Image of Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and plaza decked in holiday lights
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a must-see on a holiday trip to NYC. (Photo credit: Francois Roux)

Many people dream of warm locales for their winter travels, but the holiday season can also be a great time to check out a new location while airfares and rents are at their lowest and you don’t have to battle as many crowds. The slower season before and after the big holiday rush is one of the best times to visit any destination, even one you have seen before in other seasons, because there’s nothing quite like being immersed in the local traditions and the collective energy of a place leading up to the holidays. Stick around after the rush (when all the locals are back at home) and you can get a real sense of local neighborhood life. New York City gets in the holiday mood early, so you can catch all the holiday preparations and enticing sales, plus find a great furnished rental for a reasonable price. Many properties lower their prices for the shoulder seasons, so it’s a great time to save while you explore a new place and see how the locals really live outside of the hectic tourist season.

Of course, if you are headed to NYC in the winter, the holiday season is also a favorite time for people to experience the Big Apple aglow with holiday lights and decked out in all its glory. Read on for some of our suggestions of things that should be on your to-do list.

Famous holiday shows and entertainment

Image of holiday window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue department store
Christmas window displays are an NYC holiday tradition. (Photo credit: Francois Roux)

Broadway shows are always a favorite of tourists heading to NYC, and Christmastime means you can catch classic seasonal performances that enthrall both tourists and locals alike. The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall has been a holiday tradition for New Yorkers for decades. Get your tickets early for this once-a-year spectacular filled with singing, dancing, surprises for all, and last but not least, the famous Radio City Rockettes! Watching the New York City Ballet perform The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center is also a timeless New York holiday tradition for all ages.

Stay close to the entertainment in a New York Habitat furnished apartment

Image of NY-16947 duplex apartment living room and terrace on the Upper West Side
This duplex apartment on the Upper West Side lets you stay close to Lincoln Center and Central Park for the holidays.

Stay close to all the Lincoln Center holiday performances, the holiday market at Columbus Circle, and sledding in Central Park when you rent this one-bedroom duplex apartment on the Upper West Side. With an extra living room-turned-second bedroom, there’s plenty of room for a family in this gorgeous duplex in a classic NYC brownstone. The open layout gives the apartment an airy, spacious feel, and a spiral staircase leads to the second floor penthouse where the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom is located. From this penthouse floor you can enjoy the private terrace with expansive Upper West Side rooftop views, perfect for watching the snow fall on a lovely winter day in NYC, or watching for Santa with the kids.

The sleek cabinetry and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen give the space a modern yet homey feel. With all the needed kitchen amenities, including a handy dishwasher, you’ll be inspired to make some home-cooked meals and gather at the dining table. If you need some culinary inspiration, you’ll be close to some of the best grocery shopping in town; Green Flea Market and the famous Zingone Brothers, in business since 1935. For the days you prefer to dine out, there are a multitude of choices in this Upper West Side neighborhood; one local favorite is the vintage, 1950s-style Old John’s Luncheonette.

Skate at one of NYC’s famous ice skating rinks

Image of the facade of Macy’s Herald Square with the word “Believe” in lights
Believe in the magic of Macy’s at Christmastime. (Photo credit: Francois Roux)

Head downtown a little and you’ll be in Rockefeller Center, the top of everyone’s must-do list at Christmastime. Stop by for a picture near the world-famous 80-foot-tall tree, or a spin around the ice rink beneath it. Many a famous film scene has been shot at this iconic ice rink, and it’s also a well-known spot for marriage proposals (just in case you want to make your New York City trip truly unforgettable)! Wollman Rink in Central Park is another quintessential New York skating spot, and was also featured in numerous films, including the John Cusack and Kate Beckinsdale film Serendipity. The film also featured iconic NYC locations such as the Plaza Hotel, Bloomingdale’s, and the restaurant/cafe Serendipity 3, known for its trademark frozen hot chocolate. All of these places are nearby, so you’ll have an excuse to visit all of them.

Visit a bustling Christmas market

Image of shops and Christmas Tree at the Winter Village at Bryant Park
Surround yourself in holiday cheer at the holiday market in Bryant Park

If you’re looking for holiday gifts that won’t be stocked at the local department store or mall, venture to one of the city’s holiday markets. The Union Square Holiday Market is a smart spot to score unique gifts. The market is inspired by the Northern European tradition of the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market). Bargains are abundant because you’re buying directly from designers and avoiding retail markups.

Image of bedroom of NY-16922 in the East Village with decorative brick fireplace
This cozy East Village furnished apartment has a decorative brick fireplace in the bedroom.

If you want to be close to Union Square shopping, this two-bedroom apartment in the East Village is the perfect spot. When you’re surrounded by the unique little shops you can only find in the East Village, you’re sure to find one-of-a-kind gifts for those hard-to-please people on your shopping list. Exposed-brick walls and a cozy decorative fireplace will make you look forward to spending a cold winter day right at home with a cup of hot cocoa. The apartment has two bedrooms, a full kitchen to help you save money by preparing meals at home, and laundry facilities in the building. It’s also perfect for college students to share, since it’s conveniently close to NYU, Cooper Union, and St. John’s University Astor Place campus.

NYC must-see holiday attractions

Image of Rockefeller Center with lit up angels with trumpets lining a fountain and Saks holiday lights in the background
The angels in Rockefeller Center herald the holiday season. (Photo credit: Francois Roux)

Another holiday market you can’t miss is at Bryant Park (located behind the New York Public Library on 42nd Street). At holiday time, the park completely transforms into the Bank of America Winter Village, a magical space filled with ice-skaters, the scent of enticing food vendors, and cute holiday shops. Stop by this haven of peaceful holiday spirit in the heart of Midtown and browse for unique stocking stuffers, grab a bite from one of the many food and beverage stalls, and get out on the ice for a skating session. Best of all, if you bring your own skates, the skating is free!

Just around the corner from Bryant Park is 5th Avenue. This stretch of high-end real estate is the go-to street for a little holiday window shopping. The famous holiday window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany’s, and Henri Bendel are a New York City tradition that’s always magical and inspiring for all ages. If the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping has you crazed, slip into the gothic serenity of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue for a break. Its nativity scene, flickering candles and sense of calm will transport your mind away from the hectic city streets.

Christmas in Brooklyn with the family

Image of NY-16053 triplex apartment in Prospect Heights
This triplex apartment in Prospect Heights has plenty of room for the whole family.

Speaking of hectic, if you’re visiting New York with kids, winter sports and activities such as ice-skating and sledding are essential to keep the little ones content. Central Park is famous for ice-skating and snowy hills for sledding, of course, but there’s no need to limit yourself— Prospect Park has some of the city’s best sledding hills. If your kids are serious about sledding, we recommend the worthy Lookout Hill, located on the eastern side of the park. Prospect Park’s Le Frak at Lakeside ice-skating rink is very spacious and offers skating lessons for both adults and kids! Not sure which of these fun seasonal activities is the best fit for you? Try them for free! Lakeside offers quality service and competent teachers completely free of charge.

If you’re heading to NYC with the family, we suggest one of our wonderful furnished apartment rentals to accommodate the whole gang. Why stay in a cramped hotel when you could enjoy the space of this three-bedroom, three-bathroom triplex apartment in Prospect Heights, close to all the winter fun in Prospect Park?

With this apartment you’ll have three bathrooms, two of which are en-suite in the bedrooms, perfect for a post-Christmas shopping soak. And what could be more serene than watching snow fall over the Brooklyn landscape from the floor-to-ceiling windows in your living room? You can also watch from one of two private terraces or the common building roof deck! Gather the family around the fully-equipped kitchen that’s perfect for preparing a festive holiday dinner, then work off all the holiday treats in the gym that’s located right inside the building! And with a laundry room in the apartment, you won’t need to go out in the cold to get the laundry done either. Keeping the whole bunch entertained won’t be a problem, because there’s plenty of room to spread out in this spacious apartment spanning three floors! With a separate TV room for the kids, plus a playground right on the building grounds, everyone will be in good holiday cheer.

Image of house adorned in Christmas lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
Dyker Heights in Brooklyn takes Christmas lights to a whole new level

In addition to all the wonderful things to do in Brooklyn, we highly recommend a trip to the neighborhood of Dyker Heights, which turns into a fairyland of one of the most impressive Christmas lights displays in the USA! The display (from 80th to 86th streets, between 10th and 13th Avenues) is something to see for kids of all ages.

Holiday shopping at Macy’s Herald Square

Image of the holiday windows and decor at Macy’s Herald Square
Macy’s is known for its holiday window displays and endless shopping for the holidays. (Photo credit: Francois Roux)

You’re sure to spot some jolly folks and holiday cheer in the many pubs of Murray Hill in the Midtown East area of Manhattan. This one-bedroom apartment in Murray Hill, located in a classic townhouse on Park Avenue near the restaurants and bars along 3rd Avenue, also is within walking distance of Macy’s Herald Square, where you can lose yourself in the 2.2 million square feet (205,000 square meters) of the world’s largest department store! After a hectic day of shopping, you can come home to a peaceful bedroom overlooking the building’s garden. Kids or guests have a sofa bed in the living room for additional sleeping accommodations. The apartment also features an in-unit washing machine, a welcome convenience for a family on the go. The apartment’s close proximity to Grand Central is perfect for a quick trip to the holiday shops and gourmet food market at Grand Central Terminal, where you’re sure to find some gourmet treats to bring home for the holidays.

Now that you’re dreaming of all the winter fun to be had in NYC, don’t forget to check out all the great furnished rentals available on our website to find the perfect spot to call home for the holidays.