New York City is the city that never sleeps, even if it’s ten degrees below zero! Though you may not want to go window shopping down Fifth Avenue with a scarf covering half your face, there’s still plenty of happy things to do in the Big Apple in the winter.
Check out these places to cheer up during the cold in New York City.
The Bryant Park Winter Village
This NYC Winter Village pops up on the grounds of Bryant Park, right behind the New York Public Library, in late October and stays until just after the New Year. Along with a 17,000 square foot ice skating rink (FREE if you bring your own skates, rentals are available at a reasonable price), the village consists of closed-in kiosks full of eateries, shops, and plenty of good cheer.
Go To A Museum
New York City has so many museums that it would take months to see them all. If you’ve already checked off the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, MOMA, and the Museum of Natural History, consider spending an afternoon at one of the more eclectic museums, such as The Museum of the Moving Image, The New York Historical Society Museum & Library, the Houdini Museum of New York, or the Museum of the American Gangster.
The Big Apple Circus
Appearing in Lincoln Center from the end of November 2018 through March of 2019, the Big Apple Circus provides wholesome family entertainment in a warm, cozy environment. Check out their world-renowned trampoline performers, trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers and clowns.
Chelsea Piers
The Chelsea Piers is a sports and entertainment complex located on the Hudson River with a fitness gym, sports clubs for kids, bowling, ice skating, basketball, and other classes, clinics and programs. Fortunately, it also offers drop-in activities for those just passing by. These include batting cages, rock climbing, parcour, bowling, and a day pass for the gym. It’s a great place to get some exercise without freezing your toes off.
Eat Off The Beaten Path
New York City is chock full of funky restaurants. Check out these cold-weather options:
- Meow Parlor, where you can pet a purring resident cat while enjoying a sweet treat.
- The Refinery Rooftop at the Refinery Hotel which remains open to the sky throughout the coldest winter, thanks to crackling fireplaces and the rum-spiked Chef’s Cider.
- The Cobra Club, where you can indulge in spirits…and spiritual yoga.
- Alice’s Tea Cup where you can enjoy the richest scones ever along with a bottomless pot of hot tea.
Don’t let the winter blues get you down! There’s plenty to enjoy in New York City.