The Bryant Park Winter Village is open now until March. Herds of tourists and New Yorkers alike plan on celebrating the holiday season by navigating the narrow rows of shops and food stands that occupy 42nd Street.
Many want to spend the holidays in New York City, sleeping in a well-decorated hotel under an idyllic bed of snow. But when their plane lands at either LaGuardia or JFK, they are soon hit with the reality of noise pollution (and pollution in general). Bryant Park Winter Village is no exception to the disappointing reality of NYC in the winter.
If you’re looking to pay close to twenty dollars for hot chocolate after waiting in a line that wraps around the stand, this year’s winter village is the place for you. If you aren’t willing to spend the night maneuvering through dense crowds just to pay for overpriced food, here are some alternatives to the Bryant Park Winter Village.
1. Columbus Circle Holiday Market
If you won’t feel complete until you visit a holiday market this season, skip the madness of Bryant Park and indulge in a similar variety of food and shops offered just a few more subway stops away. Many on TikTok are deeming the Columbus Circle Holiday Market the best of all that take over NYC for the season. Open until December 31st, let this market be the reason for your holiday cheer!
2. Ice Rink at The Dead Rabbit
Ice skating at the Rockefeller has been considered the classic place to enjoy this winter activity, but Pier 17 offers city skylines as you skate around their rooftop. The Dead Rabbit restaurant and bar turns into a winter wonderland on Water Street. Private dining cottages and their festive tavern are also available to book, but ice skating on the water seems to take the cake. Tickets can be booked online, and lower rates are offered on weekdays.
3. Holiday Train Show
The New York Botanical Garden is offering a “winter wonderland” in the form of model trains that weave through the grounds. The chaos of the city can get overwhelming, so enjoy its winter magic in miniature. Train nights can be enjoyed by the whole family, but certain adult-only nights are reserved only for those 21+.
4. Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
Shop your favorite brands under the warm glow of over two million lights at Hudson Yards. If you’re still in need of holiday gifts, walk from store to store without bearing the cold. Hudson Yards is a sight to behold during this season, and it’s also a great place to shop an array of offerings, from Aritzia to Dior.
5. Christmas Cruises
Celebrate the season on the water! Holiday cruises sail the Hudson River while patrons sip on hot chocolate (or something a little stronger). Depending on the timeslot tickets are booked under, passengers can take in beautiful sunsets or nighttime skylines. Pack your scarves and gloves because sailing the Hudson in December is guaranteed to be chilly!
Certain spots have always defined what Christmas in the city looks like. But it’s time to break free from the Rockefeller Rink and Bryant Park madness, forge new, unique memories, and discover what else NYC has to offer this winter!
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
