HomeNYC Hotel DealsHotels by AttractionBryant Park Guide | Winter Village, Ice Skating, Shops

Bryant Park Guide | Winter Village, Ice Skating, Shops

Bryant Park, in the heart of Manhattan, just next to the New York Public Library and a few blocks from Grand Central Station, is home to thousands of free events and programs every year, including free movies, free Broadway, free ice skating, the annual Skate-tacular (Christmas Tree Lighting), Holiday Markets, Winter Village and so much more. A small selection of the tours and classes they offer include arts & crafts, yoga, juggling, fencing, poetry, kung fu, beekeeping and just about everything else you can think of. Enjoy our guide to Bryant Park NYC.


Bryant Park Winter Activities

Bryant Park is one of THE best places to explore in NYC, whether with your family, your one-and-only or solo! Winter Village (October 28, 2022 – March 5, 2023) is a fantastic place to hang out during winter.

  • Eat in an Igloo – cozy up in your private, heated igloo and order some light bites and hot chocolate or wine. Reservations required.
  • The Shops – browse your way through the open air, outdoor holiday market
  • Curling Café – iceless curling, which is much harder than it looks, is pushing or throwing a heavy stone along an “ice” alley. Your reservation includes a dedicated curling lane and tent with food and drinks for 90 minutes.
  • Ice Skating – a winter favorite every year in NYC. Skating is always free, but skate rentals charge a fee.

Igloos @ Winter Village in Bryant Park

Bryant Park Winter Village Igloos


Bryant Park Movies

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Usually weekly throughout the summer, Bryant Park shows free classic movies. You can bring your own picnic or order food from any of the dozens of local vendors, even sometimes in advance.

More Info: Bryant Park Movie Nights

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Bryant Park Hotels

Bryant Park runs from 40th – 42nd Streets, between 5th and 6th Aves. Both Midtown East Hotels and Midtown West Hotels will be nearby, but here is our hand-chosen list of those within a 5-10 minute walk to Bryant Park, Grand Central Station and The New York Public Library:

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Broadway in Bryant Park

Every summer, Broadway’s hottest shows get together to perform Free Broadway in Bryant Park for 1,000s of spectators.

Broadway in Bryant Park

See free LIVE performances of Broadway’s hottest shows outside on Thursday afternoons all summer. The casts take the stage at 12:00pm, but if you arrive early, around 11:00am for the sound check, you may see each performance twice. Check this year’s schedule @ Broadway in Bryant Park

Thursdays, July- August
12:00pm – 1:00pm on the Lawn
42nd St and 6th Ave

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Bryant Park Shops, Winter Village

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Holiday Market

The Winter Village at Bryant Park Holiday Market is a European inspired open air market with over 170 unique artisans from around the world. The shops are housed in custom-designed, “jewel box” kiosks and surround the entire Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink (free ice skating!) and Christmas Tree.

Bryant Park Holiday Market Winter Village

When you’re shopped out, or just need a break, there’s dozens of great food options, like their food kiosks, Bryant Park Grill and Café, Southwest Porch and Public Fare. Winter Village is generally open late October through early January and the tree is generally lit the first week in December. See dates and details @ Holiday Markets in NYC.

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Bryant Park Kids

Kids can be entertained all day every day in the park. There’s Le Carrousel, reading programs, arts & crafts, StoryTime, magic shows, ping pong, juggling, puppet shows, parties, bumper cars, bird watching and much more.

Bryant Park Carousel

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Bryant Park Restaurants and Dining

There is food for all styles, budgets and tastes in and around Bryant Park. Local favorites include the Bryant Park Cafe & Grill (photo), offering views of the park and back of the NY Public Library. They are especially packed during happy hour througout the summer with people who work in Midtown. If you’d rather grab a picnic or more casual food, there’s tons of coffee and sandwich kiosks, Fever-Tree Porch, a Whole Foods just outside the park on 6th Ave. During Winter Village season, the Park adds dozens of fun and tasty food vendors as well as a restaurant overlooking the Ice Rink.

Bryant Park Cafe NYC

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Bryant Park Map

Bryant Park Map

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Most Popular Ticketed Tourist Attractions


Sightsee from the Sky

Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or Summit? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.

Edge NYC Observation Deck

  • Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
  • Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
  • One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
  • Edge - (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
  • Summit One Vanderbilt - (91-93 floors) Opens Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building


Free NYC Tourist Attractions

New York City Shopping


New York City Museum Guides

New York City Museums



NYC Insider Guide
NYC Insider Guidehttps://www.nycinsiderguide.com
Welcome! I'm Melissa, a fourth generation New Yorker, who has been lucky enough to live in New York for over 30 years. I love just about everything in New York City, the very reason I started this web site, and I look forward to sharing it all with you. Please explore the New York City Insider Guide at your own pace. I hope it helps you plan your New York City Vacation, so you not only go home as a NYC Insider, but plan to visit us again soon.

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