Snow Day Festivities for New Yorkers

A snowstorm in New York transforms our beloved city into a winter wonderland — the concrete jungle disguised with a beautiful blanket of snow. Though our snow day festivities this winter may be limited due to the coronavirus, there's more than one way to make the most of the blustering weather. From an at-home cocktail-mixing competition to exploring the knee-deep snowbanks in Central Park, we have a winter activity for every type of New Yorker. 

1. For the foodies 

There's no better way to celebrate a day at home than ordering a three-course meal with a friend, roommate or partner. If you're feeling especially fancy you can set up your own at-home restaurant, complete with a bottle of wine and some candles. We recommend trying out new restaurants so you can support small businesses all while digging in on the best eats NYC has to offer. Make sure to give your delivery driver a hefty tip — navigating the frigid city is no easy feat and your feast will be well worth the splurge. 

2. For the art-lovers 

Thankfully, most of New York's renowned museums and art galleries have reopened amid the pandemic, albeit with timed-entry tickets and limited capacity. Get your tickets online, bundle up and grab your mask before making your way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MoMa, American Museum of Natural History, the Whitney, Brooklyn Museum or Guggenheim. For those that want to make a day of it, map out two or three museums and spend the day exploring New York's finest. 

3. For the cocktail enthusiasts

Stay cozy at home and try your very own cocktail competition with a few social bubble friends or Outpost roommates! All you'll need is a small cocktail shaker kit, and each participant can bring the ingredients for their chosen cocktail. Get creative with unique recipes and decorative flourishes before finishing off with scorecards to determine who is a barista-to-be. 

4. For adventurers

The city's parks are especially beautiful when covered in fresh snow, so there's no better time to explore than after a winter storm. You'll want to bundle up in your warmest gear before trekking through deep snowbanks, making snowpeople or finding the best hill to sled down. If you're lucky, you might catch a massive snowball fight like this one at Washington Square Park. You can also enjoy scenic ice skating at Bryant Park, Rock Center or Wollman Rink in Central Park.

5. For the fashionistas

Head to NYC's best shopping spots and avoid the crowd thanks to colder weather. Explore the Insta-worthy streets of SoHo or explore these eclectic thrift destinations for a wallet-friendly day of shopping. Make sure you're prepared with a mask, weather-proof snow boots and a piping hot coffee in hand to keep the cold at bay. 

Photo by Jeffrey Blum on Unsplash