A Festive Girl’s Trip to NYC in December

After arriving in the city and checking into your hotel, grab a slice of pizza is a classic NYC first stop!

Once you get back to the hotel and freshen up, do some shopping at Hudson Yards. Followed by a walk on the High Line and dinner at the Chelsea Market or Shukette is the way to go for night one!

After beginning your day with free breakfast at the hotel, the second day in the city should be spent at The Met or exploring Central Park! Bemelmans Bar is a must-visit after exploring a museum or Central Park. There are illustrations on the walls by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic Madeline children’s books. It is a truly special place to visit. King Cole is also a great bar stop if you are up for a little wait.

Following a bit of a rest and some refreshments, walking the window shops and seeing all of the Christmas displays on 5th Ave is a great before-dinner option. We are partial to Balthazar or Keen's Steakhouse for dinner, but the delicious food options in NYC are endless. Just make sure to snag a reservation ahead of time if you can!

Breakfast at the hotel is always my first choice, and doing a morning with breakfast in bed can really add an element of relaxation to any trip! If you are more the type to jump out of bed and hit the city, a great breakfast option for day three would be Russ and Daughters. It's a classic New York bagel experience.

Christmas market strolls and shopping are a must, and great options include Bryant Park and Union Square Park Christmas Markets. Lunch options near Union Square Park include Lillie's Victorian Establishment, which goes all out with their Christmas decor, as well as Gramercy Tavern. Lillie's has a great chicken pot pie and at Gramercy Tavern, the soup and sandwich special and cookie for dessert is a must!

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker with the New York City Ballet is the only experience I would suggest making sure you add to your itinerary when in the city at Christmas time. It is pure magic. I recommend saving the best for last and doing this on your last night in the city. Additionally, if you are a fan of tea, tea at The Plaza is a great add to the itinerary and a way to feel fancy before heading to the ballet!