Getting out of the Barnard bubble

Embracing the city’s winter magic: A guide to getting out of the Barnard bubble!

Photo by Vernon Demir/The Barnard Bulletin

By Ellie Koff

December 21, 2025

As the days get shorter and the wind tunnels of Broadway turn bitter, the gravitational pull of staying in the Barnard bubble grows stronger. The frigid air is cold enough to make you question every life choice that led you to New York City. Suddenly, the space between Milstein and Diana feels like the only terrain you are willing to cross. Plans dissolve into "let's just stay in," and the whole campus quietly retreats into a storm of puffy coats, lattes, and emails sent from bed.

But winter in New York City has its own sparkle, one that is accessible, vibrant, and perfect for small escapes between classes. Sometimes the best antidote for the seasonal slump is a reminder that the world does not end at 116th. With that in mind, here are three winter outings for Barnard students ready to escape campus and step back into the city. I have compiled outings for wellness, culture, and holiday spirit, so this guide is a first step into getting off campus this weekend.

Bathhouse (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Every semester reaches a point where self-care becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. And when winter stress and icy sidewalks combine, the ideal escape might actually be in Williamsburg at Bathhouse, a spa-like thermal experience that feels far removed from Butler’s fluorescent lights.

Inside, warm air rises in clouds of steam, soft lighting glows amber, and the energy instantly shifts from frantic to restorative. Groups drift between dry saunas, aromatherapy steam rooms, heated pools, and, if they are brave, the cold plunge. It is an easy rotation that somehow melts away all academic panic. 

With day passes starting at $39, Bathhouse is one option for those looking to give their bodies a little extra love this winter. Whether you need to decompress after finals or just need to thaw your bones from the cold, it is the kind of outing that reminds you to slow down and remain centered.

Gallery Hopping (Chelsea, Manhattan)

For those craving inspiration rather than steam, the Chelsea galleries offer a distinctly winter-friendly cultural outing: free, warm, walkable, and never as crowded as the museums you have already been to three times. Stretching across several blocks between 10th and 11th Avenue, these contemporary art spaces create a patchwork of installations and exhibits that shift weekly.

Start around West 22nd or 24th Street and wander north. You might stumble into a sleek photography show, turn a corner into an immersive light installation, or debate the meaning of a sculpture that looks suspiciously like someone’s discarded recycling. It is all part of the fun, and the best part is that everything is free, making it a perfect outing for everyone.

Wrap up the crawl with a stop at a nearby cafe. Citizens of Chelsea has a delicious breakfast and brunch menu, and you can stop in to warm your hands around a latte before heading up to the High Line. In early evening, as the city lights flicker on, the views turn cinematic. It is a quiet wintry way to reconnect with the city’s art scene.

Bryant Park Winter Village (Bryant Park, Manhattan)

No New York City winter is complete without at least one trip to Bryant Park’s Winter Village, which manages to feel enchanting no matter how many holiday seasons you have survived. For Barnard students looking for a classic Christmas-themed night out, this is the move.

Begin at the holiday market where vendors’ stalls glow under strings of warm lights. You can browse handmade gifts, sip hot cocoa, or simply wander around admiring the massive tree and ice rink. Ice skating is free if you bring your own skates; people watching is free even if you do not. 

After soaking in the festive chaos, head just a few blocks to Arthur and Sons, an old-school New York City restaurant with red checkered tablecloths and heaping plates of rigatoni. The restaurant’s retro decor and comfy setting create the perfect post-holiday market meal, ideal for decompressing with friends as you trade stories from this semester.

New York in winter can feel daunting, but it can also feel magical. Whether you are sweating out your stress in Williamsburg, gallery hopping downtown, wandering through Bryant Park before settling into a cozy dinner, stepping outside our bubble offers a reminder of why going to college in the city is something so special. Sometimes all you need is a train ride, good friends, and a little warmth to fall back in love with the winter.