel like” temperature can be a lot lower than what the forecast or apps show. Therefore it is always better to prepare for the cold with the right clothing and gears.

Visiting New York City in the Winter Logistics

Airports to Fly into New York City

There are 3 major airports that serves the New York City metropolitan area:

• JFK: The major international airport located in Queens in New York City. If you are flying in from Europe, chances are you are probably flying into JFK. You can get from JFK to Manhattan easily with public transportation, which includes a ride on the Airtrain then switching to either the subway or Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). JFK is best for those staying in Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn although there are direct trains to Manhattan as well.

• LaGuardia Airport (LGA): This is a regional airport located in East Elmhurst in Queens. There are many domestic flights as well as flights from Canada that land at LGA. The airport is newly renovated so it is a lot nicer than JFK and EWR. There is no subway that goes to LGA, but there are buses that connect LGA to Manhattan. I usually just take an Uber/ Lyft when I land in LGA. LGA is best for those staying in Queens and Manhattan.

• Newark International Airport (EWR): EWR is actually in New Jersey and not in New York City and it is the hub for United Airlines (UA does not fly to JFK). Some people say flights are cheaper into/ out of EWR but I cannot confirm if that’s true. There are express buses and trains (NJ transit) that take you from EWR to Manhattan. EWR is best for those staying in New Jersey and Manhattan. When I used to work at Times Square I would always fly out of EWR instead of JFK.

There are smaller airports in Connecticut and Long Island you can fly into, but most tourists don’t do that so I won’t cover that with this post.

Best way to get around New York City in the winter

New Yorkers take public transportation regardless of the season, since there are heaters/ AC on the subway, trains and buses.

You can use Google Maps or CityMapper to map out directions.

Subways

Subways are the default transportation option for New York City. Although the system is ancient and full of delays, it is one of the only subway systems in the world that operates 24/7 and takes you almost everywhere in the city (except Staten Island).

The subway costs $2.90 per ride regardless of distance and you don’t need to tap out. You can pay with a contactless credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or simply purchase a good old fashioned metro card.

Read my complete guide on how to take the New York City subway for more information.

Buses

You take buses the same way you take a subway. Buses can be more convenient to cross town (from east to west) as most subway lines go north to south. CityMapper is a great app to get bus directions as the bus time is more accurate than Google Maps in my experience.

You pay for the bus the same way you pay for a subway ride.

Trains (like LIRR or Metro North)

If you are traveling within New York City, you don’t really need to worry about taking the train, except if you decide to take the LIRR from JFK airport into Penn Station of Grand Central.

But if you are planning to take trips outside of the city (let’s say to Cold Springs or Washington DC), then you will have to take an actual train. You can buy train tickets at the station or on the TrainTime app (not for Washington DC though, for that you will need to buy from the Amtrak website/ app).

Taxis/ Uber/ Lyft

What is more iconic than waving down a yellow cab in New York City? Well Yellow cabs happen to be everywhere on the street in Manhattan so it’s not too hard to wave one down, unless it’s extremely cold or snowing then I bet you won’t be able to find an empty one.

This is when Uber/ Lyft come to the rescue, although I’m sure you will be waiting quite a bit with surging prices for them. But hey, even though we locals love our subways, we still take taxis and Ubers from time to time.

Driving

Do not drive in Manhattan! If you are visiting for 3 days and have a car, I would highly recommend that you park your car in a garage in New Jersey or somewhere outside of the city and take the train in. It costs a lot (like $40+) to park in a garage everyday in Manhattan, then you will have to take public transit to get around anyway.

If you are curious on what it’s like to drive in New York City, be sure to read my guide on driving in NYC.

Hop on Hop Off bus

Hop-on-hop-off bus is a super fun way to get around New York City in a short period of time. There are multiple companies that operate these buses and my favorite is always the Big Bus.

Although subways may get you from point A to point B faster without worrying about traffic, hop-on-hop-off buses allow you to see everything outside. I always tell people New York City is not just about the museums and the parks and attractions, but it’s a whole vibe. Wouldn’t you want to see how locals go about their day in this big city and see what every-day New York City looks like? You can’t do that from the subway!

Walking

A lot of the attractions in Midtown are very close together, so you will actually be walking a lot. New York City is a very walkable place, and it is the best way to see and get to know the city.

Do keep in mind that winter can be cold, so be sure to wear warm and comfortable shoes and clothes when walking outside. I have a complete guide on what to wear in NYC in the winter if you wonder how locals dress in December and January.

Where to Stay in New York City for Christmas

New York City is huge so there are a ton of places to stay at. Do keep in mind that most Airbnbs are illegal in New York City so if you want to stay in the city, your options are just hotels.

If this is your first time visiting New York City for Christmas, then the best option is to stay in midtown, specifically near Times Square, Bryant Park or Radio City.

While I personally am never a fan of Times Square (it is loud and full of scam artists after all), I do see the appeal of staying there for a first time tourist. It is central and there are a ton of subways that stop there. It is also within walking distance to Fifth Avenue and Central Park (my definition of walking distance may be different from yours though).

If you are considering staying in midtown, then be sure to check out Radio City Apartment (comes with a kitchenette), Hotel Riu Plaza Times Square or Pod Times Square for budget travelers.

If money is no concern then I would recommend staying at Lotte Palace, The Peninsula or the Plaza hotel. All of these luxury hotels are renowned for their amazing Christmas decorations and some of them even have Christmas themed rooms.

What to pack for New York City Christmas

I keep mentioning that you need to be dressed warmly, but how warm are we talking about? If you are coming from places like Quebec or Hokkaido, I don’t think this would be an issue for you. New York City is nowhere near as cold as those places. But if you are visiting from London or New Zealand, you might find this list helpful.

In general you will need:

• Winter parka or a wool coat
• Thermal base layer
• Sweater or a fleece layer
• Fleece lined tights or pants
• Winter boots or leather boots
• Gloves, scarf and a hat (unless you wear your parka hood)
• Power bank to charge your phone as they die sooner in the cold
• A little bit of cash

Check out my complete NYC winter packing guide blog for more information and details.

Thing to know before you visit New York City for Christmas

• It can be insanely crowded in New York City around Christmas. When I say crowded I mean you can’t even move type of crowdedness. This usually happens starting 2nd or 3rd week of December and lasts through the New Years. I actually avoid midtown starting mid December because the crowd is just insane.

• Christmas decorations are up right after Thanksgiving, which is the 4th Thursday of November. If you want to be sure, it’s best to come early December when everything is up but there are no crowds. Santaland at Macy’s flagship store also opens the Friday after Thanksgiving (after the Thanksgiving parade).

• You can still see Christmas decorations in early January. They are usually up for at least one week after the New Year. Again, there will be way less crowd.

• Hotels are way more expensive and get booked up in December. I suggest you book your hotel months in advance to avoid disappointment.

• Book your restaurant reservations early too. I saw someone booking a Rolf’s reservation in early September for their December visit.

• Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree is not the only tree in the city. Check out my blog for a complete list of Christmas trees and decorations in NYC. If you do check out the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, keep in mind that the lights actually turn off around 11:40pm.

• There are a ton of holiday themed restaurants and bars in New York City. Check out my blog for a complete list of festive restaurants and bars.

• There are a few different outdoor ice skating rinks in Manhattan. Although the one at Rockefeller Center is probably the most famous, it is also the most expensive. The rink at Bryant Park is free (reservation required) but you do need to pay for rentals.

• There are a number of holiday markets in Manhattan. These markets are not the same as the ones you find in Europe (I’ve been to a few in London and Germany and they are way better). The holiday markets in NYC tend to focus more on selling things than food, although there are certainly food sold but not mulled wine everywhere like in Europe.

3-day New York City Christmas Itinerary

This sample winter itinerary assumes you have 3 full days in NYC, so if you are arriving mid down on Day 1, you will need to cut down on some of the morning activities. In addition, I am all about capturing the best photos, so this itinerary is designed for you to be able to get nice photos of the holiday decorations throughout the city.

In addition, this NYC holiday itinerary is family friendly, meaning I included things that kids would like. If you are traveling without children, you can always take out those activities and swap them with something else. I will provide you with additional things you can do during Christmas in NYC later in this blog.

New York City Christmas Itinerary Day 1

On your first full day in NYC, we will be focusing on the most festive Midtown area. This is an area that has the highest concentration of holiday decorations and what you most likely have seen on social media.

Holiday photos in midtown

Assuming you had arrived super early in the morning or the evening before, we will be taking some early morning photos.

Why morning you may ask? Because of the lack of crowds! It is very crowded in midtown in December as people from all over the world travel to NYC to see the holiday decorations. Therefore if you want some nice photos without people, early morning (with the help of jetlag) would be the best time. At night you will not be able to get the same photos without a million people around.

Lotte Palace Hotel

Lotte Palace hotel located on Madison Ave (a block from 5th Ave) is a luxury hotel. It has a beautiful courtyard and is known to have the prettiest Christmas tree of all New York City. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to visit the courtyard and it is also way less crowded than other attractions in New York City.

I have been both day and night and even though I do love the lights on the tree at night, morning is the emptiest time for a photoshoot. When I visited around 8am, there was one couple doing a wedding shoot.

Rockefeller Center & Channel Gardens

Everyone knows the giant Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. It is probably THE postcard image you have in mind when thinking about Christmas in New York City. Indeed the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is the largest in the city, therefore it is an iconic photo spot not to be missed during your 3 days in NYC trip.

Since it is so iconic, it is also super crowded, especially in the evening since you can see the famous Saks light show right across from Channel Gardens. Therefore, if you want a nice photo, you will have to go in the morning.

The best photo spot to capture the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is from Channel Gardens, a stretch of garden with statues and flowers from Rockefeller Center to Fifth Avenue.

In the previous years, there were these free chalets right next to the Christmas tree that allow you to have some peace and quietness for 15 minutes.

During one year you didn’t need a reservation and all you had to do was to purchase a drink from the vendor next to the tree. However last year you had to make a reservation online ahead of time. So you should check the Rockefeller Center website to get updated information for this year.

Radio City Holiday Decorations

Another iconic and popular photo spot in midtown is the Radio City area. There is a Christmas tree on top of Radio City, which is visible on 6th Avenue, otherwise known as Avenue of the Americas. Keep in mind that Radio City is just one block away from Rockefeller Center so simply walk over after you are done with Rockefeller Center.

Right across from Radio City are the photo spots. One is the fountain with giant ornaments and the other one (across the street to the north) is the candy cane installation. Both are beautiful and get crowded later in the day.

Go up Top of the Rock

While you are in the Rockefeller Center area, you should visit Top of the Rock, the observation deck on top of Rockefeller Center. While New York City has 5 observation decks in total, I still think Top of the Rock has the best view. The building is right in the center of Manhattan, so you have an unobstructed view of the entire city, which includes the iconic Empire State Building and Central Park.

In recent year, Top of the Rock installed The Beam, a photo opportunity that allows you to recreate the iconic photo where you are sitting on a beam high above the city.

If your goal is to get the best photos at Top of the Rock, you should aim to get there before it opens (there is already a line before it opens). While most people go straight to see the view after getting off the elevator, there is actually a set of stairs that take you one level higher where you can take the photo I have above. When we visited at 9am we had this place to ourselves for 20 minutes before others realized there was an upstairs.

Tip: Top of the Rock is covered in a New York pass, which allows you to save 40% on NYC attractions.

Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink

If Top of the Rock is not your thing (or you want to do a different observation deck like Summit One or the Empire State Building), then you can instead ice skate at the rink downstairs.

The rink is open every winter and it is one of the most popular rinks in the city. Despite the high cost, there is always a huge crowd ice skating there to experience the magic of New York City Christmas.

Visit the FAO Schwarz & Other Toy Stores

If you are coming to New York this winter with children, then a must visit stop would be FAO Schwarz (and also Lego Store).

FAO Schwarz is the most famous toy store in New York City. Given its strategic location in the Rockefeller Center Plaza, it is no wonder it’s completely packed with a line out of the door every winter before Christmas.

FAO Schwarz has two stories, from Bluey to Jellycat to flying UFOs to remote cars, FAO Schwarz has it all. It can do quite a bit of damage on your wallet but it is heaven for kids and the best store to take kids to.

Not far from FAO Schwarz are a couple of other stores you may want to consider:

• Lego store
• American Girl
• Nintendo Store
• FDNY store (with a real fire engine)

If you plan to visit all of these stores then it can take up a few hours of your day.

Lunch at Papillon Bistro & Bar

If you are in New York City for Christmas, then it only makes sense to eat at a super festive restaurant right? There are a ton of Christmas themed restaurants and bars in New York City in December, and Papillon is actually located right near Fifth Avenue, making it an ideal place for lunch on this day.

I really love the decorations at Papillon and it’s usually packed at night, so when I went for lunch it was actually really empty. They have a lunch special menu that you can pick from and the price is reasonable.

Appreciate Art at MoMA

If it’s only early afternoon, then I would highly recommend a visit to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). Located next to Fifth Avenue, MoMA is a great place to see some of the most renowned paintings.

While I generally don’t consider myself an art person, I actually really loved visiting MoMA. There are 5 stories overall and if you are limited on top, you should definitely spend your time on the 5th Floor, where these paintings are located.

There is a huge collection of art works by super famous contemporary artists like Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse and they are all located on the 5th floor.

Tip: MoMA is included in the New York pass and you can read more about what to see at the MoMA from my blog.

Stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral

About a block away from MoMA is ST. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the US. Even if you are not religious, it is still a beautiful cathedral to visit.

The cathedral is free to visit and you don’t need to book a time slot to visit. But if you can pay extra for the official tour. There are also self-guided audio tours available if you want to learn about the cathedral at your own pace. They actually have a kid’s version of the audio tour for the little ones!

Walk down Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is the most beautiful street during the Christmas holiday season in New York City. It is the home of numerous fancy department stores as well as all the high end boutiques such as LV, Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef, etc.

In the month of December (some parts of November and January), the stores on 5th Avenue are decorated with holiday lights and decorations. Besides the decorations, the major department stores also put on their best window displays every year, so it is always a unique holiday tradition to see all the different window displays.

Occasionally (depends on the year), Fifth avenue itself will be decorated with holiday decors. There are also “car free” days where 5th Avenue is blocked off from car traffic for half a day.

If this is already late afternoon and the sky is getting darker, then you should definitely stop by Channel Gardens to watch Saks’s light show. The show changes every year and the most previous year (2023) was sponsored by Dior. Even in early December it was pretty packed on the weekend to watch this.

I did read online that by mid to late December this area was so crowded that people couldn’t even move.

If you prefer to do a guided tour, then I would highly recommend the holiday tour!

Watch The Rockettes at Radio City

No Christmas is complete without watching the Rockettes at Radio City. This Christmas Spectacular is a holiday tradition in New York City.

Featuring the world-famous Rockettes, the show combines high-kicking precision dance routines with dazzling costumes, stunning stage effects, and heartwarming holiday music. Highlights include iconic numbers like the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “Living Nativity,” creating a festive, magical atmosphere that captures the spirit of the season.

Be sure to purchase your tickets online ahead of time.

Dinner at Bryant Park Winter Village

The last stop of your night is to walk down 5th Avenue to Bryant Park. The Bryant Park Winter Village is a European style open-air holiday market sponsored by Bank of America. The village takes over most of Bryant Park, which is located on 42nd Street and between 5th and 6th Avenue in the middle of Manhattan.

Starting at the end of October, the Winter Village comes to life with an ice skating rink, shops, food stalls, and many more activities and things to do for both adults and kids. In addition you can find cozy igloos (reservation needed) to enjoy your food and drink in private and a large Christmas tree full of lights and ornaments.

I tried multiple food items from the stalls at Winter Village and they are actually pretty good. If you are wondering what to eat, be sure to check out my food guide on Bryant Park winter village.

New York City Christmas Itinerary Day 2

On the second day of your New York City Christmas trip, you will start your day in the Upper East Side, before walking through Central Park to check out the Christmas tree at Tavern on the Green as well as the ice skating rink. You will be spending the afternoon doing some Christmas shopping at Macy’s before ending your evening at the beautiful Hudson Yards.

Get morning coffee from Ralph’s

Ralph’s coffee on Madison Avenue is no ordinary coffee shop, it is actually attached to its flagship retailer store Ralph Lauren. What’s unique about this coffee shop is that in every winter, the store is decorated with holiday decorations, making it the most festive coffee shop of all Manhattan.

If you want to have a sit down breakfast, then you should make a reservation before you go to avoid waiting. But if you just want to check out the coffee shop (and store) and get coffee, then you just have to go and wait in line (usually no more than 30 minutes).

Upper East House & Albertine Book Store

A few blocks north of Ralph Lauren’s flagship store is one of the most decorated houses in Manhattan. Every December (usually after the first week) this particular house is decorated with nutcracker decorations in the front and draws a crowd for photos.

One year we went to visit while they were still putting up the decorations but fortunately the second year I went it was already done!

Keep in mind that this is someone’s home so don’t try to go inside the house. They don’t seem to mind if people take photos on their steps so just be respectful of the owners and the residents there.

If you don’t mind walking north another couple of blocks, you will come to a beautiful French bookstore that’s not known to most visitors. While it may not be a Christmas specific spot, it for sure is a cute store to stop by, especially if you speak French!

Marvel at art at the Met

If you like art, then you definitely can’t miss the Met, one of the largest and most well-known museums in New York City. The Met is no ordinary museum and you are not just going to be looking at galleries of paintings. While the Met does have a lot of paintings and some modern arts (a very small section), there are just so much else on display at the Met:

• Egyptian Art including tombs, temples, artifacts, etc
• American Art including decorations, portraits, furnitures
• Medieval Art including jewelry, artifacts, paintings, architecture
• African Art including sculptures, artifacts, clothings pieces, instruments
• Asian Art including gardens, pottery, books, painting, pottery, and many others
• Green, Roman Art, cultures, European paintings, Islamic Art, photographs, Native American art, etc.

In fact the Met houses almost half a million pieces of art works from all over the world across 5000 years of history. Different areas of the Met have its own unique architectural style and it completely made me feel like I was transported to another era.

Lunch or afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel has one of the most iconic afternoon teas in New York City and it is a real treat to dine there. The great news is that afternoon tea actually starts quite early, so you can totally treat it as lunch instead.

I went to the Plaza afternoon tea during lunch hours (I made a reservation online beforehand). The tea is held at the iconic Palm Court and there are different options to choose from. Since I visited around Christmas, the afternoon tea was a holiday special edition, with holiday themed toppers and sweets.

Central Park Ice Skating Rink & Tavern on the Green

Central Park is actually right across the street from the Plaza, so you can quickly hop over after your afternoon tea. Since the tea set is pretty filling, it’s a great opportunity to walk the food off!

There are a ton of photo spots in Central Park but some are better viewed in the spring or summer. However there are two spots you definitely should not miss when visiting in December. One of such spots is the Wollman Rink, an outdoor ice skating rink, and the other spot is Tavern on the Green, which has a really nice Christmas tree in its courtyard.

If you didn’t want to eat at the Plaza earlier, you can actually grab a meal at Tavern on the Green. It is actually a super popular spot among tourists (I have never been to be honest).

Empire State Building Observation Deck

After a busy half day uptown, it’s time to move back to midtown to explore the Herald Square area. One of the most famous attractions in Herald Square is the Empire State Building. Having been featured on postcards and in many popular films and TV shows, the Empire State Building stands as the symbol of New York City and it is a sight not to be missed.

Given how iconic the Empire State Building is, it is no wonder over 4 million tourists all over the world visit the Empire State Building every year. The best way to visit the Empire State Building is to go to its observation deck, the OG observation deck in New York City.

The observation deck gives you a 360 degree view of the entire Manhattan and you can also see parts of Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey from the Empire State Building.

I bought my Empire State Building Observatory ticket from Getyourguide, it was about the same price as the official website (maybe $1 or $2 cheaper) and I could cancel and modify my ticket up until 24 hours before. The official website does not give you a refund. In addition, the Empire State Building is included in a New York pass.

Macy’s Flagstore & Santaland

Macy’s Herald Square is the flagship store of Macy’s and it is one of the oldest department stores in New York City. Although it’s not as luxurious as Saks or Bergdorf Goodman on 5th Avenue, it is actually more popular for both locals and tourists since it offers more reasonably priced items.

One of the most striking features of Macy’s Herald Square is its wooden escalators. Even if you don’t buy anything, you should definitely ride the iconic wooden escalator in the store.

If you are traveling to New York City in the winter with kids, Macy’s is a wonderful place to stop by. Toys “R” Us is located on the 7th store of Macy’s and it features a real slide as well as other interactive displays.

Santaland is another famous attraction at Macy’s Herald Square. Macy’s Santa has been the “OG” Santa in New York City since 1861, when Macy’s advertised that Santa came to Macy’s Herald Square location to stock their counters with Christmas gifts. The Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street also features Santa Claus at Macy’s.

Santa arrives at Macy’s at the end of the annual Thanksgiving parade, so Santaland officially starts on Black Friday (the 4th Friday of November) at 10am and runs till December 24th Christmas Eve.

For more details on Santaland, be sure to check out my guide on what to expect at Santaland (and how to make a reservation).

Dinner in K Town

Since you are already at Herald Square, it is right next to K town (K stands for Korea). There are a ton of amazing Korean restaurants on 32nd street, including Korean BBQ and other Korean restaurants.

If you are looking for Korean BBQ, then you definitely need to visit Jongro and Ahgassi Gopchang Korean BBQ. If Korean BBQ is not your thing, then you can always check out BCD Tofu House, Her Name is Han, and NONONO (Japanese restaurant).

If you are looking for something special, then you must not miss Noksu, a Korean fusion fine dining restaurant inside the 34th street subway station.

Hudson Yards Lights Installation

Your last stop of the day will be Hudson Yards, one of the newer developed areas in Manhattan. There is a large high end shopping center, the Edge observation deck and the Vessel, an art installation which is now closed.

Every winter, 2 million lights are installed at Hudson Yards both inside and outside. The best installation and photo spot is probably on the 2nd (or 3rd) level in front of the giant balloon and outside in the courtyard under the Vessel.

New York City Christmas Itinerary Day 3

On the last day of your 3 day New York City itinerary, it is time to explore downtown Manhattan and also branch out to Brooklyn for some iconic sights and stunning holiday decorations.

Morning: SALSWEE & Harry Potter Store

Start your day at this viral bakery called SALSWEE. The moment you step inside you will be awed by all the different desserts and croissants. Since they open at 7am, it is the perfect spot to grab some coffee and pastries before you start your day.

After getting some food, walk across the street to the Harry Potter store (if you are a fan). It is one of the only Harry Potter stores in the world and it features the largest collection of Harry Potter themed products, photo opportunities and even food.

The store has multiple levels, and you will find really cool things like the different wands, outfits and collections of Harry Potter books. It is heaven for Harry Potter fans.

Eataly, Flatiron & Madison Square Park

Steps away from the Harry Potter store is Eataly, a vibrant Italian marketplace that brings the flavors of Italy to New York City. Although it is not the only Eataly around, it is the original Eataly that’s been around for years.

Eataly offers a wide range of artisanal products, from fresh pasta and cheeses to cured meats, olive oils, and wines. It also features multiple restaurants, cafés, and counters where visitors can enjoy authentic Italian dishes, including pizza, pasta, and gelato. Although the restaurants may not be open if you visit early in the morning, it is still pretty cool to walk around and check out the products offered.

If you are traveling with kids, you can also check out the Lego store right next door.

Just steps away from Eataly you can see the iconic Flatiron building, known for its distinctive triangular shape and elegant Beaux-Arts design. Completed in 1902 and originally called the Fuller Building, it was one of the city’s first skyscrapers and one of the most iconic spots in Manhattan.

Lastly, if you have time, quickly check out Madison Square Park. Although it is not known to be a Christmas spot, in the past years there were gingerbread house and other holiday decorations in the park.

Lunch at Rolf’s

Rolf’s is one of the most festive restaurants in New York City and it’s not hard to see why. This German restaurant’s over-the-top decor attracts tons of locals and tourists alike every winter. But did you know that the decorations are actually around all year long (and that’s when locals go take the photos).

Due to its popularity in the winter, the restaurant is almost always fully booked (and you will have to keep calling them months in advance to book a seat). However we didn’t get a reservation and just showed up 30 minutes before it opened, and we were able to get a seat.

If you just want a drink, you can only take photos at the bar area. But if you actually dine inside, you can take photos all around the restaurant. However everyone must order a dish if you do sit down and each dish is quite pricey (and not very tasty). But you are there for the decorations and not the food!

Downtown Manhattan

After lunch, make your way down to the downtown financial district, famed for Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange. This area used to have a lot of banks and financial institutions but many have moved to midtown or Hudson Yards in recent years.

The best attractions in the financial district include:

• 911 Memorial & Museum
• The Oculus which has some holiday decoration inside
• One World observatory (read my review)
• The New York Stock Exchange (with a nice Christmas tree in front of it)
• The Charging Bull
• Mercer Labs, a new digital art museum (read my review)
• Tour to the Statue of Liberty (or just look at it from afar)
• Sea glass carousel for kids

Wall Street Tour

In my experience, it may be worth it to take a Wall Street tour to understand why certain buildings are significant. Just by looking at the buildings from the outside you really don’t get too much out of it without understanding why these buildings are important and the various stories behind each building and statue.

Book your Wall Street Tour here.

Seaport District

Depending on how much time you have, you can either explore the Seaport district or skip this altogether.

Seaport District is not usually on first time visitor’s radar when they come to New York but it is actually a really cool place for a quick visit.

Merely only a 10-15 minute walk east of the Oculus, Seaport District is a vibrant waterfront area for shopping, dining and recreational activities.

Most importantly there is a really nice Christmas tree at Seaport (usually white but can change by the year) as well as a couple of Christmas themed pop up bars/ restaurants, namely Winter Wonderland at Pier 17 and the Watermarks at Pier 15.

Brooklyn Bridge & Jane’s Carousel

When you are done with downtown Manhattan it is time to move onto Brooklyn! You are probably familiar with Brooklyn Bridge, the most famous bridge in New York City that probably shows up in all the movies and TV shows.

The good news is that you can easily walk across Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan. You can Google map directions to Brooklyn Bridge and you should find it easily (it’s near Printing House Square).

The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge takes about 45 minutes including some photos time, and once you get off on the other side you can walk another 5-10 minutes to go near the waterfront.

There are a ton of things to do at Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn side and it is in a super nice area called DUMBO. You will find the famous Jane’s Carousel, Time Out market and the million dollar view of the bridge and downtown Manhattan.

If you want to grab dinner near Brooklyn Bridge and don’t want to eat at the Time Out market, then I would highly recommend pizza at Juliana’s, which is owned by the original owner of Grimaldi’s next door. There are other options like Shake Shack, L&B Spumoni Gardens (not the original one unfortunately), and bar56.

Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

Dyker Heights is an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn that is known for its extravagant holiday lights every winter. Many houses within a few blocks radius go all out decorating their houses and it’s become an annual tradition for New Yorkers to check out these decorations every year.

There are many tours that depart from Manhattan and take you around Dyker Heights, but in my honest opinion you don’t really need a tour. From Brooklyn Bridge you should take an Uber there, then explore the area on your own before taking public transportation (or Uber) back to Manhattan.

You can read my blog on how to visit Dyker Heights without a tour and how to find the most festive houses there.

And this concludes your very merry and eventful New York City Christmas itinerary!

Other things to do in New York City during Christmas

3 days is fairly short to explore New York City during the Christmas holiday season, and you are not going to be able to see everything, here are some things to do in NYC if you have more than 3 days:

• Get hot chocolate at Mariebelle, Angelina or Max Brenner in the winter to warm yourself up
  
• See the famous train show at New York Botanic Garden

• Check out Union Square holiday market and the Columbus Circle holiday market

• Grab a drink at a holiday themed bar such as Miracle or Lillie’s Victorian Establishment

• Brave the crowd (and cold) and see the ball drop at Times Square

• Take a NYC holiday cruise around the city with food and drinks

If you are traveling with children, see my complete list of things to do with kids in New York City during Christmas.

Read my other New York City blogs

If you want to check out other cool things to do and see in NYC in the winter and during the holiday season, here are some other articles that may interest you!

• The Most Instagrammable Places in NYC during Christmas
• Christmas bars and restaurants in New York City
• Things to do with kids in NYC during the holidays
• Best Fall Hikes in NYC
• The Best Holiday Markets in NYC
• Miracle on 9th Street
• Visiting Dyker Heights For Christmas Lights Without a Tour
• Complete guide to Bryant Park Winter Village: what to eat and do
• What to do and eat at Union Square Holiday Market
• The Best Brunch in NYC
• The Best Ice Cream Shops in Lower Manhattan
• 4 Day NYC Itinerary
• 7 Day NYC Itinerary
• 2 Day NYC itinerary