12 Things to Do in New York in December
Travelling to New York in December is synonymous with a Christmas like no other. Here's a list of things to do this month to help you make the most of your visit.
Christmas decorations in Manhattan | ©Jon Tyson
With New Year's Eve just around the corner, New York has plenty to do and is gearing up for what is probably the most important time of the year for most New Yorkers. Christmas markets and colourful lights invade the city, creating the perfect atmosphere for all that shopping.
And even though the temperatures are low, it's never a bad time to grab a hot coffee to go while strolling through the ice rink-lined streets. Although it's a busy tourist season, if you're a Christmas lover this is the best time of year to travel to the Big Apple. Here we go!
1. Experience the thrill of an NBA game
The NBA is considered one of the most special sporting events in the world. Without a doubt, watching a game is a plan you can't miss if you go to the United States. The fanaticism of the public and the rivalry between the teams will make you enjoy the stars of the basketball court, who offer an extraordinary experience. It's a spectacle of music, dancing, partying and, above all, sport, of course.
What's more, if you go in December you'll be lucky enough to see a game in the middle of the season. What's more, they take care of every detail to the point of dressing up in special outfits for the occasion!
Madison Square Garden is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. An impressive indoor arena where the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL) play. In the following article I will tell you how to buy NBA tickets at the best price
2. Explore Niagara Falls
Booking a trip to Niagara Falls from New York is a must. After all, when are you ever going to be able to enjoy this natural wonder? And December offers a wonderful winter wonderland that will captivate you even more.
There are several options depending on how many days you have available and whether you want to combine Niagara Falls with other cities:
- Niagara Falls tour from New York with overnight trip, from CAD 246.
- Niagara Falls tour from New York, from CAD 376.
- Niagara Falls day trip from New York, from CAD 376.
- Niagara Falls 2-day Niagara Falls tour from New York, from CAD 568.
- 4-day tour of America from New York (Niagara Falls, Washington and Philadelphia), from CAD 1,145
On this trip, accompanied by an expert guide, you'll visit Bridal Veil Falls, The Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls, and tour the park's viewpoints. You'll also get to walk through the Cave of the Winds, a place that will dazzle you, so grab your mackintosh and get ready for an adventure!
3. Be dazzled by the aerial views of New York City
Another must-do on your trip to New York in December is a helicopter tour. And at this time of year, with the festive decorations and lighting, you'll get some dreamy photographs. You'll be the envy of everyone when you get back from the holidays.
Flying over Manhattan and admiring the city's impressive skyscrapers from above is a spectacular experience and, believe it or not, in high demand. So much so that there are numerous options and a wide variety of prices available. Here are just a few of them:
- Helicopter tour from New Jersey, from CAD 288.
- Helicopter tour in New York, from CAD 391.
- New York helicopter flight: essential tour, from CAD 339.
- Helicopter tour in New York, from CAD 385.
- New York helicopter flight: extended tour, from CAD 392.
- Extended helicopter flight over New York, from CAD 537.
- VIP helicopter flight over New York, from CAD 3,594.
4. Grab a hot chocolate at Serendipity III
As you can imagine, cold weather is in abundance in New York at this time of year. That's why it's common to see people bundled up with a glass of coffee to help warm their hands.
We suggest something a little sweeter! Go for a hot chocolate at Serenipity III, an extraordinary place whose extravagant decoration will not leave you indifferent. For the more indecisive, it's always a good idea to order their speciality, the Frozen Hot Chocolate.
And if you're generally one of those who enjoys gastronomy when you travel, I leave you with this list of the best places to eat in New York. Also, I highly recommend you book a food tour of Manhattan- an unforgettable experience!
5. Visit the impressive tree at Rockefeller Center
Just a week after Thanksgiving, December 1st is the official opening day of Christmas. And it's tradition to attend **Rockefeller Center'**s tree lighting ceremony, which is attended by musical stars who sing Christmas carols and spread the Christmas spirit to the public in the plaza.
You'll need a wide-angle lens on your camera to get the whole thing in your picture! You can visit it throughout the month and until the beginning of January. It is usually lit from dusk to midnight, except on 25 December when you can enjoy its illumination all day long.
While you're here, you can't miss the Top of the Rock or the Top of the Rock at night. Book your tickets to the Top of the Rock to make sure you don't miss out on the spectacular views. Don't miss the best Christmas trees in New York either!
6. Take a tour of the most spectacular window displays and do a bit of shopping
It's always a good option to go shopping in New York, but December is undoubtedly one of the most amazing times to visit the shops. This is the month when shops put up the most spectacular window displays of the year (and probably the world).
Undoubtedly, it leaves no one indifferent, and in addition, at the end of this month they carry out the After Holiday Sales, a few days in which they take advantage to make sales and we can get many products at incredible prices. If you're looking for the best prices, don't hesitate to visit the best outlets in New York.
You can also take the opportunity to buy Christmas gifts or the most original souvenirs. Here's a guide to the best things to buy in New York.
7. Skate at one of the skating rinks all over the city
When the winter season arrives, New Yorkers are in for a treat as one of their favourite activities is ice skating, and the city is full of rinks! The most famous, the first to be set up each year and the most emblematic is the one set up at Rockefeller Center at Christmas.
And of course, many people come every day to slide on their skates. That's why, apart from a good scarf and warm gloves, you'll have to be prepared for a long queue. An alternative is to book your ticket for The Rink at Rockefeller Center in advance.
Another typical and somewhat less crowded rink is Central Park' s ice rink where you can glide through a winter wonderland.
8. Discover the little train at the Botanical Garden
One of New York's most popular traditions is the Holiday Train Show. It's a little train that runs through a miniature model of the city. It's a great way to see all the sights from a different point of view.
Seeing the train surrounded by moss, branches, bark and many other natural elements is a tradition you can only enjoy in December and has become a New York tradition. Without a doubt, it is a highly recommended experience, especially if you are travelling with children.
A curiosity is that this model is created with sustainable materials and most of them come from the Botanical Garden itself. Just as you read. At this point I recommend you to book your ticket for the Botanical Garden so that you are aware of the materials with which it has been made.
9. Celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square
Celebrating New Year's Eve in New York is something you have to do once in a lifetime, whether it's in Times Square, the Empire State Building or Central Park. Since 1907, there has been a tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square with its famous ball drop, where a huge crystal ball descends to usher in the new year. Up to a million people gather here! There are concerts with big-name artists such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.
Empire State
Another one of the most famous parties you can't miss is the one you'll witness if you go to the top of the Empire State Building, where the building is illuminated and there are spectacular fireworks displays. Don't hesitate to book your ticket to the Empire State Building and experience it to the full.
Other interesting places to enjoy on New Year's Eve
If you want to get away from the crowds and welcome in the New Year with something a little quieter, you can always watch the fireworks in Central Park or on the Brooklyn Bridge.
10. Enjoy one of New York's most famous shows: The Rockettes.
If you're visiting New York in December, there's one show you can't miss: The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall: Christmas Spectacular. It's the quintessential New York Christmas show, ever since it began in 1933. The show is set in the North Pole and is performed by more than 130 artists with impressive choreographies in which we can enjoy ice skating and more than 1,300 costumes, including Father Christmas!
This is another activity to enjoy without fail. If you are travelling with children, don't miss out on a visit to Father Christmas, who will be waiting to take photos at the end of the show.
And if you're in the mood for a night at the movies, you can also check out the best Broadway musicals.
11. Be dazzled by the illuminated houses of the Dyker Heights neighbourhood.
If you want to experience Christmas in true American style, Dyker Heights is the neighbourhood not to miss. It's famous for its extravagant Christmas lights, and at this time of year the locals fill their homes with light, with all sorts of Christmas figures like reindeer, Father Christmas and elves moving around and singing Christmas carols.
If you want to get to this Brooklyn neighbourhood you can do it on your own by underground, or if you're near the financial district, the bus is a great option. Alternatively, join one of New York's many Christmas lights tours.
12. Get lost in the New York Public Library
Every year the New York Public Library takes on an intimate atmosphere. In addition to setting up one of the most visited trees in the city, the entire space is decorated with candles, lights and garlands. There are also activities such as face painting workshops, arts and crafts, magic shows, Christmas storytelling and much more.
Highly recommended especially if you are visiting New York with children!
The weather in New York in December
It's not uncommon to see images of New York City covered in snow in winter, as winter officially begins on December 21st, so you'll need to be prepared to combat the cold temperatures.
Make sure you pack warm clothes and a mackintosh to protect you from the cold, as temperatures range from a high of 7ºC to a low of 0ºC and we have an average of 8 days of rain per month.
It gets dark quite early, around 4.30pm, when the streets start to light up and the Christmas atmosphere is revealed. You may like the cold more or less, but if you're prepared, it's the perfect friend to help you experience New York in the most magical way possible.
New York City's December tourist crowds
New York has a lot to offer and December is probably the month when the Big Apple receives the most visitors. Without a doubt, it is the best time of the year to travel to the Big Apple However, tourism at Christmas time is very busy, so I recommend you book your accommodation and activities in advance and assume that, as it is high season, prices will be quite high, both for accommodation, flights and even restaurant menus.
Even so, this should not stop you from visiting this wonderful city because at Christmas time, you will see the city like no other time of the year and you will have a totally unforgettable experience to remember.