Does the holiday season conjure up imaginings of fresh-cut trees, paper and ribbons, snowflakes, and hot cider simmering on the stovetop? Me too! However, from someone who lives in Charleston (SC), the weather just won’t cooperate. Christmas Day usually finds Charlestonians wearing flip-flops while we stroll the beaches after our big holiday meal. So when the snowbirds fly south for the holidays, we really enjoy taking the short flight to New York to enjoy some holiday cheer!

We’ve taken our kids to Manhattan multiple times during this most festive season. After you’ve checked into your “reasonably priced” and centrally located hotel (we most recently stayed here), check out a few of our top ten things to see and do while in the Big Apple for a few days with kids. More detailed information and insider tips are linked.

Getting There. We’ve flown into both airports, but our last trip took us into LaGuardia. A taxi van for four from LGA to our hotel near Grand Central Station was pretty steep–around $80, including tip. We found that taking a Lyft back was $25 cheaper (and with an equally aggressive driver to get us to our gate on time). Taking a train from LGA to Grand Central was another option, but sounded like a logistical nightmare with the kids and multiple pieces of luggage.

1. The Rockefeller Tree and its neighbors are a can’t miss. After dark, there’s no better scene in Manhattan than ice skaters gliding along the lower Plaza underneath the gilded giant statue of Prometheus. The tree shining above is just that much extra. The famous toy land of FAO Schwartz is mere steps away and worth a visit if you can avoid peak hours. You don’t have to tell your kids, but if you do, expect long lines and shuffling around a few inches at a time. Try to steer clear of Rockefeller on weekends during the holidays, but evening weekday visits are manageable.
2. Ice skating. Book early (i.e. October) for skating at Central Park, Rockefeller, or Bryant Park. On our most recent trip, we took our kids to skate at Wollman Rink in Central Park. Even if you book your tickets in advance, so have a lot of other people, you’ll want to show up 20-30 minutes before your allotted start time in order to maximize skate time between Zamboni shifts. B.Y.O.S. or rent a pair for $11 (pay in advance with your ticket). If not too cold, you can hang out on the observation deck to watch the dizzying spectacle of dozens of kids skating in endless circles while you sip hot chocolate from the cafe. A couple hours of morning skating built up our kids’ appetites, so we headed to Tony’s Di Napoli (1081 3rd Ave.) for lunch afterwards. (see Keith’s Yelp Review here).

3. Kid-friendly museums. Our favorites for kids are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. On our most recent trip, we spent a rainy morning at MoMA. Our kids were floored to see modern masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans in the flesh. We found it worked best to divide and conquer with me taking our 12-year old son and my husband taking our 11-year old daughter. With limited time, this allowed the kids to explore the works that actually spoke to them (as opposed to trying to view every single piece in one visit), and led to some interesting conversations and observations. There are several eating options inside MoMA and we opted for the quicker (and cheaper) grab and go option at the Expresso Bar on Floor 2.
4. Central Park. Kids of every age like to stretch their legs and use their outside voices along the miles of pathways, bridges, and lawns. If your family watches movies (you do watch movies, right?), you can spot famous movie scenes along the way (such as the rocky landscaping where the Pigeon Lady hangs out in Home Alone 2). The Shakespeare Garden is not much to look at in the winter, but there’s the aforementioned Wollman Rink for ice skating. And there’s a carousel.
5. Broadway. Lots of unforgettable family-friendly shows in the afternoon.
6. Cheaper eats (aka geocaching for affordable bites) and one-step-up eats to balance out the pricier meals. While much of Manhattan is posh (or trying to appear posh) and very expensive, hidden gems (like $1.50 pizza slices) can be found. We’ve also discovered a few favorite table service locations that we seem to return to again and again.

7. Window displays. Never miss the huge multistory, multisensory display at Saks Fifth Avenue. Everybody enjoys a few short minutes of the fantastical.
8. Times Square. Middle-aged adults will experience sensory overload in about 4.7 seconds. Kids are completely thrilled by the lights and sounds and smells. Middle-agers: Why does the world need a three-story building devoted to M&Ms? Kids: Wow, a three-story building just for M&Ms! Walk the strip, pop into some crowded stores, avoid purchasing food, and get out. Your kids will love it. Then, buy a pack of M&Ms at a nearby CVS.

9. Bryant Park. Someone asked, “what feels like Christmas?” and someone on the planning committee answered. The marketplace is bustling with activity. Food trucks galore. Ice skating and curling lanes await your (early!) reservation. Try the apple cider donuts for me. When the park closes, be sure to exit in a timely manner or be yelled at by one of NYPD’s finest. Bonus: the New York Public Library and its lion sentries are next door.
10. Watch a show. While Broadway is a quintessential New York experience, there are many great options for kids (or adults) who can’t manage 3+ hours of musical theatre. Our favorite has been an evening (just 90 minutes) with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular. With a live orchestra, two organists, 3-D glasses (!), multiple Santas and snow, we all loved it.
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THE FINAL TAKE: By planning ahead, avoiding tourist hotspots during prime hours, and staying in a centralized location, a 3 to 4 day escape to The BIg Apple is a nice getaway during the holiday season. By alternating sightseeing and entertainment with sneaky educational visits to museums, we found the kids remained engaged while averaging 7 miles of walking a day. Alternating sit down restaurant dining with cheaper grab-and-go eats also eases the burden on your wallet.