There is no time more magical in New York City than the holidays. The season brings us some classic New York experiences, and new things pop up every year. Here is our guide to the season, with some of the best the city has to offer.
Food and Drinks
Sipping a holiday drink, eating a filling meal, and enjoying the festive decor are some of the highlights at this time of year.
Oscar Wilde offers a gorgeously eclectic space with a variety of dining options. The space is not only decorated for the holidays, but it’s packed head to toe with antiques and novelties to pay homage to the spirit of the playwright Oscar Wilde.
Lillie’s Victorian is located on 49th Street, making it a great stop before a Broadway show. While the Christmas decor is charming enough, this restaurant also offers some of food and drinks to put you in the holiday spirit, like an espresso martini from an oversized teacup.
If you are looking for more of a city holiday classic, check out Rolf’s in Gramercy. Inside, you can immerse yourself in the most stunning Christmas decor while sipping on eggnog and mulled wines. But be prepared: This place is popular for its memorable and opulent decorations, and you might catch a long wait on the weekends.
Shopping
New York City has world-class shopping, and it only gets better during the holiday season.
If you are looking for unique gifts for your friends and family, be sure to stop by one of the four NYC Holiday Markets, located in Bryant Park (the closest to Times Square and Broadway!), Union Square, Columbus Circle, and, for those who like to stay warm, inside Grand Central Terminal. Find the perfect gift from the wide range of specialized vendors, and snag some food while you’re at it.
While you’re shopping, keep an eye out for holiday window displays. The delightful scenes at some of New York City’s department stores are spectacular enough to brave the cold weather for. Our favorites include Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
If you’re looking for a holiday gift for that theater lover in your life, check out the Drama Book Shop. Here, you can find countless theatrical works, scores, and novels on theater. You may also find a current Broadway show exhibit in the store, with displays of different props used in the shows.
Holiday Cheer
If you’ve never gone before, try ice skating in Central Park at the Wollman Rink. You’ll have the NYC skyline in the background — it’s the perfect moment for that Instagram photo. If you’re not into ice skating, stroll around the park and take in the vibes, preferably with a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
Checking out the Christmas trees and holiday lights is a quintessential New York tradition. If you are in Midtown, be sure to stop by Rockefeller Center to see the iconic Christmas tree, which will be lit on December 3. And for a taste of “go big or go home,” locals and adventurers should take in the elaborate light displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. In this neighborhood, locals deck their houses out with tens of thousands of lights, creating displays that rival Christmas lights all over the country.
Check Out an Exhibit
The Museum of Broadway offers an inside look to the history of Broadway shows, what it takes to create a production behind the scenes, and some great photo ops. Here, you can also see the new exhibit “Stages of Imagination: The Iconic Broadway Designs of David Korins” which features iconic Broadway set models and original notes from Hamilton, famously dubbed the “Hamilton Mixtape.”
Check out a miniature wonderland, the Holiday Train Show, at the New York Botanical Garden from November 15 through January 11. You’ll see model trains zipping through displays of well-known New York landmarks — more than 175 of them! It’s located in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, so don’t worry about being too chilly. From Rockefeller Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and others, join one of New York’s favorite holiday traditions.
See a Show
Getting tickets to glimpse this classic New York dance troupe is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. See the world-famous Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall for their Christmas Spectacular. You will be dazzled by the sparkling costumes, perfect kick lines, and the famous toy-soldier scene.
Looking for a show to take your family to this season? Some of the classics on Broadway, such as Wicked, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Hamilton are some of the longstanding shows your family will love.
If you’re looking for a more recent addition to the Broadway lineup,The Outsiders and SIX are great family-friendly shows to check out!
All of us at Broadway Direct wish you a jolly and exciting journey to NYC. If you try any of these out, make sure to tag us on Instagram!
