With Christmas right around the corner, what better way to spend it than being a tourist in your own city? I’ve lived in New York City all my life, and I’ve seen a lot of great Christmas spots, including some well-known classics and some hidden gems where it’s not as crowded.
The Christmas House of the Garabedian Family– Growing up in the Bronx, this house is an essential part of my childhood and holiday season. It’s hard to believe that something like this actually exists until you see it in real life. When you look up 1605 Pelham Parkway North on Google, you will see a large house surrounded by mannequins which range from Santa and his reindeer to the birth of Jesus. The entire house lights up at night, and some of the mannequins begin to move. It’s a great tourist attraction that doesn’t have too many people and is family-friendly. You can also donate money by throwing it at the display!
Wall Street Christmas Tree– We’ve all seen pictures of one of the most popular Christmas trees in the world in Rockefeller Center. Millions of people look forward to the tree being installed and wait in line for hours surrounded by hundreds of people to go ice skating or taking a picture with their loved ones. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the Christmas tree in the financial district on Wall Street. It’s just as big as the Rockefeller tree and has way less people.
5th Avenue – While this area is a large tourist attraction, it’s great for families visiting New York City. It is filled with luxury stores like Saks and Cartier, who decorate their stores extravagantly for the holidays. In the past, Cartier has decorated their store as a giant gift box that lights up at night. The Saks store has a light show every night starting on November 22nd that features an impressive display.
Holiday Markets– What screams ‘the holiday season is here’ more than your local holiday market? In New York City, there are holiday markets held in every borough. Some of my favorite ones are the outdoor markets in Union Square and Columbus Circle. There is also an indoor market in the Grand Central Terminal on 42nd street. You can find almost anything, from Christmas ornaments to food and jewelry.
Amaze Light Festival– This holiday attraction is like no other. Stepping into the light festival transports you into another dimension where it’s Christmas all the time. There are tons of lights to make up different Christmas symbols, rides, a candy shop, and even a toy emporium for kids! This festival happens every year in the Citi Field stadium in Queens.
If you like looking at over-the-top decorations during the holiday season, you have to check out the houses in Dyker Heights. All of the houses in this small Brooklyn neighborhood feature some larger-than-life decorations, including life-size Santas, and loudspeakers blasting Christmas carols. Please make sure to not trespass on these homes and respect the neighborhood like it’s your own!