For the past 3 years Ryan and I have taken day trips to NYC 5 days before Christmas! Each year we have done different things so I wanted to share my experiences, recommendations and tips for visiting the city during Christmas time!
Our 2019 Trip
This year our trip did not go as planned – and that’s okay!
We started our day by taking the Megabus up – I live in Maryland which is about a 3.5 hour drive up to the city. We got our tickets about a month ahead and they ended up being about $120 round trip for the two of us. (If we had looked more in advance they probably would have been cheaper.) I have only ever taken a bus to NYC so I don’t have any other info for transportation there. But if you live in a surrounding state I would definitely recommend Megabus because of the convenience.
When we arrived, we aimed to head towards the Palace Hotel and Central Park. Except I has us walking in the opposite direction for almost a half hour which wasted a lot of time… lol. And then we stopped for a quick lunch.
… And then…
Ryan had bought tickets for a botanical garden event that we didn’t realize was located in The Bronx… aka a half hour and $200 uber ride so we decided to skip that.
After lunch we started walking towards the Palace Hotel and actually came across a different hotel called the Hotel Lotte New York Palace. It is super pretty and such a great photo op. There was a drink stand outside and more on the inside but we just stayed outside.
And then we finally made it to the Palace Hotel… which was a disappointment. It is located right below/south of Central Park and I had seen pretty images of the inside but the front entrance was only open for guests so we didn’t get to go in. We went in a different entrance that had little shops and places to eat but there was not much to see we we didn’t stay long at all.
After the Palace, we walked around the southern part of Central Park for a half hour. This was my first time there which was fun. There were carriages, an ice rink and a bunch of walking paths and bridges and pretty city views.
After Central Park, we headed down to the Empire State Building Observatory which we had gotten tickets for. This was definitely the highlight of the trip! I could look at those views all day. There are a couple different options for the floors to go to and we got the tickets for the 80th, 86th and 102nd floors. So worth it!
After the Empire State Building, we got dinner at our favorite pizza place! It looks sketchy but we both agree it is the best pizza we have ever had and so cheap!! you can get 2 slices and a drink for $3. It is located on the corner of 39th street and 6th avenue.
We had a lot of time left after dinner so we watched the 5th Avenue Light Show, checked out the window displays, walked around Rockefeller Center, and stopped in the surrounding shops.
We were exhausted by the end – our feet hurt and we were so worn out from all the walking. Overall it was a great time and at the end of the day it didn’t really matter that we missed the garden event because it was another trip Ryan and I got to spend together and that’s all that really matters.
What We Have Done in the Past
Skating in Bryant Park is a great idea! This was the first year Ryan and I opted out of skating. The past two years we have gone skating at Bryant Park and loved it. It is cheaper than the Rockefeller Center and there is no time limit you have to skate on the rink. It is really pretty with the Christmas tree and Christmas village surrounding it. I would recommend skating in the earlier part of your trip 1. because it’s warmer and 2. so your feet aren’t too sore to skate later.
Top of the Rock is fun! Last year Ryan and I went to the Top of the Rock, which is the observatory at the Rockefeller Center. It is really pretty especially at night!
We love Broadway plays! Last year when Ryan and I went to NYC, we saw Frozen on Broadway and loved it! And two years ago we saw Elf – good but didn’t beat Frozen! The plays in the city are amazing and are a great way to break up the day – you get to sit in the warmth and relax for a couple hours!
Igloo Rooftop Bars are cool! We went to this one last year. The drinks are expensive, but it is a special experience! The igloos are warm and you get pretty views of the city.
Tips
Planning saves time and money! The past two years we had everything planned out – what we were going to do, when were going to do them, and how far we would be walking etc. This year was different because we didn’t plan out when we would do everything/how we would get to different areas. We also wasted a lot of time walking in the wrong direction lol and had a couple free hours in the evening since the Garden exhibit didn’t work out. We also did not plan on an uber costing over $200. So, I would def recommend planning everything out ahead of time and having back up options so you are not stuck trying to find something to do.
Comfortable shoes and a warm coat are a must! I switched it up this year and wore a cute pair of boots but my feet were killing me after a couple hours. It also ended up being like 20 degrees this year and my heavy parka saved me.
Pack light, but not too light. This might be obvious but you don’t want to pack anything you wouldn’t want to carry all day. I usually bring a spacious crossbody bag and pack my phone charger, portable charger, hairbrush, hand sanitizer etc. The one thing I wish I would have brought on the trip were snacks – would have eaten them on the bus.
There is always a Starbucks close by! SO many. And you can always count on them to have bathrooms!
You can only plan for so much. The past two years the weather has not cooperated – it rained both days and was cloudy when we went to the Top of the Rock Observatory. However, we still had fun and at the end of the day it’s about who you’re going on the trip with that matters the most!
