We just got back from 3 full days in New York City for my youngest daughter’s fifteenth birthday weekend, and after walking what felt like the entire island in a polar vortex with half of America, I have thoughts. Hopefully helpful thoughts. The kind of thoughts I wish someone had told me before we tried to weave through Rockefeller Center with Arctic wind slicing across our faces.
If you are planning a holiday trip to NYC, this is your realistic, honest, festive guide. Consider this your what to do, what not to do, and what you will absolutely feel in your bones because New York in December is no joke.
This is the teenage girl addition, let me preface, my daughters are very much fashionistas and into fashion, and TikTok viral trends/locations. My kids have also been to NYC a few times before so we tried to mostly do Christmas things this trip.
What To Do
See the Rockefeller Tree and the Lotte Palace Tree
Crowded, yes, worth it, always. Go early if you can, the lights, the energy, the cinematic feeling of stepping into a Christmas movie never gets old. We went to Rockefeller Tree in the evening, around 5PM and it was nuts! The Lotte Palace Tree was a lot less crowded and still just as beautiful as Rockefeller. If you have Gossip Girl Fans in your home, this tree and hotel are a must!
Visit The Plaza, Fifth Avenue, and the Holiday Windows
Pure magic. The Plaza is iconic, the Fifth Avenue windows are beautiful and family friendly, we went into Prada, Bergdorf, and Cartier. 5th Ave. is the perfect place for photo opportunities before wandering into Central Park. It has the Saks window display, the Louis Vuitton Luggage, and many other sites for photo opportunities.
Pop Into the Designer Stores
Even if you don’t buy anything, it can be fun to admire and give your toes and ears a break from the cold.
See a Broadway Show
If you want to stick with the Christmas theme, I would suggest to see the Radio City Rockettes. We saw Hamilton though and it was amazing. My youngest has wanted to see it so bad and when it was in Cleveland over the summer she wasn’t able to go because she just had major back surgery. If you can swing a show, absolutely do it. It elevates the Christmas magic.
Do the Classic Kid Favorites
Radio City, FAO Schwarz, The Today Show sidewalk moment, these tiny snippets of nostalgia make the whole trip feel whimsical.
Explore Soho and Try TikTok Famous Food and Coffee
Ralph’s Coffee can be found in a few locations, Blank Street Coffee also can be found in a few locations, Pop Up Bagels was right by our hotel, Milk Bar, and we went out to dinner every night. The teens were in heaven when we went to Soho. We got Leon’s Bagels, Blank Street Coffee again because Caffe Paridiso was way too crowded! a 30 minute wait in line that was out the door. We shopped at Madhappy, Aritzia, and went to the Dairy Boy pop up shop. These spots are fun and full of that trendy New York energy.
Walk, Walk, and Walk Some More
You will see more this way and you can actually get to your destination faster walking then taking an Uber sometimes because of how bad traffic is. Yes it was freezing and yes we are from Cleveland and thought we understood cold, but we aren’t outside walking non-stop in the cold in Cleveland, plus we were not prepared for this cold to be a polar vortex level. Still worth every step.
Stay Somewhere With Personality
We accidentally stayed in a boutique hotel owned by Jackie Siegel from The Queen of Versailles. It was the busiest weekend in NYC the weekend we went. Hotels started to book up back in August. The hotel is located in what is known as Tudor City neighborhood, super cute area, right by The UN and a few blocks from Grand Central Station. The neighborhood had a pilates studio and plant shops with cafes at every corner. The hotel is also one of few hotels in NYC with balconies. We stayed in Jackie’s personal suite I guess that she stays in when she visits. Only in New York do you book a room and end up in a reality TV landmark.
What Not To Do
Do Not Expect to Move Freely at Rockefeller Center
It is beautiful and it is complete chaos. People shove, people push, and at one point we could barely inch forward. Go early or go with a sense of humor.
Do Not Expect Times Square to Be Peaceful
If Rockefeller is chaos, Times Square is chaos multiplied. Go once, take the picture, keep moving.
Do Not Trust Your Husband to Spell Anything
Especially café names. He typed Caffé Paradiso as “Cafe Paradiso,” which has two f’s instead of one, and our Uber dropped us at the wrong spot. Four other families did the same thing. A very NYC moment, however in the end we ended up seeing Julliard and The Lincoln Center.
Do Not Underestimate the Weather
It was a polar vortex of Arctic air, your face will hurt. Your bones will hurt, your coffee will cool instantly, your face and lips will get chapped and burn. Dress warmly and bring extra layers.
Do Not Cram Too Much Into One Hour
NYC at Christmas is magical, but it is overstimulating. Give yourself buffer time so you are not sprinting across Manhattan.
Do Not Forget to Pause and Breathe
Between the crowds, the cold, the walking, and December’s energy, it is easy to get swept up. I kept reminding myself to slow down and notice the moments. Watching my girls laugh, explore, and make memories together was the best part. This is why we came.
New York City at Christmas is truly an experience. It is magical and chaotic, overwhelming and unforgettable. You will be cold, you will be bumped into by strangers, you will laugh at the absurdity of it all. You will also find yourself smiling at the most unexpected times.
Somewhere between the freezing air, the coffee runs, the Broadway show, the designer stores, and the endless walking, I kept getting these little flickers of gratitude. Moments where I would look at my girls taking everything in, laughing together, growing up right in front of me, and I would think this is it. These are the years I always prayed for.
As we head back into work, school, and the rush of December, I am holding onto the reminder that joy lives in the moments we choose to notice, even in the cold even in the crowds, even in the hustle and bustle craziness.
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
