Quick & Fun Guide for the Best New York Winter Trip

Person facing a cityscape with outstretched arms, standing in a snowy park with a stone bridge and trees in the background.

Heading to one of the most exciting places in the US during the cold season? Well, buckle up my friends and prepare to learn some crucial things about your trip to prepare for a New York winter!

I’ve done a lot of research and included everything you need to know in this post. From the best areas to stay and visit to fun activities, restaurants, hotels, events and some other info that I’m sure you’ll need when planning your trip.

New York is a huge holiday destination, so I’d recommend booking your hotels, attraction or event tickets in advance and securing your spot.

Overview

Here’s a quick list of all the things that you’ll find in this post:

Best Hotels: The Whitby Hotel (luxury), 3 West Club (mid-range), Hilton Garden Inn (budget)
Best Restaurant: Crown Shy (map)
Top Activity: Ice-skating
Unmissable Event: Rockettes performance at Radio City Hall
Temperature: 18 to 23 °F (−7 to −5 °C)
Time of Year: December to February

1. Why visit New York in Winter

Snow falling over a city skyline at dusk, dominated by a tall building with green lights.

I think this list could go on for a really long time, right? But for the sake of this post on your time I decided to make a list of all the reasons why you should visit New York in Winter:

You might find cheaper accommodation (except in December when the costs are higher)
Ice-skating on iconic rings at Rockefeller Center Plaza, Bryant Park Winter Village and Central Park’s Wollman Rink
You can get cheap Broadway tickets during the colder months
Higher chances of securing restaurant reservations
Stunning sceneries especially in places like Central Park and Brooklyn
You can do some post-holiday shopping when everything is on sale
Having fun visiting all the Christmas Markets
Attending events like New Year’s Eve and Fashion Week
Museums and performance venues host special holiday-themed exhibits and shows

2. Where to stay in New York

Snow-covered trees in a park with a view of skyscrapers in the background under a cloudy sky.

Looking for some fab places to stay in New York during your visit in the Winter months? Then check out the shortlist below, or if you’d like to see something more extensive, here is a post with more detailed info on where to stay in New York some coo

Luxury: The Whitby Hotel – you’re going to love the design of each room here, that has floor-to-ceiling windows and some even come with a terrace.
Mid-range: 3 West Club – simple yet chic rooms in a hotel with a terrace, a restaurant and a bar.
Budget: Hilton Garden Inn – this great hotel in the Financial District comes with rooms that overlook the city, a restaurant and a bar.

Check here for more hotels

3. Where to go in New York

Times Square in heavy snowfall; bright billboards illuminate the scene, coated buildings, and streets. People walk while a yellow taxi drives past, and traffic lights are visible.

Alright, now let’s check out some areas and towns in the New York state area that you might consider for your holiday:

Midtown – the heart and soul of NYC, this central area is perfect for those who want to be close to everything from museums to shopping spots and iconic attractions like Time’s Square
Lower Manhattan – also known as downtown Manhattan, this area offers a fun nightlife and plenty of places to discover like Greenwich Village, Tribeca and the Financial District
Upper East & West Side – these areas are super close to Central Park (which by the way is one of the best places to see the snow) and offer a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for families.
Brooklyn – filled with artsy spots, cool attractions like the Brooklyn Bridge and plenty of cool hotels, this area is definitely great for those who prefer the bohemian vibe, definitely check our post with the top places to stay in Brooklyn, if you’re set on this area
Upper Manhattan – a great place for budget travelers, Upper Manhattan is home to the famous Harlem area, where you can get a feel of the more local life in NYC
The Finger Lakes – this iconic region in the NY state is home to more than 130 wineries, over 200 waterfalls, and the 11 long and narrow lakes! Perfect for those who’d prefer to spend more time in nature
Lake George – a more relaxed place where you can enjoy that small-town vibe, lots of outdoor activities and a gorgeous scenery
Long Island – set East of Manhattan, this island is home to amazing beaches, wineries and tons of cultural attractions
Saratoga Springs – known for its mineral hot springs and horse race course, this picturesque city is great for those who’d prefer a more tranquil atmosphere

4. What to Do in New York during Winter

Ready to discover some of the most exciting things to do in New York this winter? Then have a look at this section where you’ll find fun activities, events and day trips!

Things to Do in New York

Let’s start first with some fun activities:

1. Go ice-skating

People ice skating on a rink surrounded by tall buildings and trees in a cityscape under a clear blue sky.

NYC is packed with ice-skating spots where you can put your skills at play! There are countless ice-skate rinks around the state and you’ll easily find one, no matter where you’re going.

Most of the rinks around New York open in early October and close in January.

Here are some popular ones that you should try out:

The Rink At Rockefeller Center (map)
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Rink (map)
Wollman Rink in Central Park (map)
The rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park (map)
Staten Island Skating Pavilion (map)

2. Check out the Christmas Markets

People walk through a holiday market with a large, illuminated Christmas tree in the background, surrounded by tall buildings at dusk.

What better way to get in the holiday mood than to explore all the incredible Christmas Markets? This whole state could get an award for its incredible markets, so let’s check out some of the top ones around:

If you’re traveling to NYC over the holidays, make sure you check our guide on spending Christmas in New York, as you’ll find many other fun activities and things to do.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (map)
Union Square Holiday Market (map)
Columbus Circle Holiday Market (map)
Rochester’s Holidays at the Market (map)
Albany Holiday Market (map)
Holiday Village Stroll Lake Placid (map)

3. Enjoy some hot cocoa at a cafe

Person wrapped in a cozy blanket holding a glass of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.

Is there anything better than drinking something warm and delicious in a cozy place while it’s snowing outside?

I’d go with no! New York is filled with spots where you can go and get warm with your travel buddies and drink some hot cocoa!

Here are some spots that you can try out:

Stripes Wine Bar & Cafe (map)
Dominique Ansel Bakery (map)
Max Brenner New York (map)
The Chocolate Room (map)
MarieBelle (map)

4. Play with snow in Central Park

A person with an umbrella walks through snow in a park. Tall buildings and leafless trees are visible in the background.

Definitely one of New York’s most incredible attractions!

Exploring Central Park (map) is a must no matter when you’re visiting, but winter is definitely pretty special as the whole place is covered in snow, turning the park into a Winter Wonderland!

There are also lots of winter-related activities that you can try here like ice skating, going on horse carriage tours, and sledding!

5. Catch a candle-lit performance

A close-up view of numerous lit candles arranged closely together on a wooden surface, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Candle-lit performances are becoming more and more popular! How amazing would it be to listen to music in a gorgeous space that’s lit by hundreds of candles, on a cold New York winter night?

If this sounds like something you’d like to do, check out this website, where you can pick the date and type of music you’d like to listen to (and the place of course) and they’ll offer you the available options!

Around Christmas time you’ll definitely find some cool events where you can hear music from the Nutcracker or other Christmasy sounds.

Book a Candlelight Concert here

6. Attend a fun Broadway show

Times Square at night with bright theater marquees for "West Side Story," "Chicago," and others. Illuminated billboards and bustling activity are visible.

When it’s too cold to be outside, the best decision is to get warm and cozy inside! And in New York, they do it in style by catching a fab Broadway show!

Apparently, tickets tend to be cheaper during the colder months so that’s always a plus!

There are tons of shows that you can catch from the Lion King, Chicago, the Great Gatsby, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and many others.

You can look for tickets on their official website.

7. Check out Lake George’s Winter’s Dream

A person interacts with a large, illuminated cube displaying colorful geometric patterns in a nighttime setting. — photo credit: lakegeorge.wintersdream.com

If you’re heading to Lake George, then you definitely need to check out Winter’s Dream!

This is a fun experience where you’ll get to immerse in a world of winter magic, sounds and fantasy!

NOTE: At the time when this post was written information about the next dates for this event were not available. Please check their official website to see if the dates and hours were added.

The whole experience is like a journey where you’ll go through different winter-themed places like cozy cabins, frozen lakes and many other things!

8. Admire the views from the Empire State Building

Aerial view of New York City showing numerous buildings with the Empire State Building prominently in the center and hazy sky in the background.

Want to see the whole city covered in snow from the 6th tallest buildings in the US?

Then definitely head to the Empire State Building and get ready to remain in awe of those sights!

If you’re someone who loves being up in the sky, then you’ll want to do this and if so I’d recommend reading our post on how to buy tickets for this attraction. There are tons of things to consider and types of tickets that you can get so definitely have a look.

There are also guided tours if you want to learn more about the building and its history and have a more special experience.

If not, and you just want to get up high to see the views, you can get your tickets from this website.

PRICE: from US$44

9. Climb up the Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, New York, with a cloudy sky and a crowd of people at the base.

New York’s iconic monument is a UNESCO World Heritage site and for good reason!

The Statue of Liberty is so iconic and if you visit New York, you should definitely consider going inside the statue and even climbing the 393 stairs to the top, and go inside the Crown!

You can find more information on how to get tickets in this post, so definitely have a look and buy them in advance as they’re almost always sold out! You can get them from their official website.

To visit the statue you’ll have to get the ferry to Liberty Island (map), which you can explore for a bit as there are some other sites there like a museum and a shop.

PRICE: from US$25

Holiday events to attend

Performers in colorful costumes carry a green dragon puppet during a parade on a city street, surrounded by crowds and confetti.

Planning to attend some fun events in New York? Here are some that you could try out while here:

The Lunar-New Year Parade & Festival: taking place on the streets of Chinatown, this festival usually takes place in February (with its final parade at the end of the month)
Rockettes performance at Radio City Hall: usually taking place from November to January, this popular event is definitely something you don’t want to miss out on! Music, dance and a good vibe are guaranteed! You can get your tickets from their official website
Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival: taking place in Rochester, during the month of December, this festival offers so many fun things from live music, ice-skating, mini-markets, craft activities and yummy food
NY Fashion Week: an unmissable event for fashion lovers that usually takes place in February, at the beginning of the month. If you want to get tickets, you can check their official website

Day trips from New York

A person wearing a green beanie and pink rain poncho stands on a boat in front of a large waterfall.

If you’re spending a while in New York, then you could definitely take some day trips! I’ve gathered a list with some great day trip tours and also destinations that you could visit on your own:

A guided day trip tour to Niagara Falls: this cool tour from NYC lasts the whole, it costs US$161 and it includes a stop to the American Falls, Goat Island, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls
Exploring the Mohonk Preserve: located a 2h drive away from NYC this natural preserve (map) is the ultimate place to discover for those who enjoy hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and cycling
Cornwall: set a 1h 30 min drive and 3h by train from NYC, this town is the ultimate hidden jewel for photography enthusiasts who can explore for hours the gorgeous Storm King State Park (map)

Book your Niagara Falls tour here

5. Where to Eat & Drink

A cozy outdoor restaurant seating area with string lights, red decor, and several tables occupied by patrons. A menu board is visible at the entrance.

Who doesn’t love a nice warm and yummy meal after a day out in the snow, ice-skating and exploring around?

If you’re looking for some fab places to eat and drink then I got you covered! Check the list below for some inspo:

Crown Shy (map) – indulge in some American dishes at this amazing restaurant in the Financial District
Citizens Of Chelsea (map) – the perfect place to grab a delicious breakfast and some yummy coffee
Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (map) – if you’ve ever wanted to try Caribbean food then head to this great restaurant that’s not too far from Central Park
Dhamaka (map) – on a cold winter day, enjoy some yummy Indian food at this restaurant that will warm your soul and body
Clinton St. Baking Company (map) – get ready to eat some delicious pancakes after a morning spent out exploring the city at this fab spot in the East Village
COTE Korean Steakhouse (map) – Korean food on a cold winter day? I’m in! This amazing spot is set near Madison Square Park
Oxomoco (map) – bring a bit of warmth to your body with some yummy Mexican food at this restaurant from Brooklyn
Sey Coffee (map) – if you like starting your mornings with some specialty coffee then check out this trendy cafe in Brooklyn
il Buco (map) – this fancy restaurant in Lower Manhattan serves some mouth-watering Mediterranean dishes
Rolf’s (map) – the place to be around the holidays when this restaurant goes above and beyond with its Christmas decorations

6. What to Wear in NY during Winter

Woman in a gray coat and beanie smiles while holding a coffee cup, standing by a railing with a city bridge in the background.

Winters in New York can be rough! It gets pretty cold here with temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 °F (−7 to −5 °C). So it’s definitely better to be prepared and by that, I mean wearing thick clothes that will keep you warm while exploring the streets.

Here’s a website where you can check the weather and also look for any winter storm warnings.

If you’re not sure what to pack for your holiday, here’s a short list of items that you might need this winter while traveling to New York:

Sweaters – you’ll definitely need a couple of these depending on how long you’re staying so pack a few
Wool jumpers – perfect for winter, wool jumpers can be worn with something underneath and they’ll keep you super warm
Blouses – blouses are a must for me as I use them for layering and wear them with sweaters and wool jumpers
Thick socks – these winter socks will keep your feet warm so pack some
Thermal vest – I’d get at least one of these vests for those days when it’s freezing
Boots – get some proper boots that are comfortable and that will keep you warm
Coat or puffer jacket – whether you prefer something more sporty like a puffer jacket or an elegant coat, get one of good quality
Wool scarf – I love wool scarves, especially if I’m wearing a coat, as they keep my neck and head warm
Headwear – definitely bring something for your head, like a thick beanie
Gloves – you’ll definitely need gloves, so pack some leather ones or wool gloves
Backpack/bag/fanny pack – get something practical that you can carry around while exploring the city

7. How to Get Around

Snow-covered street with two yellow taxis driving, surrounded by parked cars and snow-dusted trees. Snowfall obscures distant buildings and traffic lights.

If you’re wondering how to get around the state, don’t worry, I got you! I included below a short list of all the options that you have, so let’s check them out:

Subways – probably the quickest way to get around NYC is by subway, there are 24 lines with routes that serve Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens
Buses – a cheaper way to get around NYC and the whole state
Taxis – in NYC you can use the famous yellow taxis (just avoid using them around rush hour and have some cash in case you can’t pay by card)
Car – I’d recommend renting a car for trips outside of NYC, to visit the other towns in the state
Train – perfect for getting around the state, trains are great as they offer you the chance to admire the stunning scenery

⛸️ Best activity:	Ice-skating
📍 Top area:	Midtown
🏨 Best hotel:	The Whitby Hotel
🍲 Top restaurant:	Crown Shy (map)
🤩 Unmissable event:	Rockettes performance at Radio City Hall

FAQs about visiting New York in Winter

A bustling Times Square at night, with bright billboards illuminated and snow falling, while a crowd of people walk through the scene.

🔝 Is New York worth visiting in winter?

Yes! New York becomes a sort of winter wonderland with gorgeous scenery, Christmas Markets and fun events that you can attend!

☃️ Where to go in NYC in wintertime?

You can go ice-skating, explore the Christmas Markets, catch some Broadway shows and other events.

🥶 Does NYC get cold in the winter?

Yes, NYC can get pretty cold with temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 °F (−7 to −5 °C).

❄️ Does it snow a lot in New York in winter?

Yes, it does snow a lot in New York in winter and sometimes they even have winter storms.

Final thoughts on visiting New York in winter

A snowy Central Park with a stone bridge and pond in the foreground, and illuminated skyscrapers in the background against a twilight sky.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this quick and fun guide about visiting New York in winter.

As always, I recommend booking your hotel, attraction or event tickets in advance. New York is a super popular place and it’s better to secure your spots early.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop them below in the comment section below. I’d be happy to help you out.

Happy exploring,

Victoria

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