• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Linda Holt Creative

interior design and photography coaching

  • About
    • Contact
  • Brand Partnership
  • Portfolio
  • decoratingDecorating Services
    • Ask The Expert
    • Color Consultation
    • Decorating Consultation
    • Designer For A Day
  • photographyPhoto Services
    • Iphone Camera Coaching
  • Blog
  • Classes
    • Smartphone Photography for Interior Designers
    • Better IPhone Photography
  • FREEBIES
  • Shop

Best NYC Christmas photo spots

December 17, 2022 by Linda Holt 14 Comments

Visiting NYC during Christmas time has been on my bucket list for years. I don’t know why we hadn’t done it before but last weekend we took the train from Boston to NYC to take in the sights. My husband wanted to walk around the city, eat at some good restaurants and go to a couple museums. I wanted to find and take photos of the best NYC Christmas photo spots.

Since we were only in the city for the weekend, the number of locations we could visit were somewhat limited. We missed a few things I wish we had time for, but overall, here is my list of the best NYC Christmas photo spots.

1.Rockefeller Center

Probably the most iconic of all the NYC Christmas photo spots is the tree and skating rink at Rockefeller Center. I would have loved to have photographed it at night but we were there mid morning so I did the best I could. If you go, be prepared for HUGE crowds. Hundreds of people are there, all day long, so it can be challenging to get photos of the ice skaters in front of the tree.

I don’t know if pedestrian access is always limited but there was a security fence about 10′-15′ from the edge of the viewing area.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots Skaters at Rockefeller center Christmas tree
Skaters at Rockefeller Center

Best time of the day for photos: Early morning is my suggestion for the best shot of the skaters. The rink opens at 8am and the security guard I spoke with said that 8am-8:30am is the best time of the day to get a good shot. Evening would be a good time too in order to get the tree lit up but then you’ll also have to compete with the crowds

Photo Tip: Bring a selfie stick in order to get a shot over everyone’s head and to capture the full rink. I stood on my tip toes and raised my camera as high over head as possible to get this shot.

2. Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards is a neighborhood and shopping mall with over a hundred stores and almost as many restaurants.

The mall is embellished with twinkling streams of golden lights, suspended Christmas trees and colorful light encrusted hot air balloons. It’s a beautiful display which makes it worth the trip.

Hot air balloon at Hudson Yards

Best time of the day for photos: Pretty much anytime of the day is good but earlier in the day if you don’t want a lot of people in your shot.

3. The Vessel

Also in Hudson Yards, across from the Mall itself, is The Vessel. My husband and I first visited this relatively new landmark shortly after it opened.

It was such a fun experience to climb to the top and take photos looking down into the vessel. I took some very “Escher like” photos. Sadly, there have been several recent suicides so the vessel is now permanently closed to the public. Even though it is no longer open to climb, it’s wrapped up with lights. There are lite trees below and a large hot air balloon makes it worth the visit.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots The vessel at Hudson Yards
The Vessel

Best time of the day for photos: Visit in the the evening to get a good photo of the vesel all lit up.

4. Bryant Park

Possibly just as popular (and crowded) as Rockefeller center is Bryant Park. Like Rockefeller Center, there is a big Christmas tree, and public skating. The Rink at Bryant Park isn’t the only attraction here. There is a Winter Village at Bryant Park where you’ll find unique vendors selling handmade gifts and tasty treats.

NYC Bryant park skating
Skating in Bryant Park

There is also a festive outdoor bar called The Lodge. It was so cold on the Sunday we were there that even though it was only 10am, a grand marnier hot chocolate tasted so good!

The Lodge Bryant Park NYC
The Lodge at Bryant Park

We sat and drank our spiked hot chocolate while watching the skaters until the cold became too much to handle.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots skating at Bryant Park NYC
skaters at Bryant Park

Best time of the day for photos: Similar to Rockefeller center, my suggestion is to arrive early in the day.

5.Macy’s

What store is more iconic around the holidays than the New York City Macy’s? The view of this entrance is where the Macy’s famous Thanksgiving Parade is televised so I included it on my list.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots Macy's at Christmas NYC
NYC Macy’s at Christmas

The multiple entrances are all decorated with lights and wreaths.

NYC Macy’s at Christmas

The store windows are magical for children with animated north pole scenes.

Christmas windows at Macy's NYC
animated bears at Macy’s

Bears looked to be the theme this year!

Christmas window display at macy's NYC
Macy’s Windows NYC

Best time of the day for photos: Early in the day if you want to beat the crowds but dawn or dusk is best to get photos of the windows without street reflections.

6. Radio City

Radio City is the home of the famous Rockettes. The Christmas shows sell out months in advance but put Radio City on your list for a great Christmas photo. There is a huge tree over the entrance that changes colors.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
Radio City Music Hall

Best time of the day for photos: This corner get extremely crowded so you need to go early (by 8am) if you want to get a photo without buses, cars, and lines of ticket holders blocking the view of the entrance. Go after dark if you want to get a photo of the lights.

7. NYC Library

The New York Public Library made my list of the Best NYC Christmas photo spots, mainly because it is such a beautiful NYC landmark. Wreaths with red bows adorn the windows and doors and the architecture is so beautiful.

The lion in front of the NYC public library

Best time of the day for photos: If you want to capture a full shot of the library, arrive early. Unfortunately we were walking by around noon and it was maham. There were buses and cabs in front and hundreds of tourists, clamouring to get a selfie in front of the building.

The best photo I could get was a close up of the iconic lion statue wearing a wreath.

8. 6th Ave

There are several photo worthy Christmas decorations on 6th Ave. One fun display is directly across the street from Radio City. Large red ornaments adorn a fountain and trees covered in gold lights line the plaza.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
Christmas balls in NYC
Best NYC Christmas photo spots
6th ave. christmas ornament

Located just beyond the red balls are giant candy canes. A metal barrier protects the display but there is a wrapped candy “bench” to sit on for a selfie or family photo.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
6th Ave candy Canes

Best time of the day for photos: Anytime of the day is good for photos at this location but expect that this location to get crowded. This image was taken around 9am on Sunday morning and I had to wait for a few minutes until the crowd moved away.

9. Fox News Tree

Just down the street from the red ornaments is the Fox News Christmas tree, flanked by two large nutcrackers and red white and blue presents. This is another popular spot for family photos. Only seconds after I got this shot, several dozen people showed up and proceeded to stand in line to get a photo in front of the tree.

Best time of the day for photos: Arrive early in the day if you want to miss the crowds or visit in the evening if you want to get a photo of the scene lit up.

10. 5th Ave

Even if you have never visited NYC you have most likely heard of 5th Ave. Fifth Ave. is the street where all the high end designer stores are located.

Bvlgari NYC

It is a laughable understatement to say that 5th ave. is crowded during the holidays.

There were hundreds (thousands) of tourists cramming the sidewalks which made getting any decent photos nearly impossible. We walked 5th Ave mid afternoon on a Saturday which was a big mistake.

The Louis Vuitton store, draped with a twelve story Christmas tree banner was one decent photo I was able to get.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
Louis Vuitton NYC

Photo Tip: Although we didn’t get a chance to see it, Saks has a nightly Christmas light show.

Best time of the day for photos: If I was to go back, I would walk down 5th Ave. just after sunrise. The street should be nearly empty of tourists allowing for good images of both store fronts and window displays.

Bonus Photo Spot: Bergdorf Goodman window displays

One of the main drivers of wanting to visit NYC at Christmas this year was to see the Bergdorf Goodman window displays. I had read about them online and I really wanted to see them in person. For holiday 2022, Bergdorf Goodman draws back the curtain of luxury with its campaign titled “Magic in the Making.” 

Bergdorf chose seven different artists to design a window. Architects, florists, jewelers, and upholsterers, designed the windows using the tools of their trade in the most fabulous way! The art of dressmaking, paper-mâché, scrapbooking, woodcraft and more also feature in the wildly creative window scenes.

My Favorites

Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window

Every window was an incredible work of art and talent. I made a point of shooting both the full window but also some close ups.

Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022

The artist for this window used a really cool perspective in that it appears one is looking down on the display.

Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022

The details were amazing. I can’t even guess at how many hours went into creating these works of art.

Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022

This bejeweled animal menagerie window was my favorite.

Can you image all the hours and hours of time it must have taken to do all this bead work and apply those tiny mirrors?Every single thing in the window was bejeweled in some way.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022

Also, it’s difficult to tell the scale, but the windows are large! A person standing in front of this window would only reach about a third of the way up.

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
detail of bead work

Obviously, the artist that created this window used the theme of music!

Best NYC Christmas photo spots
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window 2022

Best time of the day to photograph: Photographing the Bergdorf windows was the single location that I purposely timed.

If you visit

These windows receive so much publicity, that attempting to photograph anytime during the day or early evening, will be mobbed with people.

As a result, we arrived by taxi at 7am, just as the sun was rising. At this early hour it was still dark enough to get good photos without the street reflections and there were no tourists crowding the windows. It was just myself and a few other “professional” photographers shooting the windows at this early hour.

I hope you enjoyed reading and seeing my best NYC Christmas photo spots. I’d love to go back next year and time all my shoots.

My final piece of advice; all things considered, two days in New York at Christmas is not nearly enough time!

These travel photo blogs are fun to write and I plan to do more of them. Since I live just outside Boston I think it’s past due time that I write one for my own city.

If you enjoyed my NYC report, check out my favorite Nantucket photo spots if you plan a visit there in the near future.

Related

Filed Under: Photography, Travel Tagged With: iphone photography, New York Christmas, New York Photography, Travel photography tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet Lorusso says

    December 17, 2022 at 11:28 am

    What a fun photo tour, Linda! I’d love to see those Bergdorf windows in person, but your photos are spectacular (of course!). This REALLY makes me want a trip to NYC!

    Reply
    • Linda Holt says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:32 am

      Thanks Janet. In truth the whole trip was because of those windows. They were just stunning! Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  2. Maria DeGange says

    December 17, 2022 at 11:45 am

    What a beautiful display of pictures, thank you for sharing them with us, Linda.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Linda Holt says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:31 am

      Thank you Maria and Merry Christmas to you too!

      Reply
  3. Nirma says

    December 17, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Hi Linda,

    These tips and photos are terrific! The post is so timely as our daughter is headed to NYC this weekend and I was able to share it with her. She is excited to check out some of the sites.
    NYC is so magical this time of year and while I have taken a few similar shots, I really appreciate the suggestions as to best time of day for the various locations as they relate to crowds and window reflections. It makes all the difference!
    Those Bergdorf windows are swoon worthy! Absolute works of art!
    Thanks so much for taking the time to share your travels and tips.
    Happy Holidays!

    Reply
    • Linda Holt says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:31 am

      Thanks Nirma! We had such a fun time and now I want to go next year too! We were so lucky with the weather too and the city really is do pretty this time of the year. The secret really is to plan your timing because there was so much I couldn’t shoot because of the crowded. I hope your daughter has a wonderful time!

      Reply
  4. LINDA MERRILL says

    December 17, 2022 at 6:42 pm

    So many beautiful moments Linda! I was in NYC years ago over New Years eve and it was pretty magical! I love how you offer tips for best times to photograph.

    Reply
    • Linda Holt says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:29 am

      Thanks Linda. NYE must have been wild. I couldn’t get over the crowds when we were there. Native New Yorkers must flee the city this time of the year because it seemed like all tourists everywhere!

      Reply
  5. Leslie Carothers says

    December 18, 2022 at 8:05 am

    Hi Linda – good morning! What a fun, fun post to see and read. It put me right in the Christmas spirit. I LOVED all of your photo tips and especially loved the pics of the Bergdorf’s windows close up.

    What a magical two days it must have been for you and your husband there.. especially after the last two years.

    Thank you for sharing this with all of us so we could experience a little of the beauty of NYC at Christmas.

    Merry Christmas to you!

    Reply
    • Linda Holt says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:27 am

      Thank you Leslie! It was a long awaited experience to experience NYC at Christmas. Now I’m hooked and already thinking about returning next year!

      Reply
  6. Nirma P Raffi says

    December 18, 2022 at 8:51 am

    P.S. I agree that a photo tour of Boston would be amazing as well. Yes, please!

    Reply
  7. Lisa Peck says

    December 18, 2022 at 10:57 am

    What a magical look at NYC at Christmas. It hasn’t been on my bucket list but now it will be. Those window displays are beautiful. We have exactly one small boutique that does Christmas windows today. I feel like I relived a bit of my childhood looking at these.

    Reply
  8. Gigi Day says

    December 19, 2022 at 1:51 pm

    Hi Linda. Making your way to the Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window by 7am is a lovely NY moment (and good to know for future reference). You could get lost in taking in the detail and pageantry of each display. So much talent on display! Thank you for adding one more visit to my bucket list. Happy holidays!

    Reply
  9. Deborah Main says

    December 27, 2022 at 7:19 pm

    What gorgeous photo Linda!! Since I haven’t been to NYC at Christmas time for decades, this was an extra special treat. I loved them all and I’m so happy you had a fun weekend. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and wishing you a fantastic New Year! Xo

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hello & Welcome!


I am Linda Holt and for as long I can remember I have had two passions, photography and decorating. This blog is about those two passions.

Search my blog

Browse by Category

Recent Posts

  • Best NYC Christmas photo spots
  • Macro photography with the iphone
  • Emerging Furniture Trends from High Point Market Fall 2022
  • High Point Market Insider’s Tour Spring 2023
  • Where to get the best photos on Nantucket Island
  • Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa
  • Emerging design trends from High Point Market Spring 2022
  • The latest color trends from High Point Market Spring 2022
  • Seven mistakes that ruin your smartphone photos
  • Popular Kitchen and Bath trends from KBIS 2022

LET’S GET SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @LINDAHOLTCREATIVE

For those out there that believe you have to have For those out there that believe you have to have an expensive digital camera to call yourself a photographer.  #nottrue  #smartphonephotography #iphonography #androidography #photographytip
Testimonial Thursday. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Testimonial Thursday.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Deborah aka @thepillowgoddess has the Android version of my smartphone photography class. I was so happy to receive this testimonial and hear she has learned things about her camera she didn’t know existed. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Interested in what you will learn in my Smartphone class? 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Hidden camera features: iPhone, Samsung or Pixel option
2. Composition 
3. Mastering interior Lighting
4. Best practices for photographing Flat lays and table tops
5. Better Selfies and group photos
6. Interior photography 
7. Editing
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Full details in the link in my bio above. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#stonehamphotographer #bostonphotographer #smartphonephotography #phototips #cellphonephoto #iphoneteacher #iphoneography #androidphotography #phototipsandtricks #travelphotography #realestatephotography #publicspeaker
Have you downloaded my free guide “Five Steps to Have you downloaded my free guide “Five Steps to Follow before the Shoot”? If not, link in profile.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Tag me or DM me with any of your interior photo questions. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 #stonehamphotographer #bostonphotographer #smartphonephotography #phototips #cellphonephoto #iphoneteacher #iphoneography #interiorphotography #phototipsandtricks #travelphotography #realestatephotography #publicspeaker
Thankfully, I can confidently say I am not 😉
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Truthfully though, vintage items and antiques add a sense of history, and give a house a soul. If it is an antique with a story…even better! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 #decorating #interiordecorating #stonehamma #bostonma #colorconsultant #newhomeowner #decoratingconsultation #downsizing #decor #colorhelp #decoratingcoach
As a color lover, it really struck me that KBIS, a As a color lover, it really struck me that KBIS, aka The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, showed so much black and white. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This beautiful bath was from the New American home. It was right on trend with being black and white.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Want to see more photos from my trip to KBIS as well as more trends? Check out this weeks blog post.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Link in bio above ⬆️ 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#designhounds #newamericanhome2022 #KBIS #KBIS2022 #kitchen #bath #trends #stylespotter #homerenovations #luxkitchen #luxbath #luxappliances #luxuryhome #colortrends
Most people assume a bright sunny day is the best Most people assume a bright sunny day is the best lighting when heading out for a day of photography. Wrong!! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A bright sunny day has harsh lighting and usually not the best time to shoot. You will struggle with hot spots, dark shadows and washed out colors. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Instead, head out on overcast days, foggy days, early mornings or late afternoon. You will be rewarded with soft, beautiful lighting, just like in this image of Boston. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 #stonehamphotographer #bostonphotographer #smartphonephotography #phototips #cellphonephoto #iphoneteacher #iphoneography #mobilonly #phototipsandtricks #travelphotography #realestatephotography #publicspeaker

Copyright © 2023 LINDA HOLT CREATIVE · Designed by Fancy Girl Design Studio