Want to tell Santa Claus what you want for Christmas over a fancy brunch? You can do that and more at the best places to meet Santa in NYC.
Almost as good as the North Pole
The closest you’ll get to Santa’s magical homeland and workshop is Macy’s Santaland, 13,000 square feet of magical landscapes and friendly creatures. Reservations were instituted in 2017 to manage the 170,000 visitors who want to see St. Nick each season — and children of all ages are welcome, with each receiving a small keepsake. If you’re just there to see Father Christmas and don’t mind skipping the Santaland experience, there’s a new Santa Express Lane (Fri-Sun only), also by reservation. Through Dec. 24, 151 W. 34th St., free, reservations at macys.com/santaland
Brunch with Santa
Instead of writing a letter, why not tell Santa Claus what you want for Christmas over a fancy brunch at the Rainbow Room? On select Sundays in December, enjoy a grand buffet 65 stories above the city with Christmas classics, a raw bar, dim sum bar and even a vegan carving bar, plus all the usual breakfast delicacies as well as a Pastry Boutique. Santa stops by each table to pose for photos, and afterward you can tick the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree off your holiday to-do list too. Dec. 16 & 23, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 212-632-5000, $125 per person, rainbowroom.com
Santa on the Hudson
Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place has created quite the winter village on the banks of the Hudson River. There’s an ice rink, pop-up shops and events throughout December, the Luminaries light exhibit in its grand Winter Garden, and just for kids there’s Santa’s Winter Wonderland, with a special activity center and seasonal scenes while you wait to take a photo with Santa in his sleigh. Through Dec. 24, Tues-Fri noon-8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 230 Vesey St., photo packages start at $29, bfplny.com
Holiday shopping with Santa
Santa Claus and his main elf at the Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park are no ordinary jolly holiday figures. Under the iconic hat is Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Charles Nuttall (yes, that’s his own beard), accompanied by social psychologist Dr. Joy Marie Sever as Joy the Elf. Everyone is welcome at Santa’s Corner for free photo ops — and perhaps a moment of reflection on what’s truly important in the world? — before heading off to the holiday market or taking a spin around the ice rink. Dec. 16-23, 1-3 p.m., West 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, free, wintervillage.org
Santa in the Sky
The North Pole is a little too far to journey for most of us, but there’s place tall enough to help Santa Claus feel more at home: the Winter ONEderland Observatory. New York City’s tallest building got a Christmas makeover, starting with a snowy elevator ride to the 101st story, a giant snowglobe, festive bites and drinks at ONE Mix and Dine, and the chance to get your photo with Santa in his sleigh. Through Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., admission starts at $34, photos with Santa are $22, oneworldobservatory.com
Breakfast with Santa
Check off three Christmas in New York classics by having Breakfast with Santa in Rockefeller Center at either of the two restaurants located right next to the famous ice rink, including a keepsake for all kids 14 and younger. At The Sea Grill, expect made-to-order omelets and crepes plus the usual breakfast spread plus a chocolate fountain ($70 kids, $110 adults), with Kris Kringle and his elf crew stopping by your table. At Rock Center Café ($45 kids, $65 adults), take a photo on Santa’s lap in a special Throne Room, with a family-style breakfast spread including gingerbread cookies for everyone, plus a make-your-own bags of candy for kids. Both include admission to a skating session after your meal (BYO skates or $12.50 to rent). Through Dec. 24, breakfastwithsantanyc.com
Enter Santa’s Palace
Having one of the city’s most spectacular Christmas trees in its courtyard is just the beginning of the holiday magic at Lotte New York Palace. Santa will be in residence in the Grand Lobby every weekend, greeting all children from 9 a.m. to noon; afterwards, stop by the hotel’s Pomme Palais pastry shop to sip one of five globally inspired flavors of hot chocolate. Guests of the hotel get even more seasonal fun, like customized postcards to be dropped in the hotel’s ornate letterbox with a personalized response left in each room, the chance to win gifts from Molton Brown’s life-size advent calendar. Through Dec. 24, 455 Madison Ave., free, lottenypalace.com
