As the holiday season gets underway, NYC is pulling out all the stops. Families with young children will find plenty to see and do, no matter what they’re interested in. An overnight stay in the city is the best way to fully take in all the holiday joy you and your family can handle. But instead of a one-size-fits-all overnight itinerary, why not choose the right one for your family?
We’ve got activity-filled itineraries for the train fanatics, chocolate obsessed, shopping hounds, and those who can’t get enough of light shows and decorations. Read on to decide which one suits your family—or do them all!
For Train Lovers
Morning
Feel like you’re dining in a train car at the circa-1946 Empire Diner in Chelsea. Accessible via the C, E trains to 23rd Street, this retro diner features lots of chrome and cozy leather booths. Order dishes like omelettes, buttermilk waffles, and avocado toast to fuel your busy day.
Subway
Once you’re ready to hit the pavement—er, rails—take the C, E to 59th Street Columbus Circle and transfer to the B, D to Bedford Park Boulevard. Walk 12 minutes to the New York Botanical Garden for their fabulous holiday train show, celebrating its 30th year. Kids and parents can’t help but be taken in by the magical mini wonderland inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where G-scale model trains chug through an enchanting display of famous New York landmarks—including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center—recreated from natural materials like pine cones, acorns, and seeds under thousands of lights.
Afternoon
From NYBG, take the B, C train to 81st Street and walk to the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library for their annual Holiday Express exhibit. This year’s theme features toy trains, figurines, miniature models, and never-before-seen toy rides from the renowned Jerni Collection.
When you’re ready for lunch, walk 11 minutes north to Tavern on the Green, the landmark restaurant inside Central Park, which is always decked out for the holidays with a giant tree, lights, ornaments, and more. If it’s a weekend, they’ll have their holiday brunch menu available, with dishes like potato pancakes, short rib hash, and spiced eggnog crème brûlée for dessert.
Night
Take the C train to 50th Street and walk 2 minutes to Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, a Victorian-themed restaurant filled with tinsel, garlands, and plenty of Nutcracker soldiers. Enjoy an early dinner of a juicy burger, Shepherd’s pie, or penne alla vodka.
Board the C train again, this time to Penn Station, and have your own train experience as you ride the LIRR to the Babylon Station and walk 9 minutes to the Argyle Theatre. From November 11 to January 2, catch a performance of Elf the Musical.
Head back to the city on the LIRR and then get on the E train to 5th Avenue/53rd Street and walk 4 minutes to Lotte New York Palace, an NYC holiday icon. Gawk at the Christmas tree before heading up to your lavish room. Kids can participate in their annual Letters to Santa program, in which they mail a letter downstairs and expect to receive one from Santa himself.
For the Chocolate Obsessed
Morning
Start by taking the A, C, or F train to Clinton St. Baking Company in the Time Out Market New York in Brooklyn, beloved for its pancakes for more than 20 years, and order the decadent chocolate chunk pancakes and banana chocolate chunk muffin.
Then hop on the F or D train to Industry City, where you’ll find the nearly century-old Li-Lac Chocolates’ factory. Inside, watch how they create all of their fun holiday creations (and buy a few to bring home).
Afternoon
While at Industry City, check out the funky art installations and go ice skating at the seasonal outdoor rink. When you’ve had your fill of the ice, warm up by the outdoor fire pit with some s’mores.
For lunch, head to Industry City’s food hall where you can choose from BBQ, Korean, burgers, pizza, tacos, and more. Afterwards, swing by Blue Marble for a scoop of their organic single-origin chocolate ice cream.
Night
Have dinner at Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar—get there via the B, D, F or Q, R, W trains to 34th St/Herald Square—which is perfect for both kids and adults. Enjoy dishes like chicken lollipops, white truffle pizza, and cheese and charcuterie platters. Save room for the huge selection of chocolate desserts, of course.
Spend the night at the Refinery Hotel just a short walk away (or hop on the B, D, F or M at Herald Square one stop north to Bryant Park), where they have a roving hot chocolate cart and milk and cookies at night, plus tons of seasonal decor.
For the Family Who Loves Lights
Morning
Take the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, R or Z train to Fulton Street and walk about 9 minutes to Brookfield Place. Make your way to the massive Winter Garden atrium, which is hosting the Luminaries light show throughout the holiday season. You’ll find the atrium lit up with a canopy of colorful lanterns among the palms.
Between scheduled light shows at the top of every hour, two wishing stations let visitors activate the lights with a holiday wish—perfect for the kids to try out. This year, they can conduct their own light show set to a selection of holiday music.
After a pit stop for bagels and coffee at Black Seed Bagels, go outside and don some ice skates to skate the 7,350 square-foot The Rink at Brookfield Place, which is aglow with lights from the surrounding tree garden.
Afternoon
Hop on the 6 train to 23rd Street to have lunch at Rolf’s, a German restaurant famous for its year-round holiday spirit and over-the-top decorations. Munch on classically made schnitzel while you ogle all the lights and ornaments.
Then take the 6 train to 51st Street or transfer at Bleecker Street to the B, D, F, M trains to Rockefeller Center. First take the elevator up to the 70th floor to Top of the Rock to get a bird’s eye view of the city. When you get back down, the famous tree should be lit up in all its glory. Spend some time taking it all in before heading to an early dinner.
Night
Dine with a few ice skaters gliding around as you enjoy a selection of classic Italian antipasti, salumi, and paninis (and spritzes for the grownups) at beloved NYC chef Ignacio Mattos’ newest restaurant, Lodi—located right across the street from the rink.
Then, take the 2 train to Pelham Parkway to experience the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights, where the beloved zoo is awash in immersive light displays, holiday decor, animated sculptures, colored tunnels and arches, tree lighting, and more than 260 lanterns representing 70 animal and plant species—including 79 new lanterns this year. Kids will also love the costumed characters and stilt walkers roaming the park, ice-carving demonstrations, holiday train, and special winter treats like hot cocoa and s’mores.
When your crew starts to get tired, take Metro-North back to Grand Central, hop on the M at 42 Street - Bryant Park to 5 Avenue - 53 Street and be welcomed to the extremely luxurious Peninsula Hotel New York where parents and kids alike will be pampered.
Every year, the hotel celebrates the holiday season with its signature theme, Stories from the Tree, so expect an impressive tree, ornaments everywhere, child-friendly activities like gingerbread house decorating classes, and reindeer afternoon tea. If parents aren’t too tired, they can head up to the rooftop Chalet de Ning for a nightcap in one of the chalet-inspired domes.
For Shopping Hounds
Morning
Beat the crowds at the iconic FAO Schwarz by arriving right as they open their doors at 11 a.m. To get there, take the A, C, E to West 4th Street and transfer to the B, D, F, or M to Rockefeller Center, or take the 1 train to 50th Street and walk about 8 minutes.
While it’s obvious the kids will have a blast, adults are also certain to enjoy returning to their childhood via all the interactive fun toys and games. Be sure to ogle Rockefeller Center’s incredible Christmas tree before getting on the B, D, F, or M train to 34th Street Herald Square.
Afternoon
Walk a few minutes to Keens Steakhouse, which always features classic holiday decorations.
After you’ve had your fill, walk about 7 minutes to Penn Station and purchase the LIRR Tanger Shopping package, which includes roundtrip train fare to Deer Park and a 5-minute shuttle to the Tanger Outlets, plus a voucher for a valuable coupon booklet. At the outlets, you can get all your holiday shopping done at a discount, at stores like J. Crew Factory, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Christmas Tree Shops, Yankee Candle Outlet, and Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth.
Night
Return to the city in the evening to catch the lighted store windows. Start at Macy’s, which is just a 3-minute walk from Penn Station, and then head uptown via B, D, F, M trains to Rockefeller Center and ogle the always-impressive Saks Fifth Avenue windows. Be sure to take a peek at the tree at Rockefeller Center just across the street.
Walk 10 minutes to the holiday shops at Bryant Park to browse tons of artisan gifts. Grab some light bites at the food kiosks, or find a table at the Bryant Park Grill as you watch the ice skaters glide along—or join them! Walk the few blocks to the Archer Hotel for your overnight stay, which has double rooms with views of the Empire State Building all lit up.
Devorah Lev-Tov is a travel and food writer based in Brooklyn. She has been living in NYC for 15 years and writes for publications including The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Eater, Thrillist, and more.
