New York in December is a winter wonderland with its bright holiday decorations and usually at least a thin layer of snow. December symbolizes winter recess and a necessity to fill up your children's days with activities. Luckily, New York City and the Tri-State area have enough to offer to last through the holidays and beyond.
Ice skating in NYC
Ice skating is a popular winter activity for both children and adults. With many ice skating rinks available, including Wollman Rink in Central Park, the free ice skating rink in Bryant Park and the rink at Rockefeller Center just in Manhattan, it is easy to plan several ice skating trips during the wintertime. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream afterwards and your kids surely will be satisfied.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides in Central Park
Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park to see its wonders. Eat a hot pretzel while covered with a cozy, warm blanket as you pass tourists, monuments and snow-covered trees. While there, take the kids ice skating or for a walk to enjoy the playgrounds and various monuments they can climb up on for fun or to take pictures, such as the Alice in Wonderland monument.
Shopping on 5th Avenue
Although your kids will probably shudder at the sound of the word "shopping," surprise them with the fact that Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is a shopping center even they will love. Visit FAO Schwarz and the Disney Store among other stores on Fifth Avenue. While there, take them to Trump Tower to see the famous gold fountain, and window shop at Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor's, whose window displays alone will fascinate kids.
Walk Down 6th Avenue & Visit Radio City
A simple walk down Sixth Avenue can be an activity kids will love. Visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree--or enjoy the tree lighting at the beginning of December--along the way. On Sixth Avenue you will also find unique decorations such as huge Christmas ornaments and tons of Christmas-light covered trees. Visit Radio City for the Christmas show featuring the famous Rockettes.
Other NYC and Tri-State activities
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut all feature similar events throughout December: ice skating rinks, holiday decorations, pictures with Santa Claus, snow-covered parks and playgrounds, and horse-drawn carriages. Once the snow falls, you can also rent or buy snow sleds and head on over to hills in many parks. The Tri-State area offers many events in December, such as winter-theme events, concerts, performances, in addition to the usual museums, festivals, shops, and other attractions.
New Jersey
Apart from the usual winter activities, New Jersey also has lots to offer. The New Jersey Palisades offer a fun day in the mountains during which you can hike, sled, or simply hold snow ball fights with the kids. During the weekends, Santa visits Jersey Shore Premium Outlet to meet with kids and take pictures with them. In Haddonfield, you and the kids could take carriage rides through candlelit streets filled with carolers. Many New Jersey cities and towns also hold tree-lighting ceremonies, complete with music festivals and holiday parades. In Trenton, make sure to take kids to the Disney Live! Mickey's Magic show. Smithville offers storytelling with Mrs. Claus with visits from Santa Claus, in addition to a Magical Talking Tree that approaches kids. In a few cities, including Haddonfield and Tuckerton, the kids can enjoy holiday house tours, including Victorian houses decorated. The Nutcracker show, treasure hunts, old-fashioned celebrations and culture tours, are just a few more events offered in the Garden State.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, make sure to visit the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford with the kids so that they can experience the adventures of Huck Finn through artifacts and special children's programming. Take them to Gingerbread Village in Middlebury, which is a holiday-themed village with sleighs, ponds, sledders and tons of Christmas wonder. In Waterbury, hop on a real-life Polar Express, the Santa Express, with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each child on the train meets Santa and Mrs. Clausp. Caroling, tree lighting, parades and workshops are also offered in many parts of Connecticut.
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