So you are looking for a weekend in New York City during Christmas? Look no further!
First things first: make sure you download the NYC COVID Safe App. On this app, you can upload a photo of your vaccination card and ID so you do not have to keep getting it out of your wallet everywhere you go.
We have wanted to go to NYC during Christmas for YEARS. Early in the Summer, we realized we had a ton of flight points saved from 2020, so we went ahead and booked our flights! When we started looking at hotels, they were already selling out so when we found a room at Hotel48 Lex (which, you guessed it…is on 48th & Lexington) we booked it immediately. This hotel has a GREAT location and is about a 10-minute walk to the Rockefeller Center, the mecca of all Christmas things.
You can find the giant red ornaments, candy canes, Radio City, and Rockefeller Tree & ice skating rink in the Rockefeller Center area.
Let’s go through what we did on our extended weekend in the City, shall we?
Thursday
We arrived at LaGuardia around 3:00 pm, so we went straight to the hotel to get checked in. Our room was not ready yet, so we went to the restaurant bar [Lexington Brass], and it was delicious! They have great drinks, food, and the ambiance is top-notch! That night we went to the highly sought-after restaurant and bar, Rolf’s. If you even think you MIGHT want to go to NYC during the holiday season, call Rolfs the day after labor day (not kidding) to make a reservation. We waited until October, and we got the last reservation for two people for that weekend, and we had to go on Thursday at 6:00 pm. It was intense! But it was SO worth it. The mulled wine was incredible, and the schnitzel was very good. Not to mention the DECOR. I was obsessed. After dinner, we went home to prepare for the busy weekend and get some rest from traveling.
Friday
On Friday, we ventured over to Central Park to walk around and see the ice skating rink and walk around. The leaves were yellowing, and the sun was shining bright, so it was a gorgeous day! We did have reservations to go to the Empire State Building at 11:30 am, so we headed there but did not get in until 12:30 pm. Keep that in mind if you go! You have to show your Vaccination Card + ID to get in, so the lines get backed up. We also upgraded to the 102nd floor, and I HIGHLY recommend doing that. The views are great with the floor-to-ceiling windows AND you get to skip the long line to go back down. It is not much more to add that on, so do it!
After the Empire State Building, we got lucky and went to see Jimmy Fallon! Pro Tip: If you want to see Jimmy Fallon set tweet notifications from @FallonTix. They let you know when each waitlist is open, and you can get on it right then. The tickets fill up fast, so I recommend doing it immediately. Friday was a busy day because, after Jimmy Fallon, we went to the late showing of The Lion King on Broadway. Again, you had to show your vaccine card + ID to get in and wear a mask the entire time.
Saturday
Saturday was another fun day. We started our morning at the Rockettes 11:00 am matinee show. Tickets to the matinee were expensive but way less than the night show! So if you don’t mind going earlier in the day, do that and save over $100! Unfortunately, they had to cut their showings short for 2021 due to COVID.. fingers are crossed that in 2022 they get to have a full showing.
We spent our Saturday enjoying the day and walking around. We went to the Brooklyn Bridge, US Stock Exchange, Charging Bull, 9/11 Memorial, and went to brunch with two of my sweet friends that live there. We ended our night going to the Rockefeller Center and ice-skating at the tree. If you are in NYC during this time, you HAVE to do this. You get an hour of skating and it is so fun!! Plus, you get an upfront view of the tree without having to shove your way through a crowd.
Places to Eat
– Lexington Brass [[ Drinks, light lunch, etc.
– Toscana 49 [[ Delicious Italian food! One of my IG friends recommended it to me and it was 100%!!
– Rolfs [[ CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF DINNER. Get the mulled wine.
– 99 Cent Pizza [[ You get what you pay for, but they are open very late.
This trip was truly magical. If you ever get the chance to go, DO IT. If you are a Christmas lover you will be in heaven. Everywhere you turn is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, lights, jazz band playing Christmas music, a Santa Clause, etc. It is full of Christmas joy and truly lives up to the hype.
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