FAVORITE WINTER ACTIVITIES IN NYC

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I am so grateful to live in NYC and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel lucky because I know this is a city that never sleeps and a place that people dream to live in. As much as I love the summer and warm weather, I also love the winter. Maybe it’s because I’m a winter baby, but there’s definitely something magical that surrounds the holiday spirit and a refreshing light around this time of year.

I’ve always said that the holidays should be spend in cold weather. I know I am biased since New Yorkers experience all four seasons unlike some other locations. And of course it’s also due to the fact that I am born and raised here so I have been naturally programmed to associate the holidays with winter. When November arrives, it is my favorite time of the year because I love Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and of course my birthday which is in the end of January. Instead of staying home in the cold, there are a few activities that I look forward to in NYC.

1. Visiting the tree in Rockefeller Center: This is a must do in NYC if you’re here during December because it’s an iconic tradition. The sight is truly magical and I think whether you’re a tourist or local, you will be pleasantly blown away by how beautiful the tree is. You also can’t miss it if you’re uptown because the tree is extremely tall and definitely towers over surrounding buildings.
2. Holiday Markets: The two main holiday markets that I always attend are Bryant Park holiday shops and Union Square holiday market. When I was in Europe, this was something that I enjoyed the most and I love that we have it here in NYC. It’s a lot of fun to wander through the shops because most of them are small businesses and I love supporting what they do. You can find gifts here and food, which is always a plus. Spending an afternoon in the market definitely puts me in the holiday spirit and it’s a great way to bond with your family and friends or even with yourself if you’re going solo!
3. Ice Skating: The most popular ice skating rink in my opinion in NYC would be Bryant Park. When I was young, I would go almost every weekends with my friends and I even bought my own skates. This is a very popular attraction so definitely plan ahead because the lines can get long. However, I think it’s worth it especially if you go with a group because it’s a lot of fun and you can head to the market or watch the tree afterwards.
4. Shopping: I know shopping during this time of year can be hectic, but what I love most are the window displays in department stores such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macys. It is truly an artwork and I love how much thought and creativity goes into the displays. You can’t miss it if you pass by because there are usually bright lights, moving figures, songs, etc. I always make an effort to see the displays because it truly makes my happy and grateful for my city.
5. Drink hot chocolate: This is probably a given, but I just love drinking hot chocolate during the winter in NYC. It’s satisfying to stop by at a cafe such as Mariebelle, Max Brenner and Jacques Torres and enjoy a snack with hot chocolate. There are a million cafes that will provide hot chocolate and I don’t think you can have bad hot chocolate so this is a great break time when you’re exploring the city.

Writing this post makes me happy and excited for these activities. If you’re a local in NYC let me know what your favorite winter activity is and if you’re not from NYC let me know what you love to do during this time of year in your city!