Top NYC Places To Visit During The Holidays (COVID-19 version)
New York City feels more alive than ever with the holiday season in full swing.
I’m still in denial that there’s one more month left of 2020. It’s been a crazy year to say the least… but I’m secretly loving the fact that most of us have already started celebrating the holiday season earlier this year. I spent Thanksgiving with family in North Carolina and it’s been quite nice to enjoy down time, but I’m ready to head back to New York City this weekend to experience the holiday magic in the best city of all.
In today’s post, I’m sharing a round-up of some of my favorite NYC spots to visit during the holiday season — with precaution and enforced social-distancing guidelines, of course. A quick reminder that we can still make the most of the holiday spirit and stay safe in the midst of everything.
disclaimer: these photos are all from previous years — NYC is strict with their social-distancing guidelines and they are highly enforced in all public areas.
Rockefeller Plaza
Due to the pandemic, this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting will be closed to the public and available through an NBC broadcast TOMORROW (Wednesday, December 2nd) from 8-10 p.m. There will be tree viewing protocols in effect following the lighting. The new Christmas tree viewing procedures have been approved by New York State and New York City, and there will be more details to come with time limits and limited tree-viewing groups.
Here are a few tree-viewing entrances:
Tree viewing entrances located on 49th and 50th Streets at 5th and 6th Avenues ONLY.
Dedicated tree viewing zones located on 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues ONLY.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center will be accessible on 49th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.
You will also be able to view the tree on the Rockefeller Center website.
photo credit: @newyorkloversnyl
2. Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Ice skating under the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is one of New York’s quintessential winter activities. And in my three years of living here, I have yet to skate there. Even though Wollman Rink in Central Park is still ranked as my favorite ice skating rink, I still have this one on the NYC winter bucket list.
In order to skate, you must buy your tickets online here. The rules are still enforced for ice skating: masks are mandatory, limited capacity on ice, etc.
The adult tickets range from $25-$35, depending on the date and time.
3. Saks 5th Ave Light Show
I look forward to the Saks 5th Avenue Light Show every winter. I love that it’s a different light show every year and the best part is their theme reveal. Last year’s theme was Frozen II-inspired (see below).
Shared a video of last year’s Frozen II-inspired Light Show on my Instagram post here.
4. Bryant Park Winter Village
A classic spot to visit during the holidays. I look forward to the hot chocolate pop-up near the Rink and checking out all the Christmas ornaments in the Winter Village shops. This year, many shops are closed due to limited capacity. The Lodge — the Winter Village rinkside spot for food and drinks — looks different from years past. It’s now called The Lodge Deck, and it’s completely outdoors.
Be sure to check out their Cozy Igloos, where you can enjoy drinks + food just steps away from the iconic skating rink— they take reservations here.
Winter Village is open until January 3, 2021.
Monday - Friday: 11am-8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am-8pm
Sharing the name of my favorite hot chocolate pop-up in my Instagram post here.
photo credit: @212sid
5. Hudson Yards
I’ll admit, I’ve been watching my fellow friends and New York City accounts on Instagram posting photos and videos from Hudson Yards and I’m excited to visit this beautiful location in-person next week. Like every other public location, masks are a requirement inside and outside.
photo credit: @my_nycbucketlist
photo credit: @my_nycbucketlist
6. 5th Avenue
Add this to your list while visiting Rockefeller Center and the Saks 5th Avenue Light Show. I highly recommend walking down 5th Avenue and checking out the holiday windows and decor. One of my favorite and iconic spots is the Cartier building (above) at 653 5th Avenue.
7. Westfield World Trade Center
Last year was my first time visiting the Westfield WTC during the holiday season. This year, there’s even a new holiday lights installment with spaced-out, limited capacity pop-up shops on the main floor. Still worth the visit.
this was last year’s shot of the holiday markets here.
8. Wollman Rink in Central Park
As I mentioned earlier, Wollman Rink is my favorite ice skating rink to date in NYC. I love how spacious it is, close to home, and the NYC skyline is truly epic. They just recently opened with limited capacity and strict health and safety measures in place — more information on what to expect here.
Hours:
Mon-Tues: 10 AM - 2:30 PM
Wed-Thurs: 10 AM - 10 PM
Fri.-Sat: 10 AM- 11 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 9 PM
For ticket rates, click here. All public skating skating is CASH ONLY.
I can’t stress enough that many of the places will be open with limited capacity, social distancing and health and safety measures in place.
I hope this was helpful! Save this post if you’re planning to visit New York City during the holidays next year. And if you’re a fellow New Yorker, I’d love to hear your favorite spots this year and why!
Thanks for reading!
ATTENTION: all photos in this post (without photo credit) are copyright protected. If you plan to use any of my photos, you must credit and link back to this post.