Disappointing photos show how crowded New York City's iconic attractions are during the holidays

Gabbi ShawDec 24, 2022, 21:01 IST

St. Patrick's Cathedral is beautiful, but it's packed with visitors.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Rockefeller Center, Macy's, and Bryant Park are some of NYC's most popular tourist destinations.
However, the crowds seem to quadruple at these locations the day after Thanksgiving.

When you're a native New Yorker, one thing you learn is that while the holiday season in New York City is magical, you should avoid tourist attractions.

The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center before sunrise on December 5, 2019.Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

But I wanted to see if it was all that bad, so in December 2022, I set out on a journey to some of the biggest holiday tourist attractions.

Skaters glide around the ice rink at Bryant Park's Winter Village in 2014.AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

First up was the Wollman Rink at Central Park. I could see people climbing on rocks to stare at the rink before I could spot the rink itself.

Spectators.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

There were also people lined up around the gates — I felt like I was at the zoo.

More spectators.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The ice was also swarming with people.

The skaters.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I wanted something from the refreshments stand, but most of the benches where I would sit to eat were full so I skipped a snack.

The refreshments stand at Wollman Rink.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I bought a hot chocolate and my spirits immediately lifted.

Me and my hot chocolate.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Feeling sufficiently warmed — though apprehensive about the crowds I had already witnessed — I headed to the Plaza Hotel.

The view of the Plaza from Central Park.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Plaza used to be covered in scaffolding, but most of it is gone. However, I was disappointed to learn I couldn't get inside.

The Plaza's steps.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Across the street, the Pulitzer Fountain, which you might recognize from "Home Alone 2," was decorated as well. A musician was singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

The Pulitzer Fountain.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Across the street, the Pulitzer Fountain, which you might recognize from "Home Alone 2," was decorated as well. A musician was singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

I walked down Fifth Avenue, which goes all out for the holidays, and is usually packed with people ...

The Peninsula Hotel.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

And, as usual, it was. I felt like I was being swept away by the crowd.

The crowds on Fifth Avenue.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

While the multiple holiday installations lining the street bring festive cheer, it also means people are constantly stopping to take pictures, sometimes right in front of you.

One of the photo opportunities on Fifth Avenue.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

While the multiple holiday installations lining the street bring festive cheer, it also means people are constantly stopping to take pictures, sometimes right in front of you.

I soon arrived at St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the most famous cathedrals in the US.

St. Patrick's Cathedral.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I was grateful for a break from the cold, but I was also stunned by the beautiful architecture and the holiday decorations.

Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But I was taken aback by just how many people were filing into the church to see its decorations and nativity scene. Every way I turned, I watched people snap picture after picture.

The manger.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But I was taken aback by just how many people were filing into the church to see its decorations and nativity scene. Every way I turned, I watched people snap picture after picture.

You can see just how many people I was surrounded by.

The crowds.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I ventured back into the cold to check out Saks Fifth Avenue, which has beautiful lights.

Saks Fifth Avenue.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Here's one of the beautiful display windows.

One of the display windows.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Here's what the display looks like at night.

The light show.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But inside, I was disappointed to see Saks wasn't really decorated for the holidays, besides a small holiday market in the back of the store.

Saks Fifth Avenue.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Saks is across the street from Rockefeller Center. I could already tell it was overrun with visitors just by looking at the line outside the nearby Lego store.

The Lego store.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I couldn't really get close to the tree, with all the crowds around me.

Rockefeller Center.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Everywhere I turned, I felt like I was in the background of some poor tourist's photo, looking annoyed.

The crowds at Rockefeller Center.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

So I gave up and headed west towards the Bryant Park Winter Village. Along the way, I saw Radio City Music Hall, home of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. But the street looked too crowded for me to even attempt getting closer.

Radio City Music Hall.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

So I gave up and headed west towards the Bryant Park Winter Village. Along the way, I saw Radio City Music Hall, home of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. But the street looked too crowded for me to even attempt getting closer.

Once I arrived at Bryant Park, I spotted the Empire State Building in the distance.

Bryant Park.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I enjoy visiting the Winter Village at Bryant Park around this time of year. The last time I was there, it wasn't too crowded, but the same couldn't be said for this visit.

Bryant Park.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I enjoy visiting the Winter Village at Bryant Park around this time of year. The last time I was there, it wasn't too crowded, but the same couldn't be said for this visit.

I originally planned on eating at Bryant Park, but it was so overwhelmingly packed, I gave up.

The Lodge.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The final stop on my tour was Macy's Herald Square, the brand's flagship location and the largest department store in the US.

Macy's Herald Square.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Macy's display windows are famous, but it was hard to get a good look at them between all the visitors. I also felt guilty for getting in the way of other people's photos.

Macy's display windows.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Macy's display windows are famous, but it was hard to get a good look at them between all the visitors. I also felt guilty for getting in the way of other people's photos.

This year, the store ditched its traditional "Believe" sign, a reference to "A Miracle on 34th Street," and is displaying a large "Give Love" instead.

The sign.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

When I went inside, I was met by an overwhelming sea of people. I felt like I was going to get swept away.

Inside the Macy's.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Once I got a second to breathe, though, I could appreciate the decor.

Macy's.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I walked around the first floor for a minute before I checked out one of the new attractions: Toys 'R' Us.

A directory of the Macy's floors.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Toys 'R' Us was on the seventh floor. I had to take an old-fashioned escalator to get there.

Escalators.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But when I finally arrived, I was met with a scene that filled me with nostalgia: a horde of screaming kids running around a toy store.

Toys 'R' Us.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But I could only handle that for so long, so I hopped on the escalator to Santaland.

Santaland.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

There was a line to meet the big guy himself, which takes place behind closed doors.

Santaland.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

After the chaos of those floors, I checked out a random floor to find it almost totally empty. It was refreshing after a day of huge crowds.

Macy's.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

As I left Macy's, I reflected on my day. According to the fitness tracker on my phone, I took over 19,000 steps — all in the name of holiday cheer.

A closer look at the Macy's windows.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

After a long day spent navigating crowds, I was exhausted. But it was ultimately worth it to see the tree at the Rockefeller Center and New York City is still my favorite place — and maybe everyone else's — to be during the holidays.

The Rockefeller Center Tree.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

After a long day spent navigating crowds, I was exhausted. But it was ultimately worth it to see the tree at the Rockefeller Center and New York City is still my favorite place — and maybe everyone else's — to be during the holidays.

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Disappointing photos show how crowded New York City's iconic attractions are during the holidays

When you're a native New Yorker, one thing you learn is that while the holiday season in New York City is magical, you should avoid tourist attractions.

But I wanted to see if it was all that bad, so in December 2022, I set out on a journey to some of the biggest holiday tourist attractions.

First up was the Wollman Rink at Central Park. I could see people climbing on rocks to stare at the rink before I could spot the rink itself.

There were also people lined up around the gates — I felt like I was at the zoo.

The ice was also swarming with people.

I wanted something from the refreshments stand, but most of the benches where I would sit to eat were full so I skipped a snack.

I bought a hot chocolate and my spirits immediately lifted.

Feeling sufficiently warmed — though apprehensive about the crowds I had already witnessed — I headed to the Plaza Hotel.

The Plaza used to be covered in scaffolding, but most of it is gone. However, I was disappointed to learn I couldn't get inside.

Across the street, the Pulitzer Fountain, which you might recognize from "Home Alone 2," was decorated as well. A musician was singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

I walked down Fifth Avenue, which goes all out for the holidays, and is usually packed with people ...

And, as usual, it was. I felt like I was being swept away by the crowd.

While the multiple holiday installations lining the street bring festive cheer, it also means people are constantly stopping to take pictures, sometimes right in front of you.

I soon arrived at St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the most famous cathedrals in the US.

I was grateful for a break from the cold, but I was also stunned by the beautiful architecture and the holiday decorations.

But I was taken aback by just how many people were filing into the church to see its decorations and nativity scene. Every way I turned, I watched people snap picture after picture.

You can see just how many people I was surrounded by.

I ventured back into the cold to check out Saks Fifth Avenue, which has beautiful lights.

Here's one of the beautiful display windows.

Here's what the display looks like at night.

But inside, I was disappointed to see Saks wasn't really decorated for the holidays, besides a small holiday market in the back of the store.

Saks is across the street from Rockefeller Center. I could already tell it was overrun with visitors just by looking at the line outside the nearby Lego store.

I couldn't really get close to the tree, with all the crowds around me.

Everywhere I turned, I felt like I was in the background of some poor tourist's photo, looking annoyed.

So I gave up and headed west towards the Bryant Park Winter Village. Along the way, I saw Radio City Music Hall, home of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. But the street looked too crowded for me to even attempt getting closer.

Once I arrived at Bryant Park, I spotted the Empire State Building in the distance.

I enjoy visiting the Winter Village at Bryant Park around this time of year. The last time I was there, it wasn't too crowded, but the same couldn't be said for this visit.

I originally planned on eating at Bryant Park, but it was so overwhelmingly packed, I gave up.

The final stop on my tour was Macy's Herald Square, the brand's flagship location and the largest department store in the US.

The Macy's display windows are famous, but it was hard to get a good look at them between all the visitors. I also felt guilty for getting in the way of other people's photos.

This year, the store ditched its traditional "Believe" sign, a reference to "A Miracle on 34th Street," and is displaying a large "Give Love" instead.

When I went inside, I was met by an overwhelming sea of people. I felt like I was going to get swept away.

Once I got a second to breathe, though, I could appreciate the decor.

I walked around the first floor for a minute before I checked out one of the new attractions: Toys 'R' Us.

The Toys 'R' Us was on the seventh floor. I had to take an old-fashioned escalator to get there.

But when I finally arrived, I was met with a scene that filled me with nostalgia: a horde of screaming kids running around a toy store.

But I could only handle that for so long, so I hopped on the escalator to Santaland.

There was a line to meet the big guy himself, which takes place behind closed doors.

After the chaos of those floors, I checked out a random floor to find it almost totally empty. It was refreshing after a day of huge crowds.

As I left Macy's, I reflected on my day. According to the fitness tracker on my phone, I took over 19,000 steps — all in the name of holiday cheer.

After a long day spent navigating crowds, I was exhausted. But it was ultimately worth it to see the tree at the Rockefeller Center and New York City is still my favorite place — and maybe everyone else's — to be during the holidays.