The Perfect 48 Hours in New York City: Holiday Edition

No matter if you arrive by train car or bus, I always like to hit the city mid-afternoon. This time of year, I'm headed straight to one of the holiday markets. There is no shortage of ones to choose from, so here's a list of my favorites:

Markets

Bryant Park Winter Village: This festive village features a holiday market, ice skating rink and various food and drink vendors. It is open from October 27, 2023, to March 5, 2024.

Union Square Holiday Market: This large outdoor market features over 170 vendors selling a variety of gifts, crafts and food. It is open from November 17 to December 24, 2023.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market: This market features over 100 vendors selling a variety of gifts, crafts and food. It is open from November 28 to December 31, 2023.

Grand Central Terminal Holiday Market: This market features over 70 vendors selling a variety of gifts, crafts and food. It is open from November 13 to December 24, 2023.

Once our bellies and shopping bags are full, it'll be time to check in to your hotel.
You will never catch me recommending Midtown as a place to stay in New York City, except during the holidays!

All of the main attractions, all the things first-timers are going to want to see and do are within walking distance from one another and located in Midtown. You could do Midtown East or Midtown West. For those of you who don't know, I'm considering Midtown to be anything below 59th Street all the way to like 30-second street.

You can't go wrong with the classics.You've got the Plaza, the Palace, the Thompson is a good alternative, the Whitby Hotel on the West side and it is decorated so stunningly. I can't wait to see what they do for the holidays.

But if Midtown is not your vibe and you want something a little bit different or more
unique, I highly recommend the Beekman downtown. Now it is located in the Financial District, but this place is so cozy and a great location for those of you wanting to spend time in both Manhattan and Brooklyn.

But drop your bags, and freshen up because we're heading on the subway too. Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is world-famous for their Christmas decorations.
You'll want to put this into Google Maps, but the best decorations can be seen
between 11th and 13th AVE and 83rd and 86th Street.

Saturday morning, wake up, grab a coffee in a bagel and head to Bloomingdale's on 59th and Lex. Today is your self-guided 5th Avenue Christmas shopping tour. You're going to see all the sights on this walk.

59th between Third and Lex, Bloomingdale's
There's Magnolia Bakery if you want to start your morning with a coffee and a cupcake like every Carrie Bradshaw should, then you're going to walk along 59th until you hit Fifth Ave.

At 59th and Fifth, you can stop and peek into the Plaza Hotel before checking out the window displays at Bergdorf and then Tiffany's & Louis Vuitton.

The Polo Bar is right here on the Fifth and 55th if you would like to make a reservation and check out the decorations at the St. Regis and Cartier.

Now you've reached St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, which has the famous tree and ice-skating rink.

You can't forget to check out Saks and their light show.

Keep walking down Fifth because you're going to pass the New York Public Library, which is going to spit you right out into Bryant Park and that holiday market or you can go over a couple blocks and check out grand central station and their holiday market.

But keep walking down Fifth because you'll eventually run into the Empire State Building at 34th Street and if you go over one avenue, Macy's, which has Santa Land where you can take your photo with Santa.

Now if you head back to Fifth, you'll pass the Flatiron Building, the Union Square Holiday Market and you'll end up right at the tree at Washington Square Park.

I know it's a lot of walking but this to me is the perfect holiday day. You'll see everything. Don't worry, you can take a cab back home after you have dinner at the Waverly Inn or Old Rose in the Jane Hotel. Both are so cozy and chic.

And Sunday is for anything you might have missed. Like ice skating at any of these famous drinks, checking out any of these famous trees, or catching a show like The Nutcracker or Christmas Spectacular. The options are truly limitless.

Ice Skating

Wollman Rink in Central Park - locals love (Blair Waldorf's favorite) - **City Ice at The Wollman Rink:** This rink is located in Central Park and is open from October 27 to March 12.

Bryant Park: - least favorite**Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park:** This rink is located in Midtown Manhattan and is open from October 27 to March 5.

Rockefeller Center Plaza - most “iconic” - **The Rink at Rockefeller Center:** This iconic rink is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and is open from October 20 to April 2.

Trees

Rockefeller Center **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree:** The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is typically put up in mid-November and is lit for the first time on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. This year, the tree will be put up on November 14 and lit on November 30.

NY Public Library - The NY Public Library Christmas Tree is typically put up in early December and is lit on the first Sunday of December. This year, the tree will be put up on December 1 and lit on December 4.

NY Stock Exchange -**NY Stock Exchange Christmas Tree:** The NY Stock Exchange Christmas Tree is typically put up in late November and is lit on the first Friday of December. This year, the tree will be put up on November 25 and lit on December 2.

Bryant Park - The Bryant Park Christmas Tree is typically put up in late November and is lit on the first Monday of December. This year, the tree will be put up on November 27 and lit on December 4.

Met Museum - The Met Museum Christmas Tree is typically put up in late November and is lit on the first Saturday of December. This year, the tree will be put up on November 25 and lit on December 3.

Madison Square - The Madison Square Christmas Tree is typically put up in mid-November and is lit on the first Friday of December. This year, the tree will be put up on November 17 and lit on December 2.

Washington Square - The Washington Square Park Christmas Tree is typically put up in early December and is lit on the second Thursday of December. This year, the tree will be put up on December 7 and lit on December 14.