The holidays are officially underway, and it’s the season for all the warm and fuzzy vibes that can keep you in a relatively bright mood through New Year’s Day. (Holiday cheer is very real, you guys.) You can go from the spectacular Woodbury Common Premium Outlets to the incredible Winter Village at Bryant Park and joyfully seize the magic of this time of year. (You may as well garner all of the holiday feels in one merry day, right?) Here is your complete Bryant Park Winter Village 2023 guide.
Going from Woodbury to Bryant Park’s Winter Village:
Woodbury Bus, our bus from Manhattan to Woodbury Common, provides stress-free transportation to the scenic (and gloriously wintry) Hudson Valley region where you can shop at Woodbury Commons, the one-of-a-kind outlet center that’s located just outside the city. And when you journey back into the holiday beaut that is NYC, the Woodbury Bus tour ends right in the heart of Times Square— a perfect starting point to go to Bryant Park’s magical Winter Village. A Lyft or an Uber can always bea comfortable transportation choice, and the ride is typically seven minutes long. However, if you choose to take the 5 minute walk, you can head south on Broadway/Times Sq. towards W. 42nd St.,make a left onto W. 42nd St., and then ultimately turn right onto 6th Ave. and Bryant Park/Ave. of the Americas.
After spending some holiday time at the discounted Woodbury outlets, you can now peruse the holiday market at Bryant Park’s 2023 Winter Village. Bryant Park’s holiday market runs until January 2, 2024 and is open Monday-Friday from 11am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-8pm.
Bryant Park’s Remarkable Holiday Shops:
Bryant Park’s Winter Village has holiday shops that will make all of your seasonal dreams come true, and they’re located on all sides of the park between 40 and 42nd Streets, Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and on the ice skating rink deck. Here are some must-see holiday shops:
Dorset Maple Reserve:
Maple syrup is the epitome of this cozy season, and Dorset Maple Reserve is based out of Southern Vermont, specializing in Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. (It’s certainly hard to go wrong with this authentically festive find.)
Santa’s Workshop:
If you’re seeking a brand new ornament this year, Santa’s Workshop specializes in a multitude of choices, and you can even customize your ornament by adding the name of a family member or friend for that extra special touch. (Plus, who doesn’t want to shop in Santa’s Workshop?!)
Scentual Aroma:
Scentual Aroma features handcrafted, vegan and cruelty-free botanical skin and body care products. Their alluring body nectars feature intoxicating scents like lavender, rose, coconut, and fig. You can happily treat yourself, these products surely say self-care, and of course, these aromatic gems can make wonderful stocking stuffers as well.
Soy Logic:
Nothing making me happier during the holidays then lighting a seasonally scented candle, and Soy Logic’s handmade candles are an art in and of itself. (You can happily smell each and every candle in this shop.) Their most popular items are their body butters and wooden wick candles, which I absolutely love since they crackle just like burning firewood, carrying us right into the winter season as well. (Cozy, cozy, and cozy.
The Truffleist:
The Truffleist features handcrafted truffle products, all locally sourced, and we are positively here for it. Whether you are pining for a truffle honey, oil, salt, butter, or mustard, The Truffleist is here to supply you with a luxurious holiday treat. (This is definitely ideal for a holiday charcuterie board!)
Idyllic Ice Skating at the Bryant Park Rink:
Bryant Park is home to one of the most iconic (and idyllic) ice skating rinks in Manhattan, and the rink is open daily from 8am to 10pm until March 3, 2024. Barring heavy rain, the rink is open rain or shine, with free admission, and you can rent skates or bring your own to your scheduled skate session. Book your skate time here and anticipate icy fun in the Winter Village’s very own winter wonderland. Plus, après ice skating, you can indulge in a steaming mug of hot cocoa or s’mores at The Lodge or reserve a Cozy Igloo Session for a pretty memorable holiday meal.
The Best Holiday Food Vendors:
Bryant Park’s Winter Village is home to some of the best holiday food vendors. One might even say that they’re a sprinkle of holiday spirit. Here are some holiday food vendors you must try:
Baked Cheese Haus:
I can safely say they had me at cheese. Baked Cheese Haus is an artisanal cheese company that offers Scandinavian-style baked cheese and Swiss-style Raclette that’s distinctly found in Sweden and Finland. Raclette is an Alpine comfort food for those frigid winter nights; they heat half wheels of Raclette under traditional Swiss warmers where the cheesy goodness is then scraped onto boiled new potatoes, frankfurters, and toasted baguettes. Baked cheese is made to be served warm; it’s sweet and caramelized on the outside but rich and buttery on the inside. This is a holiday treat that will undeniably bring loads of joy.
Frida’s Favorites Mexican Cantina:
Frida’s Favorites Mexican Cantina fuses traditional Mexican cuisine with the vibrant culture of NYC. If you have a hankering for a deliciously eclectic hot meal, this cantina will surely hit the spot after a long day.
The Crepe Cafe:
The Crepe Cafe, a NYC pop-up since 2004, offers sweet and savory crepes that feature fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients — their signature batter is comprised of whole milk, organic eggs, and flour. If you have a hankering for a comforting French delicacy, this vendor is the place to be.
Little Bigs:
If you are craving a wholesome, high quality, artisanal sandwich, then Little Biggs sandwich shop is most definitely for you.Their made-to-order sandwiches use all nitrate-free ingredients, and they’re known for their house-made sauces and signature pickled veggies. (Yum.)
Winter Pie Shop:
There’s always room for dessert, especially when desserts scream holiday. The Winter Pie Shop is a staple at the Winter Village; they serve sweet and salty treats that are sure to warm your heart with pure pie happiness. (Holiday baking always reaps in those smiles.)
The coziest season ever is upon us. Luckily, you can easily go from Woodbury to Bryant Park, and we are here with your complete Bryant Park Winter Village 2023 guide. You can book your Woodbury Bus Tour here and visit https://bryantpark.org/ for more information regarding their wonderfully festive Winter Village that will leave you feeling quite jolly indeed.
