Our first time in New York Christmas Itinerary
New York, New York, it’s a hell of a town! Those words have echoed in my mind ever since I first saw the city that never sleeps on my TV. As a self-declared Yulephile (definition: someone who loves Christmas), I dreamt of one day waking up to a snowy Manhattan, re-creating Elf, and meeting the real Santa at Macy’s. On the other hand, Nathan wanted to see everything from Spider-Man and Ghostbusters…
What I hadn’t realised was that this trip was more of a dream than I could have ever imagined.
A huge shout-out to various Facebook Groups for their recommendations. I quickly learned that being over-prepared is necessary in New York—especially when visiting during Christmas week, the busiest time of the year.
Flights
I’ll draft a separate blog focused on our first Upper-Class experience. However, we flew from Manchester on Christmas Eve straight into JFK and returned on December 29. The flights weren’t particularly busy, everyone seemed in a festive mood, and our lounges were even serving mini Christmas dinners to celebrate the occasion.
We’ve flown Virgin Atlantic multiple times and feel a strong sense of loyalty to them. It helps that Nathan has a Virgin Credit Card, making reward points and vouchers extra handy. However, beyond the perks, we’ve always had a solid experience and felt well taken care of.
Christmas Eve
Usually, the sleepless excitement is reserved for Christmas morning, but despite the darkness outside, I was up at the crack of dawn. To avoid traversing the M62 on Christmas Eve morning and to maximise our time in the lounge, we stayed overnight at the Radisson Blu hotel. The hotel is well-positioned, has everything you need, and eliminates the early morning stress of catching a flight on time!
A major bonus was its proximity to Terminal 2, allowing Nathan to take things at his own pace and reducing the distance he needed to walk with a heavy suitcase.
After a quick perusal of Duty-Free (of course, I had to buy myself some early Christmas presents), we headed up to the 1903 Lounge, included in our flight tickets.
1903 Lounge
The 1903 Lounge appears to be the nicer of the two T2 lounges, but both seem to do the job.
The champagne was flowing—a little too much in my case—and Nathan went back for thirds when it came to food, which is the highest compliment. He was also impressed they had Guinness available, and I’m sure he enjoyed his varying rounds of Guinness, whiskey, and champagne.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
A little merry, we headed to our gate for priority boarding. Flying Upper Class, we received a welcome drink and an amenity kit at our seat. Once in the air, dinner was served—a full three-course meal. However, I barely managed my main course before I was ready for a nap.
When I awoke, I realised I had genuinely given myself a champagne-infused hangover…
After landing at JFK, we headed straight to security. One of my biggest tips is to download the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app and complete it before arrival. The main queue appeared to be moving slowly, with an estimated two-hour wait. Meanwhile, we were through in a grand total of 15 minutes!
Airport Transfer
Our driver Kris from Prem’s Luxury Transfers met us at arrivals. He was friendly, shared personal recommendations for food and sights, and gave us a great rundown of what was near our hotel. The roads were busy, but Kris did everything he could to get us there as quickly as possible. I highly recommend Prem’s for a quick and efficient service.
I had clearly overestimated my own stamina. After an early wake-up, a long flight, and copious amounts of champagne, 7:30 PM was my peak, and as soon as we arrived at the Virgin Hotel, I was ready for bed. We compromised with a nap, intending to make our Carmine’s 10:30 PM booking and a post-meal Times Square visit. However, an hour turned into 12, and I woke up the next morning.
Little did I know, I had unknowingly ruined Nathan’s own plans…
Christmas Day
Fully refreshed, I woke up on Christmas morning with the excitement of a toddler. By 5 AM, I was raring to go! We had booked a Central Park Pedicab Tour with Joe at Central Park Attractions at 8 AM. This gave us plenty of time for a slow wake-up, a present exchange, and a meandering walk to Central Park—our first walkthrough of Times Square.
Central Park Pedicab
The Pedicab was magical. Although we missed the Christmas Eve snow due to our late arrival, Central Park still looked like a winter wonderland. Joe cycled us around, pointing out key spots, movie moments, and even hinting to Nathan about the perfect place to propose. After sending photos to my friends back home, they were convinced we had hired a professional photographer!
Radio City Rockettes
From there, we headed straight to Radio City for The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, a long-time dream of mine. The performance was everything I hoped for—dancing, singing, and even a real-life camel! It slightly took away the sting of paying $19 for two bottles of water and a Coke…
My only gripe was the accessibility ticket booking process. Whenever we tried to purchase tickets online, we encountered errors, and the help desk only responded after multiple follow-ups. However, we found a good discount code and chose seats that were easy for Nathan to get in and out of.
(Bonus gripe: people arriving late and chatting throughout—but the show was absolutely worth it!)
Tavern on the Green
After the show, we strolled down Sixth Avenue and back to Central Park for our 2:30 PM dinner reservation at Tavern on the Green. We arrived early, anticipating a queue, and grabbed a drink. However, we weren’t seated until 3 PM. I accidentally ruined Nathan’s plans again by making him check his coat in the cloakroom.
After ordering a bottle of champagne to celebrate Christmas, Nathan asked me to spend the rest of our lives together! A Christmas to remember.
Now, onto the important part—the food. I’ll admit, I was dreading the idea of cauliflower soup, but I really wanted to eat at Tavern on the Green, so I thought I’d struggle through. To my surprise, the soup was incredible. Maybe it was the adrenaline of getting engaged, but it was genuinely amazing.
For our main course, despite looking at the menu for three months, I still struggled to decide. Eventually, we both opted for the Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin. Probably some of the best beef I’ve ever had—the Cabernet sauce was divine.
For dessert, I chose the Lemon Meringue Tart, while Nathan opted for the Crème Brûlée. By this point, I was stuffed, so Nathan got two desserts. I was devastated, though, because that tart was incredible.
All in all, this was not a cheap meal. The base price was $135 per person (excluding tax and tip), but with drinks and extras, our total came to $500. However, this will always be one of the most special places for me—where we got engaged. Props to our waiter, Cooper, who made it extra memorable and even retrieved Nathan’s ring from his checked coat.
It wasn’t until we got home that Nathan told me the real reason he wanted to eat here—it was featured in Ghostbusters.
Sadly, we think Nathan injured his hip at some point on Christmas Day. We had planned to visit the Top of the Rock in the evening, but since we’d already had such a perfect day—and Nathan was in so much pain—we decided to head back to the hotel instead.
Boxing Day
After an early morning wake-up to call home and show off my ring to anyone who would listen, we headed out to see Times Square almost devoid of people. I thought I’d try my luck at getting into Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Everyone says to prepare for a long wait, but we must have waited all of about five minutes—and even that was just for someone to come down the queue and ask how many were in our party.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Early morning cocktails, musical theatre, and an overall sense of camp? Ellen’s was always going to be my #1. However, I was genuinely concerned ahead of our trip that it might be Nathan’s worst nightmare. I don’t think he’ll be rushing back anytime soon, but he did crack a smile—so at least that’s something. Although, that very much could have been at the burrito he was eating…
The atmosphere was lively, even pre-9 AM, and everyone seated was clearly there for a good time. If Ellen’s is on your list, make sure to go in ready to partake, and prepare to be wowed—these waiters (and waitresses) are so talented (with a capital T!).
5th Avenue
Is it even a trip to New York if you don’t window shop down 5th Avenue, fantasising about spending all the money you don’t have? Especially at Christmas.
Not going to lie—if Nathan wasn’t around, I’d have been coming home with several maxed-out credit cards. From Tiffany to Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue to Victoria’s Secret, the decorations were stunning—and the spending opportunities were even more insane.
I did come away with a new Tiffany bracelet because, of course, when in Rome… But it felt extra special because of the exclusive 5th Avenue bag it comes in, complete with a little charm featuring the building itself. If you have some extra time, take a moment to explore each floor. The sales assistants explained that every floor has its own unique artwork, and after their full refurbishment, the store is genuinely stunning—even just to walk around.
We didn’t visit the Blue Box Café on this trip, but I have been to the pop-up in London. As a girl obsessed with Tiffany Blue, it was great for the Instagram aesthetic!
FAO Schwarz & Jellycat Diner
We all know I’m a (barely) overgrown child. And, of course, I love a Jellycat. Anything cute, cuddly, and specifically personified versions of inanimate objects or animals is always a winner in my book. Teddies are my go-to souvenir, no matter how many times Nathan tries to convince me that a magnet holds just as much value…
When I tell you the queues for FAO Schwarz and the Jellycat Diner were the longest we had all week, I mean it. Even longer than peak Manchester Airport security lines—without priority!
Luckily, as an avid TikTokker, I’d seen that just before our trip, the rules had changed, and the Diner was no longer a walk-in. (Good thing, too—Facebook groups said queues were hours long!) Of course, this may change again, but I think reservations helped manage the chaos. That said, we still had to wait an hour with a reservation.
Queue management left a lot to be desired. Even security wasn’t sure who was lining up for which entrance. Many people hadn’t realised it was a reservation-only experience and were visibly upset when they found out they likely wouldn’t get one for their trip. The poor staff inside really were trying their best—even as people kept joining the queue despite numerous signs stating that if you didn’t have a reservation, you wouldn’t get served.
The diner experience itself took about five minutes per Jellycat. Once we got into the store, we were handed a menu and asked to choose which Jellycats we wanted (we picked the Bagel and Pancakes) and provide names for them. (We got one for Nathan’s cousin, so technically, I didn’t buy both…).
Props to the team within the Diner! I worked at Disney World, and even I was impressed by their enthusiasm and sheer determination to provide a great experience amidst all the chaos. They started by “toasting” our Jellycats on a frying pan and then adding toppings—salmon on a bagel, cream cheese, salt & pepper, or, of course, syrup and whipped cream on the pancakes.
Once “cooked” to perfection, each Jellycat was boxed up, given a personalised sticker (hence asking for our names), and placed in a special Jellycat Diner tote bag. We even got Christmas stickers to celebrate the occasion!
Each diner-exclusive Jellycat cost $55 plus tax. So, probably not something I’d do again if we went back, but it was certainly fun!
The Plaza
To continue our boujee day, I’d booked Afternoon Tea at The Plaza. This was always on my New York must-do list, so as soon as reservations opened, I instantly booked—admittedly, without checking the cost.
Having to explain to Nathan that we were spending almost a mortgage payment on a tray of sandwiches, scones, and cakes is not a conversation I wish to relive. I genuinely thought his eyes would fall out of his head. But, knowing that entrance to The Plaza is limited at Christmas due to the sheer number of people who want to see the decorations, he reluctantly agreed. (Though I suspect 90% of the reason he wanted to come was Home Alone). At least it made for some gorgeous engagement photos!
Nothing prepares you for the decorations. As much as they’re probably some of the most photographed in NYC, they truly are special to see in person.
Once seated, service was quick—not in a “you need to eat and go” way, but more in a “we were expecting you” way. The room was much bigger than I expected, but it still felt intimate and luxurious.
When the Afternoon Tea arrived, it became very clear why The Plaza charges so much more than a local café in Leeds. From foie gras macarons to caviar smoked salmon sandwiches, it was a far cry from the chicken dippers and smiley faces I grew up on. Pair that with the champagne we just had to order, and I was on cloud nine.
And surprisingly, for what looked like a tray of bite-sized sandwiches, cakes, and scones, it was incredibly filling! We even took a doggy bag. Then, to top it off, they brought us a congratulations cake and chocolates to take away!
While pricey, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience (until we go back, of course), and one I’ll be dreaming about forever!
27 December
This might actually have been one of my favourite days ever, albeit one of the longest.
Brooklyn Bridge
We woke up at 4:30 AM (thank you, jet lag!) to get ready and make sure we were at the bridge for sunrise. The subway was super easy to use, and the walk from the station to the bridge took about 10 minutes.
The sunrise was absolutely incredible. We stood there for a while, just taking it all in—it was 100% worth the early wake-up call. Sunrise was at 7:30 AM, but we arrived 45 minutes early to make the most of our time.
Crowds were manageable at this hour, but based on photos I’ve seen later in the day, it would’ve been far too busy for Nathan and me—especially with the one-mile walk across.
Accessibility Tip: The Brooklyn Bridge has a pedestrian walkway, but it’s a long, sometimes uneven trek with no seating along the way. If mobility is a concern, consider enjoying the view from DUMBO instead!
DUMBO
We had to get the iconic DUMBO shot. Even at 8 AM, it was already busy, making it tricky to get a photo without people in the background. But since it’s only about a 5-minute walk from the bridge, it’s definitely worth the visit for those classic NYC photos.
Brooklyn
I wish we’d spent more time in Brooklyn, but we had so much to see today that it ended up being more of a whistle-stop tour. It’s definitely on the list for next time!
After DUMBO, we walked down to Time Out Market, which wasn’t due to open until 9 AM.
We made an impromptu stop at Butler’s, and while we only grabbed a coffee, the food looked incredible—especially the açai bowls. A lovely little brunch spot, and one that came highly recommended!
Time Out Market was definitely a vibe. Not many stalls were open when we arrived, but we managed to grab an Ess-a-Bagel. I can imagine it gets crazy busy later in the day, especially the rooftop bar.
From what I saw, there was an absolute mix of cuisines—barbecue, macarons, pasta, pickles, doughnuts, ramen—you name it! Just… not open at 9 AM.
Ghostbuster’s House
Admittedly, this one went completely over my head. Nathan is really trying to push the Ghostbusters love, but I’ve seen the franchise once and can’t say I share the same enthusiasm. That said, the firehouse itself was cool.
Nathan, on the other hand? Absolutely ecstatic. That rare grin of his—the one he reserves for truly special things—made an appearance.
This is still an active firehouse, so visitors need to be respectful. The firefighters weren’t around when we visited, but I’ve heard that if they’re not too busy, you can knock on the door and buy exclusive merch. I know for a fact Nathan will be dragging us back next time.
One World Trade Center / Oculus / 9/11 Memorial
It was about a 20-minute walk over to the 9/11 Memorial. I didn’t feel it was appropriate to take photos or film, but this was a deeply moving moment. Even though I was only five years old at the time, I still remember the day like it was yesterday.
We didn’t go inside the museum this time, but it’s on our must-visit list for next time.
The twin reflecting pools and waterfalls are surrounded by the names of those who tragically lost their lives. One detail that really stood out to me was the white roses—if a name has a rose next to it, it means it’s their birthday. Such a beautiful and touching tribute.
From there, we made a quick stop at the Oculus. This strangely shaped building is mesmerizing in person, but honestly? We were a little shopped out by this point. The highlight for us was actually the Sonic-themed roller skating rinkinside—definitely unexpected!
Accessibility Tip: The 9/11 Memorial has ramped paths and elevators, but the cobblestone areas around the site can be tricky for wheelchairs or mobility aids. The Oculus is fully accessible, with elevators and spacious walkways
Financial District
Continuing our sightseeing spree, we walked over to Wall Street, partly to see the Christmas tree and partly to get inspired to make some money!
Since you can’t go inside the New York Stock Exchange, my personal highlight was seeing The Fearless Girl statue in person. Originally placed in front of the Charging Bull for International Women’s Day, it now stands outside the Stock Exchange—and I loved its symbolism. It felt empowering to all women in the workplace!
Raising Cane’s
Switching gears from finance to fried chicken, we finally got to try the world-famous Raising Cane’s.
The vibes? Immaculate.
The seating? Not so much.
With no available tables, we perched on a windowsill outside, digging into an order of chicken fingers, fries, Texas Toast, and the iconic Cane’s sauce. And yes—it lived up to the hype.
Harbor Lights NYC Cruise
To end the night, we headed to Pier 83 for a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise.
Decked out in Christmas decorations, it felt incredibly festive. But get there early—it was freezing, and all the indoor seats were snapped up fast.
Despite the late departure (and our ridiculously early start this morning), we loved seeing NYC’s landmarks lit up at night—the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Chrysler Building, and of course, the Statue of Liberty.
This was included in our CityPASS, and for us, it was totally worth it!
28 December
Today was our first miserable and foggy day in NYC—and, of course, it was the day we’d booked not one, but both of our viewing platform experiences! We still made the best of it, but for our last full day in the city, we weren’t exactly lucky…
Rockefeller Center
We started the day at the iconic Rockefeller Center. Honestly? The trip to the top was a little underwhelming—partly because of the fog, and partly because there wasn’t much of a view to begin with! But it was still a must-do for us, and there was no way to know that rescheduling from Christmas Day would mean we’d miss out.
On the bright side—we got an amazing view of the Christmas tree without the usual crowds!
The Ride
I knew booking this would be Nathan’s worst nightmare. But since we hadn’t booked a Broadway show, we needed a little musical theater in our lives!
The Ride is part tour, part show, and completely unique. It had me howling the whole way around, and even Nathan cracked a smile (a win in my book). We actually learned a lot as we cruised through the city!
The bus itself has floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you an incredible view of the action. The experience includes:
Ballet dancers performing in the street
Impromptu rap battles
Christmas singalongs Random costumed characters appearing out of nowhere
It was cringey in the best way—but completely self-aware and genuinely so much fun.
Again, this was included in our CityPASS, and I highly recommend it!
Grand Central Station
We weren’t sure if we’d have time to visit Grand Central Station, but since it’s so close to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, we squeezed it in before our reservation.
(Yes, I quoted Madagascar the entire time. No regrets.)
Decorated beautifully for Christmas, Grand Central was even more stunning in person. With 750,000 people passing through daily, I’m not sure how anyone manages to walk through without stopping to stare at the ceiling all day long.
We took a quick wander around the food court, grabbing macarons and coffee. We didn’t stop at the Oyster Bar, but if you’ve been, let me know what it’s like!
Since we had our reservation next door, we couldn’t fully explore—but trust me, I wanted to!
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
This ended up being one of our favorite experiences on the trip. Even though the fog never cleared up, there were so many cool installations and photo ops that it was still a blast.
Accessibility Tip: Before getting in line, we spoke to an employee, and as soon as they saw Nathan, they whizzed us past the queue and straight up the lift. They also offered elevator access instead of escalators wherever needed. Super helpful and stress-free!
It was definitely busy, and in hindsight, an early morning reservation would have been ideal—but we booked too late. Alternatively, if the sky had been clearer, sunset would have been absolutely incredible from the top. But, you know… fog.
We opted for tickets that included a complimentary cocktail—which actually saved us a few dollars! The drinks were great, but with the dreary weather, the indoor areas were packed, and it didn’t quite have the vibe I imagine it would on a clear day.
Bryant Park
Our last stop of the day was Bryant Park, another visit we’d moved from Christmas Day to avoid the crowds.
We’d heard horror stories about how busy Winter Village gets during Christmas week—but thanks to the rain, the markets cleared out quickly.
The Winter Village features:
An ice-skating rink (Skating is free if you bring your own skates!)
A variety of holiday shops
Bars & food stalls
Skating was a no-go for us, but it was lovely to watch from the sidelines.
We didn’t buy much (because even two Northerners have their rain limits), but we did grab:
A No Chewing Allowed hot chocolate (delicious!)
A Crumbl cookie each (stunning!).
I’d love to experience this again—preferably when it’s not absolutely flooded—but I’ll have to wait until another Christmas rolls around!
Travel Home Day
After an early night in with pizza and cookies, it was time to check out of the Virgin Hotel.
We squeezed in some last-minute shopping around Times Square before heading to JFK.
Leaving NYC was heartbreaking, but our visit to the Delta One Lounge almost made up for it. This lounge deserves its own post, and trust me—I’ll be writing that soon!
Our flight home was uneventful, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d left a piece of my heart in New York City. 
Top Christmas Tips for Visiting New York:
- Holiday Displays & Markets:
- Visit the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice skating rink. Don’t miss the festive holiday window displays at Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.
- Check out Dyker Heights in Brooklyn for stunning Christmas lights or explore the seasonal Holiday Markets at Union Square and Bryant Park.
- Ice Skating Fun:
- Skate at iconic rinks like Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park. Bryant Park also offers a charming alternative with less crowded times and a holiday market.
- Christmas Shows:
- Catch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes or enjoy a festive performance at a local theater to really immerse yourself in the holiday spirit.
- Winter Prep:
- Be prepared for cold weather! Pack warm layers, gloves, and a hat, and be ready for potential snow and icy streets.
Accessibility Tips for a Smooth Holiday Visit:
- Accessible Holiday Displays & Attractions:
- The Rockefeller Center tree and rink are wheelchair accessible, though be mindful of crowded peak times. Arrive early or late for a quieter visit.
- Holiday markets like Bryant Park offer accessible paths and restrooms, ideal for visitors with mobility needs.
- Adaptive Ice Skating:
- Bryant Park offers adaptive skating programs for those with mobility challenges, providing a more accessible experience compared to the busier Rockefeller rink.
- Accessible Transportation:
- Utilise New York’s accessible subway stations and buses, and consider using ride-sharing services like UberWAV for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
- Rest & Relaxation Spots:
- If you need a break from the hustle and bustle, find quiet and sensory-friendly spaces such as the Rubin Museum of Art or quieter areas of Central Park.
I hope you enjoyed our trip round up! View all past blogs and destinations here >>>
