Free-spirited and gorgeous–that's how one can imagine New York to be, and during the winters, The Big Apple exudes a festive cheer which makes the bustling city all the more tempting to explore. A city such as New York which is a melting pot of art, culture, heritage and architecture can never run out of things for you to do. There are many exciting things to do in New York in the winters and they become all the more exciting when you get to do them for free. Here, we have curated a list of things that you can do during your vacation in New York which will acquaint you with the city’s vibrant culture without having to spend a penny.
Unless you live under a rock, you must have seen Central Park a million times featured in your favourite shows and movies. One of the most filmed locations of all time, Central Park stands as one of the most important landmarks in the United States. Located in Manhattan between the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side, this public park stretches up to 843 acres of land. Besides Hollywood nostalgia, you can also spot the Ramble and Lake, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Sheep Meadow while strolling through the park.
Timings: 6 am to 1 am
Date: Opens Everyday
The Staten Island Ferry offers a twenty five minute ride which lets you marvel at the Statue of Liberty and the spectacular skylines of Manhattan. Explore the magic of New York in this ferry ride which has been free of cost since 1997. The ferry is active for every day of the week for 24 hours a day. In rush hours, you can catch one every fifteen to twenty minutes while in the non-peak hours, the ferries leave in a thirty-minute gap. This ferry ride can be an enchanting experience, particularly if you are taking one in the evening, when the magnificent Manhattan skyline dazzles with lights.
Timings: Open 24 hours a day
Date: Opens Everyday
Every Christmas the series of departmental stores which embed the streets of Fifth Avenue, impresses spectators with magnificent exhibitions of lights and festive decorations on their display windows. The entire town gathers here to witness the enchantment that prevails on Fifth Avenue. Each year, the stores come up with new themes to amaze the shoppers and passerby alike. Some shops which have gained a name for themselves for putting out brilliant lights and decorations are Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th Avenue, FAO Schwarz, Cartier and Bloomingdale's.
Timings: Mostly from dusk till late night
Date: Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Eve
A grand Christmas tree sits every year at the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan during mid November. The tree gets lit up every day starting from Thanksgiving and stays up till the first week of January. Since 1997, the lighting of the Christmas tree has been broadcast live on NBC on December 4th. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree attracts flocks of people, be it locals or tourists. This year the tree will be coming from Massachusetts and it would be a great opportunity for any tourist to see it if they are in New York during the winter.
Timings: Opens Sunday-Wednesday from 5 am to midnight and Thursday-Saturday from 5 am-1 am
Date: December 4th to early January
Rollick in this ice rink to your heart’s content at Bryant Park. In downtown NYC near Bank of America Winter Village, you will discover a skating rink with countless food and holiday gift shops surrounding it. Carry your own skates or rent them on the spot to end your day on a thrilling note.
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm. Sundays closed
Date: October 25th to March 2nd
