New York City On A Budget

From the lights of Rockefeller Center to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, New York during the holidays is a magical time – in fact, some would argue that the weeks between mid-November and early January are the best time to visit the Big Apple. The city is so popular during the holidays, though, that not only do you have to deal with major crowds, but the prices for everything from flights to New York to hotels go up by 20 percent or more over the rest of the year – and that’s if you are lucky enough to score a hotel room at all!

There’s no denying that Christmas in New York will put a dent in your bank account, but there are plenty of things you can do in the city to capture the holiday spirit without spending a dime. When you’re planning your New York itinerary, add some of these holiday classics to the list.

Rockefeller Center

Is there any Christmas tree more iconic than the towering Norway Spruce that appears in midtown Manhattan every year? Typically the tree is between 75 and 90 feet tall and features more than five miles of lights that are usually illuminated the week after Thanksgiving in a televised ceremony. While you’re in Rockefeller Center checking out the tree, you’ll notice the iconic skating rink in the plaza below. Many visitors want to skate on the rink, but the cost for a family of four with rentals can be upwards of $100. You can watch the skaters for free, though, and sometimes professionals perform. If you really want to skate, head over to The Pond at Bryant Park, where admission is free (skate rentals cost more) or the Wollman Rink in Central Park, which charges a nominal fee to use the ice.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Display

While the lights of the tree in Rockefeller Center tend to get most of the attention, there’s another tree in New York that’s just as impressive, and perhaps even more beautiful. The Metropolitan Museum of Art features an impressive tree each year, decorated with 18th century hand-carved and painted angels and a Baroque nativity scene with pieces that also date back to the 1700s. Throughout the season, chamber music groups perform near the tree, creating a reverent atmosphere to reflect on the meaning of the season. While the Met does suggest a $25 admission fee, that amount is optional and visitors can contribute as much or as little as they like to view the tree and the rest of the museum.

Window Shop

Many visitors come to New York during the holidays so they can shop until they drop, but if you rush in and out of the stores along Fifth Avenue, you’ll miss one of the best parts of Christmas in the city: the store windows. Every year, the major department stores create elaborate window displays, usually based around a theme, that draw huge crowds.
To experience the best window displays, put on a pair of walking shoes and head to the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. After checking out the windows, walk east on 34th Street to Fifth Avenue, and then head north, passing by the iconic Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman stores. Turn onto East 60th Street to see the displays at Barney’s New York, and then turn south onto Lexington Ave to finish your tour at Bloomingdale’s. Along the way you’ll pass by other stores and shops with elaborate windows, as well as Rockefeller Center. If you’re visiting with the kids, be sure to stop into the FAO Schwartz toy store at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue; kids can explore floor after floor of toys as well as participate in special events, such as meeting Santa.

Of course, if you have some money to spend, there are plenty more attractions, like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a holiday classic. Tickets start at $46 each for matinee performances, and offer the chance to see the Radio City Rockettes and a slew of other Christmas performers.

New York at Christmas is a magical time and there’s bound to be something to delight visitors of all ages. If you have a limited budget, try some of these activities to get in the holiday spirit and enjoy the best that the Big Apple has to offer. Get your information on flights and lodging as early as you can and start planning the Christmas holiday of a lifetime.

Rose Bell lives in Bath, but travels to New York frequently and has seen the Radio City Christmas Spectacular more than 20 times. She writes about international holiday travel for several online publications.