10 Non-Cliché Things To Do In NYC During The Holidays

There’s nowhere quite like New York City during the Holiday season. The city is extra magical but also extra busy, so we decided to put together a list of some under-the-radar things to do during the holiday season. There’s so much more to New York City then just ice skating in Rockefeller Center, or shopping in the giant Holiday markets, so below, check out our 10 favorite non-cliche things to do in NYC during the holidays.

1. Volez, Voguez, Voyagez - Louis Vuitton Exhibition: If you are looking to escape the cold for a bit, this is the perfect spot to explore. Downtown in the Wall Street area, this is out of the busy AF midtown area. You can book yourself a guided tour or just a ticket - it’s up to you. It’s free and totally worth the subway trip!

2. Wandering Around Fifth Ave: Fifth Ave has some of coolest holiday windows ever, and although this is something that’s a bit popular, it’s honestly worth it. If you go during the day, it’s a bit less crowded then in the evening when the outdoor shows occur at Saks Fifth Avenue. Be sure to stop in the Kylie Cosmetics Pop-up shop in Topshop - it’s only there for a limited time - and finish the night with a cocktail by the fireplace at The Plaza.

3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s: On the 4th floor of Tiffany’s (727 Fifth Avenue), they just opened up the Blue Box Café, so you can legit eat Breakfast at Tiffany’s any time you want. Just think of how good that photo will look on your feed!

4. See a Broadway show for cheap: Today’s Tix is an app (as well as website) that offers you insanely discounted theater tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. This is something that you can definitely do year-round but during the holiday season, it’s a bit more special because there are so many exclusive holiday shows, which always makes for a fun night!

5. Day Out In Brooklyn: Brooklyn is full of cool and quirky things to explore. We love heading to the Artist and Fleas for some super unique gifts and homemade food! We also love exploring Industry City and stopping for a throwback movie and seat-side dining service at Nitehawk Cinema.

6. Free Friday nights at The Whitney: While this is also something that happens year-round, it’s a still a great way to step out from the cold and spend your night perusing art. Here's the catch: it happens only once a month! This month, it takes place on December 15th so get there early!

7. Cocoa and Carol’s Holiday Cruise: Brand new this season, this cruise takes you around the NYC via a gorgeous yacht. Not only do you get to see all the glam and glitter that is NYC during the holidays, but you also get cookies, hot chocolate and even some caroling! We can't think of a more perfect opportunity to break out your ugly Christmas sweater!

8. The Original Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights: If you are someone who loves to look at Christmas lights like we do, this tour is a dream come true. If you’re not into the lights, you can still book a pizza, neighborhood or chocolate tour with this company! Trust us, it’s such an amazing adventure.

9. Dinner at Rolf's: It doesn't get much merrier than this German restaurant. Located in the Gramercy area, Rolf's is decorated from top to bottom in the most spectacular Christmas decorations ever. Try one of their many authentic (and known for) schnapps.

10. Made in Brooklyn Tours – If you are looking to really get to know the Brooklyn makers and more, this is perfect for you. This tour takes you to all the cool spots in the different neighborhoods in the Brooklyn area. So go ahead, be a tourist.

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