New York City abounds with holiday activities from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. You will appreciate the array of special events and holiday activities that are sure to delight you and your family. Walking is a prime means of getting around New York City, so be sure to bundle up, wear comfortable shoes and prepare for some fresh air and exercise during your holiday excursion. Also consider ice skates, running shoes and even cross-country skis.
Central Park
Put on a parka and a scarf and explore Central Park on foot during your Christmastime visit to New York City. The park--the first landscaped public park in the country--boasts miles of trails and walkways that offer a quiet respite from the city. You might even want to bring your cross-country skis if snow is abundant. Wolman Skating Rink, located on the East Side between 62nd and 63rd streets, includes two separate rinks, skate rentals and lessons. Over 4,000 people use the rink daily during the height of the winter season. It also has lights to accommodate skaters who want to glide on the ice underneath the stars.
Holiday Gift Fairs
Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal hosts a holiday fair beginning at Thanksgiving and lasting through the holiday season. Lace up your walking shoes and join hundreds of other shoppers as they peruse aisles of specialty vendors searching for one-of-a-kind gifts. Other walkable holiday gift fairs include the Shops at Bryant Park, featuring over 100 boutique vendors and open from November through January. You may also combine this trip with a few laps around the Bryant Park ice skating rink, which is free to use. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market at Central Park is another option for some fresh air and shopping.
Window Lights Displays
Many stores create elaborate holiday displays in their shop windows featuring different themes and characters every year. From whimsical to traditional, it's a New York City holiday tradition that is not to be missed. You may use this chance to tour the city on foot. The most well-known holiday window display is at Macy's, located at Herald Square between 34th and 35th streets on Broadway. Window upon window lights up with scenes of holiday and winter scenes. Bloomingdales and Barneys New York also join in the fun.
Rockefeller Center Activities
The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is known the world over as an icon of holiday spirit and tradition. The towering evergreen goes up just before Thanksgiving, and is carefully transported to New York City from a different location every year. The tree is lit up with thousands of lights and is a center of activity during the holiday season. Lace up your skates and join the many other visitors trying out their skills on the rink at the center, right next to the Christmas tree. The tree lighting ceremony takes place in early December and is televised, often featuring well-known performers.
Spas
For a little bit of pampering during your holiday visit to New York City, consider a few hours at a spa, an offering that New York City has in abundance. The Spa at Chelsea Piers features massage, skin care and treatments like body wraps and thermal mud treatments. It's located along the Hudson River in a sports and entertainment complex that also features activities like bowling and skating. The Spa at Trump World Tower offers rejuvenation and relaxation in an iconic setting, as does the La Prairie Spa at the Ritz-Carlton at Central Park South.
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