Thinking of taking our 8 and 10 year old daughters in December for a few days once school gets out. What is there to see and do? How cold is it actually?

Radio City Rockettes Christmas show is a must! While there, the Rockefeller Christmas tree

Took my BF's three boys to this last year. The display was Christmas themed. We enjoyed it and thought it was a pretty good deal for what it cost (I think I had a discount code or got reduced price tickets).

https://www.artechouse.com/location/nyc/?locations=nyc

I feel like girls are easier to entertain than boys. Y'all could do a show, go to one of the chocolate/candy/bakery shops, or have afternoon tea at the Plaza.

This isn't Christmas-themed, but my son and I visited the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens on a previous trip. They have a huge collection of Muppets and Jim Henson memorabilia. It truly is a fantastic exhibit.

My son and I have also done this on a separate previous trip. It's not always available, but if it is, I highly recommend. The backstage tour of the New Amsterdam Theater is a really unique experience.

https://www.takewalks.com/new-york-tours/disney-broadway-tours-new-amsterdam-theater/

Weather could be hit or miss. The day we took the boys, it was probably in the 40s-50s and very pleasant. When my BF and I went back a couple of days later, a deep freeze was pushing through, and it went from rainy and cold to rainy and freezing in a few hours.

My wife and I go the first week of December yearly, have been doing this for about a dozen years now.

I've been snowed on, had it get in the 20's, windy and rainy.

I've also gotten a lot of days in the 40s that were absolutely beautiful.

One year it got so warm I was wishing I had brought some shorts.

Bottom line, I've never had weather so terrible that I thought about not going again or changing dates in the future. Look at the forecast and pack accordingly.

There was a nice Christmas market in Union square years ago when I went. Also an incredible stollen at a bakery in Grand Central Terminal. Several places to ice skate.

Don't forget ice skating in Central Park or Rockefeller Center!

https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/sports/ice-skating/

We are taking this exact trip with our girls that are 8 & 9.
Things we have scheduled:

Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
Planning a visit to Museum of Natural History (fun to watch Night at the Museum ahead of time)
Christmas Spectacular The RadioCity Rockettes
Aladdin Musical
My youngest request visit Statue of liberty crown (need tickets ahead)

Places also to shop:
FAO Swartz
Lego Store
Harry Potter Book store if into that

Christmas Themed dining:
Rolfs (must call for reservation)

My email is in my bio. Would love to answer any questions you might have.

Pro Sandy said:

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Radio City Rockettes Christmas show is a must! While there, the Rockefeller Christmas tree

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Yes! We did this the day after thanksgiving two years ago when my daughter was 8, and it was a dream. RCMH is incredibly huge, so I definitely recommend sitting as close as possible. We were in the front row, which I initially thought might be too close, but it was amazing.

That same trip we did tea at the Plaza Hotel, which was fully decorated for Christmas (beautiful), as well as a carriage ride through Central Park and then ice skating at the rink there. It started snowing lightly while we were in the carriage, which was magical.

To me, I rarely feel that NYC is uncomfortably cold. I think the coldest I've ever been there was during an early February blizzard and even then I was fine in a coat and waterproof boots. Most trips in the winter I don't even wear a real coat unless it's actively raining or snowing. The buildings block the wind for the most part, and also radiate heat, plus you're so active when you're outside there getting from one place to another. I definitely wouldn't let the cold temps deter you from a great trip.

AgLA06 said:

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Don't forget ice skating in Central Park or Rockefeller Center!

https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/sports/ice-skating/

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We went last year. We were there around the 15-20th. 2 teenage boys. Probably a bit of a different trip.

I actually would recommend Bryant Park skating. Rockefeller was overwhelming with 1000s of people. Bryant was a bit more quaint and family friendly in my opinion.

We did Times Square, Harry Potter (show and store,) Knicks game, Top of the Rock, museum of natural history, Mona, mass at St Patrick's cathedral, Nike Store, Times Square, tree at Rockefeller, FAO Schwartz, and some other things I'm forgetting.

We did go to a light show in Central Park that was shut down for no apparent reason with no reason listed on the website. That was a kick in the pants.

I will say it was cold AF. Like miserably and bitterly cold. We found a bit of sun during a morning walk through Central Park that was nice.

Your girls would probably love a night at Serendipity.

Do you guys have any thoughts on Airbnb vs hotel in NYC?

Short term Airbnbs/apartment rentals are not allowed, and haven't been for quite some time. The rules were just made even stricter this year. If you are able to get one, it's a violation of local law. Just get a hotel.

The exception is if you stay in someone's home while they are there (and I'm assuming that's not what you're looking for).

2nd Bryant Park for ice skating. It also has a geat Christmas market with decent food and snack options.

We took my mom in early December 2018 for her first-ever trip to NYC. I had never been at Christmas. My advice is to go over Christmas itself. Earlier in the month is way too crowded to enjoy it. Lots of busses coming into the city in the evening and flooding the area around Rockefeller Center/Saks with way too many tourists. If it's like Paris, it'll be quieter on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.

I concur on the Rockettes. It was super fun. The outdoor lights in the above-mentioned area was really fun. Window displays for all the luxury brands are magnificent to see.

The days/week after New Year's is a great time to go to NYC. All the Christmas decorations are still up, the city is empty and you can get show tix and dinner reservations with little trouble. Hotel rooms are cheaper too. I have gone several years during that week and it has been great!