It's the most wonderful (and touristy) time of the year, if you're in New York. Whether you're a die-hard Elf fan or just enjoy staring at the Fifth Avenue Christmas lights, there are countless wintery activities to participate in NYC this Holiday Season. Here are 8 essential ones:

1. Holiday Markets

Pop-up holiday markets are staples of New York City's Holiday season, located in Bryant Park, Union Square and Columbus Circle. Under twinkling string lights, you can walk around independent stalls where you can find one of a kind art and perfect potential presents. You can also get hot chocolate, mulled wine and other goodies from the stalls to sip and eat as you stroll through mini-winter wonderlands.

2. Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park Winter Village is perhaps New York City's largest Winter Market, with an ice skating rink, hundreds of shopping stalls with great art, jewelry and plenty of food to enjoy.

3. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

It's tourist central, yes. But with ice skating, a tree that's 76 feet tall and everything decked out in beautiful decorations, it's hard not to feel the holiday spirit at Rockefeller Center.

4. Window Displays on Fifth Avenue

During the winter months, storefronts of Tiffany's, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and other Fifth Avenue shops take the opportunity to show off their new products with elaborate and beautiful designs, giving holiday cheer to the whole avenue.

5. Ice Skating

Ice skating is a perfect winter activity. The well known Rockefeller Center ice rink situated under the 76-foot-tall tree is beautiful, but packed with bodies. There are other lesser known options where you can enjoy a more soothing skate, like at Prospect Park's LeFrank Center at Lakeside, The Rink at Bryant Park or Wollman Rink in Central Park.

6. Central Park

Speaking of Central Park, strolling through the winter forest is a perfect activity. You can ice skate and participate in the park's various holiday activities. Even just a simple stroll, bundled up in a coat and sipping hot chocolate, is enough to inspire winter cheer.

7. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Every year, the people of Dyker Heights, a neighborhood in South Brooklyn, embrace the holiday season and decorate their houses with lights, snowflakes, and other Christmas decor. Stroll around the neighborhood, listen to the Christmas carols playing in the gardens and enjoy the lavish holiday decorations.

8. The Plaza

Live out your Eloise dreams and visit The Plaza, complete with winter decorations. You can even schedule afternoon tea there (with pinkies up, of course).