15 Things to do in NYC During the Winter Season

My first time visiting NYC was years ago during the busy summer season. After moving to nearby Philly, I knew I wanted to plan a winter visit to check out the famous ice rinks and holiday activities. Outside of the busy holiday period, this is a great time to explore the city with a little less foot traffic. While the parks may be barren and the temps frosty, there is still plenty to do, both inside and outside.

I actually preferred my winter trips as I love skating and we walked right up to the Empire State observing area on our first visit without any wait. Add in great pizza, wonderful museums, fabulous theater productions, and there is so much to do inside, you won’t be worrying about the temp outside.

And with all the money you will be saving with cheaper hotels and flights this time of the year, you can treat yourself to something a little extra. Whether it be an indulgent hot cocoa, a shopping trip along Fifth Avenue, afternoon tea, strolling through Central Park, or a Broadway play, there’s something here for every budget. Of course, if you are looking to save a few bucks, there are tons of free things to do. This is the great thing about US cities – once you pay for your flight and hotel there are endless activities for every budget.

Enjoy my guide to some wonderful winter activities in The Big Apple. Have a great trip and be sure to bundle up!

1. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city via the Empire State Building

One of the best things to do during the cold season is taking the elevator ride up to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. The 102 story, 1250 foot tall building, built in 1931, was at one point the tallest in the country (today it ranks 6th in the US and 43rd in the world). As you can imagine, the views are out-of-this-world, even more so on a clear day.

I would recommend all photographers and architecture buffs to put this attraction high on your list. We lucked out visiting on a relatively clear day. I loved the cityscape scenery and views of the Statue of Liberty. Also, I’ve always been a huge Sleepless in Seattle fan (I love all Tom Hanks movies!), so this attraction doubled as a movie check off location as well as a sightseeing opportunity for me.

While the wait can be hours long in the summer, winter crowds are basically non existent (outside of the prime holiday periods). On our February visit, there was absolutely no wait (I mean no one). We breezed through the security and were on the observation deck in less than 20 min (note: this isn’t common!). Conditions can be really windy and cold this time of year. For those with an extreme intolerance to cold, simply take in the views from the enclosed 80th floor overlook which offers basically the same views via the comfort of a warm room.

• Location: 20 W. 34th Street
• Pricing: Varies based on floor (86th vs. 102nd) and time (day/night combo). Check the Empire State website for pricing details. As of 2025, the main deck starts at $38 or kids and $44 for adults and access to both decks is $73 and $79.
• Tip: Buy the combo ticket if you would like to visit both day & night. It’s only 20 bucks more.
• What to do nearby: Grab a slice of authentic NY pizza at NY Pizza Supreme.

2. Go ice skating

Ice skating has long been associated with Christmas, and the winter season in general. I bet you can’t find one holiday movie without a skating scene. Ice skating is a great way to burn some calories and enjoy the fresh air without freezing to death. I have been ice skating for almost 2 decades now; it’s my favorite wintertime activity so I had to check out New York’s famous Central Park rink. You will warm up real fast as skating is one of the most intense cardio activities.

Skating at the Wollman Rink at Central Park is a must for movie buffs. Both Home Alone 2 and Serendipity (this John Cusack romantic comedy is a must-see!) were filmed here. Nothing beats the romantic park ambiance and nostalgia of skating at this iconic city rink; it’s definitely on my list of most memorable holiday activities. The Bryant Park rink is surrounded by notable buildings including the NY Public Library. As the city’s only free rink, it’s always bustling with activity (note the skate rental fee is pretty high).

Last but not least, Rockefeller Center, although super pricey at $65+, really offers the quintessential NYC experience. If you are willing to fork over quite a few bucks, you can skate on one of the world’s most recognizable rinks.

• Locations: Central Park, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center
• Best for: Central Park rink (movie buffs), Bryant Park rink (free skating if you have your own skates), Rockefeller rink (views of the Christmas tree)
• Tip: Get to the rink early in the day to avoid a lengthy line
• What to do nearby: Central Park rink (take a walk through the park), Bryant Park rink (Winter Village, and a self guided tour of the NY Public Library), Rockefeller Center rink (FAO Schwarz, Top of the Rock observatory, Le Maison hot cocoa)

3. Take a stroll through Central Park

I recommend taking some time to enjoy one of America’s finest parks during the slowest season of the year. This gorgeous tree-lined park offers a picture-perfect setting anytime of the year. From fresh greenery in the spring and summer, to fall foliage in autumn, to occasional snow after a big winter storm, the park can be viewed in a new light with each changing season. I love putting on my winter hat, gloves, and scarf and simply strolling around taking in the barren beauty.

I love the city views here and it’s fun to watch the skaters glide by on the Wollman rink. As a movie buff, I loved seeing Spook Central from Ghostbusters as well as iconic sights from Home Alone 2.

• Location: 59th to 110th street, between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue West
• Sights of interest: Strawberry Fields John Lennon memorial, Bethesda fountain, Central Park Zoo
• What to do nearby: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wollman ice rink, American Museum of Natural History

4. Attend a TV show taping

As one of the entertainment capitals of the US, The Big Apple offers plenty of opportunities to get your fifteen minutes of fame. I had a lot of fun appearing in the background of The Today Show years ago. While winter isn’t exactly the best time to stand outside for hours on end in the cold, it’s also a bit less busy. For a comfier experience, try to get tickets to Jimmy Fallon or Saturday Night Live. Talk show tapings are a lot of fun! I attended a Conan O’Brien taping years ago and it was one of my most memorable city experiences.

Tickets are free and available on a first come, first served basis. Follow FallonTix on Twitter for tips on the best time to score tickets. For more info on SNL’s ticket lottery check out this helpful article (I would love to attend this taping one day). Also check out The Today Show page for more info on the best time to plan your visit.

5. Watch the most iconic Thanksgiving parade in person!

As we all know, this city is home to some of the biggest and boldest parade celebrations in the country. Most famously, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will celebrate its’ 100th anniversary in 2026, is worth attending at least once live in person. It’s cold, it’s crowded, but it’s also so much fun seeing the gigantic balloons in person and being right in the center of one of the city’s most iconic holiday celebrations.

Another great one to attend in person is the St Patrick’s’ Day parade, the country’s oldest and best. Interestingly enough the NYC’s parade is older than Ireland’s itself. The first Irish parade took place on March 17, 1762 in NYC to celebrate the city’s rich Irish heritage. In Ireland, the first parade took place much later in 1903 in Waterford. Today, cities around the country and world celebrate their Irish heritage on March 17th.

On a funny side note, American tradition is to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day to disguise yourself from leprechauns. They say everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day so get decked out in green, have fun celebrating at the parade, and then visit one of the city’s authentic Irish pubs!