The experience of a New York City Christmas vacation is magical.

Bright.  Colorful.  Loud.  Boisterous.  Fun.  Delicious. A Fairy Tale.

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Spending a week in New York City at Christmastime does not qualify me as an expert on the ins and outs of the city. 

After hours of my usual over-the-top trip planning and research, I thought I was prepared.  I was not, and as a result, my typical ambitious itinerary went nowhere.

We covered the highlights.  What is more important is the fact that we had a blast on our New York City Christmas vacation.

As a travel blogger, I would love to provide you with pertinent information for your Christmas vacation to New York City in order to help you plan. 

I love those Top 10 Lists and Travel Tip posts, but I just can’t do it. 

Why? 

Because I didn’t master this beautiful city.  Unfortunate, but true.

Here are six New York Christmas vacation posts that I will NOT be able to provide.

  1. How to do New York City on a budget (ha, not even close).
  2. 10 ways to avoid the crowds (impossible).
  3. Tips on using the subway.  (I only have one tip, ask the attendant, he/she is super helpful).
  4. Experience the best rooftop bars (traveling with kids).
  5. Best instagrammable spots (people galore).
  6. Best ice skating rink in the city (didn’t want to break a hip).
New York Christmas Vacation

And here’s is what I learned in my seven day New York City Christmas vacation.

Times Square New York City.
New York Christmas Vacation
  1. GPS/Google Maps.  Not the best.  It’s okay, but seriously, just grab a fold-up map of Manhattan.  The streets are all numbered, it is a grid.  There aren’t too many surprises.  Figure out the closest intersection to your destination.  Count the blocks up or down and over.  Easy.
  2. Get Up Early.  This is my best advice to attempt to avoid the crowds.  Plus, the lighting in the morning is glorious.  AND furthermore, the sun goes down at 4:30, so the earlier you get started, the more you can see before it gets dark.
  3. Walk.  It is really the best mode of transportation around the city.  With the traffic considered, a taxi/Uber/Lyft ride is often slower than walking to most places.
  4. Take the Subway.  If it is too far to walk, take the Subway.  The subway is quick and easy.  The attendants are super helpful for those of us who don’t know what the heck we are doing.  AND it is definitely part of the city experience that you don’t want to miss.
  5. Marijuana is Legal.  Well, kind of…You won’t be arrested if you are caught smoking a joint in public.  You will, however, be issued a ticket.  This “ticket” is actually a court summons, which means that you have to show up in court and issue a plea.  Your fine will be up to the judge.  It took me a few days of smelling the stuff several times a day before I realized that people were walking around the city smoking weed.  Bold, in my opinion.  Not my thing, but to each his own.
  6. Winter Days are Short.   I mean like the sun went down at 4:30/5:00.  And on December 21, 2018, Winter Solstice, this day was 5 hours and 50 minutes shorter than on June Solstice.  Bizarre for me.  Luckily, this is a city that thrives at night.  The lights are stunning.  Not a major deal on holiday, just different.
  7. The City is Clean, Safe, and Friendly.  I was amazed by how the city could be so clean with so many people.  We always felt safe.  People are super nice, helpful, and patient.  We were only yelled at once by a frustrated driver.  We didn’t take offense.
  8. IT IS COLD.  Ok, so it is freaking cold in New York City.  I am telling you, bring a warm coat or parka.  Bring your gloves, scarves, and winter hats.  30 degrees can feel like 22 degrees with the blustery winds and the high humidity.  They say the cold is different in Colorado, and trust me, it is!  New York City is COLD.  Dress in layers and peel if need be.  But, be prepared.
  9. Which brings me to this…WEAR CHAPSTICK.  And bring some good moisturizer.  I like Burt Bees Tinted Chapstick and Aquafor.
  10. New York City is Packed at Christmastime.  If you want good seats at a show or sporting event, reserve early.  Make dinner reservations early.  Buy tickets for attractions before you get there.  Be the first on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, or you’ll be face to butt on the stairway up to the pedestal (this has happened to me, but not this time).

Know this…

  • Where you are going, how you will get there, AND how long it will take to get there.
  • How you will get back to where you are staying ahead of time.
  • The weather, especially if you plan on walking.
  • The cost and if you will need to tip.
  • Create a “soft” itinerary for your New York Christmas vacation. 
  • And be flexible.
  • If you miss some things, catch them on the next visit.  

New York City is absolutely beautiful.  The sites are truly breathtaking.  Just walking through Times Square is exhilarating.

During the holiday, the city is crazy busy.  Everywhere.  Because of this, my ambitious itinerary was not going to work.  We hit the highlights and had the best time.  We will be back, for sure.

I hope you all find this helpful and if you have any bits of advice that I can add, I would love to hear from you.

New York Christmas Vacation
Traveling Party of Four.  Sustainable Souvenirs

A few more fun photos of our New York Christmas vacation and it’s a wrap!

911 Memorial Birthday Rose
New York Christmas Vacation

Every day, a white rose is placed to recognize the birthdays of the men, women, and children whose names are inscribed on the 9/11 Memorial.

New York City Pretzels
New York Christmas Vacation

Seriously huge New York City Pretzels!

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
New York Christmas Vacation

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

New York City Library Card Catalog
New York Christmas Vacation

New York City Public Library. I had to explain to them how to use a Card Catalog.  And what is that funny thing on top of the Card Catalog (the Pencil Sharpener)?

Strawberry Fields in Central Park
New York Christmas Vacation

Strawberry Fields in Central Park is a living memorial for John Lennon.  Usually full of people, but on this rainy and cold day, we were alone to reflect.

Desserts on display at Eataly at 9/11 in New York City
New York Christmas Vacation

Desserts on display at Eataly!  Need I say more?

Latte at Grumpy Cafe near Times Square in New York City.
New York Christmas Vacation

Maple Latte from Grumpy Café.

New York Christmas Vacation

“Sunrise, Sunset” at Pier A in Battery Park.  27 aluminum panels embedded with 9,000 crystal prisms.  The prisms create all of the colors of the rainbow when activated by natural light.

statue of liberty new york city
New York Christmas Vacation

Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.

Tablet held by the Statue of Liberty
New York Christmas Vacation

This is not a book, it is a tablet with the inscription July 4, 1776, the date of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

New York City Public Library
New York Christmas Vacation

New York City Public Library.  They were more excited about their NBA store merch.

St. Patrick's Cathedral New York City
New York Christmas Vacation

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is breathtaking.

Swarovsky crystal atop the tree in Rockefeller Center New York City
New York Christmas Vacation

This is a 900 pound Swarovski Star atop the tree in Rockefeller Center.  The ornament has 70 glittering spikes with 3 million crystals (I read this in the New York Post).  It is stunning!