New York in the Winter from Land, Water & Sky

Each time Joel and I travel, we try to visit all the “Instagram” hot spots but aim to capture content from a new angle to give you all an exciting perspective. On our trip to New York City this past December, we managed to get some amazing shots on land, in the air, on the water & on ice! And so, I have broken down my top 5 New York moments that allowed us to get some pretty great photos from sea, sky, and land.

Top of the Rock

The first thing we did was go to the Top of the Rock which was amazing. We got got a CityPASS for NYC before our trip and made sure we were first in line early in the morning…which made taking pictures really easy. Were were in NYC between Christmas and NYE which is one of the busiest times of the year there. I have been to the top of the rock twice now. Though this time was a lot colder than my summertime visits, it was also a lot better because the weather was perfect for pictures.

This is one of my favourite observation desks in NYC and it is a great stop on your trip do matter what season you are visiting the City.

Rockefeller Center Skating

Skating at Rockefeller Center is an experience that truly captures the heart of winter in New York City. It is a real NYC winter classic and one of the reasons that New York is one of the best places in the US to visit at Christmas!

Picture this: you lace up your skates and step onto the iconic rink, surrounded by the glow of twinkling lights and the majestic Christmas tree towering above you. It’s a magical moment, whether you’re gliding gracefully or just trying to stay upright! As you skate, you can’t help but smile at the laughter and joy all around you, from families making memories to couples enjoying a romantic outing. Don’t forget to take a break afterward; grab a steaming cup of hot chocolate from a nearby café and soak in the festive spirit. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the charm of skating at Rockefeller Center to make your winter visit to NYC unforgettable!

As some of you may know, I was a figure skater for 10 years, so it was always a dream of mine to skate there. Mission accomplished! If you have the chance it’s a fun activity to do with friends or family.

Brooklyn Bridge

We also checked out the Brooklyn Bridge! Joel had never been, so it was a must see for this trip. We went a little before sunrise so we could have the morning blue hour in all its glory. That morning was -17. -17!!! 🙂 Poor Joel couldn’t feel his feet. But you gotta do, what you gotta do for the blog… right?!?!

A huge thanks to Joel Schat for joining me on this trip. It was a fun….and very cold one!

You can watch my trip vlog in higher quality on YouTube!

 Boat Ride

We took a boat tour around NYC with New York Media Boat. The tour took us around the island of Manhattan and offered a closer view of the New York classic, The Statue of Liberty. It was certainly a chilly ride… it was December after all, but I would absolutely encourage you to book a ride yourself next time you’re in NYC. We timed our tour so that we would be out of the water for sunset. The boat driver/tour guide was fabulous and shared plenty of fun facts about New York. Worth every penny and something I would recommend when you visit NYC in December!

FlyNYon

Last but not certainly not least, if you know Joel and I, you know that we always love a good helicopter ride. We are truly grateful and always super pumped when we go up. Flying with  FlyNYON to see the city from above was amazing. It is a great way to see all the New York landmarks.

While this list of unique ways to see New York City may include locations or activities with crowds, you can also explore non-touristy things to do in NYC, too.

You can see the footage from the flight in my vlog, and it was so cool to see the city from above again. There are so many reasons to take trips to New York City in December.

Ideas for What to Do When Its Too Cold or Snowy Outside

Fortunately, there are many great things to do when it’s snowy or cold in New York City, whether you want to embrace the weather or escape it.

• Spend the day at a New York City museum and there is no shortage of great museums in New York
• Stay warm and shop
• Explore the New York Public Library
• Watch a Broadway show
• Check out the Brooklyn indoor winter flea market
• Wander the MET
• Visit Grand Central Station terminal
• Go to Radio City Music Hall

There are so many things to do during your New York City winter visit. Whether inside or outside, it is the best place to visit year round.