It doesn’t get any more festive than Santa’s Winter Wonderland! Located in Lower Manhattan, at the Seaport (78 South Street) on Pier 15, this illuminated holiday oasis is only open until Dec. 31st, so I had to check it out! I took my sister (the foodie of all foodies) to Santa’s Winter Wonderland, and it was one of the most delicious and fun holiday things we’ve experienced all season! Below are just a few reasons why we would go back again.
When we asked our fantastic hostess, Stephanie, about her recommendation for an appetizer to share, I was surprised to hear onion rings. It’s just a battered, fried onion, right? How good could it actually be? When I tell you my sister and I devoured these crispy little rings of heaven, we can’t recommend them enough! Mac and cheese lovers will also love that as a creamy appetizer. It’s a popular one, served in a cone.
We got the fish and chips for our entrees, which were golden brown and crispy and so comforting on a chilly day. We also got the beef short rib, which is a meal to return for! Brace yourself—it is a hunk of meat that falls off the bone and is so flavorful!
Regular desserts include creme brûlée cheesecake and cinnamon churros. But we opted for the s’mores for two (complete with graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate squares, and massive marshmallows), which makes a hearty six s’mores! It came with a mini flame to roast all of our marshmallows. We couldn’t finish everything, but it was so cute and tasty!
When we sat down, there was a complimentary starter beverage: hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Since we’re non-dairy girlies, we opted for the apple cider, which was flavorful!
I ordered The North Star for my main drink, which comes in a cute tree cup (which I’m still using at home). It was a strong and refreshing drink made with Haku Vodka, Leroux Anisette, Leroux Raspberry, Raspberry Cordial, and Lemon.
There’s also the Holly Jolly Ginger served in a large gingerbread-shaped cup, which we might have to go back for! Gingerbread cookie-infused Jim Beam Bourbon? What more could we ask for? It also has Kamora dulce de leche, Montenegro Amaro, and house-made pumpkin cordial.
I mentioned our excellent hostess, Stephanie (we can’t get over her!), but everyone taking care of the guests was impeccable! There’s so much going on at Santa’s Winter Wonderland, so many requests and demands, and the people who work there do it all with a smile! Whether you’re sharing an igloo or have a private one, the people at Santa’s Winter Wonderland make you feel exceptional.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland has cute nooks and spaces to take stellar photos! Families and friends are taking pictures at every corner because it’s so festive. During certain hours Santa is there in person to take photos with! You can even hop in a sleigh to snap a photo. So wear that ugly holiday sweater and get snappin’ for your holiday photos!
It’s hard not to feel the Christmas spirit at Santa’s Winter Wonderland! There are so many Christmas trees lighting up the space. There’s even a large fire pit where people can roast and enjoy marshmallows! Children will stay busy at the game space, and there’s even a mini carousel. Above it all, our favorite activity was listening to holiday tunes, being near the water and taking in the city views.