Ultimate Holiday Experiences in NYC

By Carole Peck Content Manager Beyond Times Square

Looking to spend an extended weekend in New York City? There’s no better time than the span from Thanksgiving until the end of the year! Why? Because during the holidays the Big Apple takes on a dazzling new persona! It’s as if Santa instructed his elves to create a gift that has something for everyone, then wrapped it up and left it for each person to open and choose the experiences that make them smile the most.

Now, we realize it can be overwhelming to decide what you want to experience when you visit NYC at this particular time of year, so Beyond Times Square is here to help you “unwrap” it. Grab a cup of cocoa, sit back and relax while we introduce you to our holiday experiences guaranteed to make your weekend getaway to New York City extra festive!

Thanksgiving 2023

To make the most of Thanksgiving, start your extended weekend getaway on Wednesday so you can take part in a surprisingly little-known tradition - the inflation of those larger-than-life Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. Beyond Times Square, you’ll be escorted by an expert guide into the center of the action - that takes place on Manhattan’s Upper West Side -thanks to our Private Thanksgiving Balloon Inflation Tour.

As you walk around the designated balloon inflation site prepare to be awed as you see your favorite characters come to life before your eyes, chat with the volunteers who help make it happen and perhaps even get some insider stories and tips!

The main event starts the next day at 9 a.m. sharp. Now, you can get up at the crack of dawn and make your way to the parade route where you’ll stand for hours in lord knows what kind of weather, with no easy access to restrooms and shoulder to shoulder with about 3.5 million others. Or, you can take your parade experience to new heights and enjoy it from a stunning indoor venue situated right on the parade route thanks to our 2023 Thanksgiving Day Parade Viewing Party at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.

Picture this: A beautiful three-story venue with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony stretching across the second level – making for picture-perfect views of the parade. And if you want to go outside, there’s a private viewing area available just for our guests. You’ll also enjoy a fabulous hot breakfast and brunch buffet, unlimited mimosas and bloody marys, plus entertainment for all ages – including a DJ, Broadway performers, a balloon maker, face painter and a caricaturist. ***************************************

Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Day - NYC Holiday Tours: We have plenty of festive options during the holidays for our weekend warriors - here’s a quick overview of the most popular!

Home Alone 2: Christmas in New York Private Tour: This experience lets you follow in Kevin McCallister’s footsteps – minus the bumbling burglars and in a luxury vehicle along with an expert guide who’ll share fun facts about each location you visit. As a bonus, you’ll end the day with a visit to an observation deck for a view of NYC’s skyline all dressed up in its holiday best.

Manhattan Holiday Lights Private Tour: Take in those festive window displays – and in some cases entire buildings all decked out, along with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the world’s largest Menorah and more without having to brave the elements or deal with crowds. Instead, sit back and relax in the comfort of a luxury vehicle while your guide captivates you with tales and tidbits.

Crazy Christmas Lights of Brooklyn Private Tour:

If you think Manhattan has the monopoly on holiday decorations in NYC then you haven’t been to Brooklyn! On this tour, you’ll travel via luxury vehicle with a private guide to the infamous Dyker Heights neighborhood where holiday decorations on steroids is an understatement. From over-the-top light displays to extravagant inflatable characters – it’s sure to get even the grinchiest of grinches in the holiday mood!

Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Gardens: Get the VIP treatment thanks to a Botanical Garden Escort who’ll not only take you on a walking tour of the grounds, they’ll also give you a tour of the must-see-to-believe Holiday Train Show® via golf cart. (If you aren’t familiar, the train show consists of a world of miniature NYC landmarks crafted from natural materials like acorns, pinecones and more!)

Festive Delights: Cocoa, Caroling Cruise & Holiday Markets: This land and sea adventure starts with a holiday-themed harbor cruise complete with cocoa, cookies and caroling and ends with a visit to several of the city’s vibrant holiday markets for your shopping pleasure.

Holiday Trifecta: This one offers three quintessential NYC holiday experiences – ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park, a whimsical horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park or the spectacularly illuminated 5th Avenue plus your choice of one of our holiday lights tours.

Winter Wonderland Holiday Experience: This one includes a VIP pass to Rockefeller Plaza’s iconic rink, a private walking tour of Manhattan’s spectacular holiday lights and tickets to the Christmas Spectacular starring the legendary Rockettes at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

NYC Christmas Magic Holiday Experience: This multi-day experience includes round-trip luxury airport transfers, accommodations at the stunning 5-star Pierre Hotel plus dinner reservations and premium seating at a Broadway show - both of your choice. It also includes some of our most popular holiday tours!

New Year’s Eve

This year New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday – making it perfect for an extended weekend getaway! How about a bucket list adventure to start 2024? Introducing our New Year’s Eve Gala Experience at M Social Hotel.

It’s all happening seven stories above the crowds at the oh-so-stylish Beast and Butterflies restaurant. Here you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows PLUS a wrap-around terrace, guaranteeing all guests ball-drop views. In addition to the panoramic views of Times Square and that iconic ball, this upscale celebration also features passed hor d’oeuvres, chef-curated picks, premium open bar including unlimited champagne, world-class entertainers and of course plenty of dancing thanks to a live DJ! (One important thing to note – admission to the gala is not sold separately. Instead, we are offering it as part of a complete holiday experience all personalized based on your interests.)

As you can see, Beyond Times Square has you covered with plenty of joyful experiences for your extended weekend getaway to New York City during the holiday season. Contact our Experience Designers today and let us elevate your holidays from mere events to timeless memories!