DO these things for an unforgettable NYC Christmas experience:
1) Eat at Rolf’s German Restaurant.
During the holiday season Rolf’s has the most Christmas lights and decorations that you will ever see jam packed into one small space. This is honestly my favorite thing to do in NYC during the holiday season, and I’m pretty bummed that I won’t be able to this year. I’m such a sucker for lights and decorations, so once you get me in here with these thousands of lights, Christmas tunes playing in the background and a nice glass of wine, I’m the happiest you’ll probably ever see me. The food is decent, albeit slightly overpriced, but no one really comes here for the food anyways. If your budget is tight, I recommend getting one entree and sharing it, then maybe grab some hotdogs or nuts on the street afterwards if you’re still hungry. You could always just get a drink, but then you’ll be forced to stand at the bar and it’s so crowded that it’s hard to relax and take in the gorgeous decorations.
Warning: it’s extremely warm in here. Probably because of all the X-mas lights, but wearing layers is a MUST because you’ll want to start stripping once you’ve been in here for 10 minutes.
2) Go skating at Rockefeller.
I know the line sucks and it’s so touristy – but let’s be real. Just because it’s touristy doesn’t mean you’re too good for it. You can always go skating at Bryant Park and pay a little less and perhaps there will be a shorter line, but there’s just something magical about skating at Rockefeller, especially if it’s your first time. What is a NYC Christmas if it doesn’t involve skating?!
This video compilation is from last year, when I was living in NYC and this was actually the second time in my life skating at Rockefeller, and it was just as much fun as the first. (The videos were shot with my crappy smartphone last year after having dropped it a few too many times, so I apologize for the quality)
– The first clip is my slightly special/goofy solo skate around the rink
– There’s a little Christmas PDA at 0:45s
– Everyone’s favorite Mariah Carey Xmas song at 1:00 with a special guest performance at 1:11,
– an amazing ice dancer/skater guy who just felt like putting on a show for the restaurant patrons at 1:22 (continues for the remainder of the video)
3) Have dessert at Cafe Lalo
For a seriously impressive assortment of pies and cakes and other calorie laden desserts (I’m talking 100+ options,) you HAVE to check out Cafe Lalo on the Upper West Side.
Apparently it was featured in the movie You’ve Got Mail, but I wasn’t even aware of that the first time I went. Every dessert and hot chocolate I’ve tried here has been delicious, plus they have an international brunch menu that looks incredible. (Still have never made it there for brunch so let me know if you try it!)
The line tends to be quite long, but the trees outside the cafe are all lit up at night, and the other people in line are generally friendly, so the wait shouldn’t be too unpleasant if you’re truly in the holiday spirit. **Unless you’re just a Grinch, then you should probably just stop reading this article**
4) See a Transiberian Orchestra show
This show is AMAZING. Who doesn’t love listening to the Transiberian Orchestra during the holidays? The only thing better is actually seeing them perform in person. The lights are spectacular (unless you are prone to seizures, then you are actually discouraged from attending), the show has a heartfelt story woven throughout, and the orchestra ROCKS OUT so hard that it’s hard not to get an adrenaline boost from watching them. I went to the show expecting to enjoy myself, and I was thoroughly blown away. A lot of people go every single year, so I’m tempted to say that they never disappoint the crowd.
DON’T do these things for a great NYC Christmas:
1) Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park
You may be scratching your head with this one. Why not take an iconic ride through this famous park all snuggled up in the back of a horse-drawn carriage with your honey? Many New Yorkers already know the answer, and you should too:
It’s a rip-off, and these horses are seriously mistreated. They work absurd hours every single day without proper breaks, co-exist with dangerous NYC traffic, develop illnesses from exhaust fumes and leg problems from pounding the pavement so many hours a day, get spooked by the loud traffic jams, and at the end of the day are held in insanely tiny closet-like stables. Lots of New Yorkers have been unsuccessfully trying to get them banned from the park for years. You can read more about it here and here.
2) Go shopping at Macy’s
This is my nightmare. 1000’s of people crammed into one overpriced department store, all rushing around and slamming into each other without even saying ‘sorry’. Yes, this is an iconic New York City store, but in my opinion you’d be better off just walking around outside and enjoying the window decorations.
3) Pay too much for accommodation
A hotel room in Manhattan can run you upwards of $200 per night. Look into hostels, Airbnb, or a hotel room in New Jersey to save some money for more exciting things to make your NYC Christmas unforgettable. If you’re doing it right, you shouldn’t be spending much time in your hotel room anyway 😉
4) Forget to tell your friends and family how much you love them
I know, I know – this one is cheesy. But I’m feeling quite Christmas-y at the moment, and missing my friends and family back at home in the U.S., so I decided to throw this one in there.
Life is too short and it’s easy to get caught up in all the hustle-and-bustle of life and the materialism of the holiday season. Don’t forget what really matters the most: the people in your life!
