Things to Do in the Winter in New York City

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Where to Go When the Weather Gets Cold

New York City is a year-round destination, and we're about to show you why. Yes, the winters can get cold and snowy, but that won't stop you from having an absolutely amazing experience here. After all, New York offers plenty of indoor activities as well as outdoor fun in the colder months. From museums and art galleries to indoor monuments and amusements, it's easy to escape the cold. Or, embrace the snow and visit Central Park for some ice skating and a cozy carriage ride! Below are the best things to do in New York in the winter, so let's get started.

Bryant Park

Bryant Park

Bryant Park, located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan, is situated next to the Main Branch of the New York Public Library. Featuring a large field in the summer, and a very popular ice skating rink in the winter, this community park is a nice spot to relax, enjoy a quiet setting, have a picnic, or go for a walk.

6th Ave at 41st Street, New York, New York, 10018

New York Transit Museum

New York Transit Museum

The New York Transit Museum is housed in a former subway station near Brooklyn's Borough Hall. Kids love this museum and it's small, so you can pass through it in about an hour and see the cars of a vintage subway train, or sit in the driver's seat of a city bus. The museum walks you through more than a century of transportation history in New York City.

99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201

If you're looking for more information about New York City, read Christmas in New York City and The Best Broadway Theatres in New York City.

The Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center

New York's iconic Rockefeller Center is a must-see for visitors. It is a large complex that includes 19 commercial buildings and spreads out over 22 acres in Midtown Manhattan. There's an observation deck called Top of the Rock that offers beautiful views from a tower that stands 70 floors high. It has been the home of NBC Studios since 1933 and is open for public tours.

The Rockefeller Center is a quintessential destination during the Christmas season when the iconic Christmas tree is lit and the ice skating rink is opened in the plaza.

45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY, 10111

Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall

The "Showplace of the Nation", this historic theatre is not just home to the Rockettes dance company, but also hosts a number of concerts, performances, stage shows, comedy acts, and other events that keep New Yorkers and visitors entertained year-round. Dating back to 1932, and significantly remodeled in 1999, this was once the world's largest auditorium. Now it's a terrific venue to take in a show any time of the year.

1260 6th Ave, New York City, New York, 10020

One World Observatory

One World Observatory

One World Observatory is located at the top of the One World Trade Center building. It is an observation deck that makes up the 100, 101, and 102nd floors, 1776 feet above the city. The glass building is a beautiful sight and the elevator ride to the top offers a changing scene of how New York City has changed and grown over the years.

NYC, New York, 10048

Museum of the Moving Image

Museum of the Moving Image

The Museum of the Moving Image features exhibits about the movies and the technology that was involved to create these films. There are often temporary exhibits that rotate through and cover such topics as video games and other forms of media as well.

36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY, 11106

Metropolitan Opera House

Metropolitan Opera House

The Metropolitan Opera House (also known as The Met), located on Broadway at Lincoln Square on the Upper West Side is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Opened in 1966 with approximately 3,800 seats, this is the largest repertory opera house in the world. It is home to the Metropolitan Opera Company but also hosts the American Ballet Theatre in the summer.

30 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This world-class museum has one of the most in depth collections of art, spanning more than 5,000 years and representing cultures from around the globe. This is one of the largest museums in the world and it features a wide variety of topics. Everything from fashion to photography, and ancient times is represented. For the best price and the least crowds, visit the museum early on a weekday.

1000 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10028

If you're looking for more information about New York City, read New York City: Off the Beaten Path Things to Do and Educational Places and Activities in New York City.

Lincoln Center Theater

Lincoln Center Theater

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts operates multiple theatres including the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, the Clare Tow Theatre, and the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre. This location has put on a variety of spectacular shows that have come up in the ranks over the years.

150 West 65th Street, NYC, New York, 10023

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

This world-class museum opened in 1959 and is recognized not just for its impressive collection of modern art, but also for its architectural design, created by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright. The inverted ziggernaut breaks the mold from the typical clean square museum style of the time. This price is steep ($25 for adults), so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to fully enjoy the experience.

1071 5th Ave, Upper East Side, New York, NY, 10128

Empire State Building

Empire State Building

The iconic Empire State Building has long been a symbol of New York City. It's one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world and the Art-Deco tower has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world from 1931 to 1970 and, at 102 stories, it is currently the 2nd tallest in New York City.

A highlight for many visitors to New York is the ride and view from the Top Deck observatory, which offers breathtaking views in every direction.

20 W 34th St, New York, NY, 10001

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden

Located in the Bronx, this 250-acre site is on the list of historic landmarks in addition to housing a huge and gorgeous collection of flora and stunning landscapes. Open every day except Mondays, this destination in of itself draws large crowds, especially in the warmer months. It also operates molecular labs, educational programs, cooking classes, kid-friendly events, art exhibitions, and other events to bring in crowds. The building itself is architecturally significant, as it combines a historical beauty with a practical approach to protecting and growing the plants. (Admission on Wednesdays is free!)

Belmont, NYC, New York

American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History

This is one of the largest museums in the world and it is made up of 28 interconnected buildings that house 45 permanent exhibition halls. There's also a planetarium and a library. The museum's collection includes more than 33 million specimens of animals, plants, minerals, fossils, rocks, and more.

180 Central Park West, Lincoln Towers, NYC, New York, 10024

Orpheum Theatre

One of the most famous off-Broadway theatres, the Orpheum hosts a number of great shows, most recently of which is the smash-hit Stomp. The theatre was originally constructed in 1904, and over the decades has hosted plenty of popular productions such as Anything Goes and Little Shop of Horrors.

126 2nd Avenue, NYC, New York, 10003

New York City has plenty more to offer, so see also our other articles: Things to Do In New York City on a Rainy Day.

Wollman Rink

This ice skating rink is located in the southern part of Central park. During the winter months, this is one of the most popular activities in New York City. The rink is open from late October until early April.

Lincoln Towers, NYC, New York, 10153

Tavern on the Green

This famous restaurant in Central Park serves American cuisine to locals and visitors. It has had multiple owners over the last few decades, but has continued to draw a crowd because of its terrific setting in the park and its delicious food and friendly service. Many visitors to New York enjoy a meal here while exploring the various sites and activities in Central Park.

67th Street & Central Park West, NYC, New York, 10023

Whitney Museum of American Art

This impressive museum relocated in 2015 to the Meatpacking District in Lower Manhattan. It sits at the edge of High Line and has more than 63,000 square feet of space that includes both indoor and outdoor settings. The collection has about 15,000 pieces that represent works from more than 2,000 artists including Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper, and Georgia O'Keeffe.

99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District, New York, NY, 10014

Brooklyn Children's Museum

This is one of the earliest museums designed specifically for children. Established in 1899 it offers an impressive collection of fun, games, and activities that encourage kids to learn and play. There are musical instruments, masks, dolls, fossils, and more. There's even a kid's sized cityscape with pretend stores and activities where kids can make up jobs and pretend they're adults.

145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11213

The Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum is located in the 1908 Warburg Mansion and it runs a number of temporary exhibits that feature contemporary and modern art.

1109 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10128

DreamWorks Water Park

Located at the American Dream complex in East Rutherford, this indoor water park is open year-round and claims to be the largest indoor water park in America with the country's largest indoor wave pool as well. With plenty of slides and pools for adults and kids of all ages, this is a terrific escape from the city any time of the year.

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey

New Jersey Sea Life Aquarium

Located just over the river on the New Jersey side, this aquarium is very close to New York and Manhattan in particular. And it's worth the trip, because here you'll find a huge array of fish and aquatic species to gaze upon and learn about. They have sharks, seahorses, clownfish, stingrays, and more. The entire aquarium has a New York City theme to it, which adds to the fun. And one of the best and most popular exhibits is the tunnel that takes you under the massive tank so you can look up at the fish as they swim above you.

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Hayden Planetarium in the American Museum of Natural History

As part of the American Museum of Natural History, this is the most famous and popular planetarium in New York City. It offers a number of shows that are impressive, educational, and entertaining. The facilities are state-of-the-art and much of the programming was developed in partnership with NASA.

The American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side

New York Hall of Science

This hands on science and technology museum has more than 400 exhibits that focus on biology, chemistry, and physics. It's perfect for kids and adults who are interested in engineering, math, and science. There are exhibits about robots, outer space, design, and light.

47-01 111th St, Queens, NY, 11368

Nickelodeon Universe

This huge indoor amusement park is full of roller coasters, rides, and other fun activities, and is open year-round. Located very close to the New York City in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this place is part of the American Dream complex which also has a water park and a huge aquarium, too. The rides are exciting and fun for everyone in the family from kids to adults.

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The Museum of Arts and Design

This museum features ceramics, furniture design, fiber art, and metalsmithing. It hosts a number of interesting shows from the contemporary art world, and its unique exhibits make it well worth a visit.

2 Columbus Cir, New York, NY, 10019

How much does it cost?

Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $21 to $999. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $148. A few of the best options are below.

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