This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Mville chapter.
I know what you are thinking, “Halloween was like yesterday it isn’t winter yet!” But you can never have a list of must dos too early! Personally I love the idea of winter activities if only they could happen when it wasn’t 30 degrees outside. Ideally, 70 degrees would be perfect. Even though that won’t be happening anytime this list of activities will make you forget just how cold winter is because they are so much fun!!!
- Go ice-skating The city has so many different rinks. There are two in Central Park alone! My favorite place to go is Bryant Park. If you time it right you get to ice skate for however long you’d like with not that many people. Bonus of going to Bryant Park is that it’s free if you have your own skates.
- Visit the Holiday Markets During the months of November and December, there are many markets that pop- up in different parts of the city. There is one in Union Square and another in Bryant Park. You can go ice skating and then shopping (Could there be a more perfect winter day?!). If outdoor shopping isn’t your thing Grand Central also has one.
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular One word: Rockettes! The Rockettes are the epitome of Christmas in the city. From their Killer Kick lines to the beautiful costumes to the Camels, sheep, and donkeys the Radio City Christmas Specular never fails to be fabulous.
- Go to a museum There are so many great museums in the city. They are all so different; there is a museum for everyone no matter what you are into. Plus, they are a great way to escape the cold.
- Thanksgiving Day Parade Ever since I can remember I have watched the parade on TV Thanksgiving morning, but nothing will compare to when I got to see it in person. My favorite part of the parade is when Santa welcomes in the Christmas season. Then no one can yell at me for listening to Christmas music. If being freezing cold standing next to hundreds of strangers to watch a parade for a few hours doesn’t sound like fun to you, you can always go watch the balloons be blown up. It is still cold, but not as crowded and also isn’t as long.
- The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Going to see the Tree be lit is something I have always wanted to do but have never had to chance too. While it is super cold and crowded just like the Thanksgiving Day Parade, there are a lot of Christmas performances and watching them in person just seems like more fun to me than watching on TV.
- See the Rockefeller Christmas Tree If you can’t go see the tree lighting then just going to see the tree is a lot of fun. I go every year; it is one of my favorite Christmas themed things! You can take a lot of pictures, sit and look at the pretty lights, or watch people as they ice skate.
- See all the Christmas Decorations As you walk around the city, you will notice that everyone gets into the Holiday spirit. One office building has giant ornaments, another has a giant string of lights, and there is also a train, just to name a few.
- The Windows The opening of the department store windows are always so much fun to look at! There are so many pretty ones, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and Bloomingdales to name a few. If you just start walking up 5th avenue you can see all the holiday windows.
- Meet Santa This may sound really childish but if you go with a few friends will have a great memory and a super cute picture with Santa to get everyone in the Holiday spirit. It can become a new holiday tradition with your friends.
- George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker This ballet will always hold a special place in my heart. I danced in my high school’s production of The Nutcracker all four years of high school. The Nutcracker is a classic Christmas tradition in the ballet world. There have been many twists put on it over the years, but the one that everyone thinks of when they hear The Nutcracker is the New York City Ballet’s traditional version. Going to see the ballet will give you an excuse to dress a little fancy and relive any childhood dreams you had of being a ballerina or will bring back memories of you being in The Nutcracker yourself.
- Take a walk (play in the snow if there is any) in a park