Last updated on February 7th, 2024 at 11:57 pm
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It has always been a dream of mine to visit New York City and an even bigger dream to spend Christmas in New York. There is just something so enticing about New York City. It’s the center of it all. And it’s even more magical during Christmas!
When I saw cheap flights for New York City the first weekend of December, I decided it was time to check this item off my bucket list. With this New York Christmas Itinerary, I was able to experience the charm of New York as well as see the major sites for my first visit.
Where to Stay
We had a lot of trouble finding a place to stay in New York City. Initially it was just going to be Luke and I, staying in a private room in someone’s Airbnb because it was all we could find. When Josh and David decided to tag along, we tried to find an Airbnb for the four of us and eventually gave up when six hosts cancelled on us.
I have never had this problem with Airbnb, but this is likely because New York City has begun cracking down on short term rentals.
We ended up getting a room at The Hotel Watson, which was expensive compared to what we originally planned to pay, but nice and close to Central Park.
Tips for Visiting New York City
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- The Subway here is extensive and much cheaper that Uber or Taxis. I recommend buying a Metro Card at the beginning of your trip so you can use the subway as needed.
- The weather in New York City in December actually wasn’t too bad for our visit. The average high is usually 44°F and the low is 32°F. When we visited it was 50°F and fairly nice. The wind can be very cold however, so I recommend bringing gloves, a hat, and wearing layers. It was also rainy when we visited so I brought an umbrella and a rain jacket. Check the weather before you go and be prepared for anything.
- If you want to spend more time seeing the major sites and museums in New York City, get the CityPASS for discounted access to up to six attractions. The more you see, the more you save.
Day One in NYC
Getting to Manhattan
We flew an overnight flight and landed at 5:35 AM on Saturday morning at JFK. This was great, because it allowed us to get a full day without having to book lodging or take another day off work. However, it can be tough to fly overnight, so if you aren’t interested in that you can also fly in Friday night so that you can be well rested for a day of adventuring on Saturday!
From the airport we took an Uber, which was pricey at about 47 dollars. The subway in combination with the Airtrain also goes to and from the airport and runs 24/7.
Dumbo
We had our Uber driver drop us off at Dumbo at the intersection of Washington and Water streets, where you can get this famed picture of the Manhattan Bridge.
This is a really popular photo spot, which is why I wanted to visit first thing. There were already several people there before us and this photo was taken at 6:45 am. Saturday is also trash day, which means there will likely be huge piles in the background and you may have to wait for the garbage truck to get out of the way.
If you walk down Washington Street, Main Street Park is a good place to get some different views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, with the skyline in the background.
Coffee
When it is six in the morning and you slept maybe 3 hours on the plane, coffee is a necessity. We stopped at Brooklyn Roasting Company and refueled on caffeine.
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
You have to do this at least once in your life. I enjoyed walking it in the morning because the sun lit up all the buildings beautifully. Josh and David also mentioned that when they walked across the bridge in the afternoon there were a ton of vendors and people.
The Oculus and the 9/11 Memorial
Next stop, the Oculus, which is a shopping mall as well as a transportation hub but is more famous for its unique structure. We just stepped inside to take a picture and then headed on our way.
The 9/11 Memorial is right next to the Oculus as a part of the World Trade Center. The memorial is spectacular to see and definitely leaves you speechless. I recommend visiting if you are in the area. The memorial is free to the public. If you want to visit the museum it is 24 dollars for an adult.
Zucker’s Bagels
We needed a real New York City Bagel and Zucker’s was certainly the place for one. We went to the location on Chambers and Broadway. I ordered the Everything Bagel with scallion cream cheese, which had real scallions in it. Make sure you specify toasted. The guys ordered egg sandwiches which were also good, but I prefer a classic bagel and schmear.
There weren’t any seats, so we got our bagels to go and ate them in Washington Market Park.
The Friends Building
The Friends Building was one of the things I was most excited to see in New York City, if that tells you anything about me. The building is located at 90 Bedford Street. It was very cool to see in person!
More Coffee Please
We had walked about 4 miles by this point and were ready to sit for a second. We stopped by Oslo Coffee, a super cute, cozy coffee shop where we sat and sipped our drinks while watching patrons trod in and out.
I love this area of New York City. This is where I would picture myself living, and not just because it may increase my chances of running into Monica or Rachel.
The High Line
From Oslo Coffee, we walked to the High Line. The High Line was a railroad that was converted into an elevated walkway complete with greenery and nice views. It has become an iconic aspect of New York City and an example of how unused architecture can be re-purposed.
Chelsea Market
Take the High Line to Chelsea Market. This is a must-see for all foodies. The Chelsea Market reminded me a lot of Pikes Place Market in Seattle but bigger. There are many cute, artisan shops as well as some really awesome food.
I really liked Chelsea Market Baskets, which sells gourmet foods, candy, and gifts. Los Tacos No. 1 has some incredible tacos al pastor and Very Fresh Noodles was also very good. At Very Fresh Noodles, you can watch them stretch, spin, and snap the noodles until they are the perfect thickness. I recommend ordering the Tingly Cumin Lamb soup noodles. The dry option is good as well but is rich and heavily cumin flavored.
You won’t leave Chelsea Market Hungry.
The Hotel Watson
After a very long walk, we finally made it to The Hotel Watson, the most affordable last-minute option we could find a month in advance. It was a nice hotel though and I have no complaints about the stay.
We rested and freshened up – it had been a long day so far!
Times Square
After resting, we ventured out again to the center of it all: Times Square.
I have to admit, this is over-hyped. Surrounded by advertisements, all the huge American chain restaurants, and way too many people, our visit to Times Square was very short. However, it is iconic so it is something you should visit once.
Dear Irving or Rolf’s
We made a quick stop by the Bryant Park Christmas Market and realized it was way too packed on a Saturday night. We then walked to Rolf’s, the famous Christmas themed restaurant, and were met with the same realization when we saw the line.
So my advice to you is skip Bryant Park on Saturday and if you really need to go to Rolf’s, make reservations or commit to standing in line for 30 minutes or more.
Instead, we went to Dear Irving, a speakeasy style bar that had good craft cocktails and a classy atmosphere.
See Also: Six Denver Speakeasies you need to try.
Momofuku Ssäm Bar
I would also recommend making reservations for Momofuku Ssäm Bar if you want to avoid a long wait. I think we waited almost two hours for four seats at the bar, but it was worth it. Everything was so tasty. The menu changes constantly, but we ordered the Fried Cauliflower and Black Truffles as a starter and the Sizzling Flatiron and Chanterelle Mushrooms as an entree.
A close second on our list was Momofuku Noodle Bar, a very popular ramen spot.
Day Two in NYC
Central Park
If you are craving brunch, Sarabeth’s is supposed to be good. Otherwise, grab another bagel at Zucker’s and head to Central Park. It was a super gloomy morning, which allowed for some interesting pictures.
The park is huge, so we only walked up to the MET, and then back through the park, but you could easily spend hours exploring this park.
Columbus Circle Christmas Market
This market is just off of Central Park. Out of the the three Christmas markets we visited, this was my favorite. It was much less busy, possibly because it was earlier in the day, and they had a lot of yummy Glühwein, which is a German mulled wine. I also bought an adorable souvenir Christmas mug.
Walk Along 6th Avenue
Check out some of the famous Christmas decorations on the way to the next stop. Walk along 59th until you get to 6th, and then walk down to 42nd. See the giant Christmas ornaments, lights, nutcrackers, and the Radio City Music Hall sign.
You can also pop into Grand Central Station.
2nd Ave Deli
One of our goals was to try a traditional Jewish Deli and we found the perfect one in 2nd Ave Deli. I ordered half of a pastrami sandwich, which was huge and delicious. It also came with fries, a salad, pickles, and a Bosco and seltzer shot. Overall, it was a really great experience and I highly recommend it.
Madison Square Christmas Tree
The Madison Square Christmas Tree is one of the many around New York during the holidays. Unfortunately, it wasn’t lit up yet when we visited, but the lighting was just a couple days away, on December 6th.
City Bakery Hot Chocolate
City Bakery makes some really great hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows and it’s right on the way to the next stop. The hot chocolate is very rich, so I recommend sharing with someone, getting a small, and topping it with a marshmallow to cut the rich chocolate flavor.
Union Square Christmas Market
Another Christmas market! These markets are what make holidays magical in New York City. Union Square is a great place to pick up some last minute gifts.
Fifth Avenue Christmas Decorations
Don’t miss the Christmas Decorations along 5th Ave! We took the subway from Union Square all the way to 58th and 5th Ave and walked down 5th Ave from there. See the window displays at Bergdorf Goodman, giant snowflake at 57th and 5th Ave, the light show at Saks Fifth Ave, and of course the tree at Rockefeller Center. You will see many other decorations along the way! Note that if you enter Rockefeller Center from 6th Ave instead of 5th, there will be a lot less people coming from that direction. If you decide to enter from 5th Ave, be prepared for a very large crowd.
If you visit during Hanukkah, check out the nightly lighting of the largest Hanukkah menorah in front of the Plaza Hotel. Hanukkah is December 22nd to the 30th in 2019.
Attaboy
Another Speakeasy style cocktail lounge, Attaboy has appeared on the World’s 50 Best Bars list and did not disappoint. The dimly lit bar is located behind a nondescript door and there isn’t a menu. Simply describe your tastes to the bartender and they will whip you up one of their unique concoctions.
Osteria Morini
Craving some really good carbs, we headed to Osteria Morini for pasta. Try the polpetine as an appetizer and the cappelletti with truffled ricotta ravioli.
Death and Co.
We had to stop by Death and Co. because they recently just opened their newest location in Denver. The two bars are different in menu and ambiance, but you can see some similarities. I recommend a visit to this famous bar if you are in need of a night cap.
Day Three in NYC
Coffee
Grab some coffee at Birch Coffee or if you are more of a tea person check out Argo Tea, a place we fell in love with in Chicago.
Plaza Tree
Pay a visit to the beautiful Plaza Hotel and check out the Christmas Tree. Note that this is only open until six pm! It was one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen.
The Love Sign
Another great photo op, the Love Sign is on the way to the next destination so you might as well take advantage.
Butter
Butter is Chef Alex Guarnaschelli’s restaurant and came highly recommended from Josh and David on their last trip to New York, so we decided to check it out. It can be quite expensive for dinner, but luckily they have a lunch menu Monday through Friday 11:30 – 3:00 pm. It got busy around 12, so I would arrive as soon as they open. I ordered the Butter Burger as a part of the Lunch Prix-Fixe menu, which comes with cheese fondue for your burger.
Bryant Park
Another day, another Christmas market. Head to Bryant Park to get your fill of Christmas markets before it’s time to go home. I picked up an ornament here for my Christmas tree! There is also a Wafels & Dinges were you can get a Belgium waffle topped with whatever you please.
Macy’s Windows
Head to Macy’s to check out the famous window displays. This is a Christmas classic and a must do when spending Christmas in New York City. You can also visit Macy’s Santaland while you’re here!
How to Get to JFK using the Subway
I have never almost missed a flight in my life, but I almost missed my flight home from New York City. If your flight is anytime around rush hour, I would leave at least three hours to get through the airport whether driving or taking the subway to the Airtrain. We initially were going to take an Uber, but the estimated drive time was much longer than expected and very expensive. We ended up taking the subway, which would have been fine, if it hadn’t been absolutely packed and running behind schedule.
From The Hotel Watson, go to the Columbus Circle Station and, using your Metro Card, take it to the 34 Street Penn Station. Transfer to the Pennslyvania Station heading in the direction of the Jamaica station. The Jamaica stop is where you catch the Airtrain. It is five dollars to ride the Airtrain, so if you don’t have that much on your Metro Card you will have to add money. An Airtrain arrives every 4 to 12 minutes. Take the Airtrain to whichever Terminal you need and hopefully you won’t have to sprint to the gate like we did.
My Essentials for New York City in December
I was worried about how cold it would get in December in New York City, but with this fleece pea coat and these amazing fleece leggings, I was perfectly warm. This carry-on backpack was perfect for lugging around the streets of New York City until we could check in to the hotel. As usual, I brought my travel-sized umbrella in case of rain (paid links).
Things We Want to do Next Time
- Try your luck at getting tickets to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, but remember you have to get on the wait-list a month in advance.
- See a Broadway show or the Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes. Use the TodayTix app to find discounted shows or find a TKTS discount booth around NYC.
- Take the ferry to Staten Island to see the State of Liberty.
- Ice Skate in Central Park.
- See the elaborate Christmas decorations in Dyker Heights.
- Try frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3.
NYC Itinerary
I loved visiting New York City during Christmas and can’t wait for my next visit. Are you thinking of spending Christmas in New York? Did you find this three day New York City itinerary useful?
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