So, this is the first official full winter where we are living in a covid state. With Broadway closed, most restaurants hibernating, and our former way of life put on pause a lot of people are at a loss of how to survive the winter months. I know a few who head to FL or the West Coast for the winter since WFH (or work from anywhere for that matter) is our new normal for the near future. Despite all the bitching and moaning from people with “there is nothing to do”, there really is, you just need to be present and positive. Here are some of my faves if you have not deserted NYC this winter like me.

EXPLORING THE CITY

One of the daily rituals I picked up living in Paris was wandering around aimlessly. It was a good way to discover the new city I was living in. Since I am repatriating to my old city and I have more time than I used to when I first lived here, I’m doing that here. And the best part? LESS CROWDS than ever before! I love being a tourist in my own town because it’s like looking through the city with a child’s eyes—always discovering, seeing something like you are seeing it for the first time and sometimes you are. NYC is massive and there really is so much to explore when you’re outside, but here are my top three.

Central Park

Yes, I know it is cliché, but is one of my favorite places in the city especially in the winter, because unlike the summer, it is not overflowing with people and covidiots. You can really find areas of tranquility throughout the park. For those of you that don’t know, it spans from 59th Street to 110th Street and goes from the east to west side of Manhattan. Going through the park is like a game of choose your own adventure. My favorite thing about the parks is sitting on top of the rocks by the lake and just taking in the view. Seeing NYC skyscrapers over all the park greenery really is a such a wonder.

West Side Waterway

If you have been following me for awhile, you know my zen place is always by the water. I love being on the ocean, so of course walking by the ocean is one of my favorite things as it gives me serenity. Even in the winter, walking by the water is a beautiful thing. It gives you  a sense of freedom and expansion; sometimes I even feel like I have gotten away somewhere. There are many areas on the water since Manhattan is an island. I prefer the West Side vs the East because it just smells cleaner—you know what they say about the east river! If you are more of a downtown person, the pier down in Tribeca is a nice choice as well!

Brooklyn Bridge

An no walking recco would be complete without going across one of the NYC Bridges! The Manhattan Bridge goes to BK as well, but I chose the Brooklyn Bridge because I was born and raised in Brooklyn, so I’ve gotta represent! Walking across the bridge gives me a sense of accomplishment somehow and is also a great way to get from one borough to another without taking an uber or public transportation. And you know you have not been getting your usual steps in, so just do it. Your other workout views cannot compete!

Pro-Tip: Whichever walk you choose, remember to bundle up or at least bring a glove and scarf with you in the event it gets cold. Also take the walk before 4pm so you get that nice sunlight to make it feel like a spring day

OUTDOOR DINING

Sometimes we all need our social fix outside of eating with our friends at home because it provides some sense of normalcy. Although indoor dining is reopening in NYC later this week, don’t think I will be taking part. Also, I’m not dining out as frequently as I was doing this summer and fall, but I do still squeeze in my outdoor dining excursions because we all need a break from apartment life. Here are some of my favorite outdoor experiences in NYC.

Scarpetta

If you have been to Scarpetta you know the food is nothing but A-MAZING, so I wouldn’t expect less from their outdoor iteration of dining. This by far was my best outdoor dining experience to date. Love, love love the wooden house feel at this upscale Italian restaurant in Nomad. Each dining party gets there own wooden chalet with enough heat to keep you and your food warm. There is also the option to draw the curtains to keep the heat in. The best thing about the whole experience is that their service model has not gone down with this new concept.

Cafe Cluny

For classic French Brasserie fare, Cafe Cluny is my personal choice. One of the reasons is their new winter menu with some of my faves like French Onion Soup and Cassoulet, plus twists like Duck tagliatelle (which is beyond AMAZEBALLS btw). Being the glutton that I am, I had them all during my first winter visit! Their outdoor space is equipped with heatlamps between tables and if you are still cold, they have these foil thermal blankets that marathoners and campers use to keep warm. Loving the innovation.

The Greens @ Pier 17

If you want that Catskill’s vibe, but you don’t want to leave the city, head downtown and have dinner at the Seaport. Your private “house” comes equipped with a virtual fireplace and air purifier. There is a $50 booking fee for this experience, but worth it if you want to actually be comfortable while dining out. If your schedule is more flexi these days, you can opt for a lunchtime slot on weekdays which will only set you back $5. Their menu is pretty solid and even includes fondue for that mountain swiss vibe, yum! And their cocktails are from Dante, so definitely make sure to try at least one before you switch over to wine.

SKATE LIKE THE PROS

One of my favorite things to do during the winter is go ice skating—makes me nostalgic of the good old days, you know the days when you didn’t have a care in the world. Due to covid, the rinks are less crowded so you can spend more time on the ice and less time on the line. If you are in NYC definitely check out one of these gems.

WOLLMAN RINK

This is the quintessential NYC experience in my opinion. Being a true NY’er I still love coming here because it feels like being in a fairytale, probably because it is in every romantic comedy based in NY I have watched. I know business wise it sucks for them, but for me it’s a dream not having to wait hours to get on the ice. Also love that there are less people to hit by accident—not a shocker that I’m not the best ice skater! It is cash only and hours vary, so check here before you go.

VALE RINK

If you are looking for skating every season, head over to the William Vale in Williamsburg. Their rink is made of glice, so temperature does not matter. It is located on the top floor of the William Vale so you have views overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Rate is $20 for adults and $12 for kids for a 50 minute session. You must reserve in advance and can do so here. Best part is you can head to their bar after for a coffee or hot toddy. It’s après ski in the city. 

BRYANT PARK WINTER VILLAGE

If you want something for everyone definitely head down to Bryant Park. They have traditional ice skating for the sporty, curling for the trendy and igloos for the après ski crowd (usually me when i’m on a ski trip). There are also special events like “Freestyle Skate” and offerings to upgrade your experience. You can find out more about them here.

So, that is how I will be spending the winter when I’m not glued to my laptop working or curled up in front of the TV watching my favorite shows. Keep this list handy because we all know spring doesn’t really come to NYC till at least April!