You should celebrate Christmas in New York at least once in your life. If you look at all the holiday movies, you will find that most of them are set in New York—well, for a good reason. Christmas is a magical time of the year, and the city itself is magical in so many different ways.
Despite its enchanting aura, planning your trip to New York can be overwhelming. Though you have a list of places in mind, you might be wondering what exactly there is to see and do during in New York that’s extra Christmassy.
So, if you are planning a trip to New York this Christmas, here are some tips to make the most out of your time in the best city in the United States.
- Prepare for the Crowds
Christmas happens to be one of the most crowded times of the year in New York. The crowd levels remain high right from the week of Thanksgiving till New Year’s Day. So when visiting popular tourist attractions, be prepared to experience shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. You will basically have to shove your way through.
So, the ideal time to experience the Christmas season in New York without the crowd would be in the first week of January, right after New Year’s Day, or a week before Thanksgiving. However, if you still end up in New York in December, know that weekdays tend to be less crowded than the weekend.
Despite the crowds, you will still be able to have a good time. All you have to do is stay prepared for the crowds, long lines, and traffic. Don’t let any of this surprise you.
- Get Up Early but Don’t Overdo it
As stated earlier, Christmas is one of the busiest times in New York City. So, it is strongly recommended that you wake up early to catch the best glimpses without the crazy crowds. Nonetheless, don’t try to overdo it with a jam-packed itinerary.
If you only have a few days to spend in New York, you might be tempted to include as many activities and experiences as possible into your itinerary. However, know that you will only be able to enjoy more if you build some downtime.
Typically, the best things to do in the city during Christmas are visiting the Rockefeller Tree, catching a matinee Broadway show or holiday performance, or heading to the bottom of the Chrysler Building to enjoy a fantastic view of the Empire State Building. If you are looking for free entertainment, consider enjoying the views of the New York skyline, strolling through the Brooklyn Bridge, and visiting the Statue of Liberty. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you might want to see the New York Public Library.
- Enjoy Sports Betting
While New York City doesn’t hold any in-person sportsbooks currently, you sure can visit Upstate New York to place legal wagers. The closest sports betting facility from the center is the FanDuel Sportsbook situated at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Online sports betting in New York might not be ready for this upcoming Christmas. However, it will soon be a reality early 2022, right in time for Super Bowl LVI. So, in the meantime, why not spend your Christmas trying your luck at the online casinos.
- You Must See the Central Park in the Snow
There are no other places in New York where you can click amazing photographs of the wintry scenes with skyscrapers in the background than Central Park. The area also features a lot of crazy things to do like the High Line, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, MoMA, and the Top of the Rock. If you are not in the mood for some activities, just take this opportunity to walk around, relax, and enjoy the snow. You can dart into the shops when needed to warm up.
- Dress for the Weather
In late November and December, New York has mild winter temperatures that are in the 40s or 50s. It usually doesn’t get extremely cold until January and February. However, make sure you check the weather before heading to the city, as sometimes New York does end up being colder around Christmas. And there’s nothing worse than going unprepared for the winter.
It is important to remember that you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. So, dress in layers and ensure you have a pair of comfortable walking shoes.
- Head to Museums for Warmth
You can spend a whole afternoon at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. There is a lot to see and learn about what happened and how the survivors survived. There exist 1000s of exhibits, from plane calls between the plane passengers and their loved ones to photos and the iconic Last Column of the trade centers.
Nonetheless, this isn’t the only museum in New York. So, you can head to any of the numerous museums in the city to seek warmth from the cold. But you might have to book in advance to ensure you can get in.
