The holiday season in New York City is by far one of the most beautiful times for a visit. It is a moment when the streets are filled with symbols of holiday traditions and songs, and the city is bursting with festivities and activities for the whole family.
However, there are some popular activities that can be a bit difficult to enjoy with younger children, be it due to the cold weather or the crowds, and families tend to forgo many of the various celebrations.
This doesn’t have to be the case. New York City has fabulous offerings for families with small children and babies.
A fabulous Macy’s activity that is wonderful to do with little ones is to stop by Macy’s Santaland, which is open from November 27 to December 24. Admission is free, and of course, the sooner you visit before Christmas, the shorter the lines. Early during weekdays is the best time to go.
The lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center is often regarded as the official beginning of the Christmas season. The tree is lit this year on December 3. It is no surprise that it is surrounded by much fanfare and huge crowds, and getting near enough to see it lit as well as the live performers can be difficult. To do so, you would need to arrive very early on in the day, and thus wait a long time before the celebration begins, which can be a real drag for the little ones.
However, only a couple of days before, on December 1, you and the family can stop by Bryant Park. There you will have chances of much better views of not only the tree but also the performers for the evening. Plan ahead enough and you might even get to skip the lines and enjoy some fun, hassle free ice skating on the Bryant Park Winter Pond.
If ice skating in larger rinks is tricky for your youngsters, but still something they enjoy, a perfect rink is The Polar Bear Rink, located at 79th St and Columbus Ave., adjacent to the American Museum of Natural History. The rink is open from November 21 to March 1, and is often a wonderful place for kids who are intimidated by large crowds or just trying to find their skating feet.
Between holidays, be sure to check out the event listings of your favorite New York City museums. Many favorites have lots going on to entertain the little ones on cold days, and more often than not are celebrating one winter holiday or another.
So if you find yourself in New York City with your children in tow during this festive season, I hope you slip on those coats and mittens and come out to play. The adventures are endless for little ones and all!
Photo courtesy of Ciao Bambino
Written by Carol Cain for Ciao Bambino
