As the warm summer days are replaced with increasingly colder ones, it’s easy to forget the many exciting activities that occur during the winter season. In fact, our local community has many holiday activities to keep you busy. Visit the bustling Bryant Park, tour the fantasy-inspired Luminocity, enjoy some ice skating, or freshen up your house with some holiday baking.
Bryant Park
Bringing European style holiday markets to New York, Bank of America’s Winter Village at Bryant Park provides a whimsical shopping and dining experience. The market was voted best Christmas Market two years in a row by Planet Cruises and continually gains online traction. After walking
around the many shops, you can go ice skating in the park. Though you might have to pay to rent skates, the perfect view of the holiday market and Christmas decorations are worth it.
Luminocity
Grab your puffy jackets or woolen gloves, and let a little light brighten your sky. Luminocity, an immersive light show in Eisenhower Park, is a perfect way to spend a weekend night. With themes like Winter Fantasy, Christmasville, and Alice in Wonder-land, Luminocity is sure to keep you smiling. As you enter the exhibit, you are guided by weaving paths that introduce you into these three themes. During your adventure, you might see towering bugs, or evil queens with her minions. Delicious food and drink vendors of all cultures line the entrance, and a merchandise store allows you to enjoy a snack while also getting some shopping done. Open until January 7, Luminocity is an en-“light”-ening portal that exists just 15 minutes away!
Ice Skating
Whether it be at our local Andrew Stergiopoulos ice rink, or the renowned Rockefeller Center ice
rink, experience ice skating at the perfect time of year: winter. Ice skating might sound like a one-dimensional activity, but it’s so much more than that! Let the chill and the counter-clockwise pattern of the rink calm you, or fill up the rink with invigorating conversation as you take in the moment. Ice skating is also a great way to stay active this winter. Cozying up near a warm fireplace might sound nice, but don’t forget to stay moving. And what better way to do that than to put on some skates and feel like you’re flying on your feet!
Baking
There is nothing better than eating freshly-baked pastries. During this holiday season, take out your measuring cups and spatulas, and start baking! Whether it be chocolate chip cookies or apple pie, you can make a dessert for everyone to enjoy. If you don’t know what to make, I suggest you try to make Broma Bakery’s Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies. The crinkle top creates crispy edges and a delightfully chewy inside. The cookie is also dusted with a layer of powdered sugar and made with the perfect amount of chocolate.
