By: Khadijah Khurram
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and no winter is complete without a visit to New York City’s North Pole—the Winter Village at Bryant Park.
The Winter Village by Bank of America is home to all kinds of shops and entertainment—from ice skating to hot cocoa, shopping for clothing or jewelry, and even relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Winter Village has everything you could want this holiday season and is open until Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Before you bundle up for the cold weather and head to the Winter Village, let me share my favorite experiences and a few helpful tips for your visit!
1- Food, food, food!
Hosting a menagerie of shops, the Winter Village is widely known for its many (though admittedly pricey) food stalls! If you plan to indulge in food shopping, I suggest bringing at least $20 with you. Once you step inside this spectacular hub of small businesses, it’s nearly impossible to leave without satisfying both your hands and stomach. Take your pick of hot chocolate and sugary sweets, or some pizza. Not in the mood to eat on the spot? Be sure to visit La Belgique Gourmande to purchase some fresh chocolates and Fabergé-style eggs for your friends!
For me, I was instantly drawn to two stands offering delicious treats—Strawberro and Koukli Saucy Greek.
Strawberro serves an array of chocolate-dipped strawberries, combining the sweetness of Belgian chocolate with the freshness of perfectly cut strawberries. It’s no surprise to see long lines of people eager to sample their offerings. With TikTok-famous creations like the Dubai Chocolate and the Festive Bomb, I opted for the latter.
Not only was it colorful and delicious, but it was exactly what I needed to recharge before exploring the rest of the shops! Just be sure to eat it quickly—the chocolate might freeze in this chilly weather!
2- Village Market
Shopping for cute sweaters? Check out Mure + Grand. Looking for fancy candles? Be sure to visit Shalant Candles. Are you a book lover like me? Stop by Book Page Art to discover illustrations crafted on pages from some of your favorite books, like Fourth Wing and Winnie the Pooh.
If you’re in the market for artisanal jewelry for men and women, look no further than Davin & Kesler. This skilled duo boasts over 40 years of craftsmanship, offering everything from elegant, beaded wooden bracelets to charming wooden earrings. It’s the perfect destination for timeless, handcrafted pieces.
“We sort of just started working together,” Mary Kesler says, discussing how they founded their beautiful company. “I had started a business and sucked her in since she was pretty good at running one,” Davin adds, and from there the two had become inseparable, working hard on their self-established business.
This is around their ninth year at Bryant Park, and if you’d like to buy one of their intricately- crafted bracelets or their popular Christmas ornaments you’re more than welcome!
3- Ice-skating and Igloos
Last, but certainly not least, visit Bryant Park on the weekend to experience the ice skating rink! Admission is completely free; all you need to do is rent a pair of skates. The rink is surrounded by a seating area and features a stunning, towering Christmas tree on display. There’s no better time than winter to glide across the ice and enjoy the festive atmosphere!
That’s all I have for now, but don’t forget to bring your walking shoes—trust me, you’ll find yourself making loops around the shops, even when you think you’re done shopping! Until then, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
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