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. 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 at Leuca while you’re blanketed in darkness. Try this fabulous experience for yourself and grab tickets to this Dining in the Dark experience here. There’s only a few dates each month, so be sure to purchase asap!
2. Check off items on your winter bucket list
Though we’re leaving 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 rooftop ice skating to beautiful experiences through nature at one of NYC’s botanical gardens, find our complete winter bucket list here.
3. Win a 3-night stay at The Standard, High Line
Looking for a little respite without actually leaving the city? Well you’re in luck! You can win an incredible, three-night stay at The Standard, High Line that’s valid throughout 2023. Prepare to be pampered with complimentary cocktails at Le Bain, dinner for up to four people at The Standard Grill, and rides at BUMP!, the thrilling bumper cars that have taken over The Plaza. Enter for a chance to win by following @secret_nyc & @thestandardgrillynyc, liking this Instagram post and tagging someone you’d like to take with you (more tags = more entries). Read the full Terms & Conditions here and good luck! ⭐️ Sponsored ⭐️
4. Enter the Wizarding World at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Don’t miss Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience! Walk into the depths of a dark forest and discover fantastic beasts and iconic Wizarding World moments illuminated like never before. And through January 6th, you can get 10% off your tickets with the coupon: XMASNYCFF10. Buy yours now!
5. Cozy into a cup of hot chocolate at Rockefeller Center’s Après Skate Chalets
The Après Skate Chalets have returned to Rockefeller Center through January 15, 2023. The eight custom-built chalets boast one of the best views of the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center. Order a cup of hot cocoa and some churros from forthcoming Rockefeller Center outpost Smith and Mills and get ready to people watch. The chalets operate daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Learn more about them here.
6. Speaking 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 it out here!
7. Sweat away your stress at this Scandinavian-inspired outdoor spa in Williamsburg
After the holidays, sometimes you need a vacation from all of that family time, and we know just the place: The William Vale’s Winter Spa. Detox in their red cedar saunas and hot tubs offering stunning city views. Each session can accommodate two people max, so whether you’re looking for a solo self care session or a romantic winter date idea, it’s the perfect spot. Find out more about the spa and its services here.
8. Take in the captivating Titanic exhibit in NYC
After a sold-out run in London, NYC is now home to Titanic. The Exhibition. Bringing a selection of personal artifacts never before seen in America, the exhibition shares touching stories of the ship’s passengers and crew. Walk through recreations of the ship’s interior ranging from a first-class suite to a humble third-class cabin. Buy your tickets now.
9. Dance your nights away at the NYC bars with disco balls
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 from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Find some of our favorites below and more on our full list here.
10. Roam through six enchanting spaces illuminated by 750,000 LED lights at LUMAGICA
This stunning walking trail filled with over 750,000 LED lights is almost over as it ends on Jan. 8th! Lumagica: An Enchanted Forest takes place at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem, NY, about an hour from Manhattan by car or MetroNorth. There are various lit up creatures such as a 25 ft. tall parrot. Snap pics at different areas and spots such as “Beyond the Forest” and “Sweets and Treats” for those Instagrammable moments. Get your tickets before it’s over on Jan. 8th!
11. Recreate iconic scenes at The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in New York City
Step inside the world of FRIENDS™! With two floors of immersive experiences, it’s the ultimate experience for FRIENDS™ fans. You can pose on the iconic orange couch, sit at Monica & Rachel’s kitchen table, kick back and relax in Joey and Chandler’s comfy chairs, and so much more. Reserve your spot and save money by purchasing tickets in advance.
12. Head Upstate to roam through jaw-dropping ice castles
The epic ice castles at Lake George will return for the season on Friday, January 27th. Professional ice artists have hand-picked hundreds of thousands of icicles to build the incredible castles. The entire experience includes an illuminated stroll through a frozen fortress, a maze of ice tunnels, ice slides and a frosty ice bar.
13. See Avatar: The Way of Water at a reduced price in a theater near you
After a long, 13-year wait, Avatar 2 is out in theaters and it’s a definite must-see! Catch up with Jake Sully and his new family to follow their journey and continued fight against a familiar threat. Grab your tickets at a reduced price you wont find anywhere else in an AMC theater near you when you purchase yours here.
14. Experience some of the best nightlife NYC has to offer at the Rose Room
The Rose Room is Midtown’s acclaimed circus speakeasy, featuring world class circus entertainment and a supper club experience like no other. Enjoy an intimate jazz and magic lounge experience bringing classic cabaret into the modern era while you sip luscious libations available for purchase. Each weekly show features remarkable vocalists and impressive magicians. You don’t want to miss out on the magic! Get your tickets now.
15. 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.
16-19. 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. Whether you’re a fellow member of The Bey Hive, rock fanatic, or a purist, classical lover, there’s sure to be a concert you’ll want to see and hear.
- Tribute to Coldplay
- Candlelight: Classic Rock on Strings
- Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA
- The Best of Joe Hisaishi at The Williamsburg Hotel
20. Enjoy some seasonal fun at Governors Island Winter Village
After a successful first year in 2021, Governors Island Winter Village has brought the winter wonderland back to NYers for another season. Hop on a quick ferry over for a fabulous day-trip and skate on the 7,500-square foot ice skating rink, warm up by one of the fire places and play a variety of lawn games. The Winter Village will be open through February. Find out even more you can do upon arrival here.
21. Brunch in a historical NYC carriage house
Jazz up your weekends with an enchanting brunch at the landmarked One if by Land, Two if by Sea venue. Listen to NYC’s most beloved jazz musicians and vocalists while you sit at candlelit tables and get access to a pre-fixe menu with delectable offerings. Get your tickets here.
22-24. Dine in enchanting igloos across NYC
Is it really winter in the city without igloo dining post March 2020? 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:
25-27. Or enjoy al-fresco dining…without freezing
Outdoor dining is open all year now, so don’t stop supporting your local restaurants when the temperature drops. Though of course you can do takeout, you don’t have to forgo eating out with so many creative and heated outdoor dining options in NYC. Make sure to try:
- Loreley Beer Garden
- Industry Kitchen
- Chalet de Ning
28-30. 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:
31. Be dazzled by AirOtic Soirée: a circus-style cabaret dinner show
This one-of-a-kind event in New York combines a circus dinner show with the excitement of a cabaret, all performed by stunning aerial acrobats. Explore love, passion, and sensuality while being wowed by world class talent. What could get better than a night of decadent cocktails, mouthwatering tapas, and surprise treats?! Don’t miss out on what is guaranteed to be a show to remember! Secure your tickets here.
32-34. Explore extraordinary spots you won’t believe exist in NYC
Don’t let the cold weather stop you — there’s plenty of beautiful sights to see around NYC that will rid you of your cabin fever from many a nights staying in your apartment.
- NYC’s Italian-style Villa Charlotte Brontë
- Discover rare manuscripts at the Morgan Library
- Find a 25-ft tall waterfall in the middle of Midtown East
35. Have a spa day at Brooklyn’s 50,000-square-foot urban bathhouse
WORLD SPA has all the pampering you could need inside its 50,000-square-feet. Offering services found across the world, experience Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams (a type of steam bath), cleansing Himalayan salt therapy, Japanese onsens (hot springs) and more. The luxurious design even features elements like handmade Moroccan and Turkish tiles and authentic Kelo pine from Northern Europe. Plan your perfect day at this wellness oasis now.
36-39. 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! See some local favorites below:
- Pizza Secret, Prospect Heights (recall our “Honey We’ve Hit A Million Pie”
- The Queensboro, Jackson Heights
- Spes, East Village
- Stella’s Caribbean, Park Slope
And explore our current map we’ve started here.
40-42. 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):
43. Head out to the Empire State Trail for some 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 project here.
44-45. 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
See our full list here.
46-48. Discover the perfect winter date spot
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. Here are just some, but make sure to click here to see our full list:
49. 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.
50. Bump, spin and slide on Bryant Park’s epic Bumper Cars on ice
Bryant Park just announced the return of their insanely fun bumper cars. They’ll be hitting the rink at Bank of America’s Winter Village in Bryant Park beginning Friday, January 13th, so you can bump, slide and spin to your heart’s content.
Also published on Medium.