Eleven months of the year, New York City is best known for its high energy but come December it's known for one thing: holiday spirit. The city comes alive with twinkling lights, sparkling displays, and festive activities from the far reaches of Uptown Manhattan to the very tip of downtown. While New York delivers something new every year, there are certain classic holiday moments that never fail to thrill, whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong New Yorker.
Below, we've rounded up the top New York holiday traditions with notes on where to eat and stay nearby, whether you're catching a glimpse of the tree at Rockefeller Center, sharing the beauty of the Nutcracker with family, or strapping on a pair of skates at Wollman Rink.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Skating Rink
Standing tall above the equally famous ice-skating rink, the Rockefeller Center tree has been a New York holiday tradition since 1931 (the first official tree lighting was held two years later in 1933). Each year, the tree is strapped to a trailer and delivered to the city from a different state. Strung with five miles worth of twinkling lights, it is lit every year on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving and remains until mid-January.
It's a popular spot for photos and the crowds are thick, especially on the weekends. Catch a glimpse, then head to these spots for a bite.
Eat nearby:
Le Rock
Cuisine: Contemporary, French
You won't need to go far when dining at Le Rock, as it's located right here at Rockefeller Center. It's also one of the few restaurants with views of the tree, so if you're hoping to skip the throngs outside, make a reservation and head indoors for a festive view.
Jupiter
Cuisine: Italian
Its address is "Rinkside at Rockefeller Center" so you know exactly what you're getting with this chic Italian spot, and it's a prime location in the beating heart of holiday magic. Hearty handmade pasta dishes are the perfect match for a post-skate meal.
Naro
Cuisine: Korean
Naro is also located on the rink level and frames picture-perfect views of the wintry festivities just outside their doors. Meanwhile, inside is more hushed than the holiday hustle and bustle, with traditional Korean cuisine from the Joseon dynasty taking center stage.
Stay nearby:
Baccarat Hotel & Residences (One MICHELIN Key)
Just a few blocks north of Rockefeller Center, this elegant hotel sparkles in its own right. The flagship hotel from Baccarat Crystal leverages every ounce of its two-and-a-half-century heritage here, pulling out all the stops to erect a conspicuous Midtown heavyweight just opposite MoMA. Designers Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier make excellent use of signature crystalware throughout, a memorable counterpoint to midtown’s reigning beige affluence.
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The Rockettes at The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Empire State Building, yellow taxis, hot dog carts, and The Rockettes. There are few things as synonymous with New York City than this nearly century-old dance troupe. While some make it an annual tradition, others plan a bucket list trip around it, and whether you're five or fifty, it's impossible to not marvel at the high-flying kicks and precision of this holiday classic.
Eat nearby:
53
Cuisine: Asian
It's the perfect match for an iconic show. This Pan-Asian restaurant delivers familiar Chinese and Singaporean favorites with fantastic precision, and the polished service team rounds out an experience that feels distinctly New York.
Le Bernardin
Cuisine: Seafood
If you're looking for a special occasion spot to round out the Rockettes experience, look no further than Le Bernardin. While its heritage is not quite as classic as The Christmas Spectacular, this Three MICHELIN Star restaurant helmed by Chef Eric Ripert has been impressing guests for nearly three decades.
See No Evil Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
Whether you're bringing little ones to the show who aren't likely to sit for a long meal or attending with a larger group that makes fine dining a bit more difficult, this pizza spot fits the bill. It isn't fancy but it's delicious, and you can't get more iconic New York City than the subway (See No Evil is located underground in the subway station).
Stay nearby:
The Whitby Hotel, Firmdale Hotels (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Trendy enough for adults-only overnights, yet warm and friendly to families, The Whitby is the answer in Midtown. It's a quick ride from Radio City and just a few blocks to Central Park, but the hotel's mood-elevating decor courtesy of Londoner Kit Kemp is playful and posh. Afternoon tea echoes that sensibility with a far-from-fussy affair that is convincing enough to add to your holiday traditions.
Book The Whitby Hotel on The MICHELIN Guide →
Fifth Avenue Shopping
Saks Fifth Avenue. Tiffany & Co. Louis Vuitton (check out the scaffolding designed to resemble their signature trunks). Every bold-faced brand lines this avenue, with the most famous part stretching from 49th to 60th streets. Fear not if the luxury goods are beyond reach; the people-watching and window shopping alone are worth a stroll along this glittering avenue that goes extra glamorous during the holiday season.
Eat nearby:
The Modern
Cuisine: Contemporary
It's housed within MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in case you want to fit in a bit of culture while window shopping, but this elegant Two MICHELIN Star restaurant is a perfect perch for a break from nearby Fifth Avenue.
Caviar Russe
Cuisine: Contemporary, Seafood
Even if you need to leave that designer bag behind at Bergdorf's, you can still get a dose of the good life at Caviar Russe.
Stay nearby:
Aman New York (Three MICHELIN Keys)
There are hot spots and then there is 57th and Fifth Avenue. It's the pinnacle of luxury in New York, with high-end stores and Billionaires Row. It's fitting that this Three MICHELIN Key hotel shares this address, though its particular brand of luxury is more of a whisper than a scream.
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The Peninsula New York (One MICHELIN Key)
This elegant hotel has been a mainstay in New York for years, but its shine never dulls. Service is exemplary and the amenities are appropriately luxurious, but its the location on Fifth Avenue that makes it a boon for those who want to be in the heart of it all (and have an easy place to drop their shopping bags).
The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center
Attending a performance of The Nutcracker is a time-honored tradition. This magical tale of the nutcracker who comes to life on Christmas Eve was first performed in St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre in 1892, while New York's Lincoln Center hosted its first performance in 1954. Tschaikovsky's music, fantastical sets, and elegant choreography make this ballet a must-see during the holiday season.
Eat nearby:
Tatiana
Cuisine: Fusion
Its Lincoln Center location makes it a great choice for ballet patrons who want to ensure they'll make the show on time, but this stylish spot isn't your typical pre-theatre restaurant. Instead, it's worthy of attention in its own right with Chef Kwame Onwuachi's menu drawing on his West African roots and the flavors of his childhood in the Bronx.
Bad Roman
Cuisine: Italian
It's fun, loud, and colorful at this spot tucked inside the Time Warner center. It's just the spot to bring your social media-loving teen or larger group, and the food is as playful and satisfying as the setting.
Jean-Georges (Two MICHELIN Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary
With its dreamscapes and sugar plum fairies, The Nutcracker offers a glimpse inside another world. For a restaurant that does the same, consider Jean-Georges, an elegant restaurant where global flavors meet French techniques. Just a few blocks from Lincoln Center, the restaurant also overlooks Central Park.
Stay nearby:
Mandarin Oriental New York
This luxury hotel rises above Columbus Circle with staggering views of Central Park. It's convenient to Lincoln Center as well as the many stores of the Time Warner Center, in case you need to fit in some last-minute holiday shopping. The guest rooms are sleek and minimal with stylish modern furniture, but the most remarkable design choice is the inclusion of floor-to-ceiling windows — corner rooms, especially, seem suspended in air high above midtown Manhattan, offering a view that’s hard to match.
Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
Step off Fifth Avenue and head into Central Park to find this spot. Look familiar? This famous rink with its iconic skyline views has appeared in countless movies, from Love Story and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (where the nearby Plaza hotel also plays a starring role) to Serendipity and more. It's busy and you'll need to bundle up, but like the holiday season itself, it's only available during a short window.
Eat nearby:
Le Veau d'Or
Cuisine: French|
Wollman Rink exudes romance, so don't be surprised if you see a marriage proposal or two. Meanwhile, Le Veau d'Or has a similar romantic ambience. Steeped in history with a charming throwback vibe, new chefs have ushered in a revamped menu featuring all the French classics that are perfect for warming up after a cold skate.
Marea
Cuisine: Seafood
Work up an appetite on the ice, then head to Marea on Central Park South for delicious Italian seafood, pasta, and beautiful desserts.
Stay nearby:
1 Hotel Central Park (One MICHELIN Key)
Heavily weathered reclaimed wood, industrial-style windows, and dense vegetation climbing green walls — these are not exactly commonplace sights on 58th Street, between Billionaires’ Row and Central Park. It’s a statement of intent from 1 Hotel Central Park, the flagship of the 1 Hotels group. It's the perfect antidote to the excessive gilt and polish that’s normally par for the course in this particular corner of Manhattan.
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The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park (One MICHELIN Key)
Expect classic bygone-era opulence with old-school professional service that matches the décor, and a location that’s difficult to top: it’s right on Central Park South, with an unbroken view of the park, within a few blocks of a fair bit of the world’s best shopping and sightseeing.
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Hero image: Festive Season at The Whitby Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
