Disappointing photos show how crowded New York City's iconic attractions are during the holiday season

There are plenty of other things to do during the holidays — for every Rolf's, there's a less crowded, more fun bar like Paddy Maguire's Ale House.

I started at Wollman Rink in Central Park, walked to the Plaza Hotel and the Pulitzer Fountain, strolled down Fifth Avenue to Saks Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center, continued west toward Bryant Park, and concluded my journey at Macy's Herald Square.

Wollman Rink, in the southern part of the park, is open from October through March. It's been a popular holiday destination for decades and has featured in numerous holiday movies, including "Serendipity."

I knew I was getting close to the rink, but even though I came to skate here in 2021, I had no recollection of seeing people peering down at me from a giant rock ledge.

But, lo and behold, when I climbed up to see what everyone was looking at, I was staring directly at the rink.

You can just make them out, but there are even more people across the ice at the other gate.

When I skated at Wollman Rink, I found it was very disorganized compared to other rinks in the city, and I don't think I'll go back to skate.

Instead, I decided on a hot drink.

It turns out that hot chocolate was just the thing to help me out.

I've never stayed inside the Plaza Hotel before, but you can imagine what an amazing view of the park guests have just by looking at the building.

The Plaza opened in 1907 and is one of the most famous hotels in the world. It's also been the location of holiday movies, such as "Home Alone 2" — Kevin stays at the hotel and famously asks Donald Trump for directions to the lobby.

In front of the door was a sign that said only guests of the hotel or patrons of the restaurant were allowed in the building.

I watched as the hotel employee stopped anyone walking in to see what their business was and turned a few people away.

For the last few years, the Pulitzer Fountain has been transformed into an ice-skating rink with polar bears and penguins. Last year, they toned it down with some giant ornaments and lights.

This is the Peninsula Hotel, another New York City landmark.

There's also lots of legendary shopping on Fifth Avenue, from Bergdorf Goodman to Harry Winston to Cartier to Louis Vuitton and more.

I shouldn't have been surprised by the crowds — it turns out New York City's visitor numbers have almost fully rebounded since pandemic lows.

In November 2022, the city's tourist bureau, NYC & Company, predicted that 6.5 million people would visit New York City in the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's, Time Out reported.

You have to be prepared for people to stop.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest Gothic Catholic cathedral in the US, opened in 1879. More than 5 million people visit each year.

Entry is free, which makes this a great activity for anyone on a budget. Plus, the church was decorated — there were wreaths and Christmas trees, and the main altar was covered in poinsettias.

The manger happened to be near an exit, meaning that stopping to take pictures here held up a significant amount of traffic.

One visitor ducked out of my way when he saw I was about to snap a photo — this was a common theme.

The Saks Fifth Avenue I visited, which is actually on Fifth Avenue, is the department store's flagship. It opened in 1924 and has remained there for almost a century.

The windows are filled with popular games and toys to fit 2022's theme of "reconnecting with family and loved ones during the holiday season," according to Saks' website.

This year's display was a collaboration with Dior for a "Carousel of Dreams."

Last year's light show consisted entirely of Elton John songs.

The store was selling ornaments and other holiday goodies back here, but I had to walk through the entire store just to get there.

Admittedly, I'm not a Lego person (unless it's in video-game form), but it's a huge draw for parents looking to entertain their kids.

Last year's tree was an 82-foot-tall, 50-foot-wide, 14-ton Norway Spruce from Queensbury, New York.

In 2023, the tree was an 80-foot Norwegian spruce from Vestal, New York.

It was all getting a bit claustrophobic for me.

The Rockettes' signature show is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I'd recommend going at least once. It's playing through January 2.

Bryant Park is home to one of the two largest holiday markets in Manhattan, the other being Union Square. I prefer Bryant Park since it's more open, has a better view, and is closer to where I live.

If you head to the Winter Village a few weeks before the holidays, it's a more enjoyable experience. But, as you inch closer to Christmas, it gets more crowded.

The lines were so long and densely packed that I decided I could wait.

According to the 34th Street Partnership, the store has 1.25 million square feet of retail space across 12 floors and takes up an entire city block.

Macy's moved to this location in 1902.

When I returned an hour later, it was easier to sneak a peek.

The "Believe" sign has been such a constant in my life that I walked around the entire Macy's to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

I just had to let the crowd take me where I needed to go.

They spare no expense decorating at Macy's.

Macy's announced that Toys 'R' Us would be incorporated into its existing stores in 2021, ahead of the 2022 holiday season.

Toys 'R' Us returned for 2023.

The first few floors of Macy's have the classic steel escalators you'd expect. But once you get up higher, you take a wood-paneled escalator.

There were crowds of kids (not pictured) in the various aisles, at the play place, and inspecting the Funko Pops.

The toys were on the seventh floor, while Santa was up on the eighth floor.

There was a long line to meet Santa, even though you have to reserve a time to meet him.

This was the sixth floor, which was mostly dedicated to home and kitchen goods. I felt like I could finally breathe.

It was a very long day.

Being in the best city for the most wonderful time of the year will still be my favorite holiday activity.