Christmas in New York! Windows and decorations

Happy holidays, all!
Last Christmas I made my very first visit to New York City. This revised post reviews some of the NYC Christmastime fun we had. I’ll be in NYC again in couple weeks, and will be able to regale you with even more New York holiday activities.
Doin’ the touristy Christmas in New York thing!
We were in NYC just 2 days before Christmas. After gorging on art at the Met Day 1, we decided to dedicate Day 2 to touristy Christmas in New York stuff! Namely, holiday decorations and window displays.
Hop over to NYC: What You Must See and What You Must Eat for great sights and bites you MUST partake of on a visit to NYC. (According to me.)

Christmas decorations and window displays: A brief tale
The morning of our holiday window extravaganza, we had a delicious bagel breakfast and visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral (beautiful!). From St. Pat’s, we walked out onto 5th Avenue. Ah-mazing! The stores are all decorated to the nines for the holidays.
The window displays are truly, Â over-the-top stunning. Being from Minnesota, I had never seen anything like it. Ha. (We are more skinflints and would hardly be so lavish.)Â Bergdorf Goodman had some fabulous windows.
Bergdorf Goodman’s 2017 holiday windows were an ode to iconic New York institutions. The store partnered with beloved New York nonprofits, including the three below.
New York Historical Society
This window featured papier-mâché versions of New Yorkers from eras past.
American Museum of Natural History
The museum’s window sparkled with 1.5 million Swarovski crystals encrusting dinosaur skeletons. Covering the skeletons reportedly took over 350 hours.
Museum of the Moving Image
A celebration of Old Hollywood glamour, Art Deco style, against a backdrop of screens showing old movies.
Window displays vs. outdoor decor
The window with all the crystals was particularly amazing. Bit of a caveat here: I was going to call this post holiday window displays. I realized, upon reflection, that a lot of what we looked at and photographed were actually holiday window decorations. So I guess we looked at a lot of holiday decorations, not realizing if we got up close, there would probably be window displays as well. DOH! We (meaning Bee) didn’t really want to cross the street. I will be correcting this grievous error during my upcoming visit!
My favorite outdoor decor was at Tiffany’s:
How cool is that? I hate to say it, but Tiffany’s is right next to Trump Tower and at first I thought the cool decorations were on Trump Tower. Mais non. There were zero decorations on Trump Tower.



Do a holiday windows tour
While we had a particular route in mind, we ended up wandering randomly down 5th Avenue, chasing pretty windows, with the plan of stopping by the Rockefeller Center and the Plaza Hotel food court. In short, we walked down 5th Avenue from St. Pats and Rockefeller Center all the way to the Plaza Hotel. We made a couple short detours off 5th Ave to look at windows, one being this awesome kitty cat at Bulgari:

Okay, the window below wasn’t a holiday display, but I would love to find this diamond necklace and bracelet set under my tree. What can I say, I’m a dreamer. (Or, possibly, delusional.)
Christmas in New York, 2018
It is now December 2018 and I’m going to NYC later this month, for 3 days and 2 nights this time. Whoopee! We are staying in a nicer hotel, one where we can possibly stretch out an arm without hitting the wall, and even better, have a bathroom larger than a subway elevator. Just for kicks, here’s a photo of our 2017 bathroom:
Basically, when you stepped out of the shower you had to be careful not to put your foot into the toilet. The bathroom door was a sliding door made of “privacy” glass. Not sure how private it is without a real door in between you and the bedroom (said door being about two feet away from the bed). Bee and I had been dating for less than 6 months at the time. Eek! Nice way to get to know one another better.
For your entertainment! Sign posted on the inside of the hotel room door:
Indicating, I gather, that “making room” is a certain amount of problem. Which we noticed. Looking forward to a “big” New York City hotel room this year, where we can settle in a bit for our longer visit. Plans include:
- Seeing the Klimt painting, the Woman in Gold, at The Neue Galerie.
- Riding the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty.
- Going to see the Frick Collection.
- Doing the holiday window displays tour.
- Touring the New York Public Library.
- Seeing some iconic NY buildings and street art, including some of the Kobra pieces in Living Color: The 2018 Kobra Street Art Occupation of New York City.
- Visiting the Morgan Library and Museum.
- Exploring an area of Central Park (we walked through the park at 79th, past the Belvedere Castle, last year).
What to see and eat in NYC
So ends my tale of holiday decor and window displays, for now. Had camera troubles last year, and can promise MUCH better photos this year. For more on what to see and eat, visit NYC: What You Must See and What You Must Eat. In this post, we go to:
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Rockefeller Center
- The Plaza Hotel and food court
We eat:
- New York bagels
- New York pizza by the slice
- Have afternoon tea in Greenwich Village. With pastries.
We ride the subway, too, but I totally shut up about it and don’t describe any subway misadventures. Promise.
For the harrowing tale of the temporary women’s restroom fiasco, in which I reluctantly enter a tiny scary subway elevator, see Misadventures in the New York City Subway. For how to ride the subway (successfully) and heartwarming encounters with nice New Yorkers, as well as a nice walk through Central Park, see Nice New Yorkers: Riding the Subway.
For more great info on what do do in NYC this Christmas, check out this post by my friend over at The Places She Goes: Christmas in New York​ 2018.
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Great snaps Cynthia. Walking down 5th Avenue may be my favorite thing to do in NYC during Christmas Time. The attention to detail with these designs is outrageously exquisite.
Happy New Year. 🙂
Ryan
Wow I love this post! It has always been on my bucket list to spend Christmas in NYC but I haven’t ticked it off just yet. These photos have renewed my inspiration though, I really must make that trip!
Thank you, Sheree, so glad you enjoyed it. When you come to NYC at Christmas I know you’ll have an amazing time. Let me know if you make the trip!
Cynthia, I love your photos and what an excellent itinerary and post. I especially like the Bulgarian window display. I plan to add The Neue Gallerie, the New York Public Library and a few of your other suggestions to my travels. Also, I plan to catch some of the window displays, and I love Greenwich Village, thanks so much!
Oh my gosh, Dorothy, thank you. I know you’re no stranger to NYC, so that means a lot! Have the greatest time!
Great post and pictures! Hope you enjoyed your time while you were here! <3 I actually did a similar post over on my blog, which you should totally check out if you get a chance 😀 happy holidays!
I did, and you gave me some good ideas! Thanks! Great to connect 😊
The big red bow is SO pretty! Your idea of focusing on window displays and holiday decorations is a great one! Your post makes me want to visit NYC at Christmastime!
Thanks much, Sharon, I hope you get the opportunity. Christmastime in New York is really spectacular.
It’s so great to see all the Christmas windows in New York in your post. I love New York but it’s been years since I was there and I’d really love to see it at Christmas time. I’d have to wrap up really warm though and keep my cute clothes well under cover until I ventured inside. Lovely to read this for #FarawayFiles
That is the problem, Clare, it’s hard to look cute while all bundled up because of the cold. Seeing New York at Christmas is worth it, though! Thanks for hosting #FarawayFiles
Aside from the crowds, I love New York at Christmas time! I spent two weeks there from Christmas to New Years in 2007 and 2008 and I loved checking out the beautiful holiday decor! Skating at Rockefeller rink under the lights of that big tree (and the angels leading up to it) is one of my favorite memories from that first trip! I actually made one of those photos my Christmas card the following year!
You’re right, the crowds can be a bit intimidating, especially around the Rockefeller tree area. But always fun. It would be awesome to be there for a whole two weeks and have time to really revel in all the holiday festivities!
I was in New York for New Year’s Eve a few years ago and it was sooo cold. I was wearing a cute little outfit which I didn’t want to ruin with a big coat, but as I was walking down the street to meet my friends I thought, OMG I can’t feel my legs anymore. Love that city, I’ve been many times and it never gets tired. I think the bathroom looks great, you can sit on the toilet while you’re having a shower. Perfect.
But let’s not forget the important thing, looking cute 🤣 I am actually debating now, wear really warm winter coat or more attractive winter coat? It’s such a dilemma. Not so the bathroom, I found it a bit too space efficient, especially when trying to get dolled up!
Happy Hollidays to you too, Cynthia. Visiting New York city at Christmas time was one of my old dreams, but it still didn’t happen. Traveling at this time of year is not only difficult, but also very expensive. I can only imagine how beautiful Manhattan must be when it’s dressed up for the Holidays. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hi Anda! We are traveling to Connecticut to visit family for Christmas, and taking the opportunity to make a little side trip to NYC. I get the best of both worlds. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
I have been to NY several times but never in December. Your pictures make me want to go!! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Glad to hear it! I love NYC at Christmas, I can definitely recommend visiting in December. Thanks so much for stopping by.
NYC is the granddaddy of them all for Xmas decs and windows. It’s been a few years, but I remember how incredibly festive. You’ve given me a reminder to head back to New York for Xmas. Love it!
Thank you, Shona, it really is! The Christmas decorations and window displays in New York City are truly out of this world.
I have been dreaming of going to NYC forever. Spending Christmas there must be magical.
#TheWeeklyPostcard
You have to go, NYC is so much fun! I’m fortunate to be able to visit more than once, there’s so darn many things to do. And yes, Christmas there is magical. Thanks for stopping by!
Who doesn’t want to visit NYC at Christmas? I know I do! It’s been on my bucket list for many years now and I hope to twin it with a return trip to Iceland … well, that was before I moved to the Philippines haha. Fantastic post, makes me feel all Christmassey – Pinned #feetdotravel
Thanks, Angie! Christmas in New York twinned with a trip to Iceland sounds fabulous. In the Philippines you’re going to be so much warmer, though!
I just went to NYC, in August, but I would so love to go at Christmastime! All of the beautiful decorations and the lighting of the big Christmas tree. What a treat! Thank you for sharing! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks much for reading. What stood out the most for you from your recent visit to NYC? I do love being there at Christmas time, but I wouldn’t mind a visit during warmer weather to better enjoy some of the outdoor spaces.
Excellent! You ladies are going to have a great time. So what hotel are you going to be staying at? One other thing you might consider is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I know it might sound cheesy and it took me a while to go. Once I went, I could understand why it has been running for so long. I am looking forward to reading about your adventures. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
Anisa, we’re going to be staying at the Hotel Metro in midtown. I certainly will consider the Radio City show on your recommendation. There must be a reason why it’s been popular for so many years. I’ll be reading up on your New York City tips, too! 🙂
I would love to see the Woman in Gold. I watched the movie after I saw Klimt ‘s work in Vienna. The Kiss. Beautiful post.
Thank you, Ushasita! Wasn’t that a great movie? I’ve always loved Klimt but I really can’t wait to see this particular painting after learning so much about the woman’s family.
A wonderful movie. I would love to read what your post after you see the painting .
Very nice blog Cynthia! I think we enjoyed having that NY Pizza too about 8 yrs ago when we visited NYC. Can’t wait to see what you do this years visit!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Shannon. I’m really excited about my upcoming visit!
I’d realllllllly like to see the Woman in Gold now that I’ve seen the movie! Christmas in NY must be really awesome though! #FeetDoTravel
I saw the movie awhile ago, and right then decided I wanted to visit the painting next time I was in New York. Love knowing so much about the history behind it! Thanks for stopping by, Lorelei!
Bergdorf’s windows were my favorite by far! I loved how they paid tribute to other New York City institutions like the New York Botanical Garden and the Museum of Moving Image. There’s no wrong way to explore the holiday displays, I’m so glad you had fun! – Lynn 🙂
Hey Lynn! I did have fun but next year I’d like to follow more of your suggested route and see the windows at Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. I’m glad to hear Bergdorf’s were your fave—I did think they were extraordinary!