Let’s face it – despite its bona fide liberal credentials, New York City is a must-visit during the Christmas season.
The Manhattan skyline provides an incredible backdrop as NYC is decked out in twinkling lights and gigantic Christmas displays all over the city.
And in New York City, you’ll find no shortage of photo perfect opportunities to experience the wonder of Christmas.
Even better – you don’t have to spend a fortune since many of the Christmas displays are free and open to the public!
So if you’re looking to experience Christmas with a Manhattan flair, check out our top recommendations for the season.
Rockefeller Christmas Tree
New York City takes its Christmas decor seriously.
You’ll see twinkling lights strung throughout the city and displays of giant ornaments and other Christmas cheer.
While there are many sites to see, be sure to check out the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree – said to have 125 million visitors each year!
After you view the tree, lace up your skates and check out The Rink at Rockefeller Center.
Heads-up: They only allow 150 skaters in at a time.
Pro-tip: They have a 10:30pm-midnight “Starlight Skate” reservation slot that allows you to skate for the night under the stars and surrounded by the Manhattan skyline!
A Stroll Down 5th Avenue
Also nicknamed “Millionaire’s Row” – you’ll find a host of expensive stores like Armani and Gucci lining the streets of 5th Ave.
But hey, no one is saying you need to buy anything.
You can simply stroll and check out their holiday window display and save your cash for a unique street vendor find.
This year, Saks Fifth Avenue is perfect for kids and has their display windows decked out with lights and glitter in a ‘Frozen 2’ theme.
Bloomingdale’s decided to incorporate a futuristic fashion vibe with a “space themed” window display – where you’ll see several space-age displays. The theme “An Out Of This World Holiday” was inspired by the 50th anniversary of the moon landing – and these displays are truly out of this world!
So if you’ve never seen the twinkling and entertaining window displays in NYC at Christmas – they’re a must-see this year.
Ice-Skating In Central Park
Looking for a different kind of Christmas experience?
In the craziness of New York City, Central Park stands like an oasis giving travelers the chance to enjoy some greenery – while still taking in the extravagant Manhattan skyline.
And during the winter months, you can experience Central Park in a new way by grabbing skates and gliding around Wollman Rink, located on the east side of the park.
Ice-skating in the middle of Central Park with the picturesque NYC skyline surrounding you is an item you need to check off your bucket list.
Since the ice-skating rink is open certain days until 11pm, you can plan to skate without kids falling all around you and savor the fully lit Manhattan skyline.
Of course, stay warm with lots of layers and hot chocolate.
Don’t Forget To Eat
While you enjoy the Christmas sites in NYC, don’t forget to sample some of the best foods in the city.
Save your money and skip the pretentious and hipster restaurants – grab a slice of pizza or a hot dog. You won’t be sorry.
And don’t forget to try a slice of New York City style cheesecake!
Christmas time in NYC is magical, and the best part of all is that the city is diverse enough to have something for every Proud American Traveler.
Whether you’re window shopping on 5th Avenue, skating around Central Park, or simply snapping photos of the incredible holiday displays, a trip to New York City at Christmas is something every Proud American Traveler should experience at least once!
(h/t Proud American Traveler)