Christmas in NYC

5 Free holiday things to do in the City

Last weekend, some friends and I had what we call "Girlfriends Christmas Elf-Culture Wonder Glitter No-Boys No-Rules Weekend" in New York. Rachel lives there and was our charming hostess, showing us a great time and lots of free Christmas cheer. I love Christmasy things, and I love them even more without the NYC price tag. While there are (of course) other holiday activities in NYC, here's our list.

#1 Union Square Holiday Market
I loved this market and could have spent a good chunk of the day there if I still had presents to buy and/or a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket. Not to say that everything is outrageously priced — just that there's a lot of cool, tempting stuff. 

We ogled artwork, gorgeous bohemian pillows, dead sea salt scrubs for super-soft hands, and novelty votive candles. We munched on hot apple cider and donuts. We also scoped out the Bryant Park Winter Village, but I'd pick the Union Square Holiday Market over Bryant for sure. 

#2 Macy's Santaland
This is geared toward kids, but I'm lucky to have friends who embrace their inner child. Expect to wait in line for a while, but the waiting isn't dull and the line does keep moving. Plus, once you arrive in Santaland, you'll find yourself in an enchanted North Pole forest complete with animatronic reindeer, caroling snowmen, a miniature Christmas village, and plenty of twinkle lights and whimsy. 

To speed things up, there's actually more than one Santa once you reach the end of the line, though it's very strategically coordinated so the little ones would never know.

#3 The Plaza Hotel
Ding dang dong! Turns out you can't just stroll into the Plaza Hotel like Kevin McCallister — you have to be a guest. However! We lowly tourists can visit the Plaza Food Hall where you can dine on upscale food court fare. The prices aren't bad for a luxury hotel, in my opinion — a gourmet deli sandwich will set you back about $10.

As you exit the hotel's food court, look for opportunities to explore. We passed a staircase just asking to be climbed and found ourselves in a hall being prepped for a (very expensive) wedding. We clearly didn't belong there, but nobody stopped us — so give it a whirl!

#4 5th Avenue Windows
Magical windows, music blasting into the streets, and swarms of people: Seeing the Christmas windows on 5th Avenue was an experience. The crowds are a bit tedious (as was the dude who had to have his picture taken in front of every single display), but it's worth it to witness the fabulosity and imagination behind it all.

While we didn't see all the windows, we got a good look at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks. Bergdorf was the clear winner.

#5 Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center
This is one of those bucket list New-York-City-at-Christmastime things. Boy that tree and the whole plaza is every bit as awesome as the movies and your imagination make it out to be! But what the movies and your imagination don't tell you is how the entire place is a teeming mass of people. I'm not sure how Kevin McCallister was lucky enough to get the entire tree to himself, really.

Perhaps to avoid the crowds, you'd have to visit the tree late at night (the website says visiting hours are until midnight). Then again, this is the proverbial "city that never sleeps," so maybe there really isn't an ideal time to go. Either way, I say brave the crowds and check it off your bucket list — it's worth it.