Embracing Winter Storm Fern: A New Yorker’s Guide to Snow Day Fun

Winter Storm Fern is about to blanket New York City with up to 16 inches of snow—the most significant snowfall since 2021—as an Arctic front sweeps in this weekend. While temperatures are expected to plunge into single digits and a winter storm watch has been issued for the tri-state area from late Saturday through Monday afternoon, true New Yorkers know that a snow day isn’t a day to stay cooped up indoors. As AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines warns, conditions will “get worse before they get better,” but with proper preparation and bundling up, the city transforms into a magical winter playground waiting to be explored. From sledding down iconic hills to finding cozy indoor retreats, this storm presents an opportunity to experience the Big Apple in a pristine white coat that makes even the most familiar landmarks look breathtakingly new.

For those seeking outdoor thrills, Central Park during a snowstorm offers an unparalleled experience. Pilgrim Hill, located just south of Conservatory Water on the Upper East Side, provides steep slopes perfect for sledding adventures, though be prepared to share the space with fellow snow enthusiasts. For a more peaceful descent, Cedar Hill a few blocks north offers a gentler grade with fewer crowds. Upper West Siders might prefer Great Hill between West 103rd and 107th Streets, while those seeking true solitude should venture to Inwood Hill Park in far upper Manhattan, where scenic city views complement the exhilarating slopes. Brooklyn residents need look no further than Prospect Park’s Long Meadow—the longest continuous urban park meadow in the United States—for nearly a mile of perfect sledding terrain. These natural inclines throughout the city offer everything from gentle family-friendly runs to heart-racing descents for the more adventurous.

While ice skating might seem like the quintessential New York winter activity, savvy locals know to avoid the tourist-packed rinks at Central Park and Rockefeller Center—the latter having been named the most overcrowded holiday attraction anywhere. Instead, head to Skate At Domino on the Williamsburg Waterfront, where $18 ($12 for locals) buys you a 75-minute session on less crowded ice. Another excellent option is Roebling Rink in DUMBO, offering two-hour sessions for $14.84 with spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline as your backdrop. These alternative rinks provide the classic winter skating experience without the frustration of navigating through crowds of wobbly tourists, allowing you to glide peacefully while taking in some of the city’s most iconic vistas.

When the chill becomes too much, New York offers unique warming experiences that feel worlds away from the snowy streets. If the ferry service remains operational despite Winter Storm Fern, QC Spa on Governors Island provides a remarkable retreat where $158 grants all-day access to outdoor heated pools with stunning skyline views. This sprawling wellness complex, built within the island’s abandoned Army barracks and officers’ quarters, offers a snow monkey-like experience of soaking in steamy waters while snowflakes fall around you. For those preferring terra firma, the Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx presents a tropical escape within city limits. For $35, visitors can wander through this historic indoor eden where lush foliage and warm, humid air create the perfect antidote to winter’s grip. Though the annual orchid show is still in preparation, the diverse collection of plants from various warm climates provides a refreshing reminder that somewhere, it’s always summer.

Nothing fortifies against the cold quite like a hearty plate of pasta, and New York’s Italian restaurants offer some of the best carbohydrate insulation available anywhere. Chef Stefano Secchi’s acclaimed Rezdora in the Flatiron District serves up authentic regional Italian specialties, while Brooklyn’s Forma Pasta Factory—recently named “America’s Favorite Italian Restaurant for Delivery” by Doordash—allows you to enjoy their handcrafted pastas without braving the elements. For a truly exceptional experience, Ciao Samo, Yelp’s top-ranked restaurant in the US for 2026, offers their much-praised Rigatoni Alla Gricia for $30. Those simply seeking abundance should head to Carmine’s in Times Square or on the Upper West Side, where $41.95 buys a family-style platter of spaghetti and meatballs large enough to fuel multiple snow adventurers. Beyond pasta, the city’s warm beverage scene provides liquid comfort with Frenchette Bakery’s rich hot chocolate topped with homemade marshmallows ($10), Felix Roasting Co.’s elaborate Hickory Smoked S’mores Latte ($15) that evokes childhood campfires, or for those seeking something stronger, The Richardson in Williamsburg serves a perfect hot toddy ($14) infused with honey, cinnamon, clove, lemon, and 101-proof bourbon.

For those looking to make a true escape without leaving the city, consider booking a “daycation” at one of New York’s atmospheric hotels. The historic Algonquin near Bryant Park offers rooms from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday for $199—perfect timing for a romantic room service brunch while watching snow blanket the city through your window. Downtown dwellers might prefer the chic Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village, available at the same price point from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. These and many other short-term hotel stays can be found through booking sites like Dayuse, which have modernized the concept of hourly hotel rentals into sophisticated urban retreats. There’s something uniquely indulgent about watching a snowstorm from the comfort of a luxury hotel room that isn’t your own home—especially when paired with room service and the knowledge that you don’t have to shovel anything. As Winter Storm Fern approaches, New Yorkers have countless options to transform what could be a homebound weekend into a memorable urban adventure, proving once again that in this resilient city, being snowed in is truly “snow problem” at all.