Just an hour’s train ride from Darien, lies a winter oasis filled with holiday spirit and cheer in the heart of Bryant Park in New York City. Aromas of alfredo pasta and chocolate covered waffles flow through the air. Sleigh bells ring and holiday music hums in the background. All this while the crowds bustle around you, whether they are waiting in lines for the famous hot chocolate from S’Mores N’More or skating around the rink in the center of the winter village.
If it wasn’t evident already, the possibilities at Bryant Park’s Winter Village are endless. You could skate up and fly around the ice rink or take it slow and peruse the infinite holiday gift shops. Last winter, my friends and I took a visit to the Winter Village and it exceeded our expectations. If you are looking for a perfect spot for a city trip but are unsure where to go, look no further.
Bryant Park’s Winter Village is open from late October through early March. Thus, if you are one of those people who replaces the jack o’ lanterns with mistletoe as soon as possible, you can visit Bryant Park as soon as October 25th. According to Bryant Park’s website, hours are from 11am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 10pm on weekends. One of the many positives of Bryant Park is its accessibility. Nestled next to the historic New York Public Library, the park is just a five minute walk away from Grand Central. If you’re looking to see more of the city on your way, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral are right around the corner.
Another part of the Winter Village that makes it so special is its variety. Good news! Bryant Park is New York City’s only free admission ice rink. However, some bad news is that the line to ice skate is incredibly lengthy, so I’d recommend getting there early or preparing to wait in line for a while. But there’s more! There are hundreds of shops lining the park, some serving apparel and accessories while others are selling jewelry and artwork. A whole map of the park and its many shops can be found on Bryant Park’s website, linked here.
Finally, I could not talk about Bryant Park’s Winter Village without talking about the food. The options for food and cuisine are endless in the Winter Village. Some standouts from the map are as follows. Gnocchi on 9th, a trendy spot that serves different kinds of gnocchi in a box. Cheese Wheel Pasta is exactly what it sounds like, with pasta spun on a cheese wheel right in front of you. One place my friends and I loved was Wafels and Dinges, the warm hot chocolate and gooey waffles were the perfect way to dispel the shivers. Another spot I personally enjoyed was Bao by Kaya, where we dined on delicious bao buns and spring rolls.
Senior Mackenzie Nolan has visited the Winter Village before and hopes to return again this holiday season. Nolan said, “Even though it was crowded with people, all of the vendors were so kind and eager to share their businesses and products—there is truly something for everyone there!” No truer words have even been spoken. Take it from me, visit Bryant Park’s Winter Village, you won’t regret it!
