Who doesn't love New York City during the holidays? With its iconic landmarks (many of which so many of us saw for the first time in Christmas movies), outdoor ice-skating rinks, outstanding shop windows, and endless shopping options, New York is probably the most perfect city in the in the U.S. to visit during between Thanksgiving and New Year's.
Given the crowds and the cold, it's important to have a smart game plan. We've put together a list of some classic holiday activities and favorite shopping neighborhoods, and paired them with cozy eating and snacking stops close-by. Knowing you're going to be enjoying much-talked-about Japanese ramen for lunch and a crisp cup of tea mid-afternoon helps take the edge off the hustle-bustle that inevitably happens when you are out shopping along with the rest of the city.
Finally, while you're whizzing around, don't forget to stop at the eBay holiday pop-up shop on 57th Street and 5th Avenue (open through November 29th). It's closest to the 57th Street shopping section of our list (see number 5 below), but it's really a short cab ride from anywhere in the city. For more details, click here.
1. Annual Christmas Tree at the Met
The Neopolitan creche at The Met Christmas tree
Everyone flocks to Rockefeller Center to see the most famous tree in the city, but this one is inside (read: warm!), and has such an elaborate and beautiful Neapolitan creche, that it's actually much more exciting to look at. Pair it with a Viennese coffee or schnitzel at one of the most romantic spaces in the city, the very Austrian Cafe Sabarsky, located within the Neue Galerie, a museum of early 20th century German and Austrian art and design. The gift shops in both the Met and the Neue Galerie are also very much worth a look.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 Fifth Avenue, 212-535-7710 http://www.metmuseum.org
Cafe Sabarsky: 1048 Fifth Ave at 86th Street, 212-288-0665 www.cafesabarsky.com
Neue Galerie: 1048 Fifth Avenue, 212-628-6200 http://www.neuegallerie.org
2. Herald Square
Holiday windows at Macy's
Keens Steakhouse
Of course we love "A Miracle on 34th Street", and it just wouldn't be the holidays without a visit to see the windows at Macy's. But it is also equally necessary to have some down-time after battling the crowds. Fortunately, Keens Steakhouse is just around the corner. It's one of the oldest restaurants in the city, and it boasts the most delicious winter vibe. Tuck into a burger (or the filling Keens Salad for the non-meat eaters) in the pub, with its roaring fireplace, and be sure to check out all of the pipes on the ceilings and in the cases around the restaurant. Keens has largest collection in the world!
Macy's: 151 West 34th Street, 212 695-4400 www.macys.com
Keens: 72 W. 36th Street, (212) 947-3636 http://www.keens.com
3. Grand Central Station
Despite the insanity of travelers and tourists crossing this way and that, Grand Central is somehow still so romantic—maybe because it's one of the most beautiful spaces in the world? Inside, the Holiday Fair goes from November 23- December 24, and has so many vendors, that there are sure to be some major shopping scores. Plan your stop around a visit to the Oyster Bar, one of the great classics of the city. Sit at the counter, and order a chowder. Then, check out the 'whispering wall' just outside of the restaurant: You and a friend stand at opposite ends of the arched hall and whisper into the corners—and can magically hear everything the other person is saying. Rumor has it that this is a hot-engagement spot!
Grand Central Station: 87 East 42nd Street, 212 340-2347 www.grandcentralterminal.com
Grand Central Oyster Bar: Lower Level of Grand Central, 212-490-6650 www.oysterbarny.com
4. Union Square Holiday Market
items from various vendors at the Union Square Holiday Market
At this market in popular Union Square park, vendors set up in booths under giant red and white tents sell holiday trinkets and homespun gifts like scarves and stationary. If you go on a day the Greenmarket is open as well (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday), with all the farmers there, you might be convinced you're in a charming village in Middle Europe. A couple of blocks away, right off University Place, another charming shopping street, is the delightful cafe The Adore, which makes delicate sandwiches, and serves lovely pastries and Mariage Freres teas.
Union Square Holiday Market: Union Square Park (14th St. at Broadway) www.unionsquarenyc.com, November 25th through December 24th (closed Thanksgiving)
The Adore:17 E. 13th Street, 212- 243-8742
5. 57th St. Shopping and Central Park's Wollman Rink
Robins egg blue boxes like the ones at Tiffany & Co.
From Bergdorf's to Tiffany's, 57th Street and 5th Avenue really embodies the holiday shopping spirit. The area’s proximity to Central Park means that when you're tired of shopping, you can walk over to Wollman Rink, check out the blissed out skaters, and remind yourself that happiness is really about the simple pleasures. Our favorite down-time moment in the 'hood is Norma's at hotel Le Parker Meridien, which serves an indulgent breakfast all day. But if the line is short at The Burger Joint (also in the hotel), it might be worth switching food gears. The redone Plaza Hotel is also right in the neighborhood. Try and snag a window seat in the classic Oak Room bar. Then put in your wish list with Santa Claus in The Shops at the Plaza. He'll be appearing daily on weekends, from November 27, from 12 pm to 5 pm. Bonus: if you spend $300 or more at any of the stores, you get two free tickets to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular or Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk.
Bergdorf Goodman: 754 Fifth Avenue, (212) 753-7300 www.bergdorfgoodman.com
Tiffany & Co.: 727 Fifth Avenue, 212-55-8000 www.tiffany.com, 212-755-8000
Wollman Rink: East side of Central Park, between 63rd and 64th Streets www.centralpark.com
Hotel Le Parker Meridien: 119 W. 57th Street, 212-245-5000 www.parkermeridien.com
The Plaza: Central Park South & 5 Avenue, 212-759-3000 www.theplaza.com
6. Madison Avenue (between 59th and 90th Streets)
Always elegant, this grand dame of a shopping street really is a must-do. Even if it's just for window shopping, it's always a treat to people watch, and look at all the grand windows. Barney's is a required stop, and if you want a really perfect perch to ogle the Upper East Side local flavor, do have lunch restaurant Fred's, on the top floor. More down to earth in fare and in price, but right across the street and also with a great crowd, is Viand, one of the last great Greek diners. And up the street, an insider favorite, is the Nespresso Boutique Bar, which has great salads, sandwiches and sweets, and of course, very perfect espresso.
Fred's at Barney's: 660 Madison Avenue, 212-833-2200 www.barneys.com
Viand: 673 Madison Avenue, 212-751-6622
Nespresso Boutique Bar: 761 Madison Avenue, 800-562-1465, http://www.nespresso.com
7. NOHO
NOHO means North of Houston Street, primarily between Broadway and Bowery, from Houston Street up to 8th Street. The most interesting blocks to wander are Bond Street and Great Jones Street to check out stores like Billy Reid for its inspiring interiors, and Partners and Spade, a gorgeous gallery meets retail space. With it's delicious cafe and retail space up front, and a tattoo parlor downstairs. Smile Cafe falls in line with the edgy/mixed use thread of the neighborhood. Also in the neighborhood and just right for the cocktail or dinner hour is Gemma, in the very cool Bowery Hotel.
Billy Reid: 54 Bond Street, 212-598-9355 www.billyreid.com
Partners & Spade: 40 Great Jones Street, 646-861-2827 http://www.partnersandspade.com
Smile Cafe: 26 Bond Street, no phone
Gemma: 335 Bowery Street, 212-505-9100 www.theboweryhotel.com
8. Soho and Nolita
Soho and its neighbor Nolita are so densely packed with shops that you could spend days just wandering the streets. We love Kiosk—probably the best ever place to pick up stocking stuffers that will make you look so clever. Kiosk's owners have an eye for the most perfect objects, and they write their opinions about them on the labels, making this very fresh and personalized retail concept. We're also big fans of Erica Tanov, for her own line of tailored feminine separates as well as other hard-to-resist items the Berkeley-based design selects for her store And when it's time to take a load off, check out Caffe Fallai, a very local favorite. The tomato bread soup is to-die-for, as is the bombolone, the restaurant's version of a donut.
Kiosk: 95 Spring St. 2nd Fl. 212-226-8601 www.kioskkiosk.com
Erica Tanov: 204 Elizabeth St. 212-334-8020 http://www.ericatanov.com
Caffe Fallai: 265 Lafayette Street, 212-274 8615
9. West Village
Cynthia Rowley storefront
The West Village is another chock-full shopping area. Start on Bleecker Street between 7th Avenue and 9th Avenues; it's one of the best strips in the city. We love the edit in the Marc Jacobs kids store, which includes everything from super-cool onesies to a box-set of old school Electric Company DVDs. Cynthia Rowley has the perfect little black dresses (for you), and also carries adorably huge bows for girls big and small. Skip the crowds outside Magnolia Bakery and head to local fave Café Cluny for breakfast or lunch. West 4th St. between 6th and 7th Avenues has the chicest French shop, Ludivine, which carries lines like Vanessa Bruno and K Jacques. And in keeping with the French spirit, you can pop into Patisserie Claude across the street for the best chocolate croissant this side of the Atlantic. Then meander over to Christopher Street and ogle inside Aedes de Venustas, a bijoux of a store, which carries the finest perfumes and candles, and does uses garden roses and sumptuous ribbons in the most beautiful gift packaging we've ever seen.
Little Marc Jacobs: 382 Bleecker Street, 212-206-6644 www.marcjacobs.com
Cynthia Rowley: 376 Bleecker Street, 212-242-3803 www.cynthiarowley.com
Cafe Cluny: 284 W. 12th Street, 212-255-6900 http://www.cafecluny.com
Ludivine: 172 W. 4th Street, 624-336-6576 www.boutiqueludivine.com
Patisserie Claude: 187 W. 4th Street, 212-255-5911
Aedes de Venustas: 9 Christopher Street, 212-206-8674 www.aedes.com
10. East Village
Forget the crowds and come to the sleepy East Village for the more indie types on your list. John Derian, the designer famous for reinventing the art of decoupage, is always inspiring to look at, but it's a pretty safe bet to just walk up and down the streets between 1st Avenue and Avenue A because there is always some new shop popping up. Japanese noodle restaurants are on pretty much every block, and a piping bowl of ramen is exactly what you want on cold days.
John Derian: 10 East 2nd Street, 212-677-8408 www.johnderian.com
Ramen Setagaya: 1411st Avenue, 212-529-2740
Momofuko Noodle Bar: 163 1st Avenue, 212-777-7773 www.momofuko.com
Souen: 326 East 6th Street, 212-388-1155 www.souen.net
**All photos except the robins egg blue boxes and Cynthia Rowley storefront by Kate Cunningham.
Yolanda Edwards is a travel and lifestyle writer based in Brooklyn. She was the founding travel and lifestyle editor at Cookie magazine.
Can you make your articles printer friendly? That way I don’t print additional pages from your side notes.