I have to say living in New York City my whole life has most definitely spoiled my holiday spirit! There are so many things to do and every year there’s always something new! So, this is my official list of my top Christmas activities! I like to start checking them off early, because I have yet to actually check off everything on the list in one year!
My favorite activity is definitely skating, but due to the vast amount of rinks, I have a separate blog on that topic! I will delve into Bryant Park a little bit though because it’s not just a rink but the Christmas market and outdoor bar makes it a magic experience not to be missed! The shops are both adorable and unique, the things I eat there I never see the rest of the year, so it is definitely a must! And they have so many artisan shops with hand made goods, from ornaments to jewelry it is truly spectacular!
The holiday windows are another must see, I like to hit them all in one outing, Bloomingdale’s, Saks, Tiffany’s, and the ultimate windows Macy’s. The best way to do this is to start uptown at Bloomingdale’s and work your way down to 34th street. You may also want to pay attention to the weather because it’s quite a bit of walking and it can be very cold. Once you hit Macy’s you might want to take a trip inside one to see the decorations around the store and their massive decoration section, but also for the next thing on my check list!
Macy’s Santaland. This was a major part of my childhood, I would go with friends, family, and even on a few school trips! This is not your typical visit with Santa, which I skip that part now that I’m older, but the decorations inside are spectacular and you do not want to miss it, whether you have kids or not.
The decorations in Dyker Heights, this has recently become a really popular destination for non Brooklynite’s, but I have been driving through this neighborhood every December for as long as I can remember. These days it gets so crazy they block off certain streets so you can only see them if you are walking around. So, what I like to do is drive around to cover as much of the neighborhood as possible then stop by a Dunkin’ Donuts or a cafe pick up some hot chocolate. Park the car and hit the streets.
Another amazing thing to do this time of year in the city is going to see It’s a Wonderful Life at the IFC center, it is such a spectacular experience. It’s not often that you are able to see classic films in the theater. When I went for the first time a few years ago, I walked out feeling so much nostalgia for that magical classic Christmas. This can sell out quickly and even if you have tickets, if you aren’t there early you can end up not being able to sit with the rest of your group. So, plan to get there 10- 15 minutes before your show starts! They play the film on select dates from Dec. 7- 24th!