New York City Itinerary: 4 Days in NYC at Christmas for First-Time UK Visitors
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
When we visited New York City in late November 2024, we spent 10 magical, festive-filled days exploring the city as a family of three — with our then three-year-old daughter in tow. We also travelled with my aunt and her partner, who is a born-and-bred New Yorker. They’ve been together for 20 years, and she’s visited the city around 40 times — so thanks to them, we were lucky enough to experience a perfect mix of iconic sights and local New York gems.
While we had the luxury of a longer stay, I know most people plan a shorter trip — so I’ve pulled together the ultimate New York City itinerary for four days, featuring the very best of what we saw and did. Whether you’re travelling from the UK, visiting in December, or heading to New York with kids, this perfect New York itinerary is filled with festive sights, iconic views, easy wins, and budget-friendly tips to help you plan your trip.
🗽 Planning your own NYC adventure?
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Quick Tips for Visiting NYC in December🎄
🧥 Weather: It’s cold — usually between 0–5°C — but it can change dramatically. Over 10 days, we went from sunglasses and light jackets to full-on winter coats, scarves, and gloves. Layers are key!
⏰ Jet lag trick: UK travellers are often up early, which works in your favour. 2am in New York = 7am UK time. Expect to be up around 4–5am (or 2am, if you’re a toddler!).
💳 Currency: Card is widely accepted, but bring a bit of USD cash for tips and street vendors.
💵 Tipping: Wondering how much to tip in NY? Tip 15–20% in restaurants, $1–2 per drink in bars, and for hotel/airport staff.
🚇 Getting around: The subway is easy and contactless. No need for a MetroCard — we just tapped in and out with our phones or cards. You’ll only be charged once daily based on the zones you travel in.
🛂 Visa/ESTA: UK citizens need an ESTA to enter the U.S. Ours came through quickly, but I recommend applying early just in case. You won’t be allowed into the U.S. without it.
📱 Top tech tip: Use Google Maps in public transport mode to plan your subway journeys — it made navigating so much easier!
Day 1: Jet-Lag Friendly Downtown Loop – Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty
If you’re arriving from the UK, you’ll likely be wide awake by 5am — and that works perfectly for exploring Downtown Manhattan before it gets busy.
🌅 Sunrise: Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO
• Start the day with a sunrise walk to Brooklyn. You can walk across the Brooklyn Bridge before or during sunrise, or catch the sunrise from Pier 17 in Downtown Manhattan, which is said to offer the best view, and then cross the bridge afterward.
• The bridge is roughly a mile long and takes around 20 minutes to walk. It’s a beautiful stroll with iconic views along the way.
• Head straight to Washington Street and Water Street to capture the famous photo of DUMBO’s cobblestone streets, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Empire State Building. This spot gets extremely busy, so the earlier you get there, the better.
• Next, wander down to Pebble Beach for one of those gorgeous skyline views of Manhattan.
• Stop by Time Out Market for breakfast — while many vendors won’t be open early, you’ll still be able to grab a bagel or coffee. Don’t forget to head up to the rooftop for more amazing views!
🕊️ Mid-Morning: Ground Zero & the Financial District
• Take the subway back to Lower Manhattan (unless you fancy walking the bridge again!) and visit the 9/11 Memorial Pools — a powerful, moving place that’s free and open daily. You can also book a timed entry for the 9/11 Museum.
• If you have time, book the One World Observatory for a more immersive experience or some incredible city views.
A few sights to see nearby:
• Charging Bull statue
• Fearless Girl statue
• New York Stock Exchange
• Trinity Church
• Stone Street — a cobbled alleyway with cafes and pubs
• The Oculus — a striking modern building with shops and transport links
🗽 Afternoon: Statue of Liberty (Free & Alternative Ferry Options)
Head to Battery Park and hop on the Staten Island Ferry — it’s completely free and gives you fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty without the cost or queues.
• Grab a warm drink on board and enjoy the skyline from the water.
Tip: Be wary of scammers around Battery Park selling “tickets” for the free ferry.
Alternative ferry (and the one we took): Thanks to a tip from our local New Yorker uncle, we took a smaller ferry from Brookfield Place/Battery Park City instead. It cost around $4 per person and was much quicker, far less crowded, and actually got us a little closer to the Statue of Liberty.
The return journey took just 20 minutes each way, so we were back in Manhattan within the hour. It was a smoother experience overall — although it was windier and a bit choppier than the larger ferry!
🍜 Late Afternoon / Tea Time: Chinatown & Little Italy
• Make your way to vibrant Chinatown — a bustling neighbourhood full of culture, history, and incredible food. It’s worth visiting just to soak up the atmosphere.
• Snack stop: Head to Mei Lai Wah Bakery for the most divine steamed buns if you’re feeling peckish.
From there, walk towards Little Italy, a romantic, lively area with some of the best Italian eateries in the city. Be sure to stop for a photo under the iconic Little Italy sign on Hester Street.
• We also visited the Christmas shop on Mulberry Street with our little one. While some decorations were a bit cheaper from other street stalls, this shop is extravagantly decorated and open year-round — it’s Christmas every day inside!
🥪 Dinner: Katz’s Delicatessen & Dessert in the East Village
By this point, you’ll probably be ready to call it a day — we certainly were! Instead of a sit-down meal, we opted for a quick, iconic bite at Katz’s Delicatessen.
• We managed to get a table inside this legendary kosher-style deli, famous for its pastrami sandwiches. We shared one (with added cheese!) and it was more than enough. At $30 per sandwich, it’s definitely on the pricier side — but completely worth it.
For dessert, we wandered over to Veniero’s Pasticceria for some traditional cannolis. My aunt brought us here — it’s her all-time favourite. We happened to visit the night before Thanksgiving, and it was such a special experience watching all the local New Yorkers pop in to collect their cakes for the big day.
Day 2: Observation Decks, Central Park & Midtown Magic
🌳 Morning: Central Park & Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
Start the day with a peaceful early walk through Central Park — the gates open at 6am, which is ideal if you’re still jet-lagged and awake early.
Grab a snack from Liberty Bagels on 5th Avenue — home of the famous rainbow bagel and a firm favourite for breakfast.
Next, head to Wollman Rink for a classic New York ice skating experience. It’s featured in countless movies, and honestly, I was totally starstruck seeing it in real life. We booked our skate slot in advance and I’d definitely recommend doing the same — just keep in mind they close the rink daily for cleaning (for example, at 11:30am), so plan your time accordingly.
🛍️ Midday: The Plaza Hotel & Fifth Avenue Lights
After skating, stroll past the iconic Plaza Hotel. Top tip: while the lobby is usually only open to hotel guests, we discovered a little hack. If you head around the back to the shops on 58th Street and purchase something from one of the stores — like the charming Eloise at the Plaza shop — you might be allowed through the roped-off entrance to see the Christmas trees inside.
From there, take your time wandering down Fifth Avenue, soaking in the extravagant Christmas displays in all their sparkly glory.
Make your way to Bryant Park Winter Village — a festive market with holiday shops, food stalls, and activities. You’ll find everything from handmade ornaments to tasty snacks, and there’s also an ice skating rink here if you missed your chance at Wollman.
Tip: I can highly recommend the ‘No Chewing Allowed’ hot chocolate — rich, chocolatey heaven in a cup.
🌇 Late Afternoon / Evening: Chelsea, the High Line, The Edge & Hudson Yards
From Bryant Park, head west to explore the Chelsea District.
If you have time (and energy!), walk the High Line — an elevated public park built on an old freight rail line. It’s about a 30-minute stroll from end to end and offers brilliant views of the Hudson River and West Side skyline. You can hop on or off at various points if you don’t want to walk the full stretch.
Next stop: Chelsea Market — a huge indoor food hall and shopping space. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s worth a visit just for the atmosphere, festive decor, and unique local vendors. That said, we couldn’t resist — we tried both tacos and donuts!
If you’re in Chelsea in the morning instead, I also highly recommend Citizens of Chelsea for brunch. From eggs benedict to fluffy pancakes, it was one of our favourite breakfast spots of the trip.
The High Line ends at Hudson Yards, which is where I recommend wrapping up the day — especially in December.
• The “Shine Bright at Hudson Yards” event features over 2 million twinkling lights and festive installations throughout the mall and plaza.
• Catch the sunset at The Edge, the highest outdoor sky observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. If you’re visiting in winter, sunset is usually around 4pm — book ahead, as these slots sell out fast! If you’re undecided which observation decks to do, you can read my comparison between The Edge and Summit One Vanderbilt here.
• Afterwards, wander over to see the Vessel lit up outside (while it’s not climbable anymore, it’s still worth seeing at night).
Tip: If you’ve had your eye on Magnolia Bakery’s but don’t fancy waiting, skip the long queues at the main locations. There’s a smaller, quieter Magnolia inside Hudson Yards. I still dream about the Magnolia banana pudding!
You’ll likely have worked up an appetite by now. We stayed in the Chelsea area and headed to Arthur & Sons, a traditional NY Italian restaurant. Their Rigatoni alla Vodka was absolutely delicious — rich, creamy, and comforting after a long day out.
Day 3: Rockefeller Centre, Toy Stores, Broadway & Times Square
🎄 Morning: Rockefeller Tree & Toy Store Magic
Start your day with a visit to the Rockefeller Centre to see the Christmas tree before the crowds arrive — it’s one of the most iconic festive spots in the city.
While you’re there:
• Pop into FAO Schwarz, the legendary toy store, and yes, home to the giant piano from the film Big.
• You’ll also find the LEGO Store and American Girl Place nearby. We actually spent a whole afternoon at American Girl whilst my daughter had her doll pampered at the salon, and we enjoyed lunch there too — I’ve got a full blog coming on that soon!
🏙️ Late Morning: Top of the Rock
Head up to the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Plaza for panoramic views of the city.
• There are some fun interactive features here, including a photo opportunity recreating the famous “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” scene.
• We also tried the new Skylift, which offers a brief ride with views from a slightly higher platform. While it was impressive, if I had to pick one, I’d choose the Beam photo for the iconic souvenir.
• If you’re short on time or patience, I highly recommend the Express Pass. It doesn’t just get you through the entry queue — it also lets you skip all the elevator queues going up and down. It saved us so much time and made the whole experience much smoother.
🏛️ Afternoon: Flatiron Building, Harry Potter & Rooftop Drinks
After Top of the Rock, take a walk or subway down to Flatiron — it’s near Madison Square Park and perfect for a photo stop.
Just around the corner is the Harry Potter Store, which was a real highlight for me as a big fan. It completely lived up to my expectations, with magical displays, interactive sections, and incredible merchandise — a must-visit for any Potterhead.
Fancy a drink with a view?
• Head to 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, where you’ll find fabulous views of the Empire State Building. Bonus: they allow children during the day, so it’s family-friendly too.
• While you’re in the area, you can also pop into the Empire State Building. Even if you don’t book the observation deck, the foyer alone is worth seeing and perfect for photos.
We personally chose not to go up the Empire State — partly because we had already visited other decks, and partly because you can’t see the Empire State when you’re on it! Visiting other decks meant we could keep it in the skyline of our views.
🌟 Evening: Broadway & Times Square Lights
No trip to New York is complete without experiencing Times Square and seeing a Broadway show.
Times Square is… intense. It’s crowded and touristy, yes — but it’s also full of energy, live performers, flashing billboards, and more than 90 digital art screens. It’s an experience like no other, especially when it’s all lit up at night.
We decided to do something a little different and booked tickets for The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall — a show that’s only performed in New York and isn’t available in the UK.
Honestly, it was one of the highlights of the entire trip.
• You might wonder if a group of women doing high kicks for 90 minutes can keep you entertained — but it’s so much more than that.
• The show is completely family-friendly. We saw every age group in the audience — from toddlers to older couples — and everyone was captivated.
• Santa makes multiple appearances, and the show extends beyond the stage with a magical light display that fills the entire Radio City ceiling.
• Just being inside that iconic theatre added to the experience — I truly can’t recommend it enough.
Day 4: Summit One, Grand Central, Dyker Heights & a Festive Farewell
🎶 Morning: Singing Servers & Pancakes at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Kick off your final full day with breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner — home of the singing waiters and waitresses.
It’s a brilliantly cheesy, feel-good spot where your server might burst into a Broadway tune right at your table (and yes, they keep serving between solos!). It’s touristy, but so much fun — and the kids will love it.
🏙️ Midday: Summit One Vanderbilt & Grand Central Terminal
Next up is Summit One Vanderbilt — in my opinion, the best of the observation decks we visited. You can read my comparison between Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge observation decks here.
• It’s far more than just a view — it’s an immersive, multi-sensory experience with interactive mirror rooms, sky-high ledges, and even a room full of silver balloons that my daughter absolutely adored.
• The views are also incredible thanks to its position right in the heart of Midtown.
Wardrobe tip: Don’t wear a skirt — many of the floors and walls are entirely mirrored.
Right next door is Grand Central Terminal — and you have to pop in. The ceiling is stunning, the building is packed with history, and it just feels like a proper New York moment.
You could grab lunch here, or head over to Joe’s Pizza — a classic New York slice that’s not too far away.
🛍️ Afternoon: Last-Minute Shopping
If you’re saving shopping for your final day, now’s the time!
A few places to check out:
• Macy’s for festive displays and stocking up on Christmas pyjamas
• Target for affordable souvenirs and snacks for the flight home
• The Strand Bookstore if you’re a book lover — or just want a cool NYC tote bag!
🎄 Late Afternoon/Evening: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
End your trip with something truly magical: a visit to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn — the city’s most extravagantly decorated Christmas neighbourhood.
• You can visit independently via subway and a bit of walking, or do what we did and book a guided tour — perfect if your legs are tired from all of the walking.
• Our tour also included a stop at Pebble Beach in DUMBO to revisit the skyline at night. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan lit up across the water gave us a completely different perspective to our Day 1 visit — it felt like a full-circle moment.
If you’re visiting New York in December, this is an absolute must. My daughter was completely enchanted, and honestly, so were we. You can read my ultimate guide to Dyker Heights here.
🎁 More Ideas for Rainy Days or Extra Time
Your trip will be unique to you, and while the New York City itinerary for 4 days above gives you a great starting point, you might want to swap things out or cater more for younger children, rainy weather, or specific interests. Here are a few extra ideas we loved — or had on our list:
🦖 Museum of Natural History
Perfect for families and an indoor win if the weather turns. Great dinosaur halls and a planetarium too.
🧀 Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Ideal for warming up with festive street food like raclette, empanadas, and sweet treats. It’s just outside the southwest entrance to Central Park.
🎅 Macy’s Santaland
A free indoor grotto experience inside Macy’s. Booking opens 5 days in advance (slots go live at 6:30am local time). Santa was brilliant — real beard and all — and while photos are available to buy, the experience itself is free. Our daughter loved it!
🐠 SeaGlass Carousel
Located in Battery Park — a unique, fish-themed carousel that lights up and spins to music. Lovely for little ones and a great option while you’re downtown.
🎠 Jane’s Carousel (DUMBO)
If you’re back in Brooklyn or visiting Pebble Beach again, this historic glass-enclosed carousel right by the water is a winner — especially at sunset.
🚢 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Docked on the Hudson River, this museum is set aboard an actual aircraft carrier. It includes planes, submarines, and even a real space shuttle! Great for older kids and adults alike — and mostly indoors.
🎬 RiseNY
A newer attraction that combines a museum-style walkthrough of New York’s pop culture with a flying theatre ride. We didn’t get to go, but it’s top of our list for next time — perfect for families and first-time visitors.
🎨 Color Factory
An immersive, colourful art experience filled with interactive rooms, confetti, giant ball pits, and photo ops galore. Great for all ages and completely indoors — ideal for a rainy day or if you’re looking for something fun and creative.
🎅 Christmas-Themed Restaurants
New York does Christmas really well, and that extends to its restaurants — whether you’re after full-on festive decor or just a cosy, twinkly vibe. Here are your festive favourites, now including a warm mention of Papillon too:
🎄 Rolf’s German Restaurant
Arguably the most Instagrammed Christmas restaurant in NYC. Think floor-to-ceiling baubles, fairy lights, nutcrackers — pure festive chaos. Reservations are essential, and the queue is worth it.
🍗 Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
A warm, candlelit Victorian pub that’s beautifully decorated for the season. A friendlier, less crowded alternative to Rolf’s, with locations near Times Square and Union Square.
🧣 Oscar Wilde NYC
Over-the-top vintage interiors and lavish winter vibes. Not one we tried yet, but absolutely on our wishlist for next year.
🕯️ Serra by Birreria at Eataly (Flatiron)
A rooftop dining experience that changes themes seasonally — in winter, it turns into a snowy alpine getaway. Complete with twinkling lights, hot cocktails, and a cosy atmosphere. Kid-friendly by day, romantic by night.
🎄 Papillon Bistro & Bar
Located just steps from Central Park, this Parisian-inspired bistro transforms into a Christmas hotspot every December. With floor-to-ceiling garlands, animatronic teddy bears, and festive ambience, it’s both elegant and cheerful.
What to Pack for 4 Days in NYC (Especially in December)
• Warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat – just layer up as the weather can vary
• Sunglasses – even in the cold we had blue skies and sun every day
• Waterproof boots or trainers – and comfortable, you will be walking a lot!
• Plug adapter (US voltage)
• Small umbrella (just in case!)
• Debit/credit card + small amount of USD cash for tipping and stalls
• Portable charger – you will be on your phone none stop
How Much Would 4 Days in New York Cost?
A realistic mid-range budget for 2 adults:
|
Expense |
Estimate cost |
|---|---|
|
Flights (off-peak, return) |
£800-£1,400 |
|
Hotel (4 nights) |
£800-£1200 |
|
Attractions |
£300-£600 |
|
Food & extras |
£300-£800 |
|
Total (2 adults) |
£2,200-£4,000 |
💡 Budget Tip: Book attractions with a pass like Go City Explorer or CityPASS to save money and skip queues.
Is New York Worth Visiting in Four Days?
100% yes. You won’t see everything — but with good planning, you’ll soak up the city’s energy, see iconic sights, and feel the magic of a New York Christmas. It’s a whirlwind, but it’s worth it.
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