WAG broke from the ’burbs last weekend to visit Bryant Park’s Winter Village.
And what an enchanting outing it was.
The 10-acre public park echoed with the sounds of holiday tunes and laughter, as spectators perused the 176 vendors, skated on the 17,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink and posed for photographs in front of the Bryant Park Christmas Tree.
It was truly a sight to see, and, with the weather proving pleasantly comfortable for December, I took my time exploring.
I wandered inside It’s Always Christmas in New York, where I purchased a tree ornament that I had customized as a gift, for only $15. I peeked inside Exotic Handmade Jewelry, offering unique, multicultural accessories. And I was in awe of the keenly handcrafted paper stars by Berlin-based JustStars. If I return to the outdoor bazaar, which continues through Jan. 2, there are certainly a few more shops on my to-see list, namely Strand Book Store, Melsy’s Illustrations and NYC Subways 1980s; not to mention, the food vendors offering worldwide cuisines, from French, American, Latin and Asian-inspired bites to sweet treats, like DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections and Doughnuttery. (I couldn’t pass up the sweets. As it was an ice cream cone kind of day for me, I opted for Mr. Frosty.)
With so much ground left to cover, I hope to return soon.
The holiday shops are open Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The skating is open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., along with Public Fair, a rink-side food and drink eatery, through March 4. Bryant Park is at 41 W. 40th St. in New York.
For more, visit bryantpark.org/shop-eat/holiday-shops.
– Danielle Renda
