![New York City's Bryant Park holiday shops are set to reopen in late October, 2017. [Image credit via YouTube/RayaWasHere]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/11/660x290/b_502x220x82/new-york-citys-bryant-park-holiday-shops-are-set-to-reopen-in-late-october-2017-photo-credit-youtuberayawashere_1629351.jpg "New York City's Bryant Park holiday shops are set to reopen in late October, 2017. [Image credit via YouTube/RayaWasHere]")
One of the best kept shopping secrets of the holiday season in New York City is located right behind the main branch of the New York City library in Manhattan. What's the secret? The holiday shops in Bryant Park. The Winter Village will reopen at 12 Noon on Saturday, October 28, 2017 and will remain open until very early January, 2018.
The holiday shops at the Winter Village
The holiday shops, located in the Winter Village, offer over 170 booths featuring food, hand-crafted gifts, clothing, and, items you simply will not find anywhere else. Hours of operation are 11 AM to 8 PM (Monday to Friday) and 10 AM to 8 PM (Saturday and Sunday.)
Tip: There is no admission fee to the Winter Village.
The shopping center located directly behind the New York Public Library at 40th and 42nd Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It is accessible by foot, subway (via the 7, B, D, F and M trains), city bus, and a nearby parking garage is available on Sixth Avenue (also known as the Avenue of the Americas.)
Other events and activities at the Winter Village
In addition to the holiday shops, the Winter Village at Bryant Park offers a variety of activities and events throughout the holiday season including ice skating, a seasonal pop-up restaurant, Christmas tree lighting (not to be confused with the Rockefeller Center tree lighting), and much more for locals and visitors alike to enjoy during their excursion to the village.
The first event to kick off the season will be Trick or Treating which takes place at 4 PM on October 31, 2017.
The ice rink at the Winter Village in Byrant Park
Believe it or not, the ice rink at the Winter Village in Bryant Park is the only free skating in New York. No reservations are necessary, and skate and a bag check are available for a fee.
Ice stake rental begins at $20 per person and bag check prices begin at $12 for small packages; additionally, locks are available for $10 per unit. Special events at the ice rink include college night (free skate rentals with valid college ID) and Tree Lighting Skate-tacular.
Public Fare
The Winter Village in Bryant Park always features a pop-up restaurant and this year it is Public Fare, a Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, casual eatery.
Public Fare offers pastries, sandwiches and snacks, and, morning coffee bar; and, transforms into a wine and cocktail bar at night. The restaurant opens at 12 Noon on October 28, 2017; and, regular hours for the 2017 - 2018 season are 8 AM to 10 PM daily. The restaurant will close March 4, 2018.
For more information about the Winter Village at Bryant Park, visit online or call 212-768-4242.
