Planning to be in New York City this Christmas holiday season and wondering what you should see, do, shop and dine? As native New Yorkers, we’ve shared our tips on the best ways to spend the Christmas holiday season in New York City. Now we’re highlighting 6 new places to explore if you’ve hit all the classics and favorites already – these are all new for the Christmas holiday season in NYC this year. From the Golden Girls to golfing holiday style, no one does the holidays like New York City!
what are the best new places to visit in New York City this Christmas holiday season?
New York City in the holidays. It is so iconic they have made movies about it! There are so many classic activities: seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center, checking out the store window displays on 5th avenue, ice skating in Central Park, etc., But with every year new events popup (literally some of them are actually popups) that are absolutely worth exploring (and eating at!) Here are some of the best ones to check out this holiday season 2022!
6 new places to visit during the Christmas holiday season in NYC
1. Golden Girls Kitchen
Who doesn’t love the Golden Girls?! Leave cold New York for a brief trip down to sunny 1980s Miami where you always have friends. The fast-casual restaurant brought to you by BucketListers, now open through February, is located at 19 Fulton St. “Bucket Listers is honored to bring The Golden Girls Kitchen to Manhattan after a sold-out run in LA,” CEO and founder Andy Lederman said in the release. “The opportunity to give its die-hard fans a deeper appreciation for the show’s lasting legacy has been a dream come true.” Food, brought to you by a Shady Pines waiter, will include Sophia’s Lasagna Al Forno, The Lanai: A “Miami style” Cuban Sandwich, avocado toast , Blanche’s Georgia Style Cookies and, of course, cheesecake! Plus cocktails and mocktails at The Rusty Anchor bar!
Tickets are available via New York Bucket List. Admission starts at $40 a person and for that, you get a 90-minute reservation as well as your choice of a “Golden Main” and a slice of cheesecake. The restaurant will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 2 until 10:30 p.m., Friday from 2 until 11:15 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11:15 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. There will also be panels and special events held during the run.
2. The 10-foot macaron tree at Sofitel New York
There are many great trees in New York City but what about one made of delicious macarons? Sofitel New York just unveiled their super festive 10-foot holiday tree made solely of delicious macarons from Angelina Paris’ Bryant Park bakery.
The tree is made from individual macarons of varying colors and flavors and will be on display through the end of the year. It took the Angelina team 1.5 days to curate the tree, as well as surrounding dessert displays. Additionally, Angelina Paris has launched a weekend pop-up cart in the hotel’s lobby, offering hotel guests and visitors their famous hot chocolate and tasty treats from 5 to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.
3. Holiday Bar
Though you probably think this is popup, you would be wrong. But we are thrilled it isn’t just a fleeting holiday bar as this has the potential to be one of the great New York restaurant staples, no matter the time of the year. Brought to you by Kyle Hotchkiss-Carone, the it boy of the restaurant world as everything he touches turns to gold (and Instagram fodder.) Just a stone’s throw away from his other shops, American Bar and Saint Theo’s, Holiday Bar also has a vintage vibe but feels distinctively different from it’s predecessors.
It feels very 1980s fancy movie restaurant (the world needed ore neon statues) so it makes sense that Hotchkiss drew inspiration from the night club in Scarface. Add in a little of Peggy Guggenheim’s palazzo in Venice, a seafood-centric menu, simple but bold cocktails, and a handful of celebrities on any given night (Julia Fox, Emily Ratajkowski and Al Pacino have all been spotted) and he’s got another hit on his hands. Reservations are tough to get at the moment but even if you are standing at the bar, you’ll have a grand time.
Holiday Bar is located at 10 Downing Street.
4. Winter Wonderland at Somewhere Nowhere
Is it really the holidays in the city if you don’t eat in an igloo on a rooftop? And that is exactly what you get to do at the magical Somewhere Nowhere teardrop igloo experience.
Take in the views, enjoy champagne, cocktails, and small bites with friends and family. Plus fur throw blankets, velvet chairs, and a built-in fireplace. And you have through April 30, 2023 to attend!
5. Feliz Coctelería, The Garret Group’s pop-up at The Garret Coctelería
Now you could go to Rolf’s or Pete’s Tavern to see some great decor but why not try something a little different? Located at 349 Broome Stree and staying open through mid-January, Feliz Cocteleria is one big party. And the cocktails are to die for!
- Little Plummer Boy – Brown Butter Washed Gold Rum, Tarragon and Rosemary, Plums Cooked in Sherry, Elderflower, Cumin, Velvet Falernum, Don Fulano Reposado
- Rafa’s Hot Coco – Oaxacan Rum, Vodka, White Chocolate, Matcha, Aleppo Pepper, Whole Milk, Corn
- Yo Soy el Painkiller – Pineapple, Coconut, Rums, Nutmeg, Citrus
6. Swingers Crazy Golf
Fresh from London this is the perfect activity if you want to get away from all the shopping frenzy of the holidays. And just so you know, this is not your father’s version of mini-golf. Oh no, this is a feast for the eyes and just so much fun!
Combined with gourmet street food, meticulously hand-crafted cocktails, and a theatrical setting offering guests an immersive and interactive social experience, this is a great activity! You feel like you have been transported tio a whole new world (one in which golf is super fun and zany!) It is just one big party! Take a break from holiday stress with a little golf game.
7. Après Equinox
OK so you can’t spend the whole time drinking and eating. Well, maybe you can but you’ll need a break at some point. For Equinox members, they should pop over to Equinox Hudson Yards and check out Après Equinox. Take a swim in the outdoor pool, heated to 85-90°F and sweat it out in two unique barrel saunas, heated to a max of 120°F that also offer guided meditations and a 360-view of New York City.
Plus the barrel saunas also have a halotherapy option, which mimics the micro-climate of a salt cave to help boost immunity, remove bacteria and eliminate the root of respiratory illnesses. We could all use a little of that! This regenerative experience also features hot beverages and bites including matcha and superfood hot chocolate from Juice Press.
