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Photo Credits: Purroy Productions
If you've been a longtime VIP subscriber, then you know that ya girl revels in the magic of Christmas! I take on an extremely limited amount of weddings & soirées this month because I truly value spending time with my family & friends time during the holiday season. Therefore, I always make sure to carve out some time in December to do ALL the Christmas things. And, what better way to celebrate the magic of Christmas than in the heart of the big apple, New York City...?!
If you're a New Yorker, like myself, looking to do something fun & exciting this holiday season or if you're visiting NYC from out-of-town, I did all the work for you and compiled a list of all my favorite things to do, so that your itinerary is just one click away! Check out my list for 8 Fun Christmas Activities To Do In NYC, and make the most of your holiday season!
1.) Rockefeller Tree
What's Christmas without a decorated tree?! And if you're willing to make the trip all the way up (or down) to NYC during the holiday season then you might as well see the crème de la crème of all Christmas trees(!!!) and that's the Rockefeller Tree. It normally debuts on November 30th and is up until mid-January. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is located at, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111. If you're interested in viewing this beauty up close, then make sure to do it on an early weekday morning or early weekend morning to avoid large crowds. I highly recommend gathering a small crew, splitting Uber fare, and making NYC a whole day excursion.
2.) The Rink At Rockefeller Center
Conveniently located within the same vicinity as the Rockefeller tree, The Rink At Rockefeller Center is the perfect place to get some ice skating in, or at least try if you're more prone to falling than skating haha!! It is definitely an activity for those who are a little bit more adventurous. It's a great family activity and a fun way to begin the day for your NYC holiday itinerary. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is located at 600 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020, and it is open daily with business hours from 9:00 am to 12:00 am midnight.
3.) Ralph Lauren's Coffee Truck
After viewing the Rockefeller tree and possibly skating haha, you'll probably be a a bit cold (Alright, lemme keep it all the way real...You'll most likely be frigid haha!! Especially, if you're not used to the cold New York weather). So, what better way to warm up than at the popular Ralph Lauren's Coffee Truck? This well-known and stylishly, branded, pop-up coffee truck is famous for serving branded beverages & pastries, alongside Instagram-worthy moments!
So be sure to grab some coffee or hot chocolate, and take some pictures with the cute, green truck while you wait for your order to be made, and then sit at one of their outdoor bistro tables to enjoy! You'll find this truck literally steps away from the Rockefeller Christmas tree. More specifically, they are located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111. They are open daily, and their business hours are from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. They serve coffee, espresso, tea, hot chocolate, muffins, and other designer treats. And, if you don't get a chance to grab their hot chocolate before they close(!!!), then you can always try a knack at my special Haitian Hot Chocolate recipe once you get home! Honestly, all jokes aside, I think it's 10 times better than the Ralph Lauren one anyways haha!!
4.) FAO Schwarz Toy Store
I especially listed this activity with the children in mind. FAO Schwartz Toy Store, was founded in1862 and is a famous American toy brand and store that became widely popularized after it's feature in the Tom Hanks film, Big. This historic NYC staple is well-known for it's more high-end toys, interactive experiences, games, and life-sized animals. It's basically a toyland for children, and a must-see especially, during the holidays! Just be sure to tell the kid's that there's a limit to what they can have or they're bound to get a little carried away haha!!! Or if you decide to sit the kid's out for this trip, you can play Santa Claus and surprise them with something really special and unique. FAO Schwartz Toy Store is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111, and they are open daily with business hours 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
5.) Fifth Ave Christmas Shopping
Since you would've already been bit by the Christmas shopping bug at this point, you might as well go hard and treat yourself to your own personal Christmas shopping experience, on the widely-popular, 5th Avenue. New York City's notable 5th Ave is renowned for it's shopping district between 49th and 60th street, and famously lined with high-end stores like Cartier, Chanel, Saks 5th, Tiffany & Co. and many more, making it a must-see destination spot in the big city! You'll want to especially visit these stores during the holidays, as they take their Christmas décor extremely seriously and it's always a fun sight to behold. Here are addresses for the stores mentioned 1.) Cartier: 653 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 2.) Chanel: 15 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022 3.) Saks 5th: 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
6.) Macy's At Herald Square On 34th Street
Why not extend your shopping high by visiting the largest retail store in the United States and one of the largest in the world, spanning over 1.25 million square feet of retail space?! Macy's at Herald Square is the flagship Macy's department store, as well as, Macy's corporate headquarters. Listen, you don't even have to purchase anything here, but I got to be honest...It's definitely hard for me not to! But, my most favorite reason to go here, is because of it's historical significance and how it's maintained a lot of it's classic features like it's vintage elevators equipped with a dressed up doorman who provides elevator service for you, and it's famous wooden escalators, which is one of the world's last functioning wooden-style escalators! It's literally like a step back in time and I am a total nerd for things like this haha!! Not to mention, that my late-father was a Macy's Store Manager for many years and would sometimes be stationed at this particular Macy's during the busy holidays, so it holds a special place that is near and dear to my heart. Macy's at Herald Square is located at 151 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, with business hours Monday through Thursday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm; and Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.
7.) The Rockettes
Ahhh The Rockettes!!! I've been reveling in their Christmas magic since I was a little girl and I still just can't get enough of their fabulous costumes and synchronized dance routines. They just always seem to bring the magic of Christmas during the holidays and they're a sight to watch for all ages! Located at Rockefeller Center's Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020. You can purchase ticket sales here, or you can visit the Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, or Beacon Theatre box offices and purchase tickets in-person. Oh(!!!) and just a little bit of insider tea, ticket prices vary based on days of the week and show times, so take the extra steps to Google promo codes to get the best price! I'd give you my promo codes, but they all would've already expired by the time I publish this blog, however you'll always find some current ones with a simple Google search!
8.) George Balanchine's The Nutcracker Ballet
I have yet to experience this popular NYC phenomenon, but I'm so stoked to see this before the holidays are over! Sure, we've all seen the Nutcracker, but have you seen George Balanchine's version, which premiered in 1954? Famous for it's over-the-top stage elements and it's intricate lighting and special effects, this show sounds like a designer's dream and right up my alley. This full-scale production is sure to spark the magic of the holidays. Children from NYC and all over the world take the stage to perform their rendition of this famous ballet. That's 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 40 stagehands and over 125 children, in 2 alternating casts, from the School of American Ballet who combine their skills and talents to bring you an impeccable show like no other! Be captivated by the visual awe of this show, which plays at the David H. Koch Theater located at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023. Ticket sales for the show can be purchased at this link.
Well guys...That's all I got for now! I really hope you find these activities exciting and my list extremely helpful so that you're able to schedule in some time for holiday fun and shenanigans before it's all over in a blink of an eye! Please be sure to share this list with your family, friends, and colleagues who you think would benefit as well!
