November 7th, 2024 by Grace Steffen
When you are a student, “the holly jolliest” time of year is often marked by finals stress and trying to stay motivated when the sun goes down at 5 pm. It doesn’t need to be this way! In a city like New York, there are plenty of seasonal activities to enjoy while still staying productive. Come with me on one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Your first stop will be at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Library near Bryant Park. The large lions welcome all visitors as they ascend the steps to the library door. You must walk through a security checkpoint, but then you will take a right up the stairs to the third floor and enter the Rose Main Reading Room. The rows of communal wooden tables, the book-lined walls, and the ceiling mural instantly transport me to a different time. The grandiose room can hold hundreds of people and is the perfect spot if you want to be inspired by the environment around you. Like any library, there are strict rules. The Rose Reading Room is a silent workspace, with no food or drinks(except water) allowed. Open from 10 am until 5:45 pm on Saturdays, this is the perfect place to focus on your studying for the day.
Now that you’ve spent the day studying away, it's time to treat yourself. You will go to Bryant Park, which always seems to have something going on, no matter the season. From now until the beginning of January, you can travel to what I can only describe as Santa’s Village by visiting the Bryant Park Winter Village. Within this market, you can find a variety of food stalls, gift stores, and of course, the ice skating rink. There seem to be countless hot chocolate stands to get you in the winter spirit, as well as a creperie, doughnuttery, and cheese wheel pasta stand, to name a few of the food vendors. I will warn you that if you go hungry, don’t be surprised if your bank account is hurting the next day.
Once you have a hot drink or snack in hand, you can peruse the mini-stores within the village. With options like ornament, candle, and jewelry stands, this is the perfect place to pick up a Christmas gift for your family. If you crave more of an adventurous activity, besides shopping and eating, try out the ice skating rink. This is the best option if you have your own pair of skates because you can skate for free. For those needing to rent, be prepared to spend around $35 for the experience. You will get 50 minutes on the ice, which is in the very center of the winter village. The lights of the Christmas tree against the backdrop of midtown Manhattan create a uniquely New York experience for any student trying to get in the holiday spirit. Instead of locking yourself in the school library, I hope you take this as your sign to balance both school work with a fun city activity on your next available Saturday.
