This Train Hub Just Might Be the Most Underrated NYC Holiday Destination

A train station might seem like the last place to look for holiday cheer, but New York City’s Moynihan Train Hall has transformed what used to be a burdensome task of commuting through Penn Station into a joyous destination of its own, especially during this time of year.

Even before stepping inside, red and green lights illuminate its exterior, while the entrances and parts of its interior are decked out with subtly classy white lights and wreaths. Even the historic skylight of the building has an extra dose of holiday splendor with festive hues. Plus it’s the perfect place for holiday set-jetting for its supporting role in the classic Miracle on 34th Street from 1947.

If you stroll through at just the right time, live holiday music fills the air. Throughout the season, The Moynihan Music Series features more than 20 free performances in conjunction with Sing for Hope, a New York City-founded nonprofit bringing hope, healing, and connection into the world through the arts. Among the acts sharing their voices in the Main Courses are Big Apple Quintet on Dec. 16, LaGuardia High School’s Holiday Showcase on Dec. 17, Boyd Meets Girl on Dec. 18, Trio Fadolín on Dec. 20, The Big Apple Band on Dec. 23 and 27, Justin Rothberg leads Gotham City Groove on Dec. 26, and The Kely Pinheiro Trio on Dec. 30.

“These performances transform this iconic space into a stage for connection and celebration, reminding us of the power of art to uplift and inspire,” Camille Zamora, Sing for Hope’s co-founder and co-executive director, said in a release shared with Travel + Leisure.

Pop-up performances from The Broadway Carolers 34th Street Partnership will also brighten the mood outside the terminal on Dec. 17 and Dec. 19.

Additionally, retail stores on the first floor are primed for holiday shopping, with shops like Kiehl’s, Moleskine, Malin & Goetz, Rains, La Maison du Chocolat, and Lovepop. Complimentary gift wrapping is also available to help ease the stress of gift-buying.

While it may not be the first place that comes to mind for meals, Moynihan Food Hall might be one of the city’s most underrated culinary gems. In fact, ever since it opened in 2021, I’ve been frequenting it since it has so many of my favorite city eats in one place. We're talking Alidoro, Naya, H&H Bagels, E.A.K. Ramen, La Esquina, and Cha Cha Matcha. There’s even a location of the famous secret Burger Joint tucked inside Thompson Central Park Hotel here, usually with less of a line. The bustling bar The Irish Joint also has seasonal drinks like The Frosty Farewell. (With so many choices, I’ve even spent entire afternoons in the food hall since several tables are made for remote working with plenty of plugs — and I can grab both lunch and dinner there!)

Another of my obsessions that’s especially festive this time of year is the building's U.S. post office. Not only is the restored historic space a gorgeous place to mail letters, but if you’re late getting out those holiday cards, it’s open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

But perhaps what makes Moynihan Train Hall so very convenient is that its location in The Penn District provides easy access to all of the city's holiday hot spots, from Macy’s just down the block to the High Line-Moynihan Connector leading to festive walks along the High Line, as well as being just a stone's throw from Times Square, Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, and the Garment District.

"New York City is always buzzing with energy during the holidays, with events and experiences drawing people from all over the world,” Hope Knight, Empire State Development's president, CEO, and commissioner, said in a statement provided to T+L. “Moynihan Train Hall has become a popular destination itself—especially this time of year—and serves as a gateway to all the seasonal splendor, while paying homage to the city's legacy of business, talent, and innovation."

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure