{"id":19176,"date":"2018-11-12T12:01:05","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T16:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=19176"},"modified":"2025-10-28T02:19:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T06:19:42","slug":"new-york-city-winter-guide-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/12\/new-york-city-winter-guide-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Guide: Every Delightful Thing to Do in New York City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated on October 25, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A fresh dusting of snow over New York\u2019s scenic brownstone streets is postcard-perfect during the winter season. (Photo credit: Miles Nicholls via Flickr)<\/p><\/div>\n

Imagine this: you\u2019re strolling down a snowy sidewalk in your warm hat and coat. A few steps later, you\u2019re standing in front of the most breathtaking holiday lights<\/strong> imaginable. Around the corner, you have your pick of cafes on the same block for a steaming cup of hot chocolate or a bagel from Ess-a-Bagel<\/strong> or Tompkins Square Bagels<\/strong>. Sound like a dream? It\u2019s not, this is winter in New York City<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

During the holiday season, the city comes alive with some of the best Christmas light displays, skating rinks, sledding, holiday shows, and cultural celebrations. Ready to experience it? New York Habitat can help you find the perfect apartment<\/a> so you won\u2019t miss a moment. Just don\u2019t forget your winter coat, it gets chilly! Use our guide below to plan your perfect NYC holiday trip<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immerse Yourself in New York\u2019s Fabulous Holiday Window Displays<\/strong><\/p>\n

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New York City\u2019s fabulous shopping gets an upgrade during the holidays thanks to stunning window displays. (Photo credit: Phil Roeder)<\/p><\/div>\n

New York is one of the best places in the world to get your holiday shopping<\/a> done! From the unique boutiques of Soho<\/strong> to the luxury designers of the Upper East Side and the massive chain stores of Times Square<\/a>, you\u2019ll find everything you need to cross off your list without ever leaving the city. Beyond its convenience, holiday shopping<\/strong> in New York is an experience in itself thanks to the spectacular holiday window displays<\/strong> stores set up. Grab a warm drink and stroll along Fifth Avenue, where department stores like Bloomingdale’s<\/strong> and Saks Fifth Avenue<\/strong>, along with designer names such as Bergdorf Goodman<\/strong>, Tiffany & Co.<\/strong>, and Louis Vuitton<\/strong>, unveil some of the most dazzling storefronts each season. Explore some of them in our walking tour of New York\u2019s spectacular holiday window displays<\/a>!<\/p>\n

If a quainter shopping experience is more your style, don\u2019t miss New York City\u2019s holiday markets<\/strong>. These festive pop-ups are perfect for finding handcrafted goods like ornaments, home d\u00e9cor, knitwear, and seasonal treats. You\u2019ll find some at Bryant Park<\/strong> (open through early January), Union Square<\/strong> (through Christmas Eve), Grand Central Station<\/strong> (through Christmas Eve), and Columbus Circle<\/strong> (also through Christmas Eve). Keep an eye out for other pop-up markets around the city, you never know what hidden gems you might discover!<\/p>\n

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This one-bedroom furnished apartment is perfect for long winter nights. (Rental ID: 19853)<\/p><\/div>\n

If you love the winter wonderland in New York\u2019s holiday markets and window displays, you\u2019ll love this elegant one-bedroom furnished apartment in the Upper West Side<\/a>! Located in a classic brownstone, this impeccably designed rental features a soft neutral color scheme that creates a soothing atmosphere
\nespecially inviting on cold winter nights. Large windows fill the space with natural light during the day, while a decorative fireplace adds a touch of coziness in the evening. After a day of exploring the city\u2019s festive streets, unwind in this serene space or end the night with a snowy stroll through nearby Central Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Holiday Shows to Dazzle and Delight<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The famous Radio City Rockettes put on a must-see show during the holiday season! (Photo credit: Ralph Daily)<\/p><\/div>\n

New York City is famous for its live theater<\/strong>, and the holidays are no exception. One of the most famous holiday shows<\/strong> you can see is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular<\/strong> starring the Radio City Rockettes<\/strong>. The 90-minute show features more than 140 performers singing and dancing to holiday musical numbers and performing classic holiday scenes. Another annual tradition is the performance of The Nutcracker<\/em> by the New York City Ballet<\/strong>. The beautiful dances and lavish costumes and sets are sure to delight attendees of all ages! You can also always opt for a Broadway<\/strong> play or musical\u2014if you go to the ticket kiosk in Times Square<\/strong>, you can occasionally find bargain tickets the day of the show. Finally, for something a bit less expected, you can attend The Apollo Theater\u2019s Kwanzaa Celebration<\/strong> in Harlem in December featuring music and traditional dances celebrating the African holiday.<\/p>\n

Light Up Your Night with the Best Holiday Decorations in the City<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and the famous ice rink below create a holiday atmosphere for the entire area. (Photo credit: Angelo Amboldi)<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit, for free, is to wander through the city and enjoy its festive decorations! Start with the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree<\/strong> in person. Towering several stories high and adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, it overlooks the historic Rockefeller ice rink<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The classic exposed brick and wood furniture of this Chelsea one-bedroom apartment give it a cozy cabin ambience (NY-12100)<\/p><\/div>\n

After a day of exploring in the cold, warm up in this one-bedroom furnished apartment in Chelsea<\/a>. The homey space features classic wooden furniture and an exposed-brick decorative fireplace<\/strong> for chilly winter nights. The vintage-inspired bedroom even has a second fireplace and a queen-sized bed to ensure a restful night. Located on a residential street, the apartment offers access to transportation so you can explore every corner of the city\u2019s festive landscape.<\/p>\n

Winter Fun After the Holidays<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Grab your boots and go for a stroll in Central Park when it snows. (Photo credit: Caitlyn Wilson via Unsplash)<\/p><\/div>\n

Winter fun doesn\u2019t have to end when the holidays do! Enjoy outdoor winter activities like playing in the snow or taking a snowy walk through Central Park<\/strong>, Prospect Park<\/strong>, or Fort Tryon Park<\/strong>. Afterwards, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate<\/strong> at some of the city\u2019s best spots, like any Jacques Torres Chocolate Shops<\/strong> scattered throughout the city. Want something stronger? For adults, NYC also hosts a variety of winter-themed pop-up bars such as Frosty\u2019s Christmas Bar<\/strong> and Jingle Jangle<\/strong> at Pier 17<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Views of the Empire State Building and surrounding Midtown skyline add some atmosphere to a skating session at Bryant Park.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ice skating<\/strong> is another great way to enjoy winter outdoors\u2014the rink in Bryant Park<\/strong>, Wolman Rink at Central Park<\/strong> and The Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers<\/a> are some of our favorites! Take in stunning views of the skylin<\/strong>e as you glide across the ice, then escape the cold with shopping at Bryant Park\u2019s Winter Village or Chelsea Market<\/strong>. Once you\u2019ve had your fun skating and holiday shopping, it\u2019s time to ring in the new year with one of the city\u2019s most iconic celebrations.<\/p>\n

The dazzling celebration of New Year\u2019s Eve<\/strong> is a must-see in NYC. Watch the famous New Year\u2019s Eve ball drop in Times Square<\/strong> or enjoy fireworks across the city. Check out our complete guide to New Year\u2019s in the Big Apple<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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Snuggle up in this Chelsea apartment for a cozy winter slumber. (Rental ID: NY \u2013 19210)<\/p><\/div>\n

Get away from the cold and rest in this furnished studio in Chelsea<\/a>. The space features warm hardwood floors, a sofa to sink into after a cold day, and a double-sized bed dressed in white linens for a restful night\u2019s sleep. Whether you\u2019re sipping hot cocoa by the window or catching up on work at the desk, this inviting studio offers the perfect retreat from the city\u2019s freezing streets.<\/p>\n

The City\u2019s Best Late-Season Celebrations<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The brilliant colors of Chinatown\u2019s Lunar New Year parade light up the chilly NYC streets in early February. (Photo credit: Daniel Guinan, www.instagram.com\/dgnyc)<\/p><\/div>\n

When the new year rolls in, January<\/strong> and February<\/strong> have some exciting events to attend! If you\u2019re feeling brave, you can sign up to participate in the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge<\/strong> on New Year\u2019s Day. The tradition involves running into the icy Atlantic Ocean, wearing only a swimsuit! We won\u2019t blame you if you prefer to stay dry; spectators are welcome to cheer from the sidelines.<\/p>\n

In January, Winter Jazz Fest<\/strong> in the West Village<\/a> with jazz performances from around the world.<\/p>\n

In February, celebrate the Lunar (Chinese) New Year<\/strong> in Chinatown<\/strong> or Flushing, Queens<\/strong>, with vibrant parades, dragon dances, traditional costumes, and mouthwatering Chinese cuisine<\/strong>. Don\u2019t forget Super Bowl Sunday<\/strong>: head to sports bars in East Village<\/a>, Murray Hill<\/strong> and Hell\u2019s Kitchen<\/a> to watch the game and order some buffalo wings, a New York state specialty, or cozy up and watch from the comfort of your apartment rental<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

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This inviting space in Williamsburg provides a warm welcome as things get old outside. (Rental ID: 17853)<\/p><\/div>\n

This two-bedroom furnished apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn<\/a> is perfect for cozying up in winter. The apartment features a king-sized bed, two twin beds, a sofa, and an open kitchen. Additionally, the Williamsburg neighborhood is well-connected<\/a>, with bars, restaurants, caf\u00e9s, and shops just outside your door.<\/p>\n

Winter<\/strong> in New York City<\/strong> is anything but bleak! As the temperatures drop, the city comes alive with gorgeous lights, festive shopping, and a truly magical atmosphere. Live like a local with New York Habitat<\/strong>. Contact us<\/a> today to find your perfect furnished apartment and start planning your stay in NYC\u2019s winter wonderland!<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Updated on October 25, 2025 Imagine this: you\u2019re strolling down a snowy sidewalk in your warm hat and coat. A few steps later, you\u2019re standing…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19176"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19176"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22280,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19176\/revisions\/22280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

For something a little less touristy, visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art\u2019s Christmas Tree<\/strong> and traditional cr\u00e8che in the Medieval Art wing, or stop by the American Museum of Natural History<\/strong> to see its annual tree decorated with hundreds of handmade origami decorations. Another beloved display is the annual Holiday Train Show<\/a> at the New York Botanical Garden<\/strong> in the Bronx<\/strong>, where model trains wind through a miniature cityscape made entirely of natural materials from the garden. During Hanukkah<\/strong>, head to Grand Army Plaza<\/strong> in Prospect Heights<\/strong>, where the world\u2019s largest menorah<\/strong> is lit nightly in celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n