Top 5 NY Holiday Attractions Ranked Nation's Best – See the List

Five Holiday Attractions and a Village in New York Recognized as Top Destinations

New York has several holiday attractions that have been recognized as some of the best in the nation. These include a village, an ice rink, a unique beer keg tree, a historic site, and a hotel, all of which were highlighted in the 2025 USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The awards celebrate the best in travel, food, and lifestyle, with readers voting for their favorite destinations across various categories.

This year’s theme focused on the holidays, with readers selecting the top holiday markets, parades, light displays, home tours, and more. Here are some of the standout attractions from New York that made the list:

Roc Holiday Village in Rochester, NY

Roc Holiday Village in Rochester is a popular downtown festival held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square. The event takes place over 16 wintry days through December and was ranked as the seventh best holiday market by USA Today readers. The outdoor ice rink at MLK Park is a major attraction, and it ranked third among the best ice skating rinks according to readers this year. Ice skating at the event is free, making it accessible to all.

The free event, which launched in 2018, quickly became a hit. Visitors can meet Santa, enjoy a drink in a cozy igloo, shop at the market, go ice skating, grab some food, or enjoy live music. It’s also a great spot to people-watch and gather around a fire pit while sipping hot cocoa.

Keg Tree at Genesee Brew House in Rochester, NY

The towering display of 650 empty beer kegs stacked in the shape of a tree, wrapped in 25,000 dazzling lights, is a modern Rochester holiday staple. This keg tree was listed as the fifth best public holiday lights display by USA Today readers. This year, the tree topped the Newsweek Best Christmas Tree list, shining brightly with a Genesee Beer sign.

The keg tree debuted in 2014 and was an instant hit. The first tree stood 23 feet tall and was made from 300 empty half-barrel kegs trimmed with 600 feet of LED green rope lights and capped with a rotating Genesee Beer sign.

Lake Placid, NY

Lake Placid was listed as the eighth best destination for snow in the annual reader poll. This village in the Adirondacks has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and serves as a sports mecca for activities like skiing, triathlons, skating, and hiking. In the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing, skating, and snowshoeing around the lake.

Staatsburgh State Historic Site

The Staatsburgh State Historic Site in Staatsburg, Dutchess County, was ranked sixth for best holiday home tours in the nation by USA Today readers. This elegant country home overlooks the Hudson River and the Catskill mountains and is decorated with festive decorations during the holidays. The site offers special holiday tours with live music, sparkling lights, and themed guides, along with holiday whodunit mysteries and family-friendly craft programs for children.

Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, NY

Located in Cooperstown, Otsego County, the historic Otesaga Resort Hotel is situated along the Lake Otsego shoreline. It was listed as the sixth best hotel for the holidays by USA Today readers. Built in 1909, the hotel is within the village's historic district and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. During the winter, guests can participate in breakfasts with Santa, purchase a Glimmer Nights Package, which includes entry to the Fenimore Farm’s holiday village and lights display, or take part in other holiday-themed offerings throughout the season.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was ranked eighth on the list of best holiday parades by USA Today readers. The 2.5-mile route through midtown Manhattan ends at Macy's Herald Square flagship store. This year marked the parade's 99th anniversary and featured large balloons, floats, marching bands, and other performers.