Ditch the Traffic: Explore NYC’s Holiday Magic with the MTA
The holiday season in New York City is synonymous with twinkling lights, festive music, and bustling crowds. But amidst the jolly atmosphere lurks the dreaded December gridlock, threatening to dampen even the most festive spirit.
Fortunately, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) invites you to beat the traffic and experience the city’s enchantment via its efficient public transportation network. This holiday season, the MTA designates 15 days between November 20 and December 19 as "gridlock alert days," urging New Yorkers and visitors alike to ditch their cars and embrace the convenience of buses and trains.
“"Sorry, NYC drivers, a month of nasty gridlock days starts this week,”" the MTA warns, pointing to its innovative solution: the MTA Away trip guide. This handy tool offers detailed route information, enticing travel discounts, and insider scoops on captivating holiday events.
"Take the B-D-F-M line to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting in Midtown on Wednesday," suggests the MTA, laying out the perfect transit gameplan for this iconic tradition. "Take the B, D, F, M to 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center, the 1 to 50 St., or the N, Q, R, W to 49 St.”
From the dazzling menorah lightings at Grand Army Plaza on December 25 ("If you’re catching the N-R trains"), accessible via the 2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza or the Q to 7 Ave., to the dazzling spectacle of Dyker Heights’ famous holiday home lights reachable by the D to 79 St. or the B1 bus to 86 St. and 11 Ave., the MTA makes navigating the city’s festive hotspots a breeze.
For a serene escape into a wonderland of illuminated flora, "Lightscape" at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden beckons. Take the 2, 3 to Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum, the B, Q to Prospect Park or the Long Island Rail Road to Atlantic Terminal for seamless access.
Beyond the city, holiday cheer spills into the suburbs. Catch the 2 train to Pelham Parkway or Metro-North’s Harlem Line to Fordham, followed by the Bx9 bus for the Bronx Zoo’s mesmerizing Holiday Lights Festival, running through January 5.
And for a dose of small-town charm, venture to the Village of Tuckahoe’s Winterfest Tree Lighting, a short stroll from the Tuckahoe Metro-North station on the Harlem Line.
Visit the MTA website here for comprehensive route maps, schedules, and exclusive discounts on attractions and shows.
This holiday season, skip the stress of gridlock and immerse yourself in the magic of New York City with the MTA. After all, the best holiday memories are made when you can relax, enjoy the journey, and focus on creating magical moments.
