The holiday season is officially here. Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas is just days away and every girl on campus is walking around with a red and white Starbucks holiday cup. Though finals are looming it’s hard to focus on anything but break and all the gifts and parties in the very near future. For those of you planning on visiting the city where you can count on holiday spirit in full swing, here are a few holiday festivities you can find in New York City inspired by some classic films and TV shows.
1. Eat your favorite dessert at Serendipity.
Relive the romance of Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack’s first date in Serendipity with your own SO or bestie. The ice cream sundaes are worthy of your Instagram feed and are so good that you won’t mind eating them in 30 degree weather.
2. Take pictures in front of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
It may not be original, but it’s a yearly tradition for most. Like in How to Be Single, you can see it lit up at night with whoever you’re dating and take all of the couple pictures. If there is one thing you do in New York this December seeing the tree should be at the top of the list.
3. Visit the Plaza.
Follow in the footsteps of Kevin McCallister, and stop by the famous hotel. For those of us lacking the cash to book a room, a visit to the lobby itself would suffice. Even if a short visit, just getting to say, “Merry Christmas ya filthy animal” in the same place Home Alone 2 was filmed is a surefire way to get into the holiday spirit
4. Go ice skating at Wollman Rink like you’re Blair Waldorf
Even if you’re one of those people that can hardly make it a few inches on ice without falling on your face, it’s still worth a trip to the famous spot. If only to pretend you, too, live the fabulous life of an Upper East Sider, grab a warm coat and some friends for a day of embarrassing yourself on skates in Central Park. It’s safe to say you won’t have to worry that Gossip Girl will be documenting all your stumbling.
5. Find the best looking revolving doors you can find and spin around until you get sick.
See if you can go as long as Will Ferrell or simply see how many people you can get to stare at you like you’re an insane person. While you’re at it, search for the World’s Best Cup of Coffee, and stop by the nearest candy store to make sure you’ve eaten all four of the main food groups. A stop at the Empire State Building before the day is done would mean fully living a day in the life of Buddy the Elf.
6. Find any independent bookstore and pretend you’re in You’ve Got Mail.
For those other 90s rom-com fans that feel like channeling their inner Meg Ryan, this is for you. Curl up with a good book and a cup of tea for a few hours and do not dare step into a Barnes & Noble for obvious reasons. This may not be classified as a Christmas film, but with the cold weather, hot drinks and cozy bookstores, it might as well be, so it’s definitely worth reenacting a scene or two.
Break is around the corner and the holidays are the best time of the year, so don’t let the holiday season go by without trying at least one thing on this list. Despite cold weather and crowds of tourists, it’s the ideal time to experience New York City.