There's nothing quite like New York during the holidays. The city doesn't skimp on holiday decor, with festive lights decorating the streets and gigantic Christmas trees at Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and other landmarks throughout the city.
There's also no shortage of festive activities, from outdoor markets, Broadway shows, and ice skating to dazzle the whole family. But what if you've already done the popular tourist activities like the Statue of Liberty and want something a little bit more unique? Read more below for five holiday activities that are fun for the whole family. Put on your coat, scarf, and gloves, and get out and explore New York during its most magical time of year!
1. Go on a Holiday-Themed Cruise
New York is the city that never sleeps and also, our subways and boats never stop running. If you want dazzling photos of the Manhattan skyline while sipping on some hot cocoa, Classic Harbor Line has a number of cruises this season that will keep you warm while still providing plenty of sightseeing. Come aboard a festive 1920s yacht for the "Cocoa and Carols" cruise (yes, there's live singing), "Statue & Skyline Holiday Cocoa Cruise" (which goes all the way down near the Statue of Liberty), "New Year's Eve Fireworks" (if you want to ring in 2026 in opulence), and other winter offerings. With sailings lasting around 1.5 hours (though brunch and New Year's is longer), a Classic Harbor Line cruise is one way to see NYC in style!
Visit Sail-NYC.com.
2. Try Your Luck at an Escape Room
If you want a more active NYC experience, then the Escape Game has a very exciting new experience for fans of theatre and murder mysteries: The Only Murders in the Building Escape Game. In this new game inspired by the hit Hulu murder mystery show starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, you (and up to seven of your closest friends) get to don the detective hat. Explore a detailed movie set to find a missing film reel, otherwise the premiere of the Only Murders in the Building movie will be a disaster. Learn teamwork, and have some fun, with an Escape Room adventure—no podcast hosting experience required!
Visit TheEscapeGame.com.
3. Enjoy a Winter Botanical Wonderland
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't enjoy the New York Botanical Gardens. One of New York City's most vibrant green spaces has plants and trees all year round, including always green conifer trees, the snowdrops dotting the grounds, and the tropical plants in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. And during the winter, the Botanical Gardens has a special display for locomotive fans with its annual Holiday Train Show (November 15, 2025–January 11, 2026)—a display of miniature trains that run through replicas of nearly 200 famous bridges and buildings (including a mini Delacorte Theater). Get up close to see these miniature masterpieces, each one meticulously crafted from plant parts like palm fronds, pine cones, and cinnamon sticks.
And come back for Holiday Train Nights, when these miniature trains light up! It's truly a winter wonderland up in the Bronx.
4. Take in a View That Changes You
Once you've discovered what's on the ground, why not see New York City from high up? New York has no shortage of iconic buildings with awe-inspiring views, but The SUMMIT is truly on another level. For one, it's on the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd floors of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and offers floor-to-ceiling windows that will let you take photos of the iconic skyline (and its most famous skyscrapers) from all angles. And each floor has a special feature that will take your sight-seeing to another level, whether that's glass floors and ceiling that make you feel like you're floating, floating bubbles that will make you feel like you're Alice in Wonderland, or wraparound balconies for that perfect photo of you against the sky. One ticket gets you to all three floors, which are so wide and expansive that you won't have to worry about getting the best shot for Instagram.
5. Celebrate a New York Tradition
It's not Christmas without a kickline. This year, the Radio City Rockettes are celebrating their 100th anniversary with a very special holiday show. Running until January 5, 2026, at Radio City Music Hall, the 2025 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes features the dance troupe performing to a score of holiday favorites, in a variety of holiday settings. Audiences attending the 2025 Christmas Spectacular also have access to unique onsite costume exhibits and activations that celebrate the history and legacy of this incredible line of women, as well as custom food and beverage items.
That's not all. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Rockettes have partnered with businesses around the city—including a display at the Museum of Broadway called The Rockettes 100th Anniversary: A Century of Sisterhood (running through January 5, 2026) that features costumes designed by Bob Mackie, Gregg Barnes, Marco Montedoro, Pete Menefee, and Vincente Minnelli.
And be sure to take a photo on the newly named “Rockettes Way," located on Sixth Avenue outside Radio City Music Hall.
Visit Rockettes.com.
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