Why New York Is The Perfect Winter Destination
Travel
By Penelope Trent - November 27, 2021

You probably don’t have New York City as your winter vacation destination, but the Big Apple has a lot to offer during the winter months. Yes, it will be cold and you’ll need to layer up, but it’s one of the best times to visit new york to experience the magic the city has to offer. Sure, the city is wonderful and has many attractions all year round, but there is something special about the holiday time and snow-covered city that will keep you coming back every year. From an hour-long narrated horse ride around Central Park to strolling through Rockefeller center, there is something for everyone to enjoy. After Thanksgiving, the bright Christmas lights go up and the holiday mood is automatically set. You can enjoy Christmas festivals, markets, and parades. We’ve compiled all the best things to do in New York this Winter and how you can best prepare for your trip.

Getty Images/Getty Images Entertainment/Alexi Rosenfeld

The brisk New York weather can start as early as November and can carry on throughout March. It can get pretty cold and windy, so come prepared with scarves, hats, and plenty of sweaters for when you go out on the town. If you happen to go in late November, you can experience one of the best events, the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade. This iconic parade marks the start of the winter holiday season and has been around since 1924. It includes floats, giant balloons, and thousands of spectators. You can even grab a traditional Thanksgiving meal after the parade. Although most restaurants are closed, the ones that remain open most often offer a Thanksgiving-themed meal. Or maybe you prefer going specifically for Christmas. If you venture to the Winter Village in Bryant Park, you can find numerous Christmas markets where you can find holiday shops, street food purveyors, and even an ice rink.

Or if you want to take in the Christmas lights, you can head down to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn to see a beautiful Christmas light display that includes a giant blow-up Santa and Christmas music. This town has some of the most exquisitely decorated houses which are lit up between sunset and 9 pm. For something a bit more local, there is always the classic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, where you won’t want to miss the tree lighting ceremony. Another great activity to include in your trip are the ‘Nostalgia Rides’ organized by the New York Transit Museum. They take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas, where you are taken on vintage subway trains that date back between the ’30s and ’70s. There are even people that wear costumes to replicate the fashion of that time period. Whatever you decide to do in New York City, you’ll be sure to have a good time.