Winter is here. I could hide indoors and reminisce about the 50 degree days in December (and the ability to leave the house without two layers of thermals)..... but it's a losing battle. We lasted longer than most, but as I look outside and see the first bit of accumulation, I'm admitting defeat. It's time to embrace this season, and make a list of all the great winter activities and events held in NYC. Because there are a ton. Here are my top 5 picks.
1. Attend a NYC 'Snow Day' event
According to the NYC Parks Department
website, it's "a day of free organized recreation in several parks throughout the city. Activities may include supervised safe sledding (there will be sleds available at each snow day site), snowman building contests, best snow angel contests, friendly snowball fights, music, and complimentary hot chocolate." Free hot chocolate? I'm there.
2. Ice Skating
I do not ice skate, but I do love going and watching ice skaters. Even if you aren't a skater, there are so many talented (and ambitious) people to entertain the uncoordinated among us. The most iconic place to go would be Rockefeller Center or Central Park, but my favorite would be the
Winter Village at Bryant Park, where it's free to skate if you have your own ice skates. If you are interested in finding an outdoor ice skating rink, visit the NYC Parks Department
website. Also,
Staycay.net wrote an excellent post detailing many of NYC's ice rinks.
3. Winter Jam: NYC's Ultimate Snow Day
Yes, the NYC Parks Department is dominating this list, but only because they do a lot for those who brave the cold in search of a good time. Learn to ski, snowboard or snowshoe. Even if NYC is 'dry' at this time, Gore Mountain is creating a snowy wonderland for the day, and be sure to visit the NY Winter Market (always a great place to browse or grab some lunch).
The 2015 Winter Jam is being held on Saturday January 24, 2015, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m at Central Park. For more details, visit the NYC Parks Department
website.
4. Winter Jazz Fest
 |
| Photo credit: Bart Babinski |
Going on right now in Greenwich Village (January 8-10th) the
Winter Jazz Fest is a 3 day event with over 100 acts and 500 musicians.
Sensiblereason.com wrote a great piece on this year's event, so if you're looking for something to do this weekend, click over and see what this year holds.
5. Search the Internet.
Every year brings something new, you just have to look for it. And being NYC, sometimes the city installs a massive toboggan slide on Broadway.
NYC hosted the Superbowl last year, and just had to throw a party and set up a 'Toboggan Run'. AKA, a big awesome slide in Times Square. Which, I still think is the coolest thing I've seen last winter.
Our Superbowl Boulevard definitely beat out the zip lines at Indianapolis from 2012, when they hosted the Superbowl. Zip lines are cool, but you aren't surrounded by neon.
So tell me...
Are you planning on doing any of these events? Have any to add?
How are you planning on spending the next few months?
Hi Farin! Visiting from FMF! I'm not a New Yorker, but I do live on the east coast, and I LOVE your admonishment to just embrace winter. I've been lamenting the freezing temps and early darkness, but your words were just the friendly encouragement I needed to just go with it! Thank you-- and hope you enjoy your awesome winter activities!
ReplyDeleteIf you can't beat them, join them. Right? :)
DeleteI am also a native New Yorker; Long Island. But I now live in Phoenix, AZ. I totally miss seeing the Broadway shows. That was something I especially enjoyed and I always do this when I get to visit. Visiting from FMF.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a Broadway show, but I would love to go at some point. Something that isn't on most of the 'must-do' winter lists :)
DeleteI agree, it's so much fun watching the ice skaters, whether they're skilled or clumsy! People watching in general is one of the things I love NYC for. And I didn't know about that toboggan! So cool!
ReplyDeleteI think the 'toboggan' was a glorified carnival slide, but still, it is pretty cool. Thanks for saying hi, and I completely agree about people watching :)
DeleteGreat pictures. That first one almost looks like a bunch of penguins!
ReplyDeleteThey do! Thanks!
DeleteThis is a great resource, Farin! Thank you for sharing. NYC, like Boston, is great in every season. Tweeting and pinning. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly, and I've been thinking about Boston lately. Looks like we won't be there for winter, coming this summer though!
DeleteThe NYC Snow Day looks absolutely inviting!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful for 20 minutes. Then the plows come out, and everything gets dirty and walked on. But, it is pretty as it falls :)
Delete