Four Winter Villages That’ll Transport You to the North Pole

11/22/2022 in
Four Winter Villages That’ll Transport You to the North Pole

You might have noticed all the holiday cheer already being spread throughout the neighborhood, but one perennial activity that cannot be overlooked is, of course, frequenting all the winter villages. 

Here in Lower Manhattan, we’ve got everything from a Santa’s house, a Swiss ski village, a festive holiday market and a wintry fire-pit filled island — and you can visit them all without going above Chambers Street! Here’s what you’ll find downtown. 

The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonderland 

Pay the Clauses a visit by heading to Pier 15, where you’ll find the whole North Pole gang in a setting inspired by Disney’s The Santa Clauses. Visitors can hang out in Santa’s candy cane-lined hallway, sample seasonal drinks at a gingerbread house bar, or warm up by the fire in Santa’s cozy living room. Other seasonal touches include Santa’s sleigh, a larger-than-life snow globe, and a menu stocked with hot chocolate, sweets and other holiday-ready treats. Admission starts at $20-per-person; the gingerbread bar will also host a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. if you’d like a deal on the cheer. 

Holiday Market at the Oculus

If you’re looking for a festive spot to do your holiday shopping, head to Westfield’s annual holiday market, where you’ll find gifts, treats and souvenirs. Extra holiday trappings like photo ops and carolers will also be available. The market will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Governors Island Winter Village

Head across the New York Harbor for the Governors Island Winter Village in Colonels Row, which transforms Lower Manhattan’s unofficial backyard into a holiday destination full of fun activities and festive winter vibes. The centerpiece, a 7,500-square-foot ice skating rink, is open on holidays and Thursdays through Sundays; other attractions include lawn games, sled and bike rentals, and seasonal refreshments. And if you find yourself getting a touch chilly on the island, never fear: you can warm yourself at the Winter Village’s fire pits, which will be ablaze on Thursday through Sunday.

Winter ONEderland at One World Observatory

Skipping a trip to the North Pole this holiday season? Try the top of New York’s tallest building instead. The One World Observatory atop One World Trade Center has transformed into a Winter ONEderland, a whimsical take on the season that offers everything from majestic “mountain-top” views to a peek at Santa’s sleigh. This year, ONEderland is taking advantage of One World Trade’s high heights, turning the observatory into something of a Swiss ski village. Wander through a forest of giant gingerbread trees, sip hot beverages “inside” of a cozy apres-ski lodge, take a photo on a snowy ski lift and shop for holiday goodies at a chalet-style marketplace. 

photo: Port Authority NJ/NY

Tags: holiday 2022, winter villages

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