While we fully embrace the holiday season in New York City, we can’t help but look ahead and think about the fresh blankets of snow headed our in the coming months! It might be easy to hibernate in our apartments, but trust us, this bucket list makes venturing out into the cold well worth it.
From rooftop iceskating with breathtaking views of the city to feasting on appetizers and cocktails in a cozy igloo, check out our list of the top things to experience this winter in NYC.
1. Strap on your skates at one of these ice skating rinks
Put your ice skating skills to the test at one of NYC’s many ice rinks. From gorgeous waterfront rinks to classic holiday hotspots, here are some of our favorites:
- The brand-new Domino Park ice rink
- Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Roebling Rink
- The classic Rockefeller Center ice rink
2. Warm up with some tasty hot cocoa
If you think hot chocolate is the same everywhere, let NYC prove you wrong. Whether you opt for hot chocolate in the form of fluffy mousse, frozen hot chocolate, or red velvet hot chocolate, the choices are endless, and they’re all equally tasty. What better way to stay warm this winter than with something sweet?
3. Ride bumper cars on ice at Prospect Park
Bumper cars on ice are making their way back to Prospect Park this winter, beginning January 2nd, 2024. We couldn’t think of a better way to ring in the new year than with a little friendly competition! Ready to give the season’s favorite new tradition a whirl? See you at LeFrak Center!
4. Admire NYBG’s charming Holiday Train Show
Watch model trains travel through NYC landmarks—like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and others—as adorable miniatures made out of natural materials like birch bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. It’s a wintertime tradition! Plus, there’s also a nighttime version called Holiday Train Nights, where you can admire the glowing trains under twinkling lights while eating festive food and drink.
5. Go on a walk through “Luminosa: A Festival of Lights”
Get your best walking shoes ready, there’s over a mile of winding beautiful sites to explore! From colorful floating fish to vibrant dragons and a field of illuminated flowers, all of these amazing lanterns come to life. All of these incredible scenes are made up of over 1 million LED lights at Luminosa!
6. Cozy up while dining in igloos across NYC
Dining in an igloo (heated, of course) is the perfect way to embrace the cold weather. Enjoy a cozy feast amongst friends at a few of our favorite igloo spots:
- City Winery, Rockefeller Center
- Somewhere Nowhere, Chelsea
- 230 Fifth Rooftop, Midtown
7. Go curling in NYC
In New York City, curling has become a popular winter activity with several venues offering unique experiences. Curling is a fun and engaging sport that combines strategy and teamwork, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced players. You can enjoy iceless curling at the Curling Café in Bryant Park, experience curling at Edge’s Sky Chalet over 1,100 feet above Manhattan, or join leagues at the Brooklyn Lakeside Curling Club. For a more casual experience, the Lawn Club in the Seaport District offers indoor curling during the winter.
🥌 See all places to play curling here
8. Grab a drink at one of NYC’s wintry rooftops
Walking in a winter wonderland doesn’t apply to just frolicking around on a cold, snowy day. It can also mean hanging out at one of the many NYC rooftop bars that turn into winter wonderlands in the colder months! Here’s our full list of our top favorite spots.
9. Feast on dinner deals during NYC Restaurant Week
From January 21st to February 9th, hundreds of New York City restaurants are invited diners to try their food with special menus and deals! From Monday-Friday, 540+ restaurants across all five boroughs are offering deals during meal periods of their choosing for low prices of $30, $45, and $60! Peruse the options in our guide!
10. Wander through current exhibits across NYC museums
If you’re looking for an adventure this winter but would rather not deal with the cold, there’s plenty of creativity waiting inside at NYC’s best museums. Current exhibits run the gamut of topics: art, history, pop culture, and beyond. View our guide to the best displays and plan your afternoon outing!
11. Explore Central Park
Central Park is one of the most stunning parts of our great city, and it is even moreso in the winter! Painted with beautiful blankets of white snow, there’s so much fun to be had across the park. Check out some of Central Park’s most fun happenings this winter:
- Wollman Rink Ice Skating –
- Winter Jam
- Horse carriage tours
- Sledding
- Guided tours
12. Head outdoors on a magical winter hike
Light snowfall can turn a casual outdoor stroll into “walking in a winter wonderland” in no time, and even if it’s not snowy, don’t let the cold change your mind! There are tons of perfect spots for winter hikes within NYC (or very close) that will help you escape cabin fever in your apartment and enjoy nature. Find all our favorite hikes here.
13. Catch a Broadway show
Escape the frigid temperatures at one of NYC’s Broadway productions this winter! All of Midtown’s theaters will be chalk full of shows for you to enjoy…ranging from The Lion King to Harry Potter to Wicked! Check out a list of all the Broadway shows happening here.
14. Enjoy a beautiful candlelit concert
Enjoy enchanting candlelit performances inside breathtaking NYC venues while hiding from the cold this winter. Each concert makes for a stunning evening where you can simply sit back and savor the stunning music you’ll hear. See all events here.
- Dec 21: Candlelight x Sofitel: Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
- Jan 13: A Tribute to Adele
- Feb 10: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
15. Take in stunning views on a winter train ride
What’s cozier than watching snow covered hills roll by, as you chugga chugga-long on a picturesque train ride? Take in gorgeous views of winter scenery while staying warm and cozy on one of our favorite winter train rides, including:
- The Adirondack
- Empire Service
- Ethan Allen Express
The rest can be found here.
16. Cozy into a restaurant with a fireplace
Nothing feels cozier than a warm cocktail by the fireplace. In NYC, these restaurants take it literally…creating a snug ambience that makes it feel like your living room. Check out some of our favorites below and see the full list here:
- Union Hall, Park Slope
- The Hideout at Gallow Green, Chelsea
- The Lobby Bar at Ludlow Hotel, Lower East Side
17. Go gaming
Winter is the perfect season for curling up with your favorite game, but why not take the festivities out of the apartment? NYC’s best arcades have plenty for you to choose from: classics, new favorites, and of course, fun dining options to help you refuel in between games.
18. Treat yourself at this Scandinavian-inspired outdoor spa in Williamsburg
For those looking to detox from all of the seasonal stress and start the new year out on the right foot, head over to The William Vale’s Winter Spa for a revitalizing experience that’ll feel like hitting the reset button. Featuring red cedar saunas with panoramic views of the city, the Scandinavian-inspired al-fresco spa is the ultimate self care experience. Learn more here.
19. Escape the city with a winter getaway
Everyone needs a little break from the city, and in the winter it can be the perfect place to unwind with some outdoor sports, cabin lodging, and more! Check out some of our favorite spots below and see our full list of best winter getaways here:
- Lake Placid, NY
- Hunter, NY
- Pocono Mountains, PA
20. Celebrate the Lunar New Year
2024 is officially the Year of the Snake, and New York City is going out all out to celebrate the Lunar New Year! From the annual parade to special food and drink deals, there’s so many ways to commemorate the holiday! Check out the best things to do for Lunar New Year here.
21. Experience the beauty of nature in the winter at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Even though it may be winter the Brooklyn Botanic Garden still has a ton to do, like viewing their evergreens and winter berries, smelling the citrus scent of witch-hazels, a ribbon-like flower that blooms in the winter, or keeping an eye out for the pair of hawks who have been nesting in one of the garden’s pines for several years. Plus, they offer pay-as-you-wish weekday admission from December through Februrary! Learn more here.
22. Score 2-for-1 tickets during Broadway Week
Score 2-for-1 tickets to the hottest Broadway shows this winter during this special promo period called Broadway Week! From January 21st to February 9th, you can grab tickets to the most sought after shows like The Lion King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Wicked, and so many more! That deserves a round of applause, in our opinion.
23. Get 2-for-1 museum tickets during NYC’s Winter Outing
Another reason to love museum hopping in the winter? 2-for-1 tickets, of course. During NYC’s Must-See Week, which runs from January 21st to February 9th, in conjunction with Broadway Week and Restaurant Week, museums are offering discounts for those eager to take in some art. Stay tuned for a full list of participating attractions on the NYC Tourism website.
24. Elevate your taste buds at this ‘Dining in the Dark’ experience
Backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, this ‘Dining In The Dark’ experience is a night to try something you’ve likely never done before–eat a meal while blindfolded! Studies show that 80% of people eat with their eyes, so with that sense eliminated, the theory is that your other senses (namely, taste and smell) take over to elevate your meal to a whole new level!
🍽️ Grab your tickets to this one-of-a-kind experience here.
25. Slurp on one of NYC’s best bowls of ramen
When hot chocolate can’t cut it on a cold winter day, ramen is our next favorite thing. There’s a ton of delicious ramen spots scattered across NYC, but some of our top picks include:
- HinoMaru, Astoria
- Chuko, Prospect Heights
- Momosan Ramen & Saki, Murray Hill
- Ippudo, East Village
26. Stay cozy with a hot cocktail
It’s that time of year where we all could use a little pick me up…so why not make it a little more fun? Rally up some drinking buddies and discover NYC’s coziest hot cocktails that are all a must-try this chilly season. Find some of our favorites here.
27. Watch a Rangers game at one of NYC’s best hockey bars
While the Rangers might not be up to snuff this season (no offense), NYC is still going to cheer on its favorite team and hope for a turnaround like last season. If you can’t get tickets to a game at MSG, our favorite hockey bars are a great place to catch a game with friends…unless they’re Isles or Devils fans.
28. Relax and unwind at an NYC spa
Treat yourself to a relaxing spa day to unwind from the winter chill! Many spas in the city offer special winter treatments like saunas, facials, massages, and so much more. It’s the best way to get that R&R to get you over the winter hump. Check out the best NYC spas here and plan your visit today!
29. Cozy into an NYC jazz club
If you’re going to tuck yourself away indoors this winter, you may as well do it to the beat of live music! NYC’s historic jazz club venues are an integral part of the city’s bustling music scene, and make for the perfect night out! Cheers to a night of saxaphones and a little toe tapping! Check out the best jazz clubs in NYC here.
30. Discover your new go-to winter date spot
Escape from the cold for a couple of hours with a cozy, dimly-light, romantic date night. Warm up with a glass of red wine or a hot toddy and feast on the most delicious meals. Unsure of where to go? Here are some of our favorite spots:
See our full list here.