NYC Holiday Window Display Guide

Image taken by Flickr user Powellizer, Will Powell

The holiday season is considered one the best times of year to visit New York City.  The Rockefeller Center Tree is on display, the smell of roasted nuts from street side vendors wafts through the air, and the world famous Rockettes star in their Christmas Spectacular. But the holiday window displays at the major department stores and several shops along Fifth Avenue are a tradition not to be missed!

Here’s a guide to the most beloved window displays.  We’ve organized this list into a specific order for easy navigation along Manhattan’s streets.  Start uptown at #1 (Bloomingdale’s) and then walk your way towards midtown, ending at #11 (Macy’s).   We’ve also added in a few NYC highlights that you may want to stop at along the way.  If you follow the entire list from start to finish, plan for half a day of sightseeing.  If you just want a quick peek at the window displays, plan 2-2.5 hours for the stroll.

1.    Bloomingdale’s
1000 Third Avenue (at 59^th Street)
Known for: A small, sometimes interactive holiday window display.

2.    Barney’s
660 Madison Avenue (at 58^th Street)
Known for: Holiday window display.

3.    Central Park
Fifth Avenue & Central Park South
Known for: Horse & carriage rides through the famous park and along the bustling streets.

4.    F.A.O. Schwarz
Fifth Avenue & 58^th Street
Known for: Two floors of the most innovative toys around.  Plan for jam-packed crowds, but the ability to test out toys you may have never seen before. Don’t leave without having your photo taken with a toy soldier outside or checking out the old-fashioned candy shop.

5.    Bergdorf Goodman
Fifth Avenue & 58^th Street
Known for: High-brow holiday window display.

 6.    Tiffany & Co.
Fifth Avenue & 57^th Street
Known for: Tiny, tasteful, and beautiful holiday displays in every window.

7.     St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Fifth Avenue & 51st Street
Known for: Most visited Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral in New York City.

8.    Rockefeller Center
Fifth and Sixth Avenues (between 48^th & 51st Streets)
Known for: The enormous Christmas tree and its skating rink.

9.     Saks Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue & 50^th Street
Known for: Holiday window display.

10 .   Lord & Taylor
Fifth Avenue & 38^th Street
Known for: Crowd pleasing holiday window displays that usually depict a children’s story.  Long lines.

11.    Macy’s Herald Square
151 West 34^th Street (between 6^th & 7^th Avenues)
Known for: Fun holiday window displays.  Especially known for Santa Land on the 8^th floor. Have your child’s photo taken with Santa in his North Pole village (super long lines).

Tip:  Check out HopStop.com for subway directions to any location on this list.