7 Magical Holiday Activities in NYC for Kids

The holidays are a magical time of year! Every year, I look forward to the scent of Christmas trees, bright holiday lights, rosy cheeks, and holiday cheer.

Here are some of my favorite holiday activities in NYC for kids.

Enjoy and keep the magic alive!

1. Take a Magical Ride on a Vintage Subway Train

Does your child love trains? Travel back in time to the 1930’s by taking a nostalgic ride on one of The New York Transit Museum’s vintage subway cars.

Subway cars run every Sunday in December. You can catch a ride at any Sixth Avenue local stop between Second Avenue and Queens Plaza. Visit The New York Transit Museum Website for a schedule and more details.

2. Catch the Holiday Spirit at Rockefeller Center

My wife and I make the pilgrimage every year to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, and the 2015 tree is astonishing. This year’s tree is decorated with 30,000 LED bulbs and a Swarovski crystal star. Each year tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks to marvel at this beautiful tree, and it’s well worth braving the crowds to experience its brilliance.

The tree will remain lit and on display at 30 Rockefeller Plaza until 8pm on January 7.

3. Go Ice-Skating with Your Family at a Local Rink

I’m not an Olympic skater by any means, but ice-skating in NYC brings me back to childhood and is a lot of fun! From the rink at Rockefeller Center to the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, chances are there’s a family-friendly rink near you. Click here for a list of the best ice-skating rinks in NYC.

4. Marvel at Gingerbread Lane at NYSCI

Chef Jon Lovitch’s Gingerbread Lane is a sight to behold! Covering 500 square feet and featuring over 1,050 gingerbread houses made entirely of gingerbread, royal icing and candy, Gingerbread Lane is guaranteed to both dazzle and delight.

For the grand finale, Chef Lovitch will give away all houses on January 10th on a first-come, first-served basis. Here’s a tip: bring a box or bag with you so you can carry your gingerbread houses home. (Flat-bottomed shopping bags or paper grocery bags work best.) Line opens at 10 am; Giveaway begins at 11 am. Free with NYSCI admission.

5. Visit Santa at Macy’s

Visiting Santa at Macy’s is a truly magical experience. Before your child meets Saint Nick, you’ll take in 13,000 square feet of holiday cheer, igloos, an enchanted forest, ice-skating penguins, elves, a chorus of teddy bears, a train display and more.

Macy’s Santaland is on the eighth floor of Macy’s Herald Square store, which is located on 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Visit the website for more details.

6. Drink Hot Chocolate at City Bakery

This list would be incomplete without mentioning the hot chocolate at City Bakery, located at 3 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011. It’s the best in NYC. If you’re wondering whether you need to get the marshmallow, you need to get the marshmallow. You can thank me later.

7. Take a Magic Lesson

Experience the magic of the holidays from the comfort of your own home by giving the gift of magic lessons! You’ll love watching your child discover the secrets of magic from a real magician. Your son or daughter will radiate confidence after learning some cool tricks, and they’ll have a blast fooling you and their friends throughout the year. Visit my magic lessons page to learn more.

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