The Ultimate NYC Holiday Window Walking Tour

The holiday windows walking tour begins with a playful and family-friendly display at Bloomingdale's. The windows here are typically unveiled in late November just before Black Friday so they can be enjoyed by holiday shoppers throughout the season. Although the window displays along Third Avenue are also decked out for the holiday, the ones along Lexington Avenue are the ones you really want to see, as they feature the annual theme. Lately, they have included interactive elements, so make sure your smartphone is charged to fully enjoy the experience. Also, Bloomingdale's has some of the best Salvation Army Bell Ringers in the city, so be sure to stop and enjoy their performance as well.

For the 2018 season, the theme is "The Grinch" holiday movie. Besides seeing the grumpy green monster, you'll also get to peek into Whoville's whimsical town. Expect to see conveyor belts with bedazzled purses and gifts that turn into presents in another adjacent window. There's also a karaoke station if you're feeling festive enough to belt out Christmas classics.

Bloomingdale's is located on Lexington Avenue between 59th and 60th streets. You can take a cab there or if you want to use the subway system, take the N, R, W, 4, 5, or 6 to the 59th Street/Lexington Avenue stop. Nearby on Third Avenue and 60th Street, go to Dylan's Candy Bar if you want to explore a boutique candy store that would make Willy Wonka's head spin.

From Bloomingdale's, walk two blocks west along 60th Street (if you cross Park Avenue you are heading the right way) until you reach Madison Avenue. Barneys is located on Madison Avenue between 60th and 61st streets on the west side of the street.

Barneys' holiday windows are New York City's most unusual. They tend to highlight contemporary themes and are usually different than the holiday windows you will see at any other store. For example, in years past, glass blower Dale Chihuly designed the "Chillin' Out," windows; the Love Peace Joy Project was a collaborative work by several world-renowned artists; and the trademark art of the Haas Brothers was on display as "Haas for the Holidays" last year. The windows promoted a Haas Brothers line of hoodies, T-shirts, hats, scented candles, housewares, and coloring books where proceeds went to the Children’s Defense Fund.

In 2018, the windows are less about the holidays and more about social messages including "Make Change" and "Change Matters." The installation was made in partnership with Save the Children, a nonprofit supporting education for kids. One of the displays features 40,000 pennies falling from a backdrop.

For a bite to eat, you can visit Fred's, which is famous for its French fries. Fred's is inside the department store on the 9th floor. As for a chocolate lovers pitstop, check out Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland shop just off of Madison Avenue on 61st Street.

From Barneys, walk one long block west along 61st or 60th Street until you arrive at Fifth Avenue. Head south on Fifth Avenue. You will know you're going the right way because the street numbers will be in descending order. And, you will see the ornate Pulitzer Fountain in front of The Plaza. The Plaza might be a good spot to take a walking break for afternoon tea. The hotel itself is always beautifully decorated for the season.

Continue walking south along Fifth Avenue, and you will find the holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman along Fifth Avenue from 58th to 57th streets. These windows never fail to impress; they usually feature antiques and couture fashions in beautifully designed scenes.

The theme during the 2018 season is "Bergdorf Goodies" and is called a "visual feast of fantastical desserts." Expect to see windows overflowing with fluorescent candies, a licorice carousel, and a pastry-filled forest.

From Bergdorf's, as a bonus stop, cross Fifth Avenue and take a peek at the decorations at Tiffany & Co. In addition to impressive window displays, the interior of the store features beautiful trees with decorations in the store's signature blue motif.

Continue walking down Fifth Avenue on the east side of the street. On the way to Saks, you will pass St. Patrick's Cathedral, between 51st and 50th streets, which is free to visit.

Between 49th and 50th streets, the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday window displays are unveiled in late November and are a great choice for visitors with children, because they are often designed around a seasonal book for children and feature playful animations. Saks usually features a quite impressive lighting show on the facade of the building that visitors can enjoy throughout the evening.

The holiday windows are planned for their big unveiling on November 19 for the 2018 season. This year, Saks is honoring the Broadway stage with its theme "Theater of Dreams," which was made in partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Six windows will have digital effects and animation, plus a 10-story theatrical light show on the store's façade.

Saks is located across the street from Rockefeller Center, which is always worth a visit during the holiday season. Home to New York City's most famous ice rink, as well as the iconic Christmas tree, do not miss the opportunity to visit Rock Center after you view the holiday windows at Saks.

From Saks, continue traveling south along 5th Avenue. You will pass the New York Public Library and Bryant Park. Bryant Park features the Winter Village Holiday Shops and a free ice skating rink before reaching Lord & Taylor which is between 38th and 39th streets.

The windows at Lord & Taylor appeal to children and adults and typically feature classic holiday imagery, like a snowy "Enchanted Forest" one year, and scenes from a snow globe in the "Best and the Brightest" last year.

After 104 years in business, Lord & Taylor will close in early 2019. Because of this, the department store will only have two window displays instead of six, and the theme is a cheerful send-off and thank you to fans of the brand.

No tour of New York City's holiday windows would be complete without your final stop at Macy's. To get there from Lord & Taylor, continue south along Fifth Avenue to 34th Street. Walk west along 34th Street and go two blocks to Broadway.

You may want to consider a stop at the Empire State Building since it is located on Fifth Avenue at 34th Street. And, even if you do not take the time to go to the observation deck, do not forget to look up.

Macy's has two sets of windows with holiday displays, six total, one set on Broadway between 34th and 35th streets, and another set along 34th Street. During peak hours, more than 10,000 people per hour will pass by the windows usually featuring iconic New York City holiday scenes and encapsulating the feeling of the season.

Macy's holiday window decorations typically make their appearance in early November. Each year Macy's has windows depicting scenes from Miracle on 34th Street (in recent years they have shifted to "Yes Virginia," the animated movie based on the same story) and a second set of windows with a changing holiday theme. These are perhaps New York City's most famous holiday window displays and are always on view in time for visitors in town for Thanksgiving.

For the 2018 season, the windows loosely follow the theme "Believe in the Wonder of Giving" with an intergalactic twist. The storyline is that Santa's sleigh broke down and an astronaut girl (named Sunny the Snowpal) and her fox friend come to his rescue. The displays feature animated puppets, interactive effects, and many impressive space projections.