18 things to do on Black Friday in NYC instead of shopping

NYC offers plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we've listed the top places to go, including the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or the beloved rink at Central Park.

You can even make a full-day out of it when you shop at one of the city’s best holiday markets, followed by sipping hot chocolate and skating on The Rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. If you'd rather stay warm while on the ice, there are many all-weather indoor rinks, including spots that offer roller skating.

NYC is packed with holiday markets offering holiday spirit and unique gifts. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets offer a chance to shop local. With everything from clothing to holiday ornaments to artwork, there's something for everybody on your holiday shopping list.

Shopping for the perfect gift doesn't have to be stressful; make it fun at these holiday markets.

One of the best holiday attractions in NYC is its Christmas and holiday window displays at its department stores. Tourists aren’t the only ones who can enjoy these festive showcases in Herald Square and Fifth Avenue—even for locals, they hold a dreamy nostalgia that only comes once a year. These ornate holiday windows decked out with hundreds of Christmas lights and more winter wonderland decor are so impressive, they can be reason enough to stroll through midtown.

Time Out tip: Just wait until after the majority of tourists have gone to bed to you can see up-close for yourself.

If you're having a side of stress with your stuffing and mashed potatoes, Chelsea's ARTECHOUSE has the answer. They're presenting a new immersive exhibit that strives to create a space of calm amid the chaos.

Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special will debut Thursday, November 21, and run through Sunday, January 5; general admission tickets start at $25. Tickets are available on Thanksgiving weekend. Equal parts wonder and calm, the experience blends nostalgic holiday warmth with cutting-edge digital art. 

Tingle Bells was inspired by the powers of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response), which is known for eliciting tingling sensations through auditory and visual stimuli. It's designed to be, "oddly satisfying," as event organizers explain

The Winter Village at Bryant Park has returned in all its holiday glory. On the grounds, you can peruse more than 170 shopping and food kiosks—all at one of the best NYC parks. Expect loads of handmade, unique and New York City-specific gifts for your family and friends. Work up an appetite at the 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink and then fill up at the rinkside pop-up restaurant called The Lodge for festive cocktails and hearty food.

From amazing costumes to Broadway history to fun photo opps, this long-awaited museum is a must-see for theater buffs.  

You can expect the new museum to highlight over 500 individual productions from the 1700s all the way to the present. 

Among the standout offerings will also be a special exhibit dubbed "The Making of a Broadway Show," which honors the on- and off-stage community that helps bring plays and musicals to life multiple times a week.

Make a post-Thanksgiving trip to the museum your new family tradition. Luckily, most museums open their doors on Friday, and the Met is a great choice for the whole family. There's something for everyone: your dad the history buff, pretentious cousin who insists on reminding everyone she went to art school and little brother who just wants to see the mummies. 

Ditch the concrete jungle and head into nature at the New York Botanical Garden. The holiday train show is sure to delight kids of all ages. Watch model trains zip around miniature versions of the Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Center made entirely out of natural materials. After dark, take in the garden’s light show—NYBG GLOW—a 1.5-mile colorful experience with thousands of energy-efficient LED lights and festive installations to ogle. It’s a photo opp, for sure! 

Take a more artsy crowd to the Whitney. The avant-garde museum showcases contemporary American Art, and you’ll see pieces by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol and many more. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the outdoor galleries for some stunning views of Chelsea and the Hudson River.

If you have little ones in tow, opt for the family-friendly American Museum of Natural History. Jaws will drop when you enter the rotunda to discover the enormous Barosaurus skeleton replica, and that’s just the beginning. Combat the cold weather inside The Butterfly Vivarium, part of the new Gilder Center addition. 

To celebrate the holiday season, the museum partakes in a decades-old tradition: The 13-foot Origami Holiday Tree.