Written by Anya Pavlidis

With a population of more than 8 million people, New York City is one of the most popular and diverse cities in the United States. The city is especially pretty when covered in a sheet of fresh snow. Every store along 5th Avenue is decked out with decorations and mesmerizing displays, making the streets glow with holiday spirit. There are so many things to do and places to visit, so here is a list of things to do in NYC:

*Before you begin reading, consider playing Taylor Swift’s song, Welcome to New York.*

  1. Visit Rockefeller Center’s christmas tree

Rockefeller Center is most famous for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree, a tradition that started back in 1931. The towering Norway spruce has more than 50,000 multi-colored led lights, which is about five miles of stringed lights! Every year, NBC broadcasts their special Christmas at Rockefeller Center which includes performances from famous artists as part of the lighting ceremony. You can even go ice skating at The Rink. It is home to Radio City Music Hall and the filming location for Saturday Night Live and the Today Show. 

  1. THe metropolitan Museum of art

Consisting of two locations (The Met Fifth Avenue and the Met Cloisters), this museum is the largest art museum in the United States. Divided into 17 collection areas, there are over 2 million pieces of art, covering almost every part of the world and different time periods. From The American Wing to the Musical Instruments section to The Costume Institute, there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can virtually tour the museum thanks to The Met 360 Project. 

  1. Central park

Covering almost 900 acres of land, Central Park offers a respite from the concrete chaos of New York City. There are dozens of walking trails and horse drawn carriage rides for the less active. If you aren’t a fan of the clippity clop of a horse drawn carriage, the carousel might be a good option. With permitting weather, the over 150 year old Central Park Carousel has over a quarter of a million visitors a year. Families can enjoy the Central Park Zoo and the Wollman Rink, which offers skate rentals, lockers, and even ice hockey lessons. There is a European styled holiday market in Columbus circle that consists of outdoor vendors selling items such as handmade crafts and food.  

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Central Park Carousel 

Final thoughts

Let’s be honest, not all of us desire to walk through the busy streets of a city surrounded by dozens of people in the cold weather. If you’re not up to the task of walking outside your hotel room, you can always order room service or delivery from one of the 25,000 restaurants in town, which can satisfy the tastes of anyone. In conclusion, New York City has something to offer everyone; even the Grinch.