Classic (and Not-So-Classic) New York City for the Holidays

by Ashley & Carolyn from The Lazy Travelers, with contribution by Donna C. 

There’s a reason the best holiday movies take place in New York City. From Miracle on 34th Street to Elf, Hollywood knows what’s up: there is no other place in the world more magical than NYC at Christmastime.

For those of you who don’t get to experience the joys of a Manhattan holiday season annually, we -- The Lazy Travelers -- are here to help. Like little Christmas elves, we’ve made you your very own guide to getting everything you can out of a very merry NYC weekend. Best part? We know how to do it on a budget. 

Where to stay: We always recommend checking out AirBnB for affordable accommodations. However, if you’re the type who simply can’t do without concierge service and tiny bottles of shampoo, we suggest checking out the Jane, a cool hotel in the West Village that has rooms starting at just $99 per night.  Make sure to try the couscous towers at the hotel’s restaurant, Cafe Gitane, and take advantage of the complimentary bicycles that are offered to all guests. 

Where to ice-skate: While the Wollman Rink is a classic, we are also big fans of the skating rink at the Standard Hotel.  Another thing we are a big fan of: grabbing a beer at the Biergarten next door afterwards. 

Where to shop til you drop: Every year, Bryant Park transforms into a Winter Wonderland, complete with an ice skating rink and rows upon rows of vendors selling holiday treats and decorations. This is the ultimate shopping destination for a Broke Girl who wants to pack in as much Christmas fun as possible in one stop. Sip hot apple cider while watching the ice skaters and wile away the time picking out the perfect Christmas trinkets. Most importantly: stop for a waffle from the Wafels & Dinges stand. 

Another must-see market is the Union Square Holiday Market. It has tons of unique items, like handmade jewelry, and there’s even a Momofuku Milk Bar stand -- you can’t say no to those cookies.

Where to go if you are still looking for gifts: If those two huge markets didn’t do it for you, try Fishs Eddy or Canvas in Soho.  We love this cute horsehead bottle opener ($15.95) and these beautiful recycled tea glasses ($8.50), both of which make perfect gifts. 

Where to satisfy your sweet tooth: If you’re craving something sweet, try the handmade cakes and cookies at Lulu Cake Boutique in Chelsea or artisanal desserts at the tiny ChikaLicious Dessert Bar in the East Village. Also, since pies are the new cupcakes in NYC, try the Four & Twenty Blackbirds variety, available at Danny Meyer's Untitled Restaurant at The Whitney.  Relish the fact that -- thanks to all the walking you’ll be doing -- calories don’t count in NY.

Where to boot til you boot: The Heidelberg Restaurant. Nothing says Christmas like an old-fashioned German beer bar, complete with men in lederhosen, women in traditional beer girl attire, and of course, glass boots filled with beer. We first stumbled into this bar after an ugly sweater party the week before Christmas, and now we can’t see Heidelberg’s without imagining we’re in a tiny German town at Christmastime.  

Where to feel cultured AND Christmas-y: There are a million Christmas trees all over Manhattan (we can think of one in particular…), but nothing feels as grand as the Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Best part? You won’t need to cram yourself into a mass crowd a la Rockefeller Center to get the full experience.

Where to window-shop for the meaning of Christmas: Lord & Taylor. This department store sets up the most impressively intricate window displays of families in their Victorian mansions eating Christmas dinner and kids ice skating and basically, it makes you wish you were at home in front of the fire with your own family.  If you would rather be at home in front of the fire with Chloe Sevigny, check out the displays at Opening Ceremony at the Ace Hotel for a different interpretation of the meaning of Christmas.

Where to window-shop for REAL, for real: Okay, the real meaning of Christmas is important or whatever, but when you’re finished lusting after the experience of a Dickens Christmas, make your way up Madison Avenue to Barney’s New York and cry over the holiday haute couture and high-fashion designs you’ll never own. You and your wallet will weep with envy, but this New York institution shouldn’t be skipped.

Where to splurge: Only in New York can you find a restaurant that completely changes its menu AND its décor to accommodate each season.  Park Avenue NYC (or, Park Avenue Winter through February) is the ultimate Upper East Side experience – totally pricey and beyond indulgent -- making it the perfect place to spend all that money you’ve saved. Blair Waldorf would be proud of you, Broke Girl.

Editor's Note: We found flights to NYC for around $350 for next weekend.