
With another winter storm approaching, tour guide Adam Davidson offers some suggestions for things to do when the city is newly blanketed in snow.
New York is a great city year-round, but in the winter we all tend to go into a little bit of hibernation. However, even when the weather seems to get the best of us, there are actually new opportunities to enjoy the city. Given the recent weather, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite New York opportunities that a Snow Day brings, especially when a snow day for you means a little bit of extra time off.
Go to the Park - The snow seems to stay a little more pristine, the people a little happier, the kids a little more wild in the city's parks. Heck, on an impromptu day off it’s a great place to act like a kid again. Bring your sled, or (clean!) garbage can lid, out to Prospect Park, Central Park, or any open space with a snowy slope for an extra dose of age regression.
New York is a great city year-round, but in the winter we all tend to go into a little bit of hibernation. However, even when the weather seems to get the best of us, there are actually new opportunities to enjoy the city. Given the recent weather, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite New York opportunities that a Snow Day brings, especially when a snow day for you means a little bit of extra time off.
Go to the Park - The snow seems to stay a little more pristine, the people a little happier, the kids a little more wild in the city's parks. Heck, on an impromptu day off it’s a great place to act like a kid again. Bring your sled, or (clean!) garbage can lid, out to Prospect Park, Central Park, or any open space with a snowy slope for an extra dose of age regression.

Cindy hits the slopes in Prospect Park.
Drink Mulled Wine and Hot Cider – Nothing like a snow day to make you want a hot drink, and let’s face it, hot alcohol is even better. Mulled Wine, Hot Toddies, and Hot Cider make their appearance all over menus in the winter and these are some of the best days to enjoy them. Even better – get the ingredients to make them yourself at ...
Go to Trader Joe's - It’s no secret that a trip to Trader Joe's, especially the one at Union Square, involves some foresight and a game plan. Yes, the Greek Yogurt, Joes O’s, and Spinach Lasagna at half the price of anywhere else are worth it, but actually having the time to go is another thing. Since people like to stay home on snow days, you can just breeze right through as if this was a normal grocery store, and their subway-adjacent locations are usually a breeze to get to in bad weather.
Avoid the Crowds – Speaking of Trader Joe's, one of my biggest love/hate relationships with New York is the crowds. Snow days are great days to avoid them, so long as your destination is open.
Cook – What’s the good of leisurely stocking up at Trader Joe's if you’re not going to cook something? Use that kitchen-y thing you use to store take-out menus to cook something. It’s a satisfying and creative way to use your extra time at home (you can even try some of the wintertime recipes we've featured on this blog).
Go to Trader Joe's - It’s no secret that a trip to Trader Joe's, especially the one at Union Square, involves some foresight and a game plan. Yes, the Greek Yogurt, Joes O’s, and Spinach Lasagna at half the price of anywhere else are worth it, but actually having the time to go is another thing. Since people like to stay home on snow days, you can just breeze right through as if this was a normal grocery store, and their subway-adjacent locations are usually a breeze to get to in bad weather.
Avoid the Crowds – Speaking of Trader Joe's, one of my biggest love/hate relationships with New York is the crowds. Snow days are great days to avoid them, so long as your destination is open.
Cook – What’s the good of leisurely stocking up at Trader Joe's if you’re not going to cook something? Use that kitchen-y thing you use to store take-out menus to cook something. It’s a satisfying and creative way to use your extra time at home (you can even try some of the wintertime recipes we've featured on this blog).

This Lower East Side Frosty may not melt until July.
Build Intersection Snowmen – Those piles of snow can stay for a while if they are off the foot path. Build a snowman right there on the sidewalk. Heck, build an army of them guarding the intersection. You might be surprised how long they last and defend delight.
Ski – I’m not much of a skier, but there is honestly something pretty wonderful about seeing someone ski down Broadway, or the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, on fresh snow before the plows do their deed. If you love skiing, or you would like to try it, check out the Winter Jam NYC in Prospect Park Saturday, February 5, where you can watch skiers and riders, take a lesson, or just tool around in the snow.
Ski – I’m not much of a skier, but there is honestly something pretty wonderful about seeing someone ski down Broadway, or the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, on fresh snow before the plows do their deed. If you love skiing, or you would like to try it, check out the Winter Jam NYC in Prospect Park Saturday, February 5, where you can watch skiers and riders, take a lesson, or just tool around in the snow.
Take Some Pictures – New York has always been a photogenic city. This is doubly true on a snow day as it seems like someone hit the pause button on street life and covered it with fluffy whiteness. Capturing this can be an adventure in itself, and goes well with any other activity.
If you would like to follow this blog, subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up for updates via email in the box above on the right (this is separate from the Urban Oyster email newsletter). For questions or comments about this blog post, please contact Adam Davidson. Photos courtesy Adam Davidson, Andrew Gustafson and Cindy VandenBosch.
If you would like to follow this blog, subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up for updates via email in the box above on the right (this is separate from the Urban Oyster email newsletter). For questions or comments about this blog post, please contact Adam Davidson. Photos courtesy Adam Davidson, Andrew Gustafson and Cindy VandenBosch.