Open On Holidays

Since New York City is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, it's hard to shut everything down for any single holiday, let alone all of them. The three biggest holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day—usually make a pretty successful go of it, but even those uber-celebrations cannot subdue the City That Never Sleeps. While most government agencies have all three holidays off, there are more than a few museums and other places of interest that keep their doors open to the secular city.

Let's start with the obvious: no matter the season or celebration, both Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge are always open. It might be a bit chilly, but when it comes to attractiosn that are beautiful throughout the year, those two—let's not forget Prospect Park, either—are sure bets every time. There's also the brand-new High Line to explore, with it's elevated views of Chelsea!

If that won't satiate your festival sightseeing needs, the iconic Empire State Building is open year-round, as are the likewise panoramic views from Rockefeller Plaza's Top Of The Rock. With the exception of Christmas Day, the Statue Of Liberty is always open, although you'll need to secure a Crown Pass to enjoy Liberty Island's commanding view of New York Harbor and the Financial District. Similarly, the Ellis Island Museum's schedule mirrors that of the Statue Of Liberty throughout the year and is also just a scenic ferry ride from Battery Park. Of course, during the holiday season (which it is open throughout), there's no more beautiful landmark to visit than St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, with it's soaring spyres, inspiring mosaics, and breathtaking edifices.

Other popular destinations that know no closure during the holidays are the famous Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and the Discovery Exposition in Times Square. Down in SoHo, you could spend Thanksgiving or New Year's Day enjoying the history of American's favorite music with a visit to the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame Annex. Even better for those in search of furry and family friendly fun: both the Central Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium are both open on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day!

Understandably, you'll have an easier time of trying to find open attractions on New Year's Day, with hotspots like the American Museum Of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim all resuming normal hours, and children's favorites like the New York Hall Of Science, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium, and the Children's Museum Of The Arts starting off the New Year right away. Adults can get an early start on resolution-breaking over at the Museum Of Sex in Midtown on New Year's Day, while kids of all ages can board the amazing Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and the Museum Of The Moving Image!

The general rule of thumb is that most retail stores are closed on Christmas and New Year's Day, although that is hardly a rule with no exceptions. If you're feeling the need for high-class shopping—at places like Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue—it's always best to call the store before heading out through the Christmas crowds. At the very least, Mac fans can get their fix 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the subterranean Apple Store on Fifth Avenue. For more on contact information and store hours, search for a specific retailer in the search box at the top right of this page or visit our Shopping section.

For those looking for a bite to eat on Christmas, we've put together a list of restaurants that are not only open but are also taking online reservations to ensure you get a seat! Our guide to Open Restaurants on Christmas Day will get you in front of a delicious meal, but if you'd rather wing the night, the long-standing New York tradition of eating out at one of the many Chinese restaurants that keep their doors open is one of the hallmarks of the season.

Which brings us to another beloved Christmas tradition in New York: movies! No matter what their creed, New Yorkers can agree on one thing, and that's heading to see one of the many blockbuster movies that populate the holiday season. And it just so happens that NYC.com has one of the most complete guides to what movies are playing in New York City!