Sure, everyone has “exercising more” and “eating better” on their list of New Year’s resolutions, but what about “experiencing more of what NYC has to offer”?
Well, we’ve made the search this month a bit easier with our list of some of the best things to do in NYC this January!
1. Check off items on your winter bucket list
Though we left the holidays in December, it doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty more winter fun to be had! And yes, we promise there are things worth getting out of your warm, cozy bed for during these colder months. From ice skating to beautiful experiences through nature at one of NYC’s botanical gardens, find our complete winter bucket list here.
2. Roam through this epic light festival that’s taking over Queens
Filled with all kinds of wonders, Luminosa: A Festival of Lights, is lighting up NYC! Over a mile of winding beautiful sites are waiting to be explored! 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! Learn more and snag tickets here.
3. Surprise your senses with this Dining in the Dark experience
Prepare for the ultimate dining experience that adds a blindfold to your typical tableware. Awaken your remaining senses through a decadent meal while you’re blanketed in darkness. Try this fabulous experience for yourself and grab tickets to a Dining in the Dark experience here. There’s only a few dates each month, so be sure to purchase asap!
4. Cozy up to a cup of hot cocoa
NYC has no shortage of trendy spots to try, but when it comes to this chocolatey drink there’s a handful of places you absolutely have to taste, so we decided to map it out for you! Some of these tasty creations are particularly chocolatey, others are all about the marshmallow topping, but one thing is undebatable—you’ll be smiling from the warmth and deliciousness with each sip. Don’t believe us? We’ll let the pictures do the talking…check them out here!
5. …Or warm up with a steamy bowl of ramen
It doesn’t take much more than an image of delicious noodles to have us craving the warmth of ramen’s savory broth, so why not comfort your soul with a hot bowl of ramen?! Some of our favorites include:
🍜 Ippudo
🍜 Zurutto
🍜 HinoMaru
Our full list can be found here.6. Take part in a real-life Squid Game
While we await the new season of Squid Game, why not can take part in a brand new experience bringing the show to life here in NYC?! Visitors will get to compete in several different challenges, but only one will be victorious! And whether you win or lose, at the end of the day you can say you enjoyed a Korean-inspired night market with food and drink and left with awesome Squid Game merch! Grab tickets here.
7. Unwind from the craziness of the holidays at one of NYC’s relaxing spas
After the holidays, sometimes you need a vacation from all of that family time, and we know just the place: the spa! Thankfully, a city as exciting and diverse as New York always has sanctuaries of calmness that can serve as an escape from the chaos. Some of our favorites include:
🧖 Aire Ancient Baths New York
🧖 Shibui Spa at the Greenwich Hotel
🧖 WTHN
Find the full list here.8. Take part in Dry January with NYC’s best mocktails
There’s tons of New Year’s resolutions floating around for New Yorkers this year, and many are planning to partake in the famous “Dry January,” vowing to cut back on their alcohol intake. Thankfully NYC is filled with some of the best spots to grab a tasty mocktail, and you can find our favorite places to do so here.
9. Make your night festive at New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Nights
Now through January 18th NYBG is inviting visitors to explore the trains after dark, enjoy treats, shop at the NYBG gift shop, and get creative with hands-on Evergreen Express Crafts at the Garden’s Holiday Train Nights! It’s the perfect way to make your night a bit more festive, and you can grab tickets here.
10. Marvel at this rare planetary alignment
The 2025 planetary alignment will come into view around January, 21st, 2025 with Mars, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter visible to the naked eye and Neptune and Uranus visible via a telescope! Even more, New Yorkers will be able to view the planetary alignment through nearly the entire month of February! Read more about the celestial spectacle here.
11. Score incredible dining deals during NYC Restaurant Week
From January 21st to February 9th, 2025, hundreds of restaurants across all five boroughs will participate in Restaurant Week, offering deals during meal periods of their choosing. Menus will be revealed soon and reservations officially open on Tuesday, January 7th! Learn more here.
12. Embark on a VR expedition across Egypt at Horizon of Khufu
Explore The Pyramids of Giza right here in NYC–yes, that means no flight necessary–with a special VR experience that transports you to the historic pyramids where you’ll decipher hieroglyphs and relive the reign of King Khufu. Secure your spot here.
13. Make a wish and set it aglow at this downtown art installation
NYC’s new Instagrammable art installation, “Star Light Star Bright”, is as sentimental as it is picturesque, and through January 19th New Yorkers can have their hand in making it so special! Read more about the installation here.
14. Then frolic through this whimsical winter dreamland that’s taken over the Meatpacking District
100+ evergreens, snowpeople, and sparkling lights have come together to turn the meatpacking district into an enchanting holiday forest. The festive holiday display makes for the perfect winter photo op, and it’s up through January 15th. Get more details here.
15. Dance your nights away at one of NYC’s disco ball bars
It’s a new year and there are so many reasons to be out having a blast! Luckily for us, NYC has tons of places to dance the night away under a dazzling disco ball. Find some of our favorites below and more on our full list here.
16. Zip around on ice bumper cars in Prospect Park
New Yorkers were thrilled when Bryant Park debuted these ice bumper cars a few years ago, and they’ve since bumped their way across the city to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, where they’re now open to the public. Learn more about NYC’s trendiest cold-weather activity here.
17. Score incredible deals during NYC Hotel Week 2025
NYC Hotel Week is returning for its fourth iteration this month, now through February 9th, 2025. During this week New Yorkers and tourists alike can score 25% savings on standard room rates at more than 130 of NYC’s best hotels. Learn more about how to get your hands on these savings here.
18. Explore 15,000 square feet of Banksy-inspired art
Embrace the legacy of one of the greatest street artists in history at the brand new Banksy Museum in New York City. Uncover his most unique pieces of work and get a deeper look into the mysterious artist. Get tickets here.
19. See the Radio City Rockettes while you still can
The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes returned for the season on November, though it’s running through January 5th! And we must say, there’s a reason it’s been dazzling audiences since 1933! Learn more about the show and grabbing tickets here.
20. Go on a refreshing winter hike in & around NYC
We know, stepping outside in the winter can be a daily dread, but if you take a moment to embrace your surroundings you’ll start to see just how beautiful places in and around NYC are in the wintertime. And one of the best ways to see that is through a stunning urban hike! You can find trails all across the city, ranging from the Bronx to Staten Island. See some of our favorites here.
21. …Or enjoy stunning winter scenery while staying warm on a stunning winter train ride
Winter is the perfect opportunity to harken back to a simpler travel time and hop on the ol’ rail, and these Amtrak train routes guarantee beautiful snowy views without having to shiver in the cold. Find them here.
22. Enjoy breathtaking performances at these Candlelight concerts
Experience the sensational melodies of string quartets, pianists, and more in breathtaking venues across NYC that are bathed in candlelight. Each concert provides an intimate ambience for an unforgettable experience that can be enjoyed by all. Regardless of your taste in music there’s sure to be a concert you’ll want to see and hear. Some of our favorites include:
🎶 Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More
🎶 Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
🎶 Candlelight: Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites
23. Dine in enchanting igloos across NYC
Is it really winter in the city without igloo dining? Cozy into spots from Lower Manhattan all the way to the Upper West Side in your own little snow globe. Here are some of our favorite igloo dining spots:
Find more spots here.24. Pay-as-you-wish to admire Brooklyn Botanic Garden blanketed in snow
While you may not think there would be much to see at Brooklyn Botanic Garden during the winter, you’re mistaken! From the garden’s pruned evergreen trees blanketed in snow to hawks, cardinals, and sometimes koi hunting and foraging for seeds, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is stunning no matter the season, and in the winter it’s pay-as-you-wish! Learn more here.
25. Go ice skating
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Colin Miller / Bryant Park Ice Rink
Winter is here, and ice rinks are still open! Most are open daily for public skating and nothing screams the perfect winter activity like taking to the ice as the city twinkles around you. Some rinks to check out include:
⛸️ Domino Park in Williamsburg
26. Escape the craziness of the city on a whimsical winter getaway
Rather than hude from the cold in your five-story walk-ups, why not combat those winter blues by escaping the city on a winter adventure?! Some of our favorite winter getaways from NYC include:
❄️ Burlington, VT
❄️ Lake Placid, NY
❄️ Pocono Mountains, PA
Find some more of our favorites here.27. Support local businesses that have received our Secret NYC stamp of approval
From bars to bookstores to burger joints, we’re letting you in on the secret 🤫 of our favorite NYC businesses. This is JUST the start, so stay tuned as we add plenty more spots to our list! Explore our current map we’ve started here.
28. Wander to NYC’s many wintry rooftop transformations
Each year the city as a whole transforms into a winter wonderland, and that includes a number of the rooftop restaurants and bars! Here’s a few of our favorites (and check out the full list here):
❄️ This Pink Picturesque Paradise at Magic Hour Rooftop
❄️ 230 Fifth Rooftop, Flatiron
29. Visit these adorable snowy owls that just landed at the Bronx Zoo
Two adorable snowy owls have officially flown their way to the Bronx Zoo–a six-year-old female and a maturing juvenile male! The pair can be seen in the zoo’s Birds of Prey exhibit, which includes falcons, eagles, owls, vultures, condors, and more. Read more about this adorable duo here.
30. Head out to the Empire State Trail for some frosty yet fun winter activities
The longest single-state, multi-use trail in the nation effectively links NYC to Canada (and Buffalo to Albany) and it opened New Year’s Eve of 2020. It’s 750 miles long, and is here for all of your winter hiking, biking and snowshoeing needs. Find out more about the trail here.
31. Giddy on up at one of NYC’s newest country bars
Two new country bars have recently joined the city’s bar scene, bringing hoedown vibes, southern-inspired cocktails, a true honky-tonk atmosphere, and yes, even a mechanical bull, straight to NYC. If you’re looking to take a walk through the wild wild west, we suggest a trip to one of the following:
32. Recuperate your post-holiday bank account and be delighted by all the things NYC has to offer FREE of charge
It seems almost impossible going a day in NYC without spending a dollar, but there are tons of free things you can do all around the city that you might not know about. And yes, they’re just as fun as some of the more pricier activities! Here are some ideas:
✨ Check out museums during free hours
✨ See a live TV show taping
✨ Explore an outdoor art exhibit
See our full list here.33. Join our exclusive Secret Club to enjoy brilliant benefits across NYC
If you’re anything like us, you know there are so many ways to make the most out of NYC life. So to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun, we’re offering a helping hand by giving our followers a more intimate community and some money-saving offers at Secret Club NYC. Learn all about it here.
34. Discover the perfect winter date in NYC
Cuffing season is upon us and whether you’re in a committed relationship or dating around, it’s always nice to spice up a chilly winter night. And yes, planning dates this time of year can be exhausting with the cold temperatures but we promise that we have the ultimate suggestions and spots. Click here to see our full list.
35. …Or go solo!
And for those married to themselves, there are plenty of solo date ideas to take yourself out on. I mean who is better company than yourself?! From quaint coffee shops to restaurants perfect for solo dining, find all of our suggestions here.
36. Explore the Catacombs of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral by candlelight
Head to Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Nolita for a one-of-a-kind tour of its historic catacombs. This underground space used to be sealed off from the public, but those brave enough can now explore it…by candlelight! This unique experience shines a light on the final resting place of notable New Yorkers and the achievements and hurdles faced by New York’s historic Catholic residents, and you can grab your tickets here.
37. Discover your new favorite restaurant
Sure, we all have our NYC restaurant go-tos, but with more and more restaurants opening and became the hot new spot, why not take the time to maybe find your new go-to?! NYC was just named one of the best foodie cities in the world after all! Some of our favorite restaurants that recently opened include:
🍽 Moody Tongue Pizzeria for Tokyo-Neapolitan pizza
🍽 Oncheon for Korean dishes inspired by the healing traditions of onsen
🍽 Twin Tails for Southeast Asian fare from the team behind Bad Roman, Don Angie, & more
38. Catch a film without breaking the bank
Head to a participating AMC movie theatre to catch a film without breaking the bank with an AMC black ticket! They’re valid for any 2D movie, on any day, at any time, and at participating AMC Theatres at a discount promotional Fever price. Grab your ticket here.
39. …Or head to an Off-Broadway show
While it may seem that Broadway steals the headlines of NYC’s Theater District, there are so many more productions to discover. Beyond the famed marquees lies a captivating world of intimate, innovative, and exciting performances that are equally amazing. Our list will guide you in finding the best of the best Off-Broadway shows, and you can find it here.
40. Watch as nearly 100 Times Square billboards transform into a digital art gallery
December 1-30, 2024 | Nightly 11:57- Midnight
Midnight Moment is the world’s largest and longest-running digital public art program that transforms nearly 100 of Times Square‘s iconic billboards into a public canvas for contemporary art. The program has been around since 2012, yet it’s recently been receiving a lot of attention after recirculating on social media, and the best part: it happens every night! Learn more here.