New York City is magical year round, but there’s little arguing that the most beautiful time of the year to visit is during the holiday season. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the entire city lights up with Christmas decor, giant stars hanging from the streets, and holiday pop-ups are ever abundant. While the entire city is photogenic during the winter months, these 10 spots take the cake as being the best photo spots for the ‘gram.
1. Lotte New York Palace
The tree at Lotte New York Palace is one of the best in the city. Though it wasn’t up in the year 2021, it’s back this year, but with some scaffolding around it. Luckily, they made it work and somehow, even the scaffolding adds to the aesthetic of the overall look of the tree. While it does get busy, it’s nowhere near as busy as many other of the popular NYC spots during Christmas, so simply be patient to wait your turn to take a photo, and you’ll likely get no one else in it.
2. Giant Candy Canes
The candy cane pop-up on Sixth Ave are directly outside of the restaurant Avra Rockefeller Center, and right across the street from Radio City Music Hall. It is located on the corner of Sixth Ave and 50th Street. The Giant Candy Canes are a very popular photo-spot, but there’s a way you can get a photo without anyone else in it. Go behind the candy canes, and angle upward. Yes, you will probably get a lot of attention from the diners in Avra Rockefeller Center, but who cares? Give the people a show and get your Insta shot!
3. Giant Red Ornaments
PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati
PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati
Located on Sixth ave between 49th and 50th Streets is a pop-up that happens every year: giant red ornaments! Similar to my tips on how to get no one in your photos, go behind the ornaments to get the shot. The great part about this is that you’ll also get Radio City Music Hall in the background. The ornaments are often very busy as they are in a popular location and one of the most popular Christmas tourist attractions, but they are great to photograph both during the day and at night.
4. New York Hilton Midtown
New York Hilton Midtown is great for many reasons. One: when I’m taking all of these photos every year around Christmastime and need somewhere to pee, I go here. Two, and much more importantly: they have giant nutcrackers that popup every year out front, and they make for the cutest photos and videos for that extra helping of Christmas cheer.
- Tip: The nutcrackers are tall, so use a wide angle lens.
5. Rockefeller Center
PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati
PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati
By far, the most popular photo-spot on this list, and maybe in all of NYC is the Rockefeller Center. The tree at Rockefeller Center is anywhere between 69 and 100 feet tall on any given year. This year (2022), the Norway Spruce is 82-feet tall. As for getting a photo of this tree without anyone else in it, to that I say, good luck. It is packed at pretty much all hours of the day. Your best bet is to arrive ridiculously early, like sunrise time, but even then, the crowds still tend to linger. Crowds are not, there’s no denying the beauty of the Rockefeller tree.
6. The Plaza Hotel
With so many stunning hotels in NYC, you’d think there would be a lot of debate as to what the most beautiful is during holiday season. Let that debate die, and hand it over to the real MVP of Christmas decor: The Plaza Hotel. Note that the security at The Plaza Hotel is intense; they don’t just let anyone walk in through the front door, and with rooms averaging at over $1000/night, it’s tough to buy a way through that front door. Not that I’m here to encourage any bad behavior (wink, wink), but there is a side-door on Grand Army Plaza that allows visitors to enter through without being hassled to show proof of a reservation. Even then, though, you must show some type of proof of a reservation at the bar or restaurant. While drinks might be $30 or more a pop, it’s worth it to feel like lavish luxury for a little just to enjoy the sweet life of The Plaza Hotel.
7. The Peninsula New York
Yet another famous hotel with a Christmas tree for the books is The Peninsula New York. Unlike The Plaza Hotel, the door-persons at The Peninsula New York are happy to let just about anyone in, since they know that everyone wants a snapshot of them with their famous lobby tree. Be weary: this place gets VERY busy, so act quickly when trying to get your picture for the ‘gram. If you need to let some steam off, head to the bar upstairs. Like The Plaza Hotel, drinks are around $30 a pop, but their Christmas cheer martini will have you feeling festive AF.
8. Serra by Birreria at Eataly Flatiron
Every year, Eataly Flatiron’s rooftop, Serra by Birreria goes full-out with holiday decor. They change the decor each year, and this year, the rooftop is decked out to the max with shimmery lights and green trees resembling the Italian countryside. Enjoy the likes of wild boar ragu atop a bed of polenta, with freshly shaved truffles (yes, they shave the truffles directly in front of you). While the food and overall vibe is worth it alone, it doesn’t hurt that this place is incredibly photographable. Wear your most festive Christmas outfit and enjoy a night out on the town with all things Italian.
- Tip: This year’s winter theme will be up through March of 2023.
9. Serendipity 3
Not necessarily Christmas-themed, but photogenic and a popular activity during the holidays nonetheless, is Serendipity 3. Known for their over-the-top ice cream sundaes, Serendipity 3 is a sweet treat for both the belly and the camera. The restaurant is full of unique decor year-round, and though they’re known for their sundaes, they also have a full menu of savory bites. It’s worth it to make a reservation because the eatery is fairly small and extremely popular.
10. Bryant Park Winter Village
NYC is full of Christmas pop-ups, but none do it quite like Bryant Park Winter Village. Filled with dozens of fun shops and eateries, no Christmastime in New York is complete without stopping here. Head to The Lodge at Bryant Park for some spiked hot chocolate (add vanilla vodka and Bailey’s; you’ll thank me later!), and pitstops along the way at places like The Truffleist and and Baked Cheese Haus Raclette are pretty much requirements. For the best photo spots, head to the tree or on the ice-skating rink.
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