With the winter approaching, one might think that there are no fun activities easily available due to the cold weather. However, there are various exciting, recurring activities that are accessible even during New York City’s coldest season.

One activity that opens every year for winter festivities is the Bryant Park Winter Village. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Street. The festival is a “winter wonderland” that offers hundreds of food vendors and a free ice skating rink (with a fee to rent skates), according to Time Out, New York, an activities guide for NY. There is no cost to enter the park itself, and those who visit and choose not to skate can walk around, eat food, or sit in the warmth of a covered outdoor area called the Lodge.

Scarlett Blumenthal ’28 recently visited the winter village with friends. “It was really cool, because a lot of these food [stalls] don’t actually have stores in New York City. So I got to try places I’ve never tried, and different kinds of foods I’ve always wanted to try,” she said. Blumenthal described many pop-up food stalls such as No Chewing Allowed, S’mores N’More, Pickle Me Pete, and more.

Another winter activity, ice skating in the Rockefeller Center, has been a popular New York tradition since 1936. Between 49th and 50th Streets, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree stands above the rink. The rink prices range from $22 to $570, with $22 for a 60-minute skating session and $570 for a premium Apres Skate Chalet experience featuring warm, private winter cabins next to the rink, according to the Rockefeller Center website. There are various options in between that can suit both big parties and individuals.

“I had a great time with all my friends,” said Blumenthal. “Next year, I would love to experience [the Bryant Park Winter Village] again! I would rather spend time outdoors, trying different foods and ice skating with close friends, than being home just watching a movie, which is something I could do any night.”