Ahhh December in NYC!  It’s one of my absolute favorite months, especially in NYC.  The entire city feels so festive and magical!  I’m excited to be heading back in 2 days and celebrating my birthday with my nearest and dearest friends.  I wanted to share 10 things I always love doing during the holidays in the city!

10 Things To Do In NYC During The Holidays

1.  Ice skate at Rockefeller Center
   There are tons of places to ice skate in the city, but this is definitely the most iconic.  The tree, the huge rink, and 5th Avenue decorated to the nines – ahhh so fun!
2. Enjoy sweet treats at Laduree
   Head to Soho and grab a spot inside the gorgeous Laduree cafe for an afternoon of sweet treats!
3. Get hot cocoa at The Standard
   The Standard Meatpacking location also has a great little ice skating rink and they always put out the most festive decorations.  Enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktails there – or just grab a hot cocoa by the fire!
4. Eat a decadent dinner at The Polo Bar
   Make reservations well in advance to eat at the iconic Polo Bar restaurant.  The food is out of this world and the ambiance is so festive and chic.  Leather booths, velvet, plaid, and dark, moody lighting make this a truly holiday worthy spot.
5. Grab brunch at Buvette and stroll around the West Village
   My go-to weekend brunch spot is Buvette.  It’s a charming French cafe nestled right in the heart of the West Village (my old neighborhood!)  After you enjoy a mouth watering croque monsieur – wander through the cobblestone streets of West Village and admire all of the townhouses.
6. Shop along Fifth and Madison Avenue and admire the window displays
   Spend the day uptown and pop into Bergdorfs, Tiffanys, Saks, Barneys and more splurge worthy shops!  The window displays are incredible!
7. Sip on tea at The Plaza
   Book a table at The Plaza hotel uptown for tea and treats.  The space is gorgeous and so special for a girls afternoon!
8. Listen to jazz at The Carlyle then have cocktails by the fire at The Lowell
   These two stunning hotels are right around the corner from each other and such cozy enclaves during the winter.  The Carlyle has amazing live music, and the Lowell bar – is so intimate – plus the cocktails are amazing!
9. Grab Levain cookies and walk through Central Park
   Ok if you haven’t tried Levain cookies – then you are missing out on LIFE!  These cookies are insane – so thick, so gooey and famous for a reason.  Grab an assortment and wander through Central Park – you can thank me later!
10. Stroll through Washington Square Park with a matcha from Bluestone Lane
    …And grab a pretzel too while you’re at it!  This is one of my favorite parks in the city – and it’s so peaceful in the middle of the day.

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