Christmas in New York City is a magical time, especially with kids. There is something that comes alive in the city during the holidays, and it is truly magical to experience with kids of all ages. Cannot wait until the end of the post?
Christmas In New York City With Kids
From holiday shows, to dazzling window displays, and special events each weekend, Christmas is the best time to visit New York City with kids. It can get crowded, and be a little overwhelming but if you try not to do it all in one day you will have a truly memorable experience.
With hundreds of activities to choose from when you visit New York City at Christmas I have narrowed down my top activities to enjoy with kids in the Big Apple.
#11 Macy’s Santaland
Head to the eighth floor of the Herald Square department store for 13,000 square feet of holiday cheer. Here you will experience the Domino Sugar Bake Shoppe to see cute gingerbread men, the Aflac Ducks putting on their ice skates for the ice rink, igloos, ice sculptures, a rainbow bridge and Lionel Trains Industrial City, where you’ll see six complete sets of trains surrounding a six-foot-tall Christmas Tree. You’ll even get a glimpse of Santa’s Sleigh, Santa’s reindeer and the toy shop packed with trinkets and gadgets. Finally, you’ll be escorted by elves up to Santa himself.
FREE NYC Christmas Checklist! Download a checklist of the best New York City activities for the family at Christmas!
#10 Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Every year, this holiday classic gets families in the spirit with Santa appearances, colorful sets and, of course, one-of-a-kind dance numbers from the impressive Rockettes. Enjoy classic routines like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “New York at Christmas”. The show runs daily through January 1, 2018.
#9 New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
Whatever holiday you celebrate, this beautifully lit exhibition makes a festive excursion for the whole family. Families can navigate 3,000 square feet of space that contains more than 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys zipping over a quarter mile of track. Elaborate displays composed of moss, twigs and leaves are anchored by 150 New York City landmarks, each reconstructed painstakingly using natural materials. Classic visitor favorites include icons like Grand Central Terminal, Yankee Stadium and the Statue of Liberty, and new in 2017, you’ll see new and improved replicas of the General Electric Building, St. Bartholomew’s Church and the Empire State Building.
#8 Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal
The New York Transit Museum’s enchanting model train exhibition is back at the museum’s Grand Central Gallery Annex & Store. The 16th annual show features a 34-foot-long, two-level, “O” gauge model train layout. Vintage Lionel model trains that zip through Grand Central Terminal, around skyscrapers and to the North Pole.
#7 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Every year, the Norway Spruce beckons revelers from near and far to bask underneath its 30,000 twinkling lights and a dazzling Swarovski crystal star. This year’s pick hails from Pennsylvania and will come to life at the tree lighting ceremony on November 29th.
#6 Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Every year, Bryant Park transforms into a winter village complete with an outdoor ice skating rink right at the center. Shop from local vendors selling food and drinks and get an early start on those holiday wish lists.
#5 The Ride NYC, Holiday Special
Families can witness New York City’s holiday festivities and cheer through floor-to-ceiling windows from the comfort of a multi-million dollar motor coach. The experience is hosted by two on-board New York City experts and features live street performers.
#4 The Nutcracker, New York City Ballet
One of the season’s favorite annual productions, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a holiday feast complete with marching toy soldiers, a one-ton Christmas tree that grows before the audience’s eyes and crystalline snowflakes.
#3 Visit Flagship Toy Stores
Kids can visit the ultimate toy stores in New York City, and find almost anything on their lists.
Here are a few you won’t want to miss:
- Nintendo World
- Lego Store NYC
- American Girl Place
#2 Slice of Brooklyn’s Christmas Lights
Now in its eighth year, this holiday bus tour offers families the opportunity to see the famed Dyker Heights Christmas lights, most recently seen on TLC’s Crazy Christmas Lights. Every year the neighborhood is ablaze with illuminating exhibitions complete with 30-foot toy soldiers and nativity scenes. The bus also offers festive holiday music and old-time Christmas television variety specials, topped off with a taste of Brooklyn’s best cannolis and hot chocolate.
#1 ELF The Musical
The humorous holiday tale comes to life in this blockbuster musical production at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
It’s not on the list, but no trip to New York City during Christmas is complete without a stroll down Madison Avenue to see all of the beautiful window displays. Be sure to stop by Saks Fifth Avenue once nightfall comes, for a dazzling display on the historic store.
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