Hardly any place is as magical as New York City right before Christmas. At every turn, you collect unforgettable memories - from the shopping tour to the festive cocktail hour with panoramic views of the skyline. These are our Best Of New York City for the run-up to Christmas.

Related: Fall Foliage Frenzy on a Roadtrip From New England to New York City

New York in a snow flurry: the cold season transforms the Big Apple into a true winter wonderland. © Shutterstock

Where to eat

Festive & French: Balthazar

The Balthazar is one of the most popular spots in SoHo. The chic brasserie with its red leather seating areas and neighboring bakery has been treating its guests to the best delights from dawn to dusk since 1997. At Christmas, the restaurant also shines in festive splendor.

Drinks & more: Ophelia

The indoor rooftop bar Ophelia in Beekman Tower, known for great drinks and expansive panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, transforms into the "Snow Globe in the Sky" during Advent. A real hotspot for a festive evening with friends.

Romantic Dinner: One if by Land, Two if by Sea

The One if by Land in Greenwich Village is New York's most romantic restaurant: Chef Gary Volkov creates fine American dining in the landmarked carriage house from 1767. Diners sit at tables lit by candles, a fire crackles in the brick fireplaces, and a pianist accompanies with romantic sounds from the baby grand. During the holiday season, a giant Christmas tree and special menus add to the festive spirit.

Where to stay

The Mark

This is where the beautiful, rich and famous go in and out - in winter, in the face of the festive Swarovski facade. © The Mark

The Mark Hotel is one of the best addresses in New York City. Guests can expect personal service and classic luxury, coupled with the unmistakable aesthetics of the designer Jacques Grange. For the X-Mas season 2022, the five-star hotel awaits with a chic highlight: In collaboration with Swarovski, probably the most luxurious facade in Uptown Manhattan was created. Millions of Swarovski crystals were used to create a festive entrance area that looks like a giant gingerbread house. Two integrated Christmas carts sweeten the sight with treats: there's hot chocolate, festive nibbles and oversized Swarovski crystal lollipops. On view until January 7, 2023.

The Mark
25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075, United States
Tel.: +1 2127444300
Web: themarkhotel.com
Price: doubles from €1,640

What to do

Walk through the New York Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden becomes one of the most magical places in the city during Advent: NYBG GLOW, the city's largest outdoor light festival, is especially beautiful. For more than two kilometers, visitors stroll through the brightly lit garden after dark. At the heart of the LED installation are the Metz Library and the main Conservatory.

The Christmas model trains at the New York Botanical Garden make children's eyes light up. © New York Botanical Garden

In addition to the glamorous moments, there are also dance performances, festive treats or the Holiday Train Show to experience. The latter is a beloved tradition of New Yorkers: for the past 30 years, some 25 model trains have traveled 800 yards of track through a miniature NYC.

Good to know: If you're traveling in Brooklyn, you can visit the Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden there.

Venturing onto New York's ice

A spin around the ice in Central Park is among the most magical experiences in New York at Christmastime. © Joseph Barrientos

Whether opulent at Rockefeller Center or in Central Park: In winter, New York is transformed into a paradise for ice skaters. Among the top spots for a round on the ice are, for example, the square at the LeFrak Center at Prospect Park or the Wollman Rink in Central Park. Who has no problem with large crowds, whirls in the face of the golden Prometheus on the The Rink at Rockefeller Center over the ice. By the way, year-round ice skating is offered in the huge Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex offered.

Go on a shopping spree

The legendary department store Saks Fifth Aveue shines especially bright in the run-up to Christmas. © Shutterstock

Be it Macy's Herald Square or Saks Fifth Avenue: New York is the perfect destination for luxury shopping. Especially in winter, when it's freezing outside, the huge luxury department stores are ideal for warming up in a chic ambience and looking for gifts for your loved ones (and yourself).

To the Bake-off in Museum of the City of New York

This year's winner, John Kuehn, depicted his neighborhood - Madison Square Garden - as a miniature model made of gingerbread, frosting and cookies. © Museum of the City of New York

Fans of gingerbread houses and food design should definitely head to the Museum of the City of New York during their trip. In the course of "The Great Borough Bake-Off, New York bakeries and amateur bakers gather to create realistic representations of their city's neighborhoods. This year's winner is John Kuehn for his gingerbread version of Madison Square Garden. The little houses made of candy canes, gummy bears, little croissants, endless amounts of icing and more will be on display until January 8, 2023.

Sweet stopover: Dylan's Candy Bar

Dylan's Candy Bar has gained popularity around the world through its apperances in series like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. © Shutterstock

What would the holiday season be without sweet baked goods, fine chocolates and the like? The colorful Dylan's Candy Bar, founded in 2001, was for a long time the largest candy store in the world. Those with a sweet tooth can stop by Hudson Yards, for example, and choose from more than 7,000 treats.

Visit Dyker Heights

Kitsch and lights en masse await at Christmastime in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. © Shutterstock

If you love kitsch and typical American Christmas, you should stop by Dyker Heights. Starting in November, the residential area in the borough of Brooklyn is transformed into a Winter Wonderland par excellence: residents decorate their homes and streets with the most elaborate decorations. Life-size Santas tower up next to snowmen, X-Mas songs ring out everywhere; a real experience.

Experience the Winter Village at Bryant Park

A land of plenty for gourmets and Advent enthusiasts, the Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park includes some 60 market stalls of various kinds. From winter treats to shopping stalls to small business booths, Christmas spirit is in the air. If you like, rent a pair of skates and circle the 1,500-square-foot ice skating rink.

Go to the ballet

Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic is definitely not to be missed in the run-up to Christmas. © 2014 Paul Kolnik

Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" with George Balanchine's choreography has been a staple of the New York Christmas season since 1954. 90 dancers take the stage at New York City Ballet's David H. Koch Theatre. In addition, 125 young talents from the School of American Ballet artfully twirl through the imposing set. This year, the iconic two-act with the intoxicating set once again transports the audience to the kingdom of Sugarplum Fairy.