On December 23rd my husband came home with a card and surprised me — we were going to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas in New York City! He knows I’ve always wanted to be in NYC for the holidays to see all the lights, trees, decorations, etc. He’s never been (and he’s not a fan of the crowds) so it was like two gifts in one getting him up there. Plus it took my mind off of the fact I wasn’t getting to watch my niece and nephew open the giant box I sent them (full of tinsel, confetti, and of course gifts). So I had one day to figure out what the heck would be open Christmas Eve and Day for us to do — and more importantly where we would eat!
Thanks to Open Table, figuring out what was open and what time they had reservations wasn’t that hard, but making sure they were good places (not tourist magnets) is where the work came in. I’ve been to one of The Smith restaurants in NYC before, so I knew my meat-and-potatoes-loving husband would love it. Luckily we nabbed a late reservation for Christmas Eve and had a lovely dinner. I’m pretty sure we were sitting next to Matthew Morrison from Glee. But I don’t watch Glee, so I wasn’t positive. I love that most celebs can actually go out to eat pretty normally in New York, I mean besides Alec Baldwin.
After dinner we went to check out all of the touristy lights at Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.
For a freezing cold Christmas Eve, there were tons of people out even late. Cheesy or not, I didn’t care, I loved seeing it all lit up and decorated. I love people, buildings, brands, with holiday spirit! Loved how Saks Fifth Avenue had this giant projection on their building.
Giant ornaments, yes! After about 30 minutes of freezing our buns off taking photos, we walked back to our hotel and passed out for the night. A sweet romantic Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day was a bit more of a challenge figuring out what to do since almost nothing besides the movies is open. We down to Freedom Tower (the new One World Trade Center building) but the entire area seemed blocked off for construction and we couldn’t figure out how to get to the memorials. It was soooooo cold so I was ok with coming back another time, so we headed out to Brooklyn to watch Nets vs. Bulls game.
After the game we went and ate at Cafe Gigante and then went to see Grand Central Station. Of all the times I’ve been in New York, I’ve never been there. For Christmas Day the place was hoppin’.
Then it was time for a few drinks at our hotel before we left to head back to DC.
I would have loved some time to walk around the West Village and see all the decorated brownstones, but it was way too cold for that, none of the restaurants over there were open, and I’m pretty sure my Mr. would have been bored!
Have you even been to NYC for the holidays? What was/is your favorite part?
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Photos by Meg Biram
Hi Meg,
Nice post about NYC during the holidays, glad you enjoyed your visit. I live here and I’m amazed every year by the transformation this city takes in December leading up to NYE. Sounds corny- but its pretty magical.
If you’re ever back in town and looking to see the 9/11 Memorial… check this website first: http://www.911memorial.org/ and get your passes before hand. The line gets c-r-a-z-y and you save sooooo much time if you get passes before you visit. It’s also pretty amazing at night- so if you can go towards 6/7pm and see the memorials all lit up… its just gorgeous and you don’t get all the distractions of downtown buildings and noise after the sunsets. 🙂
Thank you so much for this info! I’ll be back up there soon and definitely want to see it!
LOVE the smith!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I have been two NYC twice and I’m completely in love. We tried to go for xmas time to see a friend but it didn’t work out. These pictures will hold me over till I can make it again! Gorgeous 🙂 xx
Lauren M.
Make it a Double
Growing up in NYC Christmas was always the most magical time – even for natives. We would go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, walk 5th Ave for all the stores lit up and the incredible windows, light candles at St Patricks and just walk around town being amazed. Even though I live in the beautiful city by the bay, San Francisco, I still try to get back around Christmas every few years. Glad you had a great time!
My husband is from Philly but his parents live in New Jersey now so this was my first east coast Christmas, and we went into New York City for a day just so I could see it all lit up for the holidays! We ate lunch at the Todd English Food Hall (downstairs inside The Plaza) and it was delicious. After a quick visit to the Whitney Museum we had to catch our train but I loved being in the city in December and can’t wait to go back!
http://www.theshortandthesweetofit.com
That sounds like SUCH a fun way to spend the holidays! What a sweet husband you have! I’ve always wanted to walk around NYC during the holidays!
Way to go MR. BIRAM! You’re a ROMANTIC and a PLANNER now? Let’s talk about the awesomeness of this.