The past few years, my brother and I have made day trips to New York City during the Christmas season while on our way to visit family in Connecticut. In this blog, I’m going to take you through what we did so you can have inspiration on how to enjoy the city if you only have a few hours!

NYC Trip 2019

Last year, my family drove to Connecticut to visit my cousins for Christmas. We took two cars, my brother and I drove separately from my parents and sister since we would be squished and uncomfortable if we tried to fit all of us in one car. We were to drive to Connecticut on Christmas Eve, and my brother texted me the night before asking me if I wanted to stop in New York City for breakfast before we met up with the rest of my family. Without hesitation, I said yes! My brother got out of work early that morning – maybe 3am – possibly showered while I got ready, and we headed on our way to the city!

We didn’t have much on our agenda. Our main goal was to get bagels at his favorite bagel shop, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company, and anything else was a bonus! We ended up seeing the Statue of Liberty, walking around Central Park, and Time Square! It was such a fun pit stop before seeing our family, and my parents and sister were jealous we didn’t bring them bagels (or invite them on the journey – oops!).

NYC Trip 2020

Despite the coronavirus, I still wanted to make the trip to New York City on Christmas Eve this year to make this trip a tradition. We didn’t see our family for Christmas because of covid, so we did a day trip. We were still very cautious of covid – in fact I think this type of day trip is a great way to get outside of your town while still being cautious of catching the virus.

Like last year, we didn’t have much on our agenda. Our main goals were to arrive in the city in time to see the sunrise at Battery Park, get breakfast at Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company, and do some sight seeing!

We left earlier this year, around 3am to try to make it in time for the sunrise. We technically made it to New York City by the time the sun rose, but we didn’t make it to Battery Park in time because driving in the city is very hectic, especially when Apple Maps decides to not tell us which exit to take! We still saw the sky illuminate with firey oranges and yellows, but we saw it from the highway instead of from Battery Park. We ended up not making it to Battery Park at all because we took too many wrong turns, so we decided to get out at Valentino Pier! At Valentino Pier we were able to see the Statue of Liberty! The sky still had a sunrise hue to it so overall we still accomplished my goal :) As we walked back to the car, we could see the sun through the buildings, so it was almost like we still saw the sunrise!

After Valentino Pier, we were starving so we stopped at Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company. for a hearty breakfast. It took me forever to order (like usual) because I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for a savory or sweet breakfast. I decided to go with an everything bagel with bacon, an egg and their jalapeño asiago cream cheese – it was one of the best bagels I’ve ever had!! The jalapeño asiago cream cheese is what took it to the next level. I also brought a dozen bagels home for my the family, couldn’t disappoint them again! I chose an assortment of bagels, including their seasonal gingerbread bagel with eggnog cream cheese. Now let me tell you, their gingerbread bagel with eggnog cream cheese is the best bagel I’ve ever had – hands down.

After we fueled up with bagels, we decided to explore the city! My brother had his heart set on seeing Wall Street, so that was our next stop.

On our way to Wall Street, we ended up on NYU’s campus so we got out and walked through Washington Square Park. This park is absolutely stunning, especially after the snowfall we just had from the nor’easter! It is definitely Christmas card worthy.

As we approached Wall Street, we were sitting at a red light next to a Bentley Continental. The driver put his car in park (while waiting for the light to turn green) and got out to get a coffee at the shop on the side of the road. Right as he entered the coffee shop, the light turned green! I could not believe he left his insanely expensive car running in the middle of New York City. We kept driving down the street and parked infant of a Bentley Bentayga, which was also left running but this time on the side of the road. We got out to explore Wall Street a bit and take pictures with the bull. As we headed back to our car, the Bentley owner who got coffee had parked behind the Bentayga. He got out and was talking to who I assumed were the owner of the Bentayga, but they were completely random people. He was gawking over how nice their Bentley was, and then OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR. First, I can’t believe the owners left their car running and unlocked in the middle of Wall Street, but also that guy opened up the door just to admire the inside. Rich people are ruthless let me tell ya.

After Wall Street, we drove to see the 9/11 Memorial. We didn’t pay to do the tour, we just walked by the memorial of the two buildings.

Finally around 11am, we headed back home! We had a full day’s worth of adventure crammed into the whole morning and we were exhausted. Plus, we had to make it back home in time to zoom with our friend to celebrate her graduating college!

I would recommend doing a day trip like this, especially during covid. The only time we were near people was when we were inside the bagel shop and when we stopped at the gas station for a restroom break. We used hand sanitizer all of the time and always wore masks!

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Do you have any holiday traditions with your family? Let me know in the comments below!