Watch Christmas Movies On The Big Screen
There are plenty of fun things to do in Brooklyn in the winter, as unique indoor attractions and seasonal festivals abound.
And sometimes you can even combine the two.
Watching a holiday flick is a fun Christmas activity;and Nitehawk Cinemain Williamsburg, Brooklyn puts on an annual holiday film series that shows the best of the best of these seasonal movies.
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival lights up the night / Photo by NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Best Hotels In New York City For Every Budget
If youre traveling on a budget, these are the best affordable hotels in NYC:
If you have some more wiggle room in your budget, below are some of the best mid-range hotels in New York:
To help you get the most bang for your buck, heres some tips for visiting New York City for the first time, including 10 common tourist mistakes to avoid.
Summertime Fun In Coney Island
With its roller coaster rides and famous fairground foods, Coney Island is synonymous with summertime fun. This iconic seaside destination, although not technically an island, is in the southernmost part of Brooklyn, only 14 miles away from Manhattan, and easily accessible by subway.
Epitomizing American popular culture, the old-fashioned Amusement Park allows visitors to forget their cares and have a few hours of fun. Besides the Amusement Park roller-coaster rides, games, and Beach Boardwalk, Coney Island also has museums, film screenings, and circus performances.
Coney Island is open seasonally from Easter until Halloween. The park has more than 50 rides and attractions with opening hours only on weekends from Easter through Memorial Day, and all week long from Memorial Day until Labor Day, then only on weekends from Labor Day through October.
The Coney Island beach and boardwalk are open year-round; lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The New York Aquarium and Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand are open almost daily year-round.
During the summer , visitors are dazzled by fireworks displays every Friday evening at 9:30pm. The fireworks shows take place on the beach.
Address: Coney Island, Brooklyn 11224
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Set Sail Into New York Harbor
It’s easy to forget, while in the midst of Manhattan’s sprawling concrete jungle, that you’re actually on an island at all. Indeed, New York City owes much of its success to its island setting , situated at the mouth of New York Harbor and flanked by the Hudson and East Rivers on two sides. Sailing Manhattan Island’s waterway perimeters is a beautiful way to gain insight into its unique geography and staggering architectural proportionsnot to mention the chance to wave at Lady Liberty from the boat. You can hop on one of the classic tourist-oriented sightseeing boats , or get more creative with NYC boat trips that even locals love .
The lungs of New York City and essentially one enormous communal backyard for space-starved Manhattanites, Central Park is where just about everybody comes to kick back, unwind, exercise, and get centered in nature. Spanning a massive 843 acres, the park is home to numerous worthwhile attractions, including the Great Lawn , the Loeb Boathouse , Strawberry Fields , the Central Park Zoo , the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir , and more. Whether you wander leisurely on foot, go for a run, or rent a bike, you’re sure to appreciate the urban oasis that the park provides.
Eat Real New York Food
There are plenty of great places to eat in New York City and you dont have to spend a lot of money on some of the worlds tastiest foods.
We offer suggestions of where to find the best versions of iconic New York foods, such as pizza, bagels, pastrami, or knishes, as well as restaurants that will suit your mood, budget, and location.
You might also consider taking one of our pay-what-you-like food tours in NYC.;;
There are also some more specific food tours that focus on snacks like pizza and gelato in Greenwich Village.
If youre looking to learn more about great meals in the city and the cultural history behind these dishes, consider a food tour in Greenwich Village or Brooklyn.
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New York City What To Wear In Spring
Clothing for Spring in NYC
This period normally comes during the months of March, April, and May.
It can be cool or warm during these months, but nothing in the extremes. So the weather is pleasant enough for you to pack light clothes such as light slacks or skirts, and fashionable tops.
They should be somewhat warm, but not too heavy like your winter apparel. Long sleeves and layers will do. You will still need to pack a warm sweater to wear in the often-cool evenings.
Happy Hour At An Oyster Bar
Take Happy Hour to the next level by heading to an oyster bar. Youll find deals on drinks and oysters for $1 each. Its a perfect way to rest your legs and get a little pick-me-up before the evening.
This article has rounded up some of the best oyster bars in the city and breaks them down by neighborhood.;
Cost:;Depending on the location, drinks start around $7 and oysters are typically $1 each.
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But In Reality You Probably Wont Use Cash That Much
The reality is that you will probably not need to use cash, unless youre buying something off the street. Everywhere in NYC takes credit cards, so check with your credit card company about their foreign transaction fees. If there are none, then use your credit card everywhere. Always ask to be charged in USD , this will save you money from a conversion fee.
Supporting Horse Carriage Rides In Central Park
Riding a horse-drawn carriage sounds like a fairy tale. But the reality is, carriage horses often live and work in inhumane conditions.
Horse-drawn carriages shouldnt share the same roadways as honking cars and cyclists as it puts both the animal and the public at risk. These horses work long hours and even when the weather is unbearably hot or freezing cold.
Paying for a horse-drawn carriage ride continues to support the industry. So while it might sound like a nice way to experience Central Park, youll want to pass on this idea.
DO THIS INSTEAD
There are many other great ways to explore NYC. Some of my favorite ways to get around the city include riding the metro, walking, , Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. And if you want to splurge, consider doing a NYC helicopter tour.
Ride the metro Besides walking, this is the fastest and most cost-effective way to get around New York City.
Walking Put on your walking shoes and explore the city. This is my favorite way to get around and sightsee. To make it more fun, consider joining a local walking tour. If youre using the New York Pass, there are several walking tours available for every interest.
Explore New York City by bike. Check out the citys urbans parks or ride along the dedicated greenways. If youre using the New York Pass, you can rent bikes for FREE in Central Park a $54.44 value!
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Explore The Lower East Side
After gorging at brunch, take a stroll across to the lower East Side of Manhattan. For me, its one of the areas that makes New York, New York!;
Honestly, its pretty easy to visit the Lower East Side when seeing New York in a day as its pretty close to all the main hustle of the city attractions itself.;
Also, if the weather takes a turn, pop into the Tenement Museum thats actually really interesting and a great little place to see in New York in a day.
Make sure to head inside some of New Yorks famous flea market and vintage stalls that dot this area of the city. Youll find everything from antiques, food stalls and all sorts of stores that sell everything you can ever imagine.;
Oh, and pop over to Katzs Delicatessant if youre looking for a totally authentic and much-loved New York experience. Though be warned, youll leave stuffed!;
Afterwards, pop into Beauty & Essex for some tasty cocktails.
Skiing Snow And Sledding In And Around Nyc
After a good snow, New York City becomes a mecca of winter sports activities; from cross-country skiing to sledding, ice skating and, of course, building giant snowmen .
Skiing in New York City may be a challenge, but most toy stores in the city sell inexpensive sleds and you can get creative with cardboard, as well.
Pilgrim Hill in Central Park is known for being big and steep, though it can get crowded. Best entrance is 5th Avenue & 72nd Street. ;Cedar Hill is quieter and less steep. ;Best entrance is between;76th and 79th Streets at Fifth Avenue.
For those who want to do some local downhill or cross-country skiing, this all day Skiing & Snowboarding from NYC Trip offers your choice of 3 Resorts; more local ski groups: Dynamic Outdoors, Ski NYC, Outdoor Connections.
Back to Topof Best Things To Do in NYC in December
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Falling For Nyc Visiting New York City After Covid
Do you remember your first time visiting New York City? Perhaps you remember feeling a silent squeal of joy and your heart skip a beat looking at the massive buildings and frenetic activity all around. If there is one thing we know for sure right now, it is that we are falling in love with New York City as the city returns to its glorious self. So, what is it like visiting New York City after Covid-19? With falls temperate weather, more outside dining, reopened attractions and lesser crowds than usual, NYC is a great option for vacation, staycation or weekend getaway right now.;
Cheer On A New York City Sports Team
Even though its cold outside, there are still lots of great sports to watch in December in New York City. The Knicks and Nets basketball season is well underway, as are the Rangers and Islanders hockey seasons. The Giants and Jets are toward the end of football season, and hopefully doing well!
So whether you brave the cold at MetLife Stadium for football, or stay warm at Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center for basketball and hockey, or even just try and watch them all on TV at a bar, cheering for a NYC Sports team is one of the BEST things to do in New York in December.
Back to Top;of New York City in December
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Take An Interesting Walk
Dont let the cold stop you from exploring NYCs best strolls.
One favorite is theWilliamsburg Bridge walk from Manhattan into Brooklyn, with much to explore in Williamsburg once you arrive.
Shop for unique goods at the Artists & Fleas weekend market, take in a stunning 360-degree view from the Westlight rooftop bar, and savor NYCs best chicken and waffles at Pies-n-Thighs, just to name a few of many things to do in Williamsburg.
Other walks featuring lovely outdoor setting include:
- The Brooklyn Heights Promenade in Brooklyn Heights
- and Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park;in Manhattans Hudson Heights and Inwood neighborhoods.
Li-Lac Chocolates is noted for its delicious confections. Photo by Li-Lac Chocolates
See Nyc From Above And Have Room To Move
What is the one thing you cant miss when you visit New York City?
For us, it was photographing the worlds most recognizable skyline from high up among its most iconic skyscrapers.
Even if architecture and buildings arent of particular interest to you, we can guarantee you will be blown away by the immense urban landscape of Midtown and Lower Manhattan.
Here are the 5 observation decks you can stand atop with sweeping city views:
- Empire State Building
- Edge at Hudson Yards
- One World Observatory
- Statue of Liberty Crown
We cant possibly tell you which one to visit because they are all amazing and offer unique aspects. But what we can tell you is that each observation deck will be easily accessible and relatively crowd free if you visit in Winter.
During previous Summer visits to NYC, we have both stood on the very top floor of Top of the Rock at sunset and seen how ridiculously packed it gets.
At sunset on a Saturday in February we were two of only 5 people on the same top floor.
Our Guides On NYC Observation Decks:
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New York City Helicopter Tours
The cold weather is a great time to take to the Manhattan skies for an exciting;New York City Helicopter Tour! Enjoy spectacular aerial views of Manhattan, including the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, 9-11 Memorial, World Trade Center and Ellis Island. If your tour heads uptown, Central Park and Yankee Stadium are must-sees!
I LOVED my tourcheck out some of my photos and review at New York City Helicopter Tour.
Back to Topof Best Things To Do in NYC in December
Things To Know About Nyc Before Visiting
As a world traveler and native New Yorker, I understand what its like visiting a new city and not knowing your way around. It can be confusing, stressful, and expensive. You dont want that and neither do I! Lets dive into things to know about NYC before visiting if youre not from the United States.
Well cover everything from easy transportation to getting a local SIM card. After youre done reading this article, dont miss my New York video series on YouTube where I talk about my favorite things to do in NYC!;
I also have a video and article on tourist traps so dont miss that one! You dont want to get scammed, do you?
Before I dive in though, make sure you check out my NYC e-book collection where youll find my recommended itineraries for visiting the city, neighborhood guides, and more. This will help you even more with things you need to know before visiting NYC.
If youre looking to do a tour of the city, check out the tours that I offer. My NYC tours cover history, food, culture, and more. Plus I offer custom private tours with yours truly that include high-res photography of your trip to the big apple!
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Things To Do In New York City Roosevelt Island Skytram
Whats on Roosevelt Island that is worth visiting? you might ask. Good question! Most New Yorkers have no idea. We dont either. As far as we can tell its just a collection of ugly brown apartment buildings, housing some 10,000 New Yorkers. However, what we DO know is that there is a SkyTram connecting Roosevelt Island to 59th street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. And we know that the SkyTram is totally worth getting on.
Taking this SkyTram costs just a single swipe of your MetroCard and you can get some really sweet views of Manhattan and Long Island City this way. Bring your camera and take the short trip.
Take In Sweeping Skyline Views
In Manhattan, it’s all about those jaw-dropping skyline views. Get up to vertigo-inducing heights to gain perspective on the city’s unique island terrain and skyscraping architecture. There are a trio of dedicated observatories that propose just such primo perches: The classic Empire State Building, of course, has indoor and outdoor observation decks on both the 86th and 102nd floors; the multilevel decks at Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock; and the newest downtown addition at the;One World Observatory, which straddles the 100th, 101st, and 102nd stories atop the Western hemisphere’s tallest building.
You can nab a sweet view for free, too, by wandering out onto the 19th-century span of the Brooklyn Bridge or grab a drink at one of the city’s high-altitude watering holes. Try The Roof at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, overlooking Central Park,;Bar 54, the city’s highest rooftop bar, set in the heart of Times Square, or Bar SixtyFive, in classy Rockefeller Center.
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The Best Rooftop Bars For Fall
If you think the rooftop bar season is over in the fall, then think again! Not in New York! There are many rooftop bars in NYC that offer fresh air even in the cold season. There are magnificent views of urban canyons AND pleasant warmth. Check out some of the best rooftop bars here.;Some of these bars are open during the winter and fall.
Stare At Nycs Best Holiday Window Displays
Nothing screams uniquely New York like the holiday window displays!
NYC winter tourist attractions abound, though one not-to-be-missed seasonal experience is exploring local department store windows.
In New York City its a tradition for these windows to get dressed up for the holidays in a stunning display that often takes each store 10 months to plan.
Theyre usually revealed around Black Friday, the major shopping holiday that falls on the day after Thanksgiving.
To see some of New Yorks best holiday windows, head to Bloomingdales on the Upper East Side, Macys in Herald Square, and Bergdorf Goodman,;Saxs Fifth Avenue; and Tiffany & Co in Midtown East.
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