NYC during the holidays presents an overwhelming amount of places that
make for amazing picture backdrops.
With so much to do and so little time, we’ve compiled our 10 favorite holiday picture spots (5 of which can be seen on our Holiday Tour)!
1. Pulitzer Fountain
Donated to the city by Joseph Pulitzer’s estate and installed in 1916, this beautiful fountain sits right across the street from the famed Plaza Hotel in Grand Army Plaza (right next to Central Park). This year’s decorations feature handcrafted animal sculptures, icebergs, and 5,000 feet of lights. Bonus: You can walk down 5th Avenue and stop at all the holiday instillations.
2. Saks 5th Avenue
Through January 4, 2022
The iconic windows at the famous 5th Avenue retailer are “inspired by the theme of reconnecting with family and loved ones during the holiday season.” They asked children living in NYC to draw and describe their holiday dreams and then had amazing artists and engineers bring them to life in their windows. The famous sparkling lights show (which features 700,000 LED lights on their 10 story tall store) features Christmas classics like Darlene Love’s ‘Christmas-Baby Please Come Home.”
3. Rockefeller Center
Through January 2, 2022
Christmas as Rockefeller Center has become a NYC tradition ever since 1931 when Depression-era construction workers erected a 20 foot balsam fir and decorated it with home-made ornaments like tin cans. This year, America’s most famous tree comes from Elkton, Maryland (this first time the state has been represented), and features 5 miles of lights as well a Swarovski star weighing about 900 pounds!
4. Bryant Park
Through January 2, 2022
The Bryant Park Winter Villag
e is modeled after the winter villages that are very popular in Central Europe. Starting in 2002, the village was built to bring people to the park during the winter months. The booths feature local and handmade goods as well as food from some of the trendiest restaurants in the city. The skating rink is free, and they put up their own tree up, though this one is at the most 50 feet.
5. Macy’s
The annual holiday window displays at the Macy’s in 34th is a time honored tradition here in New York, Each year, Macy’s creates a brand new display for the holiday season. The window decorations take all year to plan and over a month to build. This year’s windows introduce “Tiptoe,” a reindeer recruit for Santa Claus as she sets out to follow her dream of joining Santa’s sleigh team.
6. Rolf’s
A German restaurant located in the Gramercy Park neighborhood, Rolf’s has become known for their elaborate decorations (that will be kept up all year!). Grab a beer, eat some schnitzel, and post on the gram!
7. Empire State Building
Once the world’s tallest building, the Empire State Building has become one of the most photographed in the city. The building is lit up to celebrate the holiday season, so it’s a great opportunity to take a holiday selfie!
8. Dyker Heights
Through New Year’s Eve
This Brooklyn neighborhood is home to some of the most over-the-top holiday decorations like life-sized Santa’s, sleighs, snowman, and music from loudspeakers. Some companies offer buses that take you to the neighborhood, but for budget travelers, the subway is a great option!
9. Natural History Museum Origami Tree
Through January 9, 2022
Since the 1970’s the Natural History Museum has presented an origami tree. For this 50th “Golden Anniversary” Tree, the theme is Gems of the Museum. It features 50 specifically created gold-colored models. Among the more than 1,000 pieces, the 13 foot tree has pieces inspired by the new exhibit Sharks!
10. Holiday Train Show
Through January 23, 2022
Returning for its 30th year, the Bronx Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train show has become a personal holiday tradition which I recommend to all of my guests. Model trains zip through a display featuring more than 175 NYC landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center. The display is made from organic material like bark, twigs, and leaves which makes the display even more impressive.
