New York City is one of the most beautifully and skillfully decorated cities around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  Spending some time in December in New York is a great way to get into the holiday mood. Discover the Top Things To Do in NYC in December!

10 Things To Do in NYC in December

New York City is one of the most fun cities in the world during the holiday season. The activities abound, the whole city gets decorated with holiday lights, Christmas decorations, and intricate window displays.

Spending holidays in NYC can get expensive, but there are SO MANY fun free things to do (and to see!) in New York City in December.   And, that’s what this post is all about.  Here is my list of Top 10 Things To Do in NYC during the winter holiday season:

10 Things To Do in NYC in December

1.  Gigantic Christmas decorations and lights in midtown Manhattan

Giant red ornaments at 1251 Sixth Avenue, near Rockefeller Plaza in NYC are a spectacular sight.   If you let your imagination run wild, these Christmas ornaments will remind you of huge caramelized apples or gigantic pomegranates, quite appropriately for the season!  Very shiny and deliciously looking, aren’t they?

When visiting NYC in December, be sure not to miss the gigantic Christmas lights on 6th Avenue. They look like huge lipsticks of different colors or rockets ready to launch, don’t they?

There are beautiful lights everywhere in midtown Manhattan:

2. Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza

Rockefeller Center is one of the main attractions in NYC.  Especially in the winter.  It is home to the iconic Christmas Tree, that’s over 70 feet tall this year.

The tree is placed right in front of the Rockefeller building.

Christmas Tree – Rockefeller Center

This iconic NYC Christmas tree is topped with the Swarovski star topper composed of multiple precision-cut crystals.    A replica of the Swarovski star is also on display in the Rockefeller Center – and you can see all the intricate detail, crystals and facets up-close, which is pretty cool:

A little further, you can see a famous bronze statue of Atlas in front of Rockefeller Center. In Greek mythology, Atlas was forced by Zeus to hold up the heavens as a special punishment – as we can see on this photo:

3. The Rink at Rockefeller Center

One of the most world-famous ice rinks is located right at the Rockefeller Center.  Constructed in the 1930’s, the ice rink is very popular with tourists and visitors.  If you are in NYC in December, be sure to walk by the Rockefeller Center and watch the people skate on this spectacular rink.

This skating rink is right underneath the Christmas tree and the bronze gilded statue of Prometheus.

A little further from the Christmas tree, there is a cute alley decorated with the wire-sculpted angel figures.  Each herald angel holds six-foot-long brass trumpet:

Giant toy soldier at Rockefeller Center NYC:

4. Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall is home to the traditional NYC Christmas show – The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the women’s dance team known as the Rockettes.

The front of the music hall is decorated with a huge Christmas tree that constantly changes colors.

5. The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows

Every Christmas season, Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store in NYC unveils the store’s iconic holiday windows. Besides the holiday windows, the entire facade of the iconic luxury retailer is also decorated with intricate light display:

6. Strolling along 5th avenue from the Rockefeller Center towards Central Park

Take a stroll from the Rockefeller Center towards Central Park, along the 5th avenue and you’ll see many beautifully decorated buildings and displays in December. This is how the world’s premier jeweler Tiffany & Co. is decorated during the holiday season:

And here is Harry Winston jewelry store decorated with elegant Christmas lights:

7. Giant Snowflake in NYC

As you continue walking along the Fifth avenue from the Rockefeller Center towards the Central Park, you will see a giant snowflake above the intersection of 5th avenue and 57th street. This snowflake is known as UNICEF snowflake, and it’s a beautifully illuminated crystal ornament that lights up the Fifth Avenue at night.

8. Plaza Hotel

Right by where the Central Park starts at the 5th avenue, you can see The Plaza Hotel, an iconic century-old luxury hotel.

Right next to the Plaza hotel, is the Pulitzer Fountain in Grand Army Plaza. During the winter holiday season, the basin of the fountain is decorated with lighted trees.

9. Hanukkah Menorah

And here is the World’s largest Hanukkah Menorah.  It’s a 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel structure at Grand Army Plaza. It’s located on Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street, across the street from The Plaza hotel.

10. The Empire State Building Tower Lights

The Empire State Building tower lights are visible from many points in the city. The building has a computer-driven LED light system capable of displaying different kinds of lights. The Empire State Building looks especially spectacular in December during the holiday season.

The Empire State Building tower lights

Extra Things To Do in NYC in December

If you are still not tired from walking along Fifth Avenue, visiting the Rockefeller Plaza, and watching stunning holiday windows displays, there are 5 more things for you to do in NYC in December!

1.  Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is another popular attraction in NYC that attracts millions of people each year.

2. The Frick Collection Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art

There are many amazing art museums in NYC. If you’re cold or tired from walking, visit The Frick Collection Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

3. Broadway Theaters & Times Square

Finally, no December visit to NYC is complete without watching a holiday Broadway show. Get yourselves tickets to shows, such as the Phantom of the Opera, Big Apple Circus, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, among many others!

4. Apple Fifth avenue

Across from the Plaza Hotel, is an iconic Apple Store glass cube on Fifth Avenue. This Apple retail location is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

5. Walking in Manhattan

New York City turns into a magical place in December. The buildings get beautifully decorated, the city is beautifully lit, and walking in Manhattan becomes an experience in itself. The city looks joyful and stunning both during the day and at night in December.

This post was originally published in December 2014. It was updated and republished in October 2019.

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Barbados is one of the most spectacular locations in the world to watch the sunset.  The late evening colors ranging from yellow to orange and red produce some of the most stunning sunsets!  Discover the 7 best spots to watch the sunset in Barbados!

Sunset in Barbados

What could be more romantic than to watch the sunset on the beach?  Well, Barbados is famous for its stunning turquoise blue water and golden sandy beaches.  This Caribbean island is also known for spectacular sunsets.

What’s great about Barbados is that there are many great restaurants and cafes located right on the oceanfront.  You can enjoy a great meal while watching colors change as the sun sets behind the horizon.

Sunset in Barbados

Best Spots to Watch Sunset in Barbados

There are endless spots where you can watch a spectacular sunset in Barbados.

Below are just a few of the best places where you can observe the sun disappear below the horizon in Barbados.

1. Holetown Beach

This stunning beach is located in the historic town of Holetown, on the west coast of Barbados, in the parish of St. James.  It’s a beautiful sandy beach with turquoise water.   The beach turns magical as the sun goes down, and it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset.

Sunset in Holetown, Barbados

2. Sunset Boat Cruise

Another great way to witness a spectacular sunset on the Caribbean Sea is to take an afternoon catamaran cruise.  The view of the sun going down as you’re slowly cruising along the sea is unforgettable!  You also get to observe other boats set perfectly against the sun going down below the horizon.

Sunset in Barbados

3. The Beach House Restaurant

The Beach House is a gorgeous oceanfront restaurant in Holetown, Barbados.  The restaurant serves delicious local cuisine.  It’s a great place to watch a sunset. The views and the location are amazing!

Sunset at The Beach House, Barbados

4. Drift Ocean Terrace and Lounge

Drift Ocean Terrace Lounge is a fun restaurant and bar lounge in Holetown, on the west coast of Barbados.  Set in gorgeous oceanfront surroundings, Drift Ocean Terrace Lounge is a perfect place to have a cocktail while watching a stunning sunset.

Sunset in Barbados

5. The Fish Pot

Located on the northwest coast of Barbados, north of Speightstown, The Fish Pot Restaurant offers fantastic views of the Caribbean Sea! Lively atmosphere, delicious food, and stunning ocean views make this restaurant one of the best places to enjoy dinner while watching a spectacular sunset in Barbados.

Sunset at The Fish Pot Restaurant, Barbados

6. The Cliff Beach House

The Cliff Beach House is a beautiful restaurant in a stunning setting overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  The name of the restaurant lives up to the expectations, and the views and the location are fantastic!  The open-air restaurant overlooks the ocean.  This restaurant is known for great cocktails, excellent food, and friendly service.

Sunset in Barbados

7. Palm Terrace Restaurant at Fairmont Royal Pavilion

Palm Terrace is a fantastic restaurant located in the Fairmont Royal Pavilion Hotel in Barbados.  This open-air restaurant is strategically situated along the beach, with huge white arches opening right into the Caribbean sea.

Sunset in Barbados

Tips and Trick for taking the best photos of the sunset in Barbados

To take the best photos of the sunset in Barbados, all you need is an unobstructed view of the Caribbean Sea with the sun setting down below the horizon. There are many spots that fit these criteria in Barbados. This includes beaches, oceanfront cafes, and restaurants, sunset boat cruises, oceanfront hotels.

The sunset photos also turn out the best if you are able to capture a subject backlit by the setting sun, such as the boat near the horizon or objects positioned perfectly with the sun going down behind them.

Sunset in Barbados

Sunset in Barbados

Sunset in Barbados

Sunset in Barbados

Sunset boat cruise in Barbados

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Barbados is famous for its beautiful turquoise waters, golden sandy beaches, and Bajan food.  And, there is so much more to do on this stunning Caribbean island: sunset boat cruises, caves with coral floors, rum distilleries, plantation houses, and historic buildings.  Discover the 10 Best Things To Do in Barbados!

Barbados

Bathsheba, Barbados

Barbados

1. Barbados West Coast Beaches

Barbados West Coast Beaches are famous for their clear turquoise waters and perfect golden sand. In fact, Barbados West Coast is often called the Platinum Coast.

The waters of Barbados West Coast are calm as they are protected from ocean swells by the island itself.

The coastline includes the parishes of St. James, St. Peter and St. Michael.

Barbados

Barbados

The best beaches include Holetown beach, Sandy Lane, Mullins Bay, Paynes Bay, and many more!  You can enjoy many fun activities, such as Hobie wave sailboat, kayaking, paddleboards, and snorkeling.

Hobie wave sailboat, Barbados

2. Animal Flower Cave

Animal Flower Cave is located at the most northern tip of the island, at North Point, St. Lucy, in Barbados.   It is a sea cave located under the cliffs at North Point. It’s a natural sight, and, therefore, should be approached with caution, as it is wet and slippery. There are loose and slippery rocks, stable footwear is a must!

Animal Flower Cave, North Point, Barbados

There are sea anemones (marine, predatory life form) inside the cave. Sea anemones are colorful, which is why they are also referred to as animal flowers.

You don’t have to go down to the cave to enjoy the sights. Without going into the cave, the views in the immediate area are stunning. You can pretty much stay up top, without going to the cave, and observe the spectacular coastal scenery.

Animal Flower Cave, North Point, Barbados

3. Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave is an underground sight in the central uplands of Barbados.  It is a huge system of underground caves and streams that features spectacular caverns and crystallized formations.  Tourists can visit the caves by boarding a tram that will take them through caves, waterfalls, streams, caverns, and crystallized formations.   You will see the huge stalactites and stalagmites.

4. St. Nicholas Abbey Plantation House and Rum Distillery

St. Nicholas Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in Barbados.  The abbey was built in the 17th century by Benjamin Berringer, who was one of the sugar plantation owners.

This stunning 17th-century plantation house has 3 floors, with an amazing collection of period furniture inside.  The current owners of the abbey restored and preserved St. Nicholas Abbey, which is now a museum, a historic plantation house, and a rum distillery.  St. Nicholas Abbey produces premium single cask rums, rum cakes, truffles as well as brown sugar, syrup, jam, and jellies.

St Nicholas Abbey, Barbados

St Nicholas Abbey, Barbados

St Nicholas Abbey Rum Distillery, Barbados

5. Mount Gay Distillery

Mount Gay rum is considered the world’s oldest rum, at over 300 years old.

Mount Gay Distillery produces Mount Gay rum, one of the oldest and most famous rums produced in Barbados. You can visit the Mount Gay Visitor Center and take a tour to learn about the history and craft of this famous rum. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the origins of rum, the distillation process, ageing and blending techniques.

6. Bathsheba

Bathsheba is the fishing village in the parish of Saint Joseph on the east coastline of Barbados. The town is famous for its dramatic scenery with magnificent rock formations and huge waves on the rugged east coast of Barbados. The beaches have strong undercurrents and are not suitable for swimming. However, the views are spectacular. Bathsheba beach is also a famous surfing spot where international surfing competitions take place.

There are also several sights such as Flower Forest and Cotton Tower.

Bathsheba, Barbados

Bathsheba, Barbados

Bathsheba, Barbados

7. Round House

Round House built in the early 1800’s is a beautiful inn and restaurant in Bathsheba, on the east coastline of Barbados. The Round House is located on the hilltop offering breathtaking views of the rugged east coast of Barbados.

It’s a great lunch spot to relax on your drive through Barbados.

Round House, Barbados

Round House, Barbados

8. Hunte’s Gardens

Hunte’s Gardens are botanical gardens located in Saint Joseph Parish, Barbados. The gardens were established by horticulturist Anthony Hunte.

The impressive property features old stone outbuildings, flowering plants, towering trees, and quite a few statues among the plants and the flowers.

There are a number of small secret gardens and a lot of serene and quiet spots.

9. Catamaran Cruise

One of the best ways to enjoy Barbados is from the sea. There are many boat cruise operators that offer spectacular boat cruises on the Caribbean. I took a group boat cruise with Silver Moon Catamaran Cruises and was thoroughly impressed and happy with the experience. You can book a lunch catamaran cruise and spend about 5 hours on the sea starting in the morning hours.

It’s a great cruise to unwind and enjoy the sun on the deck of a beautiful catamaran. You’ll get to see beautiful coastal scenery and get a chance to snorkel with Barbados Sea Turtles. You can also explore a 19th-century shipwreck.

Catamaran cruise, Barbados

10. Sunset Boat Cruise

What could be better than watching a spectacular sunset from a comfortable boat in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Barbados?  This is exactly what you can do on an afternoon boat cruise.  One such cruise is offered by Silver Moon Catamaran Cruises.   This catamaran cruise starts late in the afternoon and you get to experience the spectacular Barbados sunset, along with great food on board of the boat.

Sunset Boat Cruise Barbados

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