Here are my favorite New York traditions for this festive holiday season.

Explore the tree at Rockefeller Center

It’s a magical moment to be in Rockefeller Center on Christmas Eve, wandering around as people are singing carols or listening to live performances. The whole crowd fills you with joy! I love walking through the beautiful plaza, admiring all of the ice sculptures, and even better, skating on it!

I consider the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree to be one of my favorite aspects of the Rockefeller Center experience. The tree is seriously stunning and everywhere you look you will see a show stopping experience of lights.

Shop for holiday gifts in Byrant Park

When looking to find a holiday gift look no further than the holiday shops at Byrant Park! You will find something that makes a perfect gift for the person on your list.

I love to go around, look at all of the different items and pick out just one special item. Bryant Park has amazing holiday shops so if you are looking for some inexpensive gifts then this is where you should be going! It’s always a lot of fun being in Bryant Park during Christmas time because it really does feel like Christmas.

Eat Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3

For a yummy holiday treat head over to Serendipity 3. This is a great place to get any holiday-themed food like hot chocolate, eggnog, or Christmas cookies!

I had my first experience at Serendipity with their scrumptious hot chocolate and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love how chocolatey it is and I also adore their flavored whipped cream.

Take a walk through Central Park and enjoy the beautiful holiday lights

There’s a lot going on in Central Park during the holiday season. For one thing, it is absolutely decked out with beautiful Christmas lights.

It has become a tradition to go explore the park to see all of the different Christmas trees. They are just so festive and a great place to spend an evening with friends or family!

The Park also offers several events during the holidays such as caroling, ice skating, live shows, food festivals, tree lighting ceremony and more! You can’t go wrong spending your holiday in Central Park.

See the New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker in Lincoln Center 

You can’t go wrong with this ballet, from Tchaikovsky’s masterful music to the captivating choreography, the Nutcracker is always set to deliver a transformative experience.

The New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition for over 50 years and is one of the most beloved holiday-themed classical ballets in America. If you have never seen it before then I highly recommend seeing The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center Plaza! You won’t regret it!

Go ice skating at Bryant Park Skating Rink in Manhattan

If you’re looking for a winter snowy activity, Bryant Park Skating Rink in Manhattan is an absolute must.

The Ice Skating rink is outdoors so no matter what the weather, you can go ice skating at Bryant Park! The best part about this activity is that it doesn’t require any equipment. All you need to bring are your skates and some money for food or a drink from one of the nearby vendors while you wait in line. Then enjoy an hour out on the rink with friends or family! It’s such a fun thing to do during winter break – especially if there are few snow days left before Christmas Eve.

After skating make sure to head over to the holiday shops and grab some yummy hot chocolate from the No Chewing Allowed holiday booth. This classic booth always has a line because their hot chocolate is really that good!

Visit the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular

Next up on the list is the Radio City Music Hall! The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular is unlike any other show in the city – it’s like an all-out holiday extravaganza! The music, the lights, and the atmosphere are sure to have a spirit-lifting effect on anyone who attends. I recommend getting there early because it does get crowded quickly after doors open at Radio City Musical Hall. You don’t want to be late for this show!

Take a walk through Grand Central Terminal and admire all the holiday decorations 

Grand Central Terminal is always decorated with Christmas lights and every year they are even more extravagant than before. Stroll through Grand Central Terminal and take your time admiring all of the different decorations. From Santa Claus handing out candy canes, to stringed white lights hung everywhere, there’s not much better during winter break than visiting one of America’s most iconic landmarks – especially when it has an added touch of festive cheer.

Make sure to look up and see the ceilings consultation up above. The station is cover with beautiful celestial zodiac signs.

Macy’s on Herald Square Holiday Windows

Macy’s is one of the best places in New York City to do your Christmas shopping. The theme changes each year, but the Macy’s window displays always have a nice mix of puppetry and screens to create the magic. Macy’s Santaland is set on the corner of 34th Street and 6th Avenue.

Visit the Dyker Heights Neighborhood

When it comes to entering a full Christmas Vilalge the best place to go to see extravagant Christmas lights is Dyker Heights. They have such an NYC holiday atmosphere that you can’t help but fall in love with it! Make sure to get there early in the day, because it gets packed with people as night falls.

Tudor City Overpass

The Tudor City Overpass is one of New York’s best-kept photo secrets. You can get amazing views of Manhattanhenge as well as spectacular photos of the Chrysler Building behind you.  Take the stairs leading up to the overpass at the intersection of 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue.

Photo Tip: A fun time to go is during sunset around 7 pm!

Location: There are stone steps on both sides of 42nd St and 2nd ave that will lead you to the overpass.

Grand Central Station

This is one of my favorite Instagram-worthy spots! Grand Central is the third busiest train station in the world and absolutely one of the most beautiful stations I have seen in America. The grand ceilings and detailed architecture are absolutely stunning.

Since Grand Central is very busy, it can be difficult to take photos with all the hustle and bustle of people. Patients will be key to nailing these shots. Sometimes it can be best to just embrace the ambiance and incorporate it into your shot. I tried once using a very slow shutter speed to capture the movement of the people around me.

Another fun option is to switch things up and try shooting outside this iconic train station. There will never be a dull spot to shoot, trust me!

Photo Tip: It’s always good to shoot grand central station during sunset. Something about the blue light during the evening creates a very dreamy atmosphere that can make Grand Central even more magical.

Location: 89 E. 42nd Street at Park Avenue

Flatiron District + Flatiron Building

The Flatiron District and Madison Square Park are beautiful New York photography locations. This is also the home of the original Shake Shack, which has outdoor seating with cute string lights that makes for a perfect location dinner date or just after-dinner walk around to take in some spectacular views from every angle imaginable!

To get a great photo, take your camera to eye level and use its zoom feature. Get in close for some up-close details of this iconic building before zooming out for an overview shot that captures all those wonderful angles. Also, try walking around the building for stunning shots of The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.’s Clock Tower!

Photo Tip: Bring a colorful outfit and props – it will make your pictures pop. There are a lot of ways to make your Flatiron District and Madison Square Park picture stand out from the rest. For example, try incorporating a prop like a coffee cup or flowers. If maximum content is what you are after try to bring different outfits changes. This will enable you to have your content look like it was taking on different days. Mix it up with different angles and you are in business, just think about it. 3 outfits mixed with 5 different fun angles of this awesome area (that’s a total of 15 shots to incorporate into your feed). You will be so happy when you get home to edit, so much to choose from.

Locations: Intersection of Broadway, 23rd Street, and Fifth Ave.

Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center

To get a startling view of the city, consider going to Top of the Rock. Top of the Rock is located on the roof of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with amazing views spanning from Central Park to the Hudson River.

Photo Tip: Top of the Rock has a lot going on. A lot! Top of the Rock is very busy, especially during weekends and on holidays. So it’s important to have enough time set aside if you want Top of The Rock to be exclusively your photography spot for the day. Starting out early is super important, I like to call it a sunrise mission! You are on a mission to see the best views and get some amazing shots.

Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, right in the hear of the Plaza District in Midtown Manhattan

The Empire State Building

It’s impossible not to visit the Empire State Building when in New York City. It is one of the city’s most Instagrammable places in NYC, and the first floor is free for all visitors. The prices for different levels range from $18-$36, depending on how long you want to stay and how far up you want to go.

The view from the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building is one that will take your breath away. This is the highest point in the building and you can see 360 degrees around. I’m telling you, it’ll leave you speechless. I’ll never forget that first time I saw the Manhattan skyline from up there.

Photo Tip: The best time to go to the empire state building is early in the morning. Getting there by 8:30 am has a good chance of getting you inside with no lines or crowds.

After exploring the Empire State Building, try walking down to 23rd Street. You will get some stunning views of the iconic building as well as a new photo opt with the Flatiron Building, so it’s a win-win. Instagram spots in NYC are seriously all over the place.

Location: 400 Fifth Ave @ 34th Street (you can enter from 33rd street or 35th street)

Times Square

This location is definitely a must-see if you are visiting New York City! Everywhere you turn, you will see new fascinating Instagram-worthy angles for a photo, and don’t get me started on how beautiful all the lights of Broadway are!

Times Square is full of 55 display lights, making it easy to take photos in the middle of the night. Usually, when shooting in most locations around New York you need to be conscious of the time of day and amount of light, this is definitely not the case in Times Square. I remember many times being so happily surprised with the amount of light I got even when shooting at 11 pm! I would even recommend coming back to this spot for day and night shots, as you’ll get a completely different perspective depending on the lighting.

Times Square has been a popular tourist spot since its opening in 1904. Today, more than 300 thousand people pass through the square daily; it is estimated that 900 million photos are taken here each year. It can be stressful to shoot in public, but as you look around you will see that everyone is just so happy to be in one of the most aesthetic places in NYC. Take a deep breath and go for it!

Photo Tip: Use the lights to your advantage. Stand face forward towards a big bright sign and let it illuminate you from the front. This is a perfect trick to have an easy catch light in your eyes.

Location: Between Broadway and 7thave – 42nd through 47th Street.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest suspension bridge in the United States. It was completed in 1883 and spans 1,595 feet. The iconic landmark has been featured in numerous movies and television shows through the years. The bridge is definitely one of the most recognizable photography locations in the world.

If you’re looking for a great backdrop for your Instagram photo, this is it! There are countless angles and locations on the bridge for an all-out photo shoot.

An added bonus is that after you finish your shoot you can head over to Dumbo and see it from below. The perfect viewing spot for this would be right by the water at Jane’s Carousel.

Photo Tip: Shoot at sunrise or sunset – The early morning light will be beautiful for capturing the skyline over New York with an orange even glow before everything gets busy. Shooting around this time also means you’ll get fewer people in your shots.

Location: Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway begins at Tillary Street and Boerum Place. A second way to access the walkway is to use the Washington Street underpass, which is located about two blocks from Front Street in Brooklyn.

The Met Steps

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s most spectacular museums. While heading inside, make sure to take a snapshot of these Instagrammable steps. If you’re anything like me, you know that these are the iconic steps that Blair and Serena had lunch on from the TV Show Gossip Girl! If you are a fan of the show, don’t be shy! Dress up your shoot with a classic Blair Waldorf headband. You won’t regret it, xoxo.

Photo Tip: Try shooting with a wide-angle lens to get the full steps and building in the frame.

Location: 1000 5th Ave

The Vessel At Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards is a new addition to the city’s skyline. The Vessel is the building’s signature landmark. The landmark has become one of the top Instagram spots since its 2019 opening. The area offers great views of the river, and plenty of room to snap the perfect picture of Hudson Yards.

The beautiful beehive-like shape is so inviting and reflects a beautiful array of bounced light. I remember heading up with some friends all geared up and ready to take photos. As soon as we entered and looked up, it was such a beautiful strange sight.

Photo Tip: Make sure you travel light for this photo excursion. The Vessel has a lot of stairs and it is a very long way up. You will want comfortable shoes and less photo gear.

I would recommend shooting with a wide-angle (either your phone all zoomed out or a wide-angle zoom lens will do). Using this you will be able to fully capture your epic surroundings for the perfect Instagram photo.

Location: 20 Hudson Yards, West on 34th Street, West Side of the East River.

The High Line

The High Line is a free, interactive park that blends art and nature. It’s a way to see the view of the West 15th Street Skybridge near Chelsea Market. It runs from Hudson Yards to Meatpacking District and is a great spot for free photos.

The park also features a variety of intriguing art installations and during the spring/summer time has a beautiful array of blooming flowers.

Photo Tip: For a beautiful photo opt plus a fun spot to people watch check out the 17th Street in the 10th Avenue Box. Watch all of New York City happening around you while you snap your shots.

Location: Gansevoort Street and Washington Street (elevator access) 14th Street (elevator access) 16th Street (elevator access)

Central Park

Central Park is a must-see for New Yorkers and tourists alike. Located in the center of the city, Central Park is a great place to spend all day. Picnics, bike rides, are all perfect activities for this park.

Central Park offers plenty of photo opportunities from little lagoons to big bridges and even famous landmarks like The Bethesda Fountain or Bow Bridge. I always feel like there is an opportunity for a photo in every corner.

Photo Tip: One of my favorite spots to shoot is by the Conservatory Water pond (near the east 75th street entrance). There are always miniature sailboats floating around the pond, and if you are hungry after your day of shooting you can stop by the Le Pain Quotidien at Mineral Springs. They have the perfect quiches and outdoor seating.

Location: Central Park has many entrances. Here are a few, 59th Street, 72nd Street, 81st Street, 86th Street, and Cathedral Pkwy at 110th St.

The Oculus / One World Trade

The Oculus is a beautiful architectural marvel. The white, geometric structure reflects light like a giant mirror that shifts shape throughout the day and night. The best time to catch this great reflection effect is during sunrise or sunset since the object you are photographing will be directly below where you are standing. The lighting from above will show off its orange glow as it emanates through The Oculus’ beautiful glass facade.

Photo Tip: Take your time exploring this location. There is so much to see, from the amazing stores to the beautiful architecture you will definitely want to shoot both indoor and outdoor.

Location: The Manhattan Oculus building is located at 280 Broadway between Fulton and Vesey Streets (1/2 a block from the Chambers Street–World Trade Center Subway Station).