When it comes to New York, there are classics, and then there are classics. Don’t get us wrong, we love it off the beaten path — but we also love our timeless staples. It’s impossible to talk about the holiday season in New York without acknowledging at least a couple — especially in a families feature. We’re talking Home Alone 2, Eloise at the Plaza, and every other iconic family holiday movie that comes to mind when you picture Christmas in New York. These are our NYC Midtown holiday must-dos, beyond the tree (although also a classic).
The Plaza
The Plaza is a quintessential NYC mainstay this festive time of the year. Each year, The Plaza is completely transformed into a winter wonderland, and everyone marvels at the lobby’s sparkling decorations decked out in holiday cheer. Visitors should request the “Home Alone 2: Fun In New York” experience, which is always a family fan favorite, complete with the iconic Home Alone sundae. All of the suites are adorned with Christmas trees when booking the “Suitest Season of All” package. Families will also love the Holiday Afternoon Tea, with visits from Santa. Plus, he does a special story-time daily, up in the Rose Club for in-house guests. On Thursdays from 4-5pm visitors should swing by for Tappy Hour with the Sarafinas dance troupe.
FAO Schwarz
FAO Schwarz will welcome you to the world of toys. It’s the most epic toy store, with its many new FAO-Abulous personalized experiences and customized offerings. For the first time in FAO’s 144-year history, guests will have the chance to customize a Steiff Teddy Bear. It has an exclusive FAO Schwarz ear tag, adding a personal touch to a cherished classic. Kids of all ages can also embark on a one-of-a-kind wild adventure at Schweich® Imagination Island to design your very own customized animal creature, or explore the BRIO railway like never before, creating your personalized BRIO letter train. There is also a BaubleBar Jewelry Shop to create a custom bracelet made exclusively for you, the FAO-Abulous Boutique where you get the chance to build your very own custom handbag, and the FAO-Abulous Beauty Counter where you can build the ultimate makeup kit from a whole host of options. The FAO is infinite, when it comes to the holidays in NYC.
HERO: The Winter Wonder
Have you ever wanted to take a train from Manhattan to see the Northern Lights? Well, now you you can with The Winter Wonder: A Holiday Experience. The experience includes eleven different rooms and spaces to explore — and the Northern Lights are center-stage. Everyone will board The Northern Lights Express, an imaginary train car that will transport families. After stops at Wishing Woods, Ice Caves, Hot Cocoa Chalet and more, guests will arrive at the journey’s destination, The Northern Lights. Senses run wild as the magic of the aurora borealis reveals itself via an interactive display. There will be “ooohs” and “aaaahs” as dancing lights abounds above. Plus, there is a faux-snow filled ball pit, turf icebergs, and more. There are also Snowflake Saturday + Sunday Parties, themed kids parties complete with complimentary face painting, craft workshops, seasonal treats, and story-time (Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-1pm).
