Start Day 1 with some holiday shopping at this open-air holiday market that features over 170 merchants spread across Bryant Park. Here, enjoy plenty of festive fun including an outdoor ice skating rink; a curling experience under private, heated domes; and cozy igloos decorated with seasonal decor where you can grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Continue your first day in NYC by visiting the storefront displays along Fifth Avenue, which outshine the flashy Times Square billboards thanks to their elaborate seasonal designs. Just a short stroll north from Bryant Park, look out for the incredible windows at shops such as Cartier, Tiffany’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and more.

End your first day in the city with a stop at Rockefeller Center to take in the grandeur of the annual Christmas tree. There, you’ll also be able to book an ice skating session at The Rink or catch the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. And for even more scenic sights of the city, take a ride to the Top of the Rock, the 3-story observation deck that offers views of One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and more.

The next best thing to the North Pole, the legendary FAO Schwarz is a whimsical toy-filled wonderland which you should explore in the morning of your second day. Here, you can play the Big floor piano and browse for some incredible Christmas gifts for a truly memorable NYC experience. Or, head to the New York Transit Museum located in Grand Central to see model trains loop through a 34-foot-long (10-meter-long) miniature version of New York City.

Continue Day 2 over on the west side and hop aboard a holiday cruise this afternoon. See all the major sites of Manhattan from inside a glass-enclosed, heated observatory while you listen to some holiday tunes and sip a hot beverage. Some cruises even boast a special guest—Santa—and sunset and evening options are also available. Alternatively, swing by Central Park for a horse-drawn carriage ride; don’t worry, blankets are provided on chilly days.

Round out your second day on a guided tour of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn to learn about the local traditions. Here, residents take the holidays very seriously, decking out their homes with over-the-top Christmas displays featuring thousands of lights, life-size toy soldiers, inflatable Santas, and more. Alternatively, the Bronx Zoo’s sparkling seasonal celebration features animated lights and LED displays of animals, including glowing giraffes, cheetahs, jaguars, and more.

For your last day, explore the “Museum Mile” stretch of Fifth Avenue, which is dotted with cultural institutions including the Jewish Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the National Academy Museum, Neue Galerie, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt. Book a private guided tour of the Met or the Guggenheim, or browse the art at your leisure. Alternatively, stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral to attend one of the daily services.

Have lunch in Gramercy Park at Rolf’s today, a German restaurant known for its year-round, old-world holiday decorations that will put you in the seasonal spirit—of course, the spiced eggnog and schnitzel help. Just keep in mind that spots book up early and fast, so be sure to call ahead. After lunch, head up to the city’s newest observation deck, The Summit One Vanderbilt, located inside a 1,401-foot-tall (427-meter-tall) tower in Midtown.

When it gets dark, explore the New York Botanical Garden’s outdoor light experience. Perfect for traveling families, the exhibit includes dance performances, ice-carving demonstrations, and other seasonal activities, including shopping at the Bronx Night Market Holiday Pop-Up. The garden also boasts its own annual holiday train show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.