NYC Christmas bucket list

[Anonymous]

Every family from NJ takes an overnight in NYC during Christmas, literally shoulder to shoulder even on the NJ Transit trains! Lol.

We like to go to Chinatown and eat. They have decorations too

Time Square church for Christmas service.

I think this year we'll eat in Flushing.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the earliest in December that will still feel super festive?

I would probably google best gingerbread desserts and similar

It will feel festive right after the Thanksgiving parade.

[Anonymous]

You can make your appt online to see Santa at Macys. Try to do it asap as they sell out. You still have to wait in the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would try to get a reservation to take your kids to serendipity. I’m a New Yorker and it’s one of my favorite traditions with my kids.

generally for the holidays we kind of just do the same touristy things as everyone else - the tree at rockafeller center, ice skating, the Christmas markets at Union square and Bryant park. The crowds by rockafeller center and the saks show are intense so just be prepared.

I also really enjoy seeing the nutcracker at the NYC ballet in Lincoln center. Grab a meal in the area before or afterwards - brunch at the smith, Italian at cafe fiorello, or head farther up the upper west side.

Rockefeller. Come on. If you go there all the time you should know.

[Anonymous]

You can’t even get into the plaza around the holidays unless you have a reservation.

My best advice for actually seeing the sites in midtown is to wake up super early and go at 5am when they turn on the tree at Rock center. Saks across the street and the other windows most up (and a bit down) 5th Ave will be lit and running all night so you can walk around and see things with almost no one there. I discovered this last year when my teen was performing on the today show and I had to drop her off at 5am. I walked around with our dog and had a fantastic time seeing everything. Then walked over to Madison Ave where there was a Starbucks open by 5:30, got a hot tea and went home (she took the subway to school after her performance). I had a magical time and decided this year I’m waking up my whole family one morning and doing it again. It would be easier to do from a midtown hotel of course than for me from Brooklyn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annie hasn’t been on Broadway in a decade. While the idea of walking down fifth Avenue to see the displays is fine, do it at a very off time. Seriously, wake up at 5 AM and go. That is when they turn on the Rockefeller Christmas tree and there is no one around and it is magnificent..

Wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t even get into the plaza around the holidays unless you have a reservation.

My best advice for actually seeing the sites in midtown is to wake up super early and go at 5am when they turn on the tree at Rock center. Saks across the street and the other windows most up (and a bit down) 5th Ave will be lit and running all night so you can walk around and see things with almost no one there. I discovered this last year when my teen was performing on the today show and I had to drop her off at 5am. I walked around with our dog and had a fantastic time seeing everything. Then walked over to Madison Ave where there was a Starbucks open by 5:30, got a hot tea and went home (she took the subway to school after her performance). I had a magical time and decided this year I’m waking up my whole family one morning and doing it again. It would be easier to do from a midtown hotel of course than for me from Brooklyn!

This is great advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Annie hasn’t been on Broadway in a decade. While the idea of walking down fifth Avenue to see the displays is fine, do it at a very off time. Seriously, wake up at 5 AM and go. That is when they turn on the Rockefeller Christmas tree and there is no one around and it is magnificent..

Wrong.

Not wrong. MSG theater is not Broadway.

[Anonymous]

Is it crowded even on Christmas day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dyker Heights lights tour. By foot or by bus.

I'm surprised this isn't mentioned more often. On foot is fine.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/dyker-heights-christmas-lights?origin=serp_auto

[Anonymous]

We went last year between Christmas and New Years and it was crowded but manageable.

Love the Rockettes. Got to see the windows. Enjoyed a really good meal at Pecora Bianco at Bryant park.

[Anonymous]

The winter garden at the world financial center downtown is decorated beautifully during the holidays and has "Santa" and a cute ice rink right on the Hudson. It's kind of off the beaten path for holiday tourists, so you can enjoy it without the crowds. You can also fit in the Oculus while you're down there and have lunch at Eataly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the earliest in December that will still feel super festive?

I would probably google best gingerbread desserts and similar

We used to go up the Friday after Thanksgiving and it was pretty darned festive. I agree with people who warn about the crowds in Midtown, though. I'd recommend an early stroll past the store windows, early admission to the Met (if you're a member), and then retreating to less-typical (although still popular) haunts: small stores in Soho/Greenwich Village, afternoon tea somewhere other than the Plaza, Broadway Barbara at the Public rather than the Rockettes. Nothing against doing the most famous classics; I just find the crowds stressful and not conducive to family fun.