Looking for a thrilling way to visit the big guy in the red suit this holiday season? Want to do something uniquely New York and fun with the kids while they are home from winter break?

Our family recently visited One World Observatory for its second annual Winter ONEderland holiday installation and it was an unforgettable experience we highly recommend.

One of Santa’s elves greeted us with tasty cookies as we entered the Glacier Caves. Next, we’re surrounded by digital snowflakes in a sleek Skypod elevator and rocketed up to the 102nd floor in under one minute. The One World Trade Observatory is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the views don’t disappoint.

When you arrive at the observation deck, wonder awaits. You start by watching a brief film about New York City. Then the curtains lift to provide a jaw-dropping, skyline view that includes the Empire State Building, Hudson River, and every other iconic NYC landmark that you could imagine.

One World Observatory’s Winter ONEderland offers the perfect blend of holiday season glee and mesmerizing sights. As we navigated around the observation deck, our children were drooling on the massive glass windows. Why? The view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and nearby helicopters cruising by blew them away! It was a surreal feeling for both tourists and native New Yorkers like us.

Next, we hopped aboard Santa’s Sleigh and spent quality time chatting about our holiday wish lists. My daughter was jabbering on to Santa about her Trolls Movie figures and doll requests while my son was making sure I was listening intently to his laundry list of Amazon smart plugs and other tech gadgetry as we marveled at the stunning views from over 1,300 feet in the air. Be prepared: there is an additional $22 fee for a professional photograph and a digital copy to capture the moment. Our family has experienced several NYC Santa visits/photo opportunities at other well-known places in previous years so this was a unique and magical way to do it this year.

Our kids are still reminiscing about the views and immersive holiday experience at Winter ONEderland atop One World Observatory. We look forward to going back again but want to try it during the evening hours so we can see forever across the sparkling lights of the city skyline.

Winter ONEderland tips, schedule

Make sure to visit One World Observatory’s Winter ONEderland soon. It runs continuously through the holiday season, ending on January 7.

Final thought for parents: Admission tickets are timed. Admission and security lines could be long. They move quickly but expect a 20- to 30-minute wait during the busy holiday season. We strongly suggest you buy in advance online.

Disclosure: Our family received a free family pass to visit the One World Observatory. The thoughts and opinions in this article are honest and 100 percent our own.

With the holiday season upon us and winter break from school near, we asked a few of our dads for suggestions on what to do with their children in and around NYC during this time of the year. Here are some of their suggestions, and if you want more check out our summary of fun winter activities for kids.

MTA Holiday Nostalgia Rides

The MTA is continuing its annual tradition of Holiday Nostalgia Rides on vintage trains. Having grown up in the city, I always think this means the cars will be covered in graffiti and I’ll be mugged by a guy named Fleabag Jimmy, but no! Vintage subway cars from the 1930s will roll out along the A, C, D and F lines on Sunday afternoons during the holidays. My 5-year-old daughter loves going on these cars at the Transit Museum and it’ll be great for her to see them in action as we schlep around the city doing our Christmas shopping. Rumor has it that the MTA’s infrastructure is also from the 1930s, but you already knew that.

— Peter Duffy

Skating and window shopping

We love to ice skate during this time of year and are fortunate to be near so many thrilling ice rinks in NYC. Our favorite is Wollman Rink in the middle of Central Park with its expansive ice rink, sweet skyline views, and warm hot chocolate when you’re ready for a break. We also love Bryant Park’s Ice Skating Rink because of its convenient location and if you own your own skates, it’s free admission.  Plus, the surrounding Winter Village is fun to walk around before or after our family skate.

Another favorite winter break tradition is doing a Department Store Window Walking Tour. First, we get large cups of hot chocolate. Then, we stroll from Barneys to Bergdorf Goodman to Saks. Saks has an amazing and free light show on their building that’s entertaining for the kids. It’s also right next to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree so that’s a mandatory stop on our tour as well. This year we plan to make a pit stop in FAO Schwartz now that our favorite toy store has reopened in a new location at Rock Center.

— Lance Somerfeld

Gingerbread Lane

Every year during the holiday season, we go to the New York Hall of Science to see Gingerbread Lane. It is the biggest collection of gingerbread houses. Sometimes you can even meet the baker who created all of these gingerbread houses and have a talk with him.

— Larry Interrante

Other suggestions:

• The annual Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx
• Winter ONEderland  at One World Observatory
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Finally, I’m starting to find my rhythm at managing my 4-month-old baby. I’m gaining more confidence in getting out of our apartment and experiencing some of the best tourist destinations that New York City has to offer. I’m very fortunate to be present in my daughter’s daily life and bring her along on exciting adventures. So let’s look at touring New York City with kids in tow.

Cruise around NYC on Circle Line

Last week, we hit the high seas (Hudson River) on the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, soared 1,776 feet in the air for stunning views from the One World Trade Observatory, and gawked at Brown Bears and Sea Lions at the Central Park Zoo.

Ships ahoy! On one of the hottest days of the summer, my daughter and I hopped aboard the Circle Line Landmark Cruise.  This semi-circle cruise (covers lower and midtown Manhattan) is perfect for touring New York City with kids of a younger age because it’s only 90 minutes, includes the option to sit in an air-conditioned, indoor cabin or outside on the main deck to let the wind tousle your hair, and cruises past the iconic “landmarks” that everyone wants to see – Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, One World Trade, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty.

For our cruise, we got to kick the tires with Circle Line’s newly launched Premier Class.  It’s the VIP, first class treatment, but on a boat cruise rather than on an airline flight.  For a few bucks more than a regular ticket ($15 for the Landmark Cruise), you get reserved, cushioned indoor seating that was perfect for feeding a bottle to my baby, floor to ceiling windows so you don’t miss any of the spectacular views, plenty of legroom to stretch out, front-of-the line express entry, in-seat food and beverage service, and a reserved section of outdoor seats to escape to when you’re ready to snap photos.

My daughter was in great spirits which enabled us to meet the captain of our ship, enjoy the live narrative and commentary about the skyline from a seasoned expert (it irks me when boat operators have a pre-recorded narrative), and let the breeze tousle our hair as we relished in capturing photos together to document our amazing experience. There’s something magical about viewing the skyline and NYC landmarks from the water. My only disappointment was not being able to share the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise with my wife and son … so this will provide incentive to go back again soon.

Take your kids to the top of One World Observatory

Our next adventure over to One World Observatory was together with the whole family.  I was skeptical about bringing a small baby into the chaos at One World Trade Center. Surprisingly, for such a new attraction, it was a well oiled machine with their timed ticket entry. Our family was quickly admitted through the entry gate and security in a matter of minutes. Next, we were whisked into an elevator pod and catapulted up to the 102nd floor Observatory in less than 60 seconds. Providing a virtual-reality experience that simulates being in a glass elevator was an absolute thrill. It was a tasty appetizer to the mesmerizing views from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Standing in front of the gargantuan, glass windows and observing the horizon from every angle was intoxicating! You can really see forever!  Prepare yourself for lots of “wow” factor during your experience and unparalleled views of the rivers, bridges, and skyline.  I had the feeling like I was looking out from an airplane window and the next thing I knew a plane was streaking at eye level across the sky.

One World Observatory is a kid-friendly space that’s stroller accessible, and where the entire experience can be completed in less than an hour.  The only negative feedback, aside from the steep admission price, is that you don’t have the opportunity to stand and take photos outdoors like at the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. Next time, we want to visit during the sunset to watch the sun dip into the horizon and admire the skyline shimmering at night.

Disclosure Notice: We received complimentary admission passes for the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise and One World Observatory. The opinions on touring New York City with kids shared in this review are honest, entirely my own, and have not been influenced by the service providers.