As one of the most popular urban areas in the world, New York City sees millions of visitors throughout the year. New York City is a cultural center for many pursuits, including art, dance and cuisine. While there are things to do in Manhattan every day of the year, many people choose to visit New York during the Christmas season. During that festive time, there is even more going on than usual.
Ice Skating
Rockefeller Center may be the most well known choice for visitors looking to ice skate in NYC during the holidays, but plenty of other options exist. There is ice skating at Central Park and Chelsea Piers, which both have outdoor skating rinks. Experience New York City's beautiful winter sights while ice skating at the American Museum of Natural History or at the pond at Bryant Park.
Window Displays
An entire day can be spent walking New York City's sidewalks to see the holiday window displays at various department stores. Walking for 20 blocks on 5th Avenue in Midtown, visitors will pass by the windows of Lord and Taylor, Saks 5th Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Barneys New York, Bloomingdale's and Macy's are just a few blocks away, and they all present elaborate holiday window displays.
Theater and Live Events
For many people, New York City at Christmas is synonymous with Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular. The iconic show was first performed over 75 years ago. While the show has been updated over the years, traditional parts, including the Living Nativity and Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, remain the same. The NYC Ballet's annual production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" begins just after Thanksgiving and runs throughout December. The Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and many churches also plan holiday concerts and plays.
Parks and Gardens
The parks and gardens scattered throughout New York City's five boroughs go all out for the holiday season. Temporary markets selling everything from jewelry to toys set up in Manhattan parks such as Union Square, Bryant Park and Columbus Circle. Take a carriage ride through Central Park and admire the scenery. Or travel to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. The garden is the annual site of the family favorite Holiday Train Show. Displays and replicas of city landmarks can be found throughout the garden.
Holiday Trees and Displays
Rockefeller Center's decorated holiday tree isn't the only tree on public display in New York City at Christmastime. The American Museum of Natural History's origami tree and the Metropolitan Museum of Art's blue spruce are also worth seeing. Visitors who wish to hear holiday music should head down to the South Street Seaport, where carolers perform on the weekends in front of a lit Christmas tree during the holiday season.
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