New York at Christmas had been on our list for years. Mr H and I had visited twice before, the last time back in 2008 when we got engaged in Central Park. This trip felt different in every possible way. Not just because it was our favourite time of year, or because the city was dressed in lights and trees, but because this time we were back as a family – and it was George’s first time seeing New York at Christmas time.
Christmas in New York: Our Family Guide
There’s something special about returning to a place that holds memories, and seeing it again through your child’s eyes. Familiar streets felt new. Old favourites landed differently. And Christmas gave the whole city an extra layer of magic. There are so many ways to spend your time in New York at Christmas, whether it’s exploring the touristy and chaotic areas or exploring the numerous neighbourhoods which are less busy and show you a side of New York that you don’t find in Midtown Manhattan.
Where We Stayed
We based ourselves at the Moxy Lower East Side, which turned out to be a brilliant choice for a family with a teenager. Lower Manhattan felt walkable, lively, and less hectic than Midtown, while still being perfectly connected. With Soho, Tribecca, Little Italy and China Town all within minutes it really was a great area to base ourselves.
We loved starting our mornings wandering neighbourhood streets, grabbing breakfast nearby, and easing into the day before heading further afield. It felt like living in the city rather than just visiting it. And with a subway station around the corner, we were in Midtown within 10 minutes.
Our Week At A Glance
We planned our days loosely, using an itinerary as a guide rather than a rulebook, which worked perfectly. There were some big ticket moments. And of course, those iconic Christmas activities not to be missed. Christmas in New York is busy, yes, but it’s also full of atmosphere. The music, the shop windows, the lights — it all feels cinematic, without losing that everyday city energy. And if you’re lucky, there will be snow!
There was; Madison Square Gardens for the New York Knicks, Barclays Centre for the Nets, Ice Skating in Central Park (although a little disappointing), seeing the skyline from above and wandering around Dumbo before walking across Brooklyn Bridge as the city woke up.
And then there were the quieter ones; early mornings when the streets were calm, grabbing a slice on the go, taking a cruise to see the skyline, wandering through Central Park with no real plan, drinking hot chocolate to warm up cold hands and collapsing back at the hotel in the evenings, tired in the best way.
New York With A Teenager
This trip really confirmed how brilliant New York is for travelling with a teen. There’s so much variety that everyone gets something from it.
For George, it was; live sport in iconic arenas, big landmarks he’d seen a hundred times on screen, food spots that felt cool rather than “family” and miles and miles of walking, discovering things along the way.
For us, it was seeing him take it all in — confident navigating the subway, choosing where we ate, spotting details we might have walked past years ago. The city met him exactly where he’s at now.
Christmas moments that stayed with me
Some moments from our trip will stay with me forever.
That first walk back into the City, walking through Central Park with the sunlight beaming through the buildings, watching George take it all in, wide-eyed but relaxed, American Sports, the viewpoints and realising how far we’ve come since our trip in 2008.
New York has a way of marking time. This trip wasn’t about ticking things off a list — it was about being there, together, at this stage of our lives.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about New York at Christmas as a family, especially with a teenager, I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s busy, yes. It’s full-on. But it’s also unforgettable.
I’ll be sharing a few more posts from this trip – including how we got from Newark to Lower Manhattan, our favourite places to eat, and the must-dos that felt most worth it, but this one will always be the heart of it all.
Because some trips aren’t just holidays. They’re milestones.
Christmas in New York: Our Family Guide
I hope this post helps you in the planning. I’ve also shared posts on where to eat in NYC and how to travel into Manhattan from Newark Airport.
Christmas in New York: Our Family Guide
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
