It’s finally around the best time to be a New Yorker! Starting Oct. 24, Bryant Park reopened their annual Winter Village. The Winter Village, for those who are unfamiliar, is a seasonal village offering endless international food courts, holiday shops and ice skating, all perfect for capturing the holiday spirit. You don’t want to miss this.
Even though we have a little more time until the holidays, it’s never too early to celebrate the holiday spirit. In addition to this year, I visited around the same time last November, so I can accurately list the ideal spots you won’t want to miss.
It is important to start with a fresh, warm beverage at The Lodge: A warm, melted Belgian hot chocolate, hot crisp cider or even a fruity cocktail or beer if you’re over 21 years old, of course. At The Lodge, you can experience an open-air après skate escape in the middle of New York City, where visitors can mingle, munch and drink while watching skaters on the rinkside. The Lodge offers two full-service bars, serving a variety of food options to satisfy your New York City palate. Looking for an excellent viewing experience for game-day? The Lodge also features a large screen for watching television. The Lodge bar and food hall is located in the northeast corner of the rink deck and is open daily until 10 p.m. on weekends and 8 p.m. on weekdays.
My top favorite bites are going to have to be Stout NYC, Gunther’s, Sweet Tooth NYC and Strawberro. Stout, offers freshly grilled artisan sausage with wagyu, chicken or cheddarwurst paired with crispy steak frites styled or a Bavarian pretzel to walk around with. Additionally, there is a new iconic cozy food option now available at the market: mini grilled cheese bites dipped and drenched with homemade tomato soup. If you’re looking for authentic Asian cuisine, stop by Biang Biang Noodles. It’s exactly what it sounds like — the big hand pulled noodles with spicy, tangy, delicious beef straight from Chinatown. These noodles melt in your mouth with a tremendous savory flavor. Not to mention, it warms you up too! A perfect comfort food once the temperature drops below 50 degrees.
You can’t possibly go to the market without getting a sweet treat. Oh, you thought you could, but sorry! The holidays aren’t about getting in shape; they are about enjoying good times and making memories. So, lean into your sweet tooth. At Sweet Tooth NYC, their specialty is soft serve sundae cones topped with your choice of nostalgic sweet toppings. Salted caramel, s’mores or cookies and cream — you name it! A staple sweet treat spot is Strawberro. It’s home to the famous Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries from last winter, when Dubai Chocolate was the new Labubu. Something new this year is that they’re offering a small and a large style cup. Not to discourage you, but it is pricey regardless of their sizes; however, nothing beats their chocolate quality. If you’re looking for something new this year, try their honey and parmesan strawberries! I was skeptical at first, but it is truly a brilliant combination. It tastes like melted brie or goat cheese with some honey swirled on top. Decadent.
Beyond just munching around, I highly recommend skating and exploring their shops. I’m not a skater myself, but don’t worry, most people on the rink are there for fun. Bryant Park also offers skating lessons. Group or private lessons start at around $37.89 per person. Take lots of pictures and videos to capture your winter memories and share on social media to let other New Yorkers know about the Winter Market!
The Christmas tree, especially at night, is a slightly different version of the one at Rockefeller Center. Not as big, of course, but still a beautiful must-see. It will get you into the “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” feeling, I can assure you.
If you’re looking for a beautiful gift for a family member, friend or significant other, consider visiting their various shops. They have some cute, comfy wear, such as Mure + Gran, cute, cuddly sweaters and handbags. There are also some iconic ornaments and furry alpacas. The market is open until Jan. 2, so be sure to visit while you can and enjoy the holiday season!
