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Sure it's crowded, but you can't do Christmas in NYC without posting for a photo with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Christmas in NYC Day 1: Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Arguably the biggest symbol of the holidays in New York City, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree gets lit annually the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and lords over the holiday festivities all season long. There's no secret, uncrowded time to visit, but take note: The best view is really from Fifth Avenue. Stand at the edge of Rockefeller Center's Channel Gardens looking toward the tree for a postcard-perfect view. The lights are on daily from 5am-midnight, and the crowds are smaller early in the day or late at night, so try to hit this one during off hours if you have to have that close-up Christmas tree selfie!

RELATED: Rockefeller Center Tree in 2024: Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids

Save time to explore the grad Radio City Music Hall before or after you watch the high-kicking Rockettes.

The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

New York City doesn't lack for spectacular, family-friendly holiday shows that dazzle on stages all over town, but for pure Christmas magic and holiday confection, a trip to see the Radio City Rockettes is a must. With a roughly 90-minute runtime, glittering costumes, soaring musical numbers, and plenty of surprises—from Santa bursting down the aisle to confetti shooting toward the rafters and fireworks on stage—it keeps the attention of even the youngest visitors. Be sure to arrive early to take in the grand space and the glittering, Christmas tree-shaped Swarovski chandelier in the lobby and to allow time for a potty break (lines can be long).

FAO Schwarz

Once you've seen the toy soldiers on stage, head over to this iconic toy shop and get a salute from one of the soldiers who guards the door. FAO Schwarz is an eye-popping extravaganza. There are toy-packed shelves, fun in-store experiences, and you can't miss dancing on the grand piano. Even better: The piano is situated in a second-floor window overlooking the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, so it offers a view while you dance. Parents, don't be shy—kick off your shoes and do a little jig, too!

If you haven't had enough of the gimmes at FAO Schwarz, know that there are some other kid-pleasing stores in Rockefeller Center, too, including Nintendo NYC, American Girl New York, and The Lego Store. Check out our list of fun things to do at Rockefeller Center for more ideas.

RELATED: Where to See The Nutcracker Ballet in NYC in 2024

Saks Window and Fifth Avenue

When the sun sets, the lights go on at the glittering stores lining Fifth Avenue. Start your neighborhood tour by crossing the street to see the incredible holiday windows at Saks Fifth Avenue, an NYC tradition at the big department stores, including Bloomingdale's (59th and Lexington), Bergdorf Goodman (58th and Fifth), and Macy's Herald Square (34th and Broadway).

Next, take an evening stroll north along Fifth Avenue. While the department stores are a big draw, many of the boutiques mount dazzling displays of their own. You'll also pass the towering St. Patrick's Cathedral, which glows in holiday grandeur and has a beautiful nativity scene inside.

For an indulgent holiday treat, consider booking an afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel. One of our favorite spots for high tea in New York City, the famed hotel gets decked out for the holiday. Santa joins the fun on select dates, making the rounds as you dine on sumptuous treats.

RELATED: The Most-Insane, Must-Try Desserts in NYC

Bryant Park gets a seasonal makeover that includes a Winter Village, ice skating rink, and a beautiful Christmas tree. Photo courtesy of Bryant Park

Christmas in NYC Day 2: Bryant Park, Macy's, and More Midtown Holiday Fun

Bryant Park Winter Village

What's Christmas in NYC without gliding on the ice under a glowing Christmas tree? While Rockefeller Center is an option, we recommend starting your second day on fresh legs with a visit to NYC's only ice skating rink with FREE admission, and one of our top picks for outdoor ice skating rinks in the city. The ice skating rink at Bryant Park is the centerpiece of the park's Winter Village, surrounded by charming shops, delicious eats, and plenty of hot chocolate options to warm up with when you're done on the ice. The setting, with a backdrop of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and the main branch of the New York Public Library, is absolutely perfect.

Be sure to book your ice skating tickets in advance. Ice time is at a premium during the holiday season!

When you've had your fill of eating and shopping, treat the kids to a turn on the enchanting Le Carrousel, a French-inspired merry-go-round that's one of our favorite local carousels.

RELATED: Free Holiday Events and Christmas Activities in NYC

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum's Grand Central Gallery is a fun, free, diversion amid Midtown's holiday hubbub. Photo by Filip Wolak

Grand Central Terminal

If you've had enough fresh air and cold weather, head due east on 42nd Street and duck inside Grand Central Terminal. The commuter hub actually houses tons of things to do, and the fun is only elevated during the holiday season. After you've gawked at the towering ceiling and posed in front of the iconic clock in the Main Concourse, explore the Holiday Fair, then check out the Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum's Grand Central Gallery. The O-gauge display is NYC in miniature, and sure to thrill little ones.

Macy's Santaland

Those in the know can confirm that the one, true Santa Claus lives at Macy's Santaland, where he takes up residence after riding in at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! A visit to see jolly old St. Nick here calls for a little planning—reservations are required and can only be booked five days in advance—but your persistence is rewarded with a Candy Land-like wonderland of holiday fun.

As you wait in line to meet Santa, you'll encounter cheeky elves, wind past a holiday train display, and see tons of fun decorations. Multiple Santas await at the end, each cleverly hidden inside their own little hut, where kids can pile on presents to pose for a picture, and, of course, share their wish lists. Whether you opt to buy a photo package—starting at $39—or not, everyone walks away with a small trinket and plenty of memories. Parents can snap their own pics throughout the experience, too, including with Santa!

While you're there, check out the window displays on Broadway, which get a refresh annually, and take a moment to gaze up at the Empire State Building bedecked in red and green in honor of Christmas in NYC.

New for 2024: Macy's has debuted its Holiday Square, a pop-up market filled with offerings and sweet treats from local small businesses. Find it inside the store on the first-floor mezzanine and booths near the main elevator bank throughout the shop, and, in December, more stores will open on the Broadway plaza outside!

RELATED: Best Neighborhood Christmas Lights Displays in NYC

The Dyker Heights Lights are an exercise in holiday excess and an only-in-NYC experience.

Christmas in NYC Day 3: Explore a New Neighborhood

While days 1 and 2 on our itinerary focused on Midtown Manhattan—and really, there's still plenty more Christmas and holiday fun to be seen there—we suggest spending your last Christmas in NYC day exploring a new neighborhood. Here are some of our favorite spots to find the holiday spirit beyond Midtown's sweet seasonal sights.

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

If you can't get enough Christmas lights or fancy yourself a Clark Griswold-level decorating aficionado, the Dyker Lights displays are a splendid exercise in holiday excess. It's block after block of over-the-top decorated houses that started in the '80s when one neighbor, Lucy Spata, mounted an insane display. First, the neighbors complained; then they joined the fun, and the whole neighborhood now goes all out. You can get there by train, taxi, or opt for a guided bus tour.

Bronx Park, the Bronx

Home to both the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden—and close to the real Little Italy on Arthur Avenue—it's easy to while away a day here.

We suggest starting your outing with a trip to the enchanting Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. It's the largest and most spectacular of all the holiday train shows in NYC. See more than 200 NYC landmarks recreated in miniature form from botanical material, including pine cones, acorns, cinnamon sticks, and seeds. All the while, miniature trains glide by, including tot-favorite Thomas and his trusty sidekicks, Annie and Clarabell.

Follow the train show with an evening visit to the Bronx Zoo for its Holiday Lights. Embark on an after-dark safari across nine different lantern trails with nearly 400 lanterns representing more than 100 animal and plant species. Save time for roasting s'mores over the firepit, a holiday train ride around the Fountain Circle, and a stunning, animated LED Christmas tree. Animal lovers take note: You're unlikely to see many live creatures during this after-hours experience, though you can get a glimpse of the beloved sea lions adjacent to the Christmas tree display.

RELATED: Guide to Holiday Train Shows in NYC

George Balanchine's Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center, Upper West Side

It's hard to talk about Christmas in New York without mentioning the spectacular New York City Ballet production of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. The famous production features George Balanchine's choreography, a Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet before your very eyes, an onstage snowstorm, spectacular costuming, and more. See our list of more family-friendly Nutcracker performances.

If ballet isn't your cup of tea, or your kids are too little to endure the two-act performance, Lincoln Center offers more family-friendly holiday shows. We're huge fans of the Big Apple Circus: NYC's homegrown circus troupe pitches its tent in nearby Damrosch Park each holiday season, mounting a spectacle that's pure joy in an intimate setting where you're never far from the action and everyone has a good seat.

Another great kid-friendly option is the Met Opera's The Magic Flute. The Mozart masterpiece is directed by Julie Taymor (of Broadway's The Lion King), cut down to less than two hours, and performed in English. The costumes are icing on the cake!

Where to Eat During Christmas and the Holidays in NYC

Many of our itinerary picks are peppered with family-friendly dining options, and there are loads of kid-friendly restaurants near Rockefeller Center. If you're looking for an only-in-New-York option, try one of these must-visit cafes, sweet shops, and iconic NYC restaurants, and be sure to save time for a slice at these top pizza spots. No matter where in the city your travels take you, we've got tons of kid-approved eats in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide to NYC.

Holiday markets abound during the season, too, and are great options for kid-friendly food you can eat on the go! Some of our favorite spots for treats and eats are the Union Square Holiday Market, where we nibbled on deep-fried baklava and chicken on a stick while sipping on liquid s'mores. We love the cheese-wheel pasta and Belgian fries in Bryant Park, but it's hard to go wrong no matter which market you wander into!

Of course, there are a few over-the-top decorated restaurants that go all-out for the holidays. If you're willing to pack a little patience, try to nab a table at Rolf's Restaurant, which sparkles with more than 200,000 lights during the holiday season. Another top pick for its holiday ambiance is Lillie's Victorian Restaurant, which has a pair of locations in Times Square and Union Square and takes reservations.

For kid-friendly appeal, head to the South Street Seaport, where Santa's Winter Wonderland by Watermark, which includes a kid-sized carousel, awaits. Nearby, find Pier 17's Jingle Jangle by The Dead Rabbit, a holiday pop-up with glittering decor, seasonal eats and cocktails, plus Manhattan's only rooftop ice skating rink.

RELATED: Where to Have Breakfast with Santa in NYC

A New York City Christmas is even better when you stay at The Plaza Hotel.

NYC Hotels for a Holiday Stay

The Plaza New York

It's hard to find a more magical NYC hotel in any season than The Plaza New York, but the classic beauty on Central Park South glows with holiday grandeur. Choose from a pair of suite experiences including the kid-pleasing, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York-inspired stay complete with an over-the-top ice cream sundae fit for an unsupervised Kevin! Holiday dining options include the aforementioned tea with Santa. Keep your eyes peeled: You never know where he's watching from, including the lobby, restaurants, and during special Santa story times, in the Rose Club, so bring your best behavior!

Lotte New York Palace

Located just a block away from Rockefeller Center, the Lotte New York Palace offers spacious two-room suites, soaking tubs for bubble baths, and turndown treats fit for a king. Come Christmastime, it really turns on the charm with a stunning courtyard Christmas tree and plenty of other holiday perks to make you feel right at home, including a holiday suite decorated for the occasion and a stunning gingerbread display in the lobby that is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

The Peninsula New York

Walking up the grandly decorated staircase at this Midtown hotel is like stepping into a fairytale, and that's just what awaits with its Night Before Christmas package, in addition to fun take-home toys and beautiful in-room decor, kids can enjoy a fun in-room candy cane scavenger hunt and get to work on a gingerbread decorating kit

Find all of our top picks for festive, family-friendly NYC hotels here.

Unless noted, photos by the author

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