Let me begin by telling you that if you think a trip to New York for Christmas is going to be some dreamy, Hallmark experience it is not! Do NOT come to New York expecting this wonderful Christmas experience.
With us living here, we had the advantage of knowing when and how to get around and navigate the Christmas season. When you are a tourist visiting here, you have the pressure of doing everything you can in the limited amount of time you have here.
Make no mistake, there are a LOT of people here during the holidays. These are not crowds but blobs. It gets so condensed that you will find yourself unable to move at times.
So what did we do on our first Christmas in New York?
- Attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade
- Visited the New York Gingerbread competition
- Walked through the Christmas market at Bryant Park
- Saw the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center
- Attended the performance of the Radio City Rockettes
- Viewed Christmas windows at Macy’s
- Walked 5th Avenue to see lights & displays
- Walked through the Christmas market in Times Square
- Walked through the Christmas market in Grand Central Terminal
Obviously we didn’t do everything we had hoped to do but these were the things at the top of our list. Some things we don’t need to do every year.
Also contrary to the movies, they don’t always have a “White Christmas” here. In fact, we got snow here the day after Christmas.
I enjoyed our first Christmas here and think we managed it well.
If you want to visit New York during Christmas, here are some suggestions:
- Map out your transportation and learn the subways.
- See the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center early in the morning (5-6 am). Do not attend the tree lighting. It is a mess.
- Don’t spend your Christmas here. Visit at the beginning of the Christmas season. The Christmas markets are less crowded.
- Book any shows or experiences early and ahead of time. Prices are insane if you wait until you get here.
- If you want to shop at FAO Schwartz Toy Store, be prepared to wait. Lines wrap around the building.
I think many locals celebrate today with most of the Christmas tourists have departed. I won’t say that Christmas in New York isn’t a good experience only that you have to manage your expectations.
