New York in winter is a treat for any traveller. Winter’s perhaps the best time to visit New York City for the sheer diversity of attractions on offer. You can go ice skating at the Rockefeller Center or simply enjoy the bustling Times Square and vibrant city lights at multiple places.

Explore the snow-laden Hyde Park, New York or check out the lovely Christmas markets. NYC offers a whole lot of fun and merriment for just about anyone!

List of fun things to do in New York during Winter

Here’s what you should do to make the most of the winter season here. 

1. Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

This is one of the fun things to do in the winter and the famous Rink at the Rockefeller Center is open again this season. Ice skating gives you that right dose of adrenaline and enjoyment throughout the holiday period. Go skating under the golden Prometheus and have a swell time! 
Location: Fifth Avenue between the 49th and 50th Streets. You can take the D, B, M, or F train to 47-50 Sts Rockefeller Center 
When: From October 12 till March 2025. The best time to visit is before the peak season (from Thanksgiving week to 1st January). 
Hours: 9 AM-11 PM (may open from 7 AM in peak season)
Pricing & Tickets: Tickets are available for sale online, starting from $21 per head. Exact prices will depend on the date, time, age, and other factors. Skate rentals start from $12 while if you’re staying longer in NYC, consider a membership to access unlimited skating opportunities for the season. 

2. Stroll Through Central Park

What’s a trip to NYC during winter without exploring Central Park? The iconic destination is ideal for holiday fun since it is comparatively less crowded and largely snow-covered. 

How to Reach: Get there by bus/subway. The C and B trains go to Central Park West, while Columbus Circle is a stop for the 1, D, and A trains. You can also get down at Grand Army Plaza if you’re travelling by the W, R, and N trains. 

Getting Around: Rent a bike from Fifth Avenue’s Bike Rent NYC or even at Central Park South, Central Park West, or 60th Street. Electric scooter rentals are also available (book online in advance) for getting around the park 

When: December-February is a good time to visit 

Highlights: 

• Skate at the Wollman Rink which has both locker and skate rentals.
• The Conservatory Water also offers free ice skating if the ice is at least six inches thick! 
• Check out the Central Park Zoo, home to snow leopards, seals, penguins, and more. The Tisch Children’s Zoo is another attraction worth exploring.
• Ride the famous Carousel with its 57 horses and calliope music (it first opened in 1871).
• Go sledging on the fresh snow at Cedar Hill and Pilgrim Hill.
• Stop at the Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop to pick up books, accessories, souvenirs, blankets, and sweatshirts.
• Watch a show at the charming Swedish Cottage (which houses one of the country’s last remaining public marionette companies).
• Go to the Delacorte Clock to listen to seasonal nursery rhymes and other tunes every half-hour.  

3. Visit the Winter Village at Bryant Park 

The Bryant Park Winter Village is a must-visit, especially for its festive atmosphere and shopping opportunities. 

When: Last Friday of October to January 5, 2025 

Timings: 

• Skating from 8 AM to 10 PM (with extended hours from December 1 to January 5 between Thursdays and Sundays).
• The holiday market remains open from 11 AM to 8 PM between Monday and Friday and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Saturday and Sunday

Tips: 

• Dress in layers with scarves, gloves, a coat, and a hat, considering the NYC weather in December.
• Visit early in the morning and on weekdays to avoid crowds.

Highlights: 

• Skating at the Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink (entry is free for this 17,000 sq. ft. rink)
• Checking out 180+ holiday stores offering seasonal treats, handcrafted delights, innovative gifts, etc. Top buys include clothing, holiday ornaments, jewlery, and home décor pieces 
• View the lit-up Christmas tree and take photographs for a lifetime
• Reserve a heated and cosy igloo for a unique experience with your loved ones 

Also Read: Guide to New Year's eve in New York

4. Cosy Up in Rooftop Igloos

Once you’ve had your fill of winter in Central Park, New York and explored the Bryant Park holiday markets, this is one experience that you shouldn’t miss! Enjoy special beverages and food in private heated domes with your loved ones. 

Where: Just a few steps away from the Bryant Park Christmas Tree and Skating Rink 

Duration & Capacity 

• 90 minutes per session with a maximum of 8 people for one igloo.
• There are packages for 1-4 or 5-8 guests for every igloo 

Reservations: 

• Book your igloo in advance and note that reservations do not include ice rink access.
• Pricing starts from $242.69 for packages (variable), including options like French Fries, Chicken Fingers, Hot Chocolate, and more 

Tips: 

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your reservation time
• Even though the igloos are heated, carry an extra layer (for extreme temperatures)
• Outside food is not allowed; you can order extra food a la carte on the site 
• Children under 2 years of age do not count for the food packages 

 
5. Visit Holiday Markets

These marvels are possibly some of the biggest New York City winter attractions for both locals and tourists. Here are some of the top spots that you shouldn’t miss: 

Fifth Avenue

It is famous for its seasonal window displays, with iconic stores including Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. You can also stop by Tiffany & Co. and check out attractions like the Givenchy dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Drop into The Blue Box Café for tea and breakfast afterwards. 

Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market

Check out this charming holiday market with 175+ vendors. Key attractions include Rubyzaar, Pixie Doodle Farm, Pigeon be Pigeon and Birria LES which offers delicious tacos. 
The city’s oldest holiday market is open from 11 AM to 8 PM between Monday and Friday, while Saturday and Sunday timings are from 10 AM to 8 PM. Note that the market will be closed on Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving. 

Schomburg Holiday Market

Wander through this fascinating holiday market on December 20 and 21 between 11 AM and 5.30 PM. You can shop for clothing, artwork, stationery, jewelry, and other local crafts from small businesses that are owned by people of color. 

Grand Holiday Bazaar

A famous Upper West Side holiday market, this one closes on December 22. You can drop by on Sundays from 10 AM to 5.30 PM and browse jewelry, photography, beauty products, antiques, and delicious food here. You can shop from more than 150 local merchants who donate their profits to local public schools. 

Urbanspace Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Just outside Central Park, this holiday market offers handmade souvenirs and delectable snacks. It closes on December 31, with the hours being 11 AM-8 PM from Monday to Friday and 10 AM-8 PM on Saturday and Sunday. It will also remain closed on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day. 

6. Watch the Rockettes at Radio City 

Christmas Spectacular by the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall is one of the highlights of New York in winter. The show is performed 2-5 times each day with rotating performers. You can also shop for memorabilia, toys, ornaments, and apparel at the venue. 

When: Till January 5, 2025

What to Expect: Exciting show with everything from the nativity scene to the flying Santa and a drone technology-driven finale. Other attractions include the Rockettes in their Wooden Soldier outfits and amazing dialogues! 

How to Reach: 
The Radio City Music Hall is located at the Rockefeller Center. You can take the D, F, B, or M train to 47th-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center or the 1-50th St. to reach

Tickets: 

• Tickets are available for sale at the Rockettes website or Radio City Music Hall box office.
• You can also buy them via Ticketmaster or TicketNetwork. Prices vary as per the location, time, and date.
• The present rates are $60 for second-mezzanine seats and $751 for orchestra seats (mid-December)

Tips: 

• Book your tickets as early as you can, since prices usually rise 10 days before the first show and throughout December
• You can enquire about group tickets (if there are 9 people or more) for better deals as well 

7. Indulge in Seasonal Treats

If you’re a foodie, then NYC’s just the place to try some fabulous winter delights that you won’t find anywhere else! Here’s a guide to some of the best joints and dishes if you’re visiting in the season. Here is the much-awaited list:

• Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain- Soda fountain with toasted marshmallows and Salty Caramel Hot Chocolate 
• Maman- Classic or Lavender Hot Chocolate 
• Shabu Tatsu- Grilltop barbecues and winter hot pots 
• Her Name is Han- Korean classics and hot pots including Budae Jigae with rice cakes, beans, cheese, and ham in beef broth 
• Bowery- Coconut crab curry, Po Tak, and seafood soup 
• Rule of Thirds- King crab sashimi and hot pot with cheesecake 
• Saigon Social- Bun bo hue noodle soup with beef broth and shank along with Vietnamese mortadella 
• Di An Di- Pho Ga with Bo Bo chicken and rice noodles /vegetarian Pho Chay with wok-seared oyster and shiitake mushrooms 
• Adda- Lucknow Dum Biryani made in a clay pot 
• ISodi- Lasagnas with artichokes or Bolognese 
• Chez Nick- Braised short ribs and lemongrass pork steak along with Yukon Gold potato gnocchi with white veal Bolognese 

If you are a street food lover then read a blog on 10 unique street food to try in New York. This will be your cup of tea.

8. Attend Winter Events

New York City is a hub of some fabulous winter events that draw sizable crowds in the season. Here’s a look at some of the ones you can consider attending. 

Winter Jazzfest

This musical extravaganza is now 20 years old and showcases new jazz talent to connoisseurs. It will also have Marathon nights from this year, i.e., multi-stage shows which are not individually ticketed (you will have access to any gig subject to capacity). 

Venues: Multiple spots from Nublu and Jolene Soundroom to City Winery 

When: January 10-18 
Tickets: Buy them at the official website with the marathon pass (two days) costing $110-205 or $65 per day if you separately get it. You can also purchase individual ticket shows from $20 onwards 

Restaurant Week 

NYC Restaurant Week gives you a chance to dine more affordably at some of the city’s most popular restaurants. The menu covers prix-fixe two-course lunches from Monday to Friday and even two-course brunches and three-course dinners for select days. 

When: January 21 to February 9 (Saturdays are not included)

Venue: Hundreds of restaurants in all five NYC boroughs

Reservations: Opening from January 7 

Expected Rates: Rates vary depending on the date and location. You can expect to pay between $45-60 per meal 

Worth Trying: Mushroom Bolognese, Prime Rib Sandwich, Eggs Benedict and Avocado Toast, Seafood Specials, and more 

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

This is a stunning diorama where several model railway trains cover a fabulously detailed circuit of the city, including close to 200 scaled structures like the Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall and Empire State Building. You’ll be surprised to know that everything’s made of natural materials including berries, bark, twigs, and so on! The tradition has been around since 1992, courtesy of artist Laura Busse Dolan and her Applied Imagination team. 

When: November 16 to January 20

Timing: 10 AM-6 PM

Venue: The Bronx 

9. Explore Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 

Dyker Heights is one of the most famous places in NYC for Christmas lighting. This is a pristine locality that comes alive every winter with huge light decorations like snowmen, sleighs, huge Santas, and more. Some homes in the neighborhood also play Christmas carols on a loop through loudspeakers. 

When: The décor usually remains till the first week of January, with people hanging up their lights from the weekend after Thanksgiving in most cases. The best time to visit is mid-December to New Year’s Eve (dusk-9 PM)

Venue: Dyker Heights Boulevard or 11th-13th Avenues from 83rd-86th St in Dyker Heights. Take the D train to New Utrecht Ave and 79th St. in Brooklyn and walk for 15 minutes to reach the place 

Tips: 

• Ideally, avoid travelling by car since parking is hard to find 
• Dress suitably for the weather 
• It’s a residential place with limited bathroom access (be prepared)
• You can book bus tours from several places for a quicker experience 
• Avoid getting close to anyone’s property 

10. Catch a Broadway Show

If you love theatre and performing arts, then Broadway is undoubtedly the best winter spot for you! You can catch some fabulous shows here, watching icons like Bernadette Peters and Audra McDonald in action, while enjoying some family-friendly entertainment alongside. 

Top Shows: 

• Elf (through January 4)- A classic story based on the 2003-movie 
• Cult of Love (December 12-February 2)- Cathartic and family-oriented, this play is headlined by Zachary Quinto and Shailene Woodley 
• Eureka Day (December 16-January 19) - Jonathan Spector debuts on Broadway with this one after a successful run in London. 
• Gypsy (December 19-through June 29)- Audra McDonald plays Mama Rose in this acclaimed musical by George C. Wolfe. 
• All In (previews from December 11, opens December 22, through February 16)- A 10-week masterpiece, it will have a rotating cast of four performers each night, with stars like John Mulaney and Renee Elise Goldsberry on the team. 
• English (previews from January 3, opens January 23 through March 2)- This play by Sanaz Toossi is a Pulitzer Prize winner and is set in an Iranian classroom. 

Conclusion 

Aside from being possibly the cheapest time to go to New York, winter is also a fun time to enjoy the best of what the city has to offer. From the glimmering holiday markets and ice skating rinks to groovy events, music, seasonal treats, and magical Broadway shows- the possibilities are simply endless if you’re visiting during this time. 
So book your apartment in advance (to avoid last-minute flutters) and plan for a memorable winter holiday in New York!