10 reasons to visit New York in winter

Wondering whether to visit New York in winter? Here are 10 reasons to take the plunge! Winter in New York offers a truly special atmosphere.

1/ Christmas Lights and Decorations

Wondering about the best time to visit New York? Winter has plenty to offer. Beyond the tree at Rockefeller Center, the entire city celebrates as Christmas approaches. Department stores compete to catch your eye with elaborate window displays, especially Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
If you have time, head to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, known for its spectacular residential decorations. To find the best displays, join our Dyker Heights holiday tour.

Each year, Rockefeller Center’s plaza hosts the largest Christmas tree in America. This giant reaches nearly 30 m (98 ft) tall and is lavishly decorated. Visit in the evening: the tree lights up from 5:30 pm to midnight and turns off for good on January 7.
Beyond the tree, the plaza also features a seasonal ice skating rink. You can skate while enjoying views of the tree and the Comcast Building, the tallest building at Rockefeller Center and home to the Top of the Rock observation deck. The atmosphere is unforgettable.

Starting in November, several Christmas markets open across New York. I recommend the Bryant Park market, which centers around a seasonal ice rink and offers stunning views of the Empire State Building. Bryant Park’s Winter Village stays open through March, extending the holiday magic.
Also worth visiting are the Christmas markets at Union Square and Columbus Circle, both closing on December 24.
If the cold gets too intense, head to Grand Central Terminal for an indoor Christmas market inside the station.

Ring in the new year in New York—a memorable way to start fresh. The city celebrates the countdown with real energy. Head to Times Square for the famous ball drop.
You won’t be alone on Times Square—far from it. Here are my tips for celebrating New Year’s Eve at Times Square. Fireworks also light up New York Harbor.

For the Christmas holidays, the legendary Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall sells out every year. This family-friendly show runs from mid-November through early January. Book tickets well in advance—demand is extremely high. You can reserve your seats on our Radio City Music Hall show page.
Beyond this holiday spectacular, New York offers many other musicals. I especially recommend The Lion King on Broadway. Also worth seeing: Aladdin, Chicago, MJ The Musical, Moulin Rouge, and Wicked, a wonderful story about witches.

Anyone who has visited New York in winter will tell you: New York under snow is magical. To experience it, visit Central Park, which transforms into a winter wonderland.
I also recommend riding the Roosevelt Island Tramway, the cable car connecting Manhattan to Roosevelt Island across the East River. With snow and ice, it feels like a ski trip. The only question: when will snow arrive this year?

Winter in New York can be very cold, but that doesn’t prevent beautiful sunny days. Even when temperatures drop, the sky can be a brilliant azure blue. You’ll enjoy much better visibility than on hot summer days.
If the sky is clear, I strongly recommend visiting one of New York’s five observation decks: the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, The Edge, or Summit One Vanderbilt.

In summer, most visitors prefer to explore the city outdoors. In winter, the cold makes indoor time appealing. Fortunately, New York has countless museums to explore.
I recommend spending time at the outstanding Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’s answer to the Louvre. Also visit the Museum of Modern Art, the striking Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. Aviation enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Intrepid Museum, the world’s only museum housed on an aircraft carrier.
For a different experience, explore the archives of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Another way to stay warm is to explore New York’s countless shops. Whether you’re looking for sneakers, New York posters, or camera gear, you’ll find it all. Check out our New York shopping guide for the best addresses.

Outside the Christmas holidays, flight and hotel prices in New York drop significantly in winter. Occupancy rates are lower, so airlines and hotels need to attract customers. Take advantage of it.
I recommend reading our article on finding affordable hotels in New York and another on finding cheap flights to New York. Happy winter planning! 🙂