New York: Christmas walking tour with local guide

4.37

(70 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I thought I’d seen enough Christmas movies set in New York to know what to expect — but actually being there, weaving through the crowds near Rockefeller Center with our guide (her name was Marsha, born-and-raised Brooklyn), it just felt different. The air smelled like roasted chestnuts from a cart outside Radio City, and someone was playing “Jingle Bell Rock” on a saxophone near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. My scarf kept slipping off because I was craning my neck at all the lights.

We stopped in front of Saks Fifth Avenue and Marsha told us how they plan those wild window displays months ahead — she even pointed out her favorite from last year (something about animatronic penguins). There were kids pressed up against the glass, faces smudged, just staring. It made me laugh because honestly, I kind of wanted to do the same. The whole stretch down 5th Avenue was buzzing — you could hear snippets of every language as people shuffled past Macy’s or ducked into Bryant Park for hot chocolate. Somewhere between the Empire State Building and the library lions, it started snowing lightly. Not movie snow, just enough to make everything feel softer.

I didn’t expect to get so caught up in it — I mean, it’s just a day trip in New York for Christmas, right? But when we finally reached the Rockefeller tree (it was already lit that year), everyone got quiet for a second. Even Marsha stopped talking. I still think about that moment sometimes — how bright everything looked and how small we all felt standing there together. So yeah, if you’re thinking about booking this New York City Christmas holiday tour… bring good shoes and maybe an extra pair of gloves. You’ll want your hands free for photos.