Now maybe I'm biased, but I find New York City to be pretty fantastic year-round but there's something especially magical about Manhattan in the winter. Between the entire city being primarily lit by skyscrapers and Christmas lights and Central Park being covered in snow, something about it just feels inherently picturesque. I could probably think of 200 reasons why New York City is the best when it's cold but let's be honest; you don't have time to read through 200 reasons why I love this city and I'm writing this during finals week so I definitely don't have time to write 200 reasons, no matter how tempting that level of procrastination seems in the face of writing my film paper. Anyway, I digress. Here are the 8 best of the best reasons why New York City is at its prime in the Winter.
1. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Sometimes I'm convinced I've moved to the North Pole with all the Christmas sparkle happening in this place. Rockefeller Center looks like what I imagine Santa's Workshop to look like if Santa 1.) existed and, 2.) was a multi-billionaire. There's really nothing like walking down 5th ave and seeing that giant Christmas tree and all the lights and people in hats and scarves ice skating in the rink below.
2. Free Holiday Activites
My bank account has been thoroughly assassinated by this city. Literally nothing in this city is free. Except for during the holidays! Many places host free holiday events like public tree lightings and free outdoor winter concerts. Speaking of Rockefeller, the Rockefeller Plaza tree lighting and concert is free to the public (i;e SO CROWDED but very fun) and so is the New York Stock Exchange tree lighting ceremony. Both of these events bring in performers such as the Rockettes and popular music artists to an outdoor performance space before lighting the giant Christmas trees at the end of the party. And they're both 100% FREE.
3. It's cold outside so there's no heat to make the trash reek outside.
This is just a major plus for people who spend most of the year here thinking about investing in a gas mask for their trips down the street to the grocery store. It's nice to get a break for a few months from choking on the air when you walk outside :)
4. Christmas Shopping on Fifth Ave (!!!)
Hi, my name is Camryn and I am a Christmas Gift shopaholic. So if you've made it this far in my article, you just read my statement about an assassinated bank account. Yes, maybe I do this to myself but Christmas shopping is a major contributor. One of my favorite things about Christmas is picking out the perfect gifts for my friends and family. It's really a blessing and a curse that Anthropologie is literally across the street from my dorm. But Christmas shopping on Fifth Ave is really something because all of the storefronts have their Christmas displays out and let me tell you, these things are a work of art. The Saks Fifth Ave window displays belong in the Met.
5. Christmas music plays all over the place, including the subway.
Nothing to better improve the tragic abyss that is the MTA than when all the subway musicians take a break from their regular repertoire to bring out a few Christmas tunes. It can really brighten your mood even in the face of being crammed into a metal tube with way more people than should be safely allowed. God bless MTA. :)
6. Honestly, it's just really pretty
I'm a sucker for a pleasing aesthetic. Who among us isn't? The first snow of the season allowed me to look out my window to see rooftops dusted with a blanket of pure white as the flurries made their way down to the sidewalks below. Very magical.
7. The dogs on the streets wear winter gear.
This might mean absolutely nothing to you but if you know me, you know it means everything. Dogs without sweaters and little snow booties to protect their paws are unbelievably cute on their own. But if you throw those puppers in a little red vest with some snowshoes to protect their precious little paws...geez..talk about heart explosion due to cuteness overload :')
8. Central Park covered in snow
Need I say more? Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, it's insanely fun. Have you ever built a snowman or been sledding in Central Park? 10/10 would most definitely recommend. Some people say Disney World is the most magical place on earth but those people haven't been to Central Park after a good snowfall.
No matter where you spend the holiday season, it's always pretty magical and special. However, if you ever get a chance to spend it in New York, I would suggest it. Here's to wishing you and yours the best holiday season wherever you may be.
