I have spent a lot of time in New York City ever since I was a kid. Although it isn’t my favorite place in the world, there is nothing more beautiful than New York at Christmas. Since I have spent so much time there, I know exactly what should be done or seen during Christmas time and what should be avoided at all costs. (Don’t be upset if your childhood dreams get crushed….)

DO go and see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City Music Hall. No matter how many times I see this show, it gets better and better every time and they change it up every year so you can keep going back. They have performances now through after Christmas!

DON’T go and see the show on the weekend. The most ideal time to go would be a weeknight and since the show is only 90 minutes you can be in and out of the city in no time at all.

DO go look at the tree in Rockefeller Center. It has to be the most beautiful thing and it definitely looks so much nicer at night.

DON’T go on the weekends! Go at night during the week because the crowds are much smaller and it looks just as beautiful (after you see the Christmas Show).

DO look at the decorations down 5^th Avenue. The window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Lord and Taylor and of course Macy’s at Herald Square are definitely something you shouldn’t miss.

DON’T hold up traffic while looking at window displays. Take your pictures and just keep moving. You will get yelled at in multiple languages if you stop and waste time.

DO go ice skating while you’re in the city. I know that you all want to post that killer Insta pic.

DON’T go ice skating in Rockefeller Center. WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T GO ICE SKATING AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER. It is overpriced and too crowded. If you want to go ice skating, I definitely suggest going to the Wollman Rink in Central Park or the rink in Bryant Park; much cheaper but just as awesome of an experience.

DO go and write a letter to Santa and put it in his special mailbox to the North Pole in Macy’s in Herald Square. Maybe you’ll have your own Miracle on 34^th Street! (Also, it's the scene of where the awesome collab of Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber's version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was filmed!)

DON’T get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of NYC at Christmas. Make sure to look around you and enjoy your time there. Try your best to not focus on the little device in your hand and more on your beautiful surroundings.