Welcome to vlogmas day five!
This year, I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary for my holiday adventures in New York City. Instead of staying in Manhattan, I took a trip out to Brooklyn to visit the magical Dyker Heights neighborhood. Trust me, this place is the real-life set of a Christmas wonderland. If you’re someone who loves festive lights, over-the-top decorations, and holiday vibes that will make your inner elf dance around with joy, then you have to plan a visit.
Before we go any further, here’s the full video of my adventure to Dyker Heights!
Take a moment to watch and see all the twinkling lights for yourself. If you’ve already seen it, keep reading because I’m spilling all the details, along with my favorite tips and tricks to make your visit to Dyker Heights just perfect.
What’s the Hype About Dyker Heights?
For those unfamiliar, Dyker Heights is a Brooklyn neighborhood known for its extravagant Christmas decorations. And when I say extravagant, I mean next-level, no-budget-limit levels of festive. We’re talking giant Santa statues, glowing garlands, houses literally wrapped in lights, and everything holiday-related you could imagine. If you think you’ve seen crazy Christmas lights before, multiply that by ten.
The energy here is electric (pun intended). Years ago, when I first visited, I walked away amazed, and I knew it had to become part of my holiday plans again. It’s the perfect place to make memories, whether you’re on a girls’ trip, a date night, or even a cozy outing with family.
Getting to Dyker Heights
First thing’s first, getting there. Dyker Heights isn’t right around the corner if you’re staying in Manhattan or other parts of NYC. It’s in Brooklyn, and depending on where you’re traveling from, it might take about an hour or more to get there. But don’t let that scare you off—I promise, it’s worth it!
Public Transportation Tips
I took the subway, which I think is the easiest, most budget-friendly option. Hop on the R train and ride it all the way to the 86th Street station. From there, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the heart of Dyker Heights. Now, I know a 20-minute walk sounds like a lot, but honest-to-goodness magic starts to creep in as you approach the decorated blocks. The walk flies by because it’s like unwrapping a giant Christmas gift, one block at a time.
Personally, I’d skip the car rental or Uber for this trip. Between NYC traffic and limited parking spots in the neighborhood, it’s far less stressful to just rely on the subway.
FYI About the Neighborhood
Some blocks leading up to the decorated streets might feel quieter or a bit dimly lit, but don’t worry, the area is absolutely safe. Once you hit the main streets, beams of light almost blind you in the best way possible!
If walking isn’t your jam, you could always take a car, but remember my warning about parking.
What to Wear
I have to say this because Dyker Heights isn’t exactly the place for fashion over comfort. You’ll be walking a lot, so comfy shoes are a must! Sneakers are my go-to, but if it’s chilly, boots with some lining work perfectly too. Just forget about wearing heels unless you want to star in your own Christmas disaster movie.
When it comes to clothing, layers are your best friends. Some years, it has been so cold during my visits that I was literally dancing around in my sneakers to keep my toes warm. On the night of this year’s visit, I lucked out because it wasn’t super cold. But don’t rely on luck! Pack a cozy jacket, maybe a scarf, and definitely a beanie if temps are low.
Pro tip? Gloves with touch-screen compatibility so you can snap pics or take videos easily without freezing your fingers off.
Snack and Drink Situation
One thing I learned from my first visit is you’ll definitely want a warm drink in hand. Not only does it keep you cozy, but it also adds that Pinterest-esque holiday vibe to your experience. There’s a Starbucks right by the subway station (thank goodness!), so I picked up a toasty latte before starting the walk to Dyker Heights.
Once you’re there, you’ll find locals selling goodies like hot chocolate (yes, yes, YES), popcorn, and even fries. I grabbed a small snack while soaking in all the beautiful lights, and it was the perfect combo. But if you’re more of a prep-ahead type, you could pack a warm drink in a flask and bring some snacks from home.
My verdict? Whether you grab something on-site or bring your own, food is definitely a vibe booster here!
Exploring the Best Streets
Not all streets in Dyker Heights are created equally, and after my visits, I have some insider knowledge. If you’re short on time or just want to make sure you hit the absolute must-see blocks, here’s where you should go first:
- 83rd Street (between 10th & 11th Ave)
- 84th Street (between 11th & 12th Ave)
These streets are home to some of the most jaw-dropping decorations you’ll find. One house even looked like it was straight out of a Hallmark movie set. Ideally, you’ll have at least an hour to walk around and soak it all in, but if you’re in a hurry, these spots are the highlights you won’t want to miss.
Do yourself a favor and slow down. Admire the details on every house, take a million pictures, and live your most magical holiday self.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Dyker Heights is such a classic holiday experience. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, it feels special every time you go. The effort these homeowners put into transforming their neighborhood into a Christmas wonderland is nothing short of incredible.
If you’re planning a trip to NYC during December, I couldn’t recommend this experience enough. Sure, it’s a little far from Manhattan, but the memories you’ll make are priceless. Watch my vlog to see the lights in action, subscribe to my channel for more holiday adventures, and if you’ve been to Dyker Heights before, tell me your favorite house in the comments—I’d love to hear about it!
Until the next festive outing, happy holidays and much love!
XOXO,
Flor.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my previous vlogmas:
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