Force yourself to get into the holiday spirit.

I love the Bryant Park Winter Village. I’ve been lucky enough to go for years, during which I’ve grown from a wide-eyed Long Island kid scared of the city to a college student who just wants to find joy during finals season. The Winter Village has everything a New Yorker could want for the holiday season: expensive gifts, amazing food, hot chocolate and overpriced ice skating. Call me cheesy, but this park is so cute. Overpriced? Sure. Tourist trap? Of course. But the Village always seems to capture the wintery, Christmasy aesthetic in such an adorable, condensed (if not overcrowded) space. In my opinion, it’s hard not to love. So as a Bryant Park aficionado, I’m here to give you the best recommendations and the best navigation advice on how to get in, get out, and not empty your bank account during the duration of your visit.

Disclaimer: I did attend this year with a severe cold. I couldn’t hear out of one ear, and honestly thought I was going to fall over every time I passed one of the overheated stalls. I spent $30 on three wooden utensils for my mom. I also forgot that I visited until I had to write this article. However, I will do my very best to provide a through guide of Bwog’s Beloved Bryant Park Activities.

Food stops:

  • Bolivian Llama Party: the best food, the best fries, and one of the more affordable stalls. Unfortunately no llamas.
  • For those of us who eat obscene amounts of cookie dough when baking, then you must stop by DŌ. They have edible cookie dough!! It’s delicious.
  • Stand close to the nice heated restaurant with the train running around it. Don’t get any food, just stand there, it’ll be warm.
  • Many of the stalls selling chocolate will give you free samples (I’m not sure if it’s there this year, but I remember a Don’t Chew stall that was incredible.
  • Raclette stand!
  • Max Brenner’s hot chocolate.
  • Wafels and Dinges.

Shopping stops:

  • Do a lap around the park first if you’re there to buy Christmas gifts, then come back to the shops that seem the most interesting to you. This strategy has saved me quite a bit of money as I have no self-control.
  • Tempting as they are, you do not need the nice fairy crowns.
  • If it’s still there, the Strand stall is adorable. They’ve got pins, socks, and lots of potential cute holiday gifts.
  • JustStars: they’re so cool! I could stare at them for hours!
  • Yumi Jewelry is adorable, they’ve got plants, they’ve got sparkly things.

Sport-like activities:

  • Great to do the ice-skating at least once, but they raised the price to $30 this year so go at your own risk. Try to go when it’s not super crowded. Points for it being an adorable date spot.
  • Go to the curling cafe! Apparently you can try out the weirdest sport in the Olympics.
  • Ride the carousel! What college student doesn’t want to ride the carousel? Go around a few times and rethink your existence amidst screaming children.

For when the park itself gets too overwhelming:

  • Rough Trade Record Shop: a Times Square safe space.
  • Go to the La Colombe right next to the park and get an oatmilk draft latte. If you go there enough, the baristas will take pity on you and offer you free pastries.
  • Culture Espresso does a mean cookie and coffee combo.

And those are just the highlights! If you need to get away for a few hours, the Winter Village is for you. Check out these Bwog favorites, get lost trying to find some of these places, and find new amazing Winter Village experiences! Just don’t go if you’re sick, that’s my best recommendation.

Bryant Park via Wikimedia Commons