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Heading to NYC this December and looking for the perfect Christmas itinerary? I’m here to help!
Visiting New York City at Christmas time is such a magical thing to do. It’s definitely one of the best places in the world to enjoy the holiday spirit! Between all the decorations, Christmas lights and festive shows, you are in for a treat!
🎄 Quick New York City Christmas Mini Guide 🎄
🏨 Where To Stay:
– 💲West Side YMCA
– 💲💲 Freehand Hotel in Midtown (my fave ❤️)
– 💲💲💲Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel
🎟️ Tickets To Book in Advance:
– Go City Pass (Discount Code: BEELOVEDCITY5)
– Radio City Rockettes (must see!)
– Dyker Heights Tour
– Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
💡 My Top Tip: If you are planning to visit several of the main attractions (like Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Museum of Modern Art), a GoCity pass will save you a fair bit of money.
I used it several times and it’s very practical as well because the app lets you choose different times and reschedule if needed. You can use the code BEELOVEDCITY5 for 5% OFF.
In this article, you will find my recommended itinerary for an amazing 4 days in NYC at Christmas time.
NYC 4-Day Christmas Itinerary
Before we get started, please bear in mind that this is a fairly intense itinerary. There are a lot of places to see but feel free to skip the ones you are not interested in if you want to have more relaxing time in between activities.
Day 1: Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Ellen’s Stardust, Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, 5th Avenue, Top of the Rock, Radio City Hall Christmas Special
Stop 1: Rockefeller Christmas Tree
Start your day at the most iconic Christmas tree in the world: the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
Please note that this is a very busy place so if you want to see it without the crowds you should get there early.
If you head there for 7AM, you will basically have the place for yourself which is very much worth it but as a general thing, I’d recommend getting there before 9AM.
From there you can admire the beautiful tree as well as the stunning Rockefeller Center.
PRO TIP: The best photo spot is from 5th Avenue. If you stand on the other side of Sacks Avenue you will get a great view and can take beautiful pictures.
Also make sure to check out the ice rink. If you go there early, it won’t be open yet but it’s still worth seeing then.
Stop 2: Ellen’s Stardust
From the Rockefeller Center, walk to Ellen’s Stardust diner.
This is the most famous diner in NYC and it’s well worth your time. It’s a traditional diner where you get to see Broadway actors performing.
They are usually in between acting jobs and work at Ellen’s as waiters which means they will wait your table and take breaks to sing songs.
They are always singing so be ready for a show!
You can’t book in advance at Ellen’s. The only option is to stand in line and at that time of the year, the line can be very long which is why I recommend going in the morning when it’s less busy.
Stop 3: Columbus Circus
From Ellen’s Stardust, walk to Columbus Circus. Here you will find a Christmas market. It’s one of the smaller ones but it’s less busy which makes it a much more enjoyable experience.
Stop 4: Central Park & American Museum of Natural History
You can then enter Central Park from Columbus Circus and start walking in the park.
Please bear in mind that Central Park is huge. It’s a lot bigger than you probably realise and you can easily spend hours there.
I recommend starting by the Sheep meadow and Strawberry Fields (the memorial for John Lennon) and then walk around the Lake towards the American Museum of Natural History.
If you like visiting museums (or if it’s very cold outside and you want to stay warm), I highly recommend taking a couple of hours to visit the American Museum of Natural History.
This is my favorite museum in New York City and it’s well worth your time and money.
There are four floors of collections including recreation of natural scenes, the big Blue whale, skeletons of dinosaurs and more. It’s incredibly interesting.
PRO TIP: They offer free guided tours every hour and they are so good! You get to see all the highlights and a lot of information about what you see. It’s a much better use of your time, especially if you’re only here for a limited amount of time.
Once you are done, head back into Central Park and walk to the beautiful Belvedere Castle.
From there, walk the Ramble to the lake and cross Bow bridge before heading to the Bethesda Fountain, the Mall and Literary Walk, the Balto statue and the famous Wollman Rink.
If you’d like to go ice skating, this is a good place to do so. It’s a bit expensive but the surroundings are beautiful so it’s worth it compared to the Rockefeller Center.
Make sure to go to Gapstow Bridge after (also known as the Home Alone Bridge) and walk around the pond to the exit of central park in front of the Plaza.
Stop 5: 5th Avenue
5th avenue is the most famous avenue in New York City. That’s where you will find most of the big brands and stores including the Louis Vuitton store, Apple store, Saks Avenue and more.
While this is probably going to be very busy at this time of year, it’s still worth walking down so you can see all the shops and decorations.
Some of these shops (like Saks Avenue) put up incredible Christmas decorations!
Stop 6: St Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. It was built in the 19th century and is by far one of the most beautiful landmarks in NYC.
It’s well worth walking in to visit it as it’s truly beautiful.
Once you are done, you can walk across to head back to the Rockefeller Center.
Stop 7: Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock is the observatory located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of the Rockefeller Center.
It boasts one of the best views (if not the best) of Manhattan.
You can see as far as the Statue of Liberty but the thing that really makes it unique is that you get an incredible view of the Empire State Building on one side and Central Park on the other side.
To visit the Top of the Rock, you will need to buy your tickets in advance.
This can be done here or if you are using the Go City Pass (which I recommend if you are planning to visit at least two attractions costing over $40 each), on the app.
PRO TIP: It’s worth going before the sunset so you get to see the day views, the sunset and the nighttime views.
Stop 8: Radio City Hall Christmas Spectacular Show
If I had to recommend only one thing to do in NYC in December, that would be to go see the Rockettes.
This is by far the best show I’ve seen in my life (and I go to the theatre and gigs all the time).
There are several shows per day so feel free to choose the one that suits you the best but there is one at 7PM or 10PM and they should be both suitable with this itinerary.
I would probably recommend booking the one at 10PM because it is slightly cheaper and it will give you time to grab dinner somewhere.
The Christmas Spectacular features the Rockettes dancing but also several funny characters and Santas.
It takes place in Radio City Hall which is an incredible venue as well!
Before heading there, make sure to cross the avenue so you can take photos of Radio City Hall as well as with the giant red ornaments (they are located between 49th St and 50th St).
Day 2: Empire State Building, Macy’s, Vessel, High Line, Chelsea Market, West Village, Washington Square, Comedy Club
Let’s start the day at the Empire State Building, Manhattan’s most iconic skyscraper!
It opens at 10AM so make sure to be there then so you can beat the crowds.
Stop 1: Empire State Building
When you get to the entrance, you will go through some security checks and can then proceed to the observatory which is on the 86th floor.
You will also need to book this in advance, either individually or via the Go City Pass.
It offers a 360-degree view of New York City and a much higher perspective compared to the Top of the Rock.
You can see everything from there including the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller and more.
Stop 2: Macy’s
Once you are done at the Empire State Building, walk west to Macy’s. This is the world’s largest department store so there are plenty of things to see inside from luxury goods to toys.
Whether you like shopping or not, it’s worth having a look since the size of the store is truly impressive.
Once you’re done, keep walking towards Hudson Yards until you reach the Vessel.
Stop 3: Vessel
Opened since 2019, the Vessel has quickly become one of the most photographed attractions in NYC.
It’s an absolute architectural gem and it’s well worth visiting.
Of course, if you are on a budget and want to save a bit of money you can just stay outside but the entrance fee is quite low and it’s a very pretty structure inside.
Also, at Christmas time they put a lot of fairy lights around the vessel which makes it even prettier.
Stop 4: High Line
Once you are done with the vessel, keep walking towards the High Line.
The High Line is a public park that was built on an old railway. While it’s true that it can be quite busy, it’s still one of the most peaceful places in Manhattan and a great place to get a break from the bustle of the city.
As you walk along the path, you’ll discover beautiful views of the streets as well as statues and sculptures.
It takes about 20 minutes to get to the exit to Little Island.
Stop 5: Little Island
This is another relaxing spot in NYC (though it can be quite windy so be prepared for that). Opened in 2021, it’s one of the newest public parks in the city.
It was designed by Heatherwick Studio and is a beautiful artificial island at Pier 55.
The thing I particularly love about it is that you can have a little walk and get beautiful views of New Jersey and Lower Manhattan.
Little Island is very low compared to the other famous observatories but it gives a different perspective and it’s an architectural masterpiece!
Stop 6: Chelsea Market
You can then walk to Chelsea Market in the meatpacking district.
This is one of the best places to eat in NYC and you will always find both tourists and locals here.
There is everything you may want including burgers, bagels (Black Seed Bagel is amazing) and even a Japanese-Mexican fusion (Takumi Taco).
It’s a great place to grab food and stay warm.
PRO TIP: There are heated tables just outside Black Seed Bagel in case it’s too busy inside.
Stop 7: West Village
After your lunch, head to the West Village to explore. Unlike Midtown that is all about hitting the highlights, the West Village is a place better appreciated on a stroll. Just walk around and you’ll get a feel for it.
There are however a few places you might want to add to your list of places to check out such as:
- Carrie Bradshow’s steps and apartment at 66 Perry Street
- Taylor Swift old apartment at 23 Cornelia Street
- Apartment Building from the TV Show Friends on Bedford Street
- Christopher Street
- Jefferson Market Library
Stop 8: Washington Square
You can then head to Washington Square which is always bustling with artists and dancers. It’s a good place to walk around and watch the performances.
You will also find the stunning Washington Square Arch which was designed to commemorate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as President of the United States.
Not only is it a beautiful arch but it also has a tall Christmas tree underneath.
Stop 9: Comedy Club in the evening
If you like comedy, you’ll be in for a treat in New York City as it’s home to some of the best comedy clubs in the world.
If you’d like to go for a show, I highly recommend the Village Underground in the village. The shows are always amazing and it’s quite affordable as well.
Day 3: Brooklyn Bridge, China Town, Little Italy, Soho, Broadway Play, Times Square
Today I recommend getting up early as well so you can enjoy Brooklyn Bridge without the crowds.
The earlier the better so it’s entirely up to you but if you can aim for 7AM you will really get a great experience and can take loads of photos without the crowds.
Stop 1: Brooklyn Bridge
Take the subway to Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall and head straight to the bridge to cross to Brooklyn.
PRO TIP: I know you will want to take loads of photos as soon as you get to the bridge but the view is actually nicer on the other side since you see the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan in the background.
It will take you about 30 minutes to cross and once you get to Brooklyn you can walk down to DUMBO.
Stop 2: DUMBO
Once you get to DUMBO, head straight to Washington Street. This is one of the most Instagrammable streets in NYC since it features the beautiful Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building in the middle.
It is beautiful but it also gets quite busy so the earlier you get there the better.
You can then head to Brooklyn Bridge Park where you’ll find the pebble beach and Jane’s Carousel.
If you’re a bit peckish at that point, you can also go to Time Out Market to grab some food.
Once you are done, you can walk all the way back (I know it’s a lot of walking but I do recommend it as it’s very scenic this way), or take the subway towards China Town.
Stop 3: China Town
China Town is one of the most famous neighborhoods in New York City and one of the best places to visit for foodies.
Again, this is ideal for a neighbour stroll but make sure you check out Kimlau Square as well as Doyer Street which is very cute and with loads of restaurants.
You can then keep walking towards Little Italy.
Stop 4: Little Italy
Little Italy is a neighbourhood that truly came to life in the 19th century when thousands of Italian immigrants flooded into New York City.
It is still today one of the best neighbourhoods to visit in the city and the ideal place to get food.
The main street in Italy is Mulberry Street. That’s where you will find the famous Little Italy sign and at Christmastime, there are also loads of decorations.
Walk around the neighbourhood and get a coffee somewhere, it’s worth it.
Stop 5: SOHO
You can then keep making your way to SOHO which is the ideal place for shoppers.
You will find all sorts of stores here and if you are craving another sweet treat, you can go to the Dominique Ansel bakery where the official cronut was created.
Stop 6: Bryant Park
Once you’re done exploring SOHO, take the subway back up to Bryant Park where you can visit the Christmas Market.
This one tends to be very busy so be prepared for that.
There is also a free ice rink here (though you have to pay to hire the skates) which is great budget-wise but also tends to be busy.
Make sure to go around the park to check out New York Public Library (the stairs are a famous Gossip Girl filming location)
Stop 7: Grand Central Terminal
If you still have a bit of time before your evening plans, it’s worth also heading to Grand Central Terminal.
This is one of the most famous train stations in the world and an historical one in the US.
It’s known for its stunning constellation ceiling and was also where the opening scene of Gossip Girl was filmed.
Stop 8: Broadway Play
In the evening, it’s time to check an ultimate NYC bucket list item: going to see a Broadway show.
There are so many options, you’ll be spoiled for choice but make sure to book in advance on TodayTix because Christmastime is a busy time of the year and it’s the best way to be guaranteed to see what you want to see.
If you’d like to see a classic, I’d recommend the Lion King, Chicago, Wicked, Hamilton or Moulin Rouge.
Aladdin and Hell’s Kitchen are also amazing so they are good ones to see. I saw Aladdin several times in the UK and in Broadway and I can say that the Broadway show was by far the best.
If you’d rather see a play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is always a good option.
Stop 9: Times Square
Once you leave the theatre, it’s time to check out the iconic Times Square. It should be quite late by then so you should expect a lot of crowds but in a way, that’s what makes Times Square what it is.
PRO TIP: If you’d rather see Times Square without the crowds, it’s better to come in the morning before 9:30AM, which you could do on day 1 after seeing the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
Day 4: Statue of Liberty, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial, Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
On your last day, we will explore Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and end with the most Christmassy activity ever, seeing the lights of Dyker Heights.
Firstly it’s important to note that I highly recommend booking the 9AM slot for the Statue of Liberty as it means you won’t stand in line and will get a more enjoyable experience.
So take the subway to Bowling Green and make sure you get there around 8:15AM.
Stop 1: Charging Bull
Before heading to Battery Park and the ferry, go to the Charging Bull. It’s only a 1 minute walk from the subway and at that time of day it should be very quiet which means you’ll get to take a photo with it.
Once you come back around 1 or 2PM, you’ll see that there will be a very long queue.
This statue made by Arturo di Modica symbolizes financial optimism which is why it was placed in the Financial District.
Stop 2: Statue of Liberty
You can then head to Battery Park and the ferry terminal where they will scan your tickets and proceed to the security control.
You can then board the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
PRO TIP: The side with the best views is the dock side (which means that when you board that’s the one without the views of the statue).
Once you arrive, have a walk around the statue, you’ll see it’s rather impressive and there are loads of photo opportunities.
If you wish to visit the pedestal or the crown, you need to make sure to book in advance as there is a limited number of tickets.
You can then head to the museum and visitor centre where you can get your National Park stamp and see the original torch.
After that, head back to the ferry to go to Ellis Island.
Stop 3: Ellis Island
Ellis Island welcomed over 12 million immigrants back in the days. It’s the ultimate symbol of the American Dream as well as ‘the island of tears’.
Visiting it is a very emotional thing to do because you learn a lot about the immigration and how they used to proceed.
Over 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island which is a huge number and goes to show how important this processing station was.
Make sure to have a walk around the museum and watch some of the movies as they are very interesting.
After that, you can walk back to the ferry and head back to Manhattan.
Stop 4: Financial District
Once you’re back to Battery Park, have a walk around the Financial District.
The main points of interest are Wall Street, the NYSE, the Fealess Girl Statue and Stone Street.
If you’d like to have a sit down meal, Stone Street is home to a lot of pubs that will be perfect.
Otherwise, you should head to Joe’s Pizza for a slice of NYC pizza.
From there, make sure to check out St Paul’s Chapel as well as the Oculus shopping center.
Stop 5: Ground Zero and 9/11 Memorial Museum
Head to Ground Zero to see the Memorial Pools. This is a very emotional place and I will let you discover it without spoiling it but it’s definitely somewhere you will remember.
INTERESTING FACT: When you get to the pools you will notice that there are flowers in certain names. These flowers means that it would have been this person’s birthday today.
You can then head to the entrance of the museum.
PRO TIP: I recommend booking the museum ticket in advance here or via your GoCity Pass if you have one.
The museum is a lot bigger than you probably realise and you should plan for at least 2 to 3 hours there.
If you want to make the best of your time, I highly recommend getting the audio guide. It’s very good value for money and you will get a lot more information than if you try to read it all.
Also, some of the commentary was done by Robert Deniro who was in NYC at the time.
Once you are done, it’s time to head to Dyker Heights to finish this Christmas trip with amazing Christmas lights.
Stop 6: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Getting to Dyker Heights with public transport is a bit of a hassle to be honest but it’s entirely possible as long as you don’t mind walking a bit on the other side.
Alternatively, you could also take an Uber or opt for a guided tour from Manhattan.
Once you get to Dyker Heights, head to 13th Avenue.
The best lights are located between 10th and 13th avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street.
The residents of this neighborhood spend thousands of dollars every year to put up these beautiful lights and this is as Christmassy as it gets.
Make sure to dress warm since you will be walking outside for quite a while.
If you want to grab food after, head to 13th Avenue. There are loads of restaurants there and it’s very cheap compared to Manhattan.
I hope this NYC Christmas itinerary was helpful. I know you’ll have loads of fun exploring NYC in December!
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