The city that never sleeps doesn't do so in the run-up to Christmas, of course. On the contrary, the Big Apple dresses up in a particularly festive outfit. What you shouldn't be missing around Christmas in New York!
8 kilometers of fairy lights. On just one tree. Where else but in New York City could such a record be set? In fact, the Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center eines der Highlights in der Vorweihnachtszeit. Seine feierliche Beleuchtungszeremonie – dieses Jahr am November 29 – markiert für viele alljährlich den Start der festlichen Aktivitäten in der Millionenmetropole. Doch welche Attraktionen sollten noch auf die Bucketlist, um Christmas in New York City as atmospheric and unique as possible? Plus: the best restaurants and hotels!
Wir bleiben am besten gleich beim Rockefeller Center. Hier findet sich nämlich nicht nur der ikonische Weihnachtsbaum. Auch “The Rink” gehört zu jenen Dingen, die mit Weihnachten in New York untrennbar verbunden sind. Sicher not an insider tipbut all the more iconic for it! The ice rink is open daily from 9 am to midnight. Especially in the evening, when the colorful lights are reflected in the shiny ice surface, creating an extremely romantic atmosphere. After the ice-skating fun, you can then retire to your private Après Skate Chalet go. And while you warm up and enjoy culinary delights from Other Half Brewing, you can watch the hustle and bustle on the ice rink.
Tips:
Reservation of time slots necessary; tickets for adults from $ 21
Private chalets from $ 10 for 30 minutes
Web: rockefellercenter.com
There are few Christmas shows as spectacular and famous as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It's performed every year and several times a day between November and 1 January 2023. Breathtaking costumes, a witty storyline and dancers, who perform their kicks, turns and moves in perfect sync make the show a 90-minute firework display. The performances of the show dance group have been thrilling the whole world since 1932.
Tips:
Tickets from $ 67 per person
The venue is the Radio City Music Hall
Web: rockettes.com
Take to the water for a new perspective on the city lights. On a Cocoa & Carols Holiday Cruise, you sit in an elegantly decorated yacht. And glide silently across the water while the Skyline, the Statue of Liberty and other photo motifs come into view. On board, cookies, hot drinks and festive music create a Christmas atmosphere.
Tips:
Start and finish is Pier 62, Chelsea Piers
Tickets cost $ 120 per person for a 90-minute trip
Web: sail-nyc.com
Located right next to the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is one of the most beautiful places to soak up the Christmas spirit. Here, in the run-up to Christmas, people build a 1,500 square meters großen Eislaufplatz auf. Er ist gesäumt von kleinen Kiosks, die man liebevoll “Jewel Boxes” nennt. Inspiriert von European Christmas markets bieten sie allerhand lokales Handwerk. Auch ausgewählte Geschenke aus aller Welt und Kulinarik kann man erstehen. Für Letzteres steht zudem “The Lodge Bar & Food Hall” direkt neben dem Eislaufplatz zur Verfügung. In gemütlicher Atmosphäre genießt man hier besondere Treats. Wer es gern privater hat, reserviert einfach eines der Cozy Igloos.
Tips:
Ice skating is free, but tickets must be reserved. From January 2024, you can whizz across the ice in bumper cars
Igloo reservations from $ 215 for 4 people
Web: bryantpark.org
What would Christmas in New York City be without a visit to the Union Square Holiday Market? More than 150 exhibitors ensure that you won't go home hungry or empty-handed. A varied line-up ensures that the supporting program is also perfect.
Tips:
Open from November 16 to December 24, 2023; weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving (November 23, 2023)
Web: usqholiday.nyc
Der Central Park ist nicht nur das “Grüne Herz” der Stadt. Er ist auch eine Oase, in der sich ruhige Fleckchen ebenso finden wie Laufstrecken, Teiche und die Chance, sich ein bisschen vom Großstadttrubel zu erholen. Wenn das Wetter passt, kann man im Central Park rodeln – und sogar langlaufen und Snowshoe hiking. If the ice rink in front of Rockefeller Center gets too crowded, Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink are usually still easily accessible. On days when the Conservatory Water freezes, there is even a third ice rink available in Central Park. Also top: At the Holiday Lighting you can experience a bit of local color. Floating Christmas trees are illuminated on the Harlem Meer and Christmas carols are sung on the plaza. And of course there is hot chocolate.
Tips:
Holiday Lighting: November 30, 2023, 17:30
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
Web: centralparknyc.org
Check out this post on Instagram
The menu at Rolf's may be quite German. Sauerbraten, potatoes and apple strudel, for example, are on the menu here. But the interior can certainly be described as very American bezeichnet werden. Denn Rolf’s Restaurant wird von tausenden Lichtern illuminiert. Weihnachtsbaumkugeln, Eiszapfen, Kränze, Girlanden und Porzellanpuppen verwandeln das Restaurant in ein insta-worthy Christmas wonderland. The special feature: when the festival of festivals is over, there is no tidying up - the decorations can be admired all year round. Booking is essential!
Rolf’s Restaurant
281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States
Tel.: +1 212-477-4750
Web: rolfsnyc.com
Was passiert, wenn eine immersive Installation auf ein Vintage Speakeasy trifft? Dann entsteht “Santa’s Secret”: In acht unterschiedlichen Räumen genießt man Showdarbietungen ebenso wie besonders festive drinks. Lush decorations, live baking of gingerbread figures (clearly intended for adults) and music make the experience as unique as it is indescribable. Ideal for evening drinks of a special kind.
Tips:
Adults only, from November 17 to December 31, 2023
Closed on Thanksgiving, December 24 and January 1
The show lasts 2 hours
Tickets from $ 58
santassecret.com
Check out this post on Instagram
Who says that rooftop bars are only worth a visit in summer? In winter - especially during the Christmas season - they also have their charm. One of the hippest among them is The Ready Rooftop. Sie gehört zum Moxy NYC East Village und lockt mit entspannter Atmosphäre. Im November und Dezember steht sie unter dem Motto “Holiday Palms”. Entsprechend bunt, weihnachtlich und entspannt geht es dann zu.
Tips:
Open Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 11 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 11 pm
Reservations recommended
Happy hour daily from 4 to 6 pm
The Ready Rooftop
112 East 11th St., New York, NY 10003
Tel: +1 646-908-2125
Web: moxyeastvillage.com
The first branch of the legendary Parisian restaurants opened Beginning of the year im Luxushotel The Mark an der Upper East Side. Es liegt direkt am Central Park und wurde – ebenso wie das Hotel – von Jacques Grange gestaltet. Als “Übereinstimmung, die im Luxus-Himmel gemacht wurde” bezeichnete Ramon Mac Crohon, CEO von Caviar Kaspia, gar die Neueröffnung in New York. Tatsächlich zählt das Lokal bereits seit seinen ersten Tagen zu den hottest addresses of the New York It crowd.
Tips:
Take caviar to go from the adjoining boutique and enjoy it as a picnic in Central Park!
Caviar Kaspia at The Mark Hotel
992 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075, United States
Tel.: +1 212 606 3182
Web: caviarkaspia.com
View this post on Instagram
Das Mitglied von “Relais & Châteaux” begrüßt seine Gäste in einem wunderschönen Art Déco Gebäude im Financial District. Located on the 63rd and 64th floors of the building, the view is breathtaking. Here, James Kent serves cuisine that has been awarded 2 Michelin stars. The associated bar is ranked 34th among the best bars in the world .
Tips:
Der “Plum Sazerac” ist ein Holiday Treat!
SAGA
70 Pine St 63rd Floor, New York, NY 10005, United States
Tel.: +1 212-339-3963
Web: saga-nyc.com
Christmas in New York would only be half as nice if shopping wasn't on the to-do list. After all, the boutiques and department stores are now at their best. One special feature is FAO Schwarz. This is the oldest toy store in the USA. It's located in the immediate vicinity of the Christmas tree and skating rink at Rockefeller Center.
Tips:
Das riesige “Walking Piano” am Boden des Stores ist aus dem Film “Big” mit Tom Hanks bekannt, außerdem diente das Decor von FAO Schwarz als Inspiration für das Spielzeuggeschäft in “Kevin allein in New York”.
FAO Schwarz
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111, United States
Web: faoschwarz.com
Need we say anything more about the most iconic shopping street in New York City - or perhaps the whole world? Of course, the shop windows of Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Gucci, Ferragamo, Armani & Co. are transformed in a particularly spectacular way. Incidentally, the Saks shop window is based on a different Christmas story for children every year.
Wer ganz tief in die Weihnachtswelt eintauchen möchte, begibt sich nach Queens. Denn mit dem “House of Holiday” findet sich hier ein über 3,000 square meters large store dedicated entirely to the most beautiful holiday of the year. On two floors, you can buy Christmas trees (real and plastic) as well as Christmas baubles, wreaths, decorations, wrapping paper and lots of Christmas magic. The rooms are Thematically different gestaltet. Ein bisschen, wie in einem Weihnachtsmuseum …
Tips:
“House of Holiday” ist der größte Weihnachtsshop in New York
Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm
House of Holiday
90-02 Atlantic Avenue, Ozone Park, Queens NY, United States
Web: houseofholiday.com
The beautiful department store attracts thousands of visitors every year around Christmas. They not only want photos of the elaborately decorated façade, but often also want a photo with the busiest man of the season: Santa Claus. You also have the opportunity to buy limited edition souvenirs in the Santaland store.
Tips:
Time slots must be booked for the meeting with Santa. These can be booked 5 days in advance.
Macy’s
151 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States
Web: macys.com
It is not only Jean-Georges Vongerichten's first-class restaurant that attracts guests to the hallowed halls of the hotel in SoHo. The 73 rooms and suites behind the arched building also impress with their select luxury.
The Mercer
147 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Phone:+1 (212) 966 6060
Web: mercerhotel.com
Price: Doubles from € 750
World-famous stripe design by Jacques Grange, a glamorous location on Central Park, first-class restaurants and the largest suite in the city. These are just some of the special features that The Mark has to offer. Other legendary features include the penthouse's private ice-skating rink and sledging in Central Park on designer toboggans.
The Mark
Madison Avenue & 77th Street, New York, NY 10075, United States
Tel.: +1 (212) 744 4300
Web: themarkhotel.com
Price: Doubles from € 1,200
The beautiful hotel on the street that gives it its name opened just a few weeks ago. The rooms and suites are designed in the unmistakable style of Martin Brudnizki . They are reminiscent of the glamorous 1920s. It took seven years to renovate the manor house. It's now a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
1 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States
Tel.: +1212 231 9400
Web: thefifthavenuehotel.com
Price: Doubles from €1,245
