NYC on a budget, is it possible?

[CEK40]

Hi to all,

I want to plan a small getaway for DH and I. We have been doing repair work on my parents house since they passed away and we need to get away for a spell. I wanted to do something that I have wanted to do for years and that is to go to NYC during the Holiday Season, sometime around the first of December.

I have checked out some hotels and dining and airline (we will be traveling from VA) and from what I can figure it is less expensive to go to WDW for 5 days than to NYC for 3 in December.

I have been to NY (Brooklyn) many times but not in the city but once 27 years ago, so I know it is TOTALLY changed. I have this idea about what I think it should be during this time of year but I am just scared that I will be dissapointed if it isn't what I expect.

So my question to anyone out there that may have any info, tips, suggestions, etc. on lodging, dining, and what to do or not miss I would greatly appreciate it.


Thanks to all you on the DIS boards your great!

 

[DVCBELLE]

My parents are taking my DD this weekend for her birthday and I searched hi and low for a decent hotel rate for them -

I found some deals on lastminutetravel.com and hotwire but none of them were in the places they wanted to stay or got bad reviews. I ended up finding them an apartment rental on VRBO - the woman has been delightful to work with and the apartment is on the upper east side. Now - they are on the plane right now so I am not sure if I can reccomend it yet - but there are certainly a lot of choices on VRBO and I didn't start looking until we got desperate last week - so if you look now there would be a lot of availability!

Once they check out the apartment - I will let you know how it is!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to look at Amtrak. They have several trains a day between Newport News and New York. Go to www.amtrak.com, click on schedules, and look for Northeast Corridor #2. That can probably save a lot compared to flying.

And check out Marriott.com and indicate Corporate with a code of M11 which is special promotional rates for weekends in December; must include a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.

 

[wvjules]

I say this on every NYC thread...travelzoo.com. Sign up for their weekly top 20.

Right now they have Sheraton Manhattan and Sheraton NY Towers (both in Times Square) for less than $200 per night. Of course parking will cost an additional $30-50 depending on hotel. I think that is a great rate for those hotels for their location.

Last december we stayed at the Millenium UN Hotel, it was a bit of a walk to 5th ave and Times square. In June we stayed at double tree guest suites on Lexington Avenue and in September we stayed at the Sheraton Manhattan. All for less than $200 per night. The best location/price was the Sheraton Manhattan.

 

[librarygal]

The only way to do New York for cheap is to stay in New Jersey and get your hotel on Hotwire or Priceline. We have done this numerous times in the past. You should be able to get a room for $65-$80 plus tax. Secaucus is the best place to stay since most hotels are in a mall/office complex and parking is free. The bus will whisk you to the Port Authority in 15 minutes.

Keep in mind that the cheap hotel rates in the city are for a very small room with one small bed. Two beds always cost alot more.

 

[cmjaffe]

But definitely a NO to both Sheratons... Manhattan's a dump though good location and Towers isn't much better (JMHO though).
I'd suggest checking out biddingfortravel.com or the other site for info on Priceline or Hotwire.
Or other suggestion is to check on Hotwire now to get a feel of what's offered. Manhattan is quite expensive though. We usually use points and award stays when we do stay there.
Good luck
Carolyn

 

[Miffy]

Another way to do NYC for cheap is to stay in Queens and not in Manhattan. It's not ideal, but it can work. If you stay in Flushing, for example, you can take the LIRR into the city--a 20-minute train ride.

As for being disappointed--I seriously doubt it! I've lived here for most of my life, and NYC is endlessly interesting. DH and I explore different neighborhoods and do new things all the time.

Want to save money on food? Don't eat at your midtown hotel (assuming you end up staying in Manhattan) or in a tourist restaurant. If you're staying in midtown, go over to 9th Avenue and walk up and down the street. There are a zillion inexpensive dining choices.

I'd have to say that the biggest must-see of NYC is street life. Just walking around, looking at the sights and people is forever fascinating. I've been doing that since I was 4 or 5 years old and I'll never get tired of it.

People who visit from out of town seem to enjoy, in no particular order: Central Park, strolling down 5th Avenue and window-shopping, Rockefeller Center (particularly after the rink goes up--but, warning--it's very expensive to skate there), the view from the observation deck at the Empire State Building (a Famous Thing that lives up to the hype), a ride on the Staten Island Ferry (it's totally 100% free and gives you a great view of the Statue of Liberty--which, unless you have an entire day to set aside, is not worth taking the tour), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (particularly the Egyptian collection, which even my who-cares-about-that-kind-of-thing nephews adored).

Everything I listed above, with the exception of the Empire State Building, is free. The admission at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is suggested, not required. There's a great cafeteria in the basement of the museum that's not all that expensive, although it's not exactly what I'd call cheap, but a person gets exhausted and hungry in a museum!

The rink behind the main branch of the public library (42nd Street and 6th Avenue) goes up on November 6th. Don't know when you're going to be here, but that's really beautiful and the cost is only the price of the skate rental. The library itself might be a must-see, if you're into that kind of thing. There's usually a good exhibit there. And it's free!

Get an unlimited weekly Metrocard (you can buy it in any subway station) if you're going to be here for a few days. It's $27 per person for 7 days and you can use it on the subways and buses as many times per day as you want. A one-day unlimited-ride Metrocard is only $8.25--also good for unlimited bus and subway rides. This is such a much better deal than the tour buses. Subway maps are free--ask the subway booth clerk for one. You can have a subway map and a Manhattan bus map sent to you (no charge for the maps or the postage) in advance, if you want. Just call the MTA: (718) 330-3322, 9 AM to 5 PM, weekdays.

The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day reduced-priced Broadway show tickets. You can often get a great bargain there.

Chinatown is always wonderful for a stroll and most of the restaurants in Chinatown are really inexpensive, if not completely cheap.

I don't know what kind of things you like, so it's hard to give more than general advice, but I hope this gave you a start for your plans, anyway.

Have fun!

 

[Dopey420]

Lots of cheap/free things to see and do in NYC but rooms are expensive. I recommend going ahead and paying to stay in Manhattan. You may pay more for the room, but you won't need rental car, gas, parking, bus fare, etc. that it costs to stay in Jersey. Not to mention the time commuting. You can also go back to your room and rest.

Food can be really cheap in NYC. Papaya King- 2 hot dogs and papaya drink for $3. Big slices of pizza for $2-3. Bagels with tons of cream cheese cheap. Lots of salad bars/hot bars in delis selling by the pound. Lots of bakeries.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I am taking my daughter this weekend. We are staying in Tarrytown, New York, (very historic). The hotel provides a free hot breakfast, shuttle ride within 5 miles so that it will take us to the train to get to the city. Yes it is a 40 minute ride to the city, but I paid $75.00 per night for the hotel, free parking, no driving into the city, and we are doing a few historic things also near the hotel - tea at a castle and sleepy hollow tour.

Oh and the room is a suite - two double beds and a queen sofa sleeper. Kitchenette.

Yes you can do it on a budget, just open your choices a bit.

 

[wvjules]

But definitely a NO to both Sheratons... Manhattan's a dump though good location and Towers isn't much better (JMHO though).
I'd suggest checking out biddingfortravel.com or the other site for info on Priceline or Hotwire.
Or other suggestion is to check on Hotwire now to get a feel of what's offered. Manhattan is quite expensive though. We usually use points and award stays when we do stay there.
Good luck
Carolyn

I loved the Sheraton Manhattan. The room was nice, lobby was nice, etc. The only thing that wasn't nice was the scafolding outside but 1/2 of NYC has that it seem.s lol

We paid the same rate for 2 doubles as we would have for one king. Don't know where the PP got that info.

What do you consider cheap? To me, less than $200 per night is pretty reasonable. However that might be way expensive as cheap for someone else.

 

[Aristocath]

The first weekend of December is one of the busiest tourist weekends of the holiday season so hotel rates will be high. Rates will be lower if you wait until the last weekend before Christmas (December 18-20).

Do you have any hotel points? We are going the first week of December and are staying on points at the Doubletree and then switching hotels. At the Crowne Plaza we are staying for 15,000 points plus $60 per night.

I would also suggest travelzoo but I wouldn't count on finding great rates for that particular time period, especially for midtown. But downtown hotels are often less expensive on the weekends so I would look at those.

I hope it works out for you! I have family in the city so I go a few times a year and the holiday season is my favorite time to go, despite the throngs of tourists in Times Square.

Cathy

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I stayed at the Sheraton also. Nice lobby, small room. We were there 10 nights with 4 people. Very small room. Actually got smaller by the day. And the scaffolding was up when we stayed there 4 years ago and was still there last April when we walked by....

If you stay at the Sheraton, there is a great deli around the corner...

I paid $199.00 per night back then. Don't forget the taxes in NYC on the hotels, it adds up.

 

[burberryplaid]

If you're willing to stay in Connecticut, there is a really nice Radisson in Stamford. It is literally right next to the train stop, and they also have a shuttle that can pick you up and drop you off. We stayed there for my 30th birthday trip to NY. It takes a little under an hour by train to get to the city. We really enjoyed that. There is no fee to park. Of course you need to be mindful of the train schedule, but we would definitely do it again to save some money.

 

[punkin]

Another way to do NYC for cheap is to stay in Queens and not in Manhattan. It's not ideal, but it can work. If you stay in Flushing, for example, you can take the LIRR into the city--a 20-minute train ride.

***

Want to save money on food? Don't eat at your midtown hotel (assuming you end up staying in Manhattan) or in a tourist restaurant. If you're staying in midtown, go over to 9th Avenue and walk up and down the street. There are a zillion inexpensive dining choices.

Of course if you do stay in Flushing (my old neighborhood) you can gorge yourself on the best Chinese (and other Asian) food on the planet for a pittance.

 

[wvjules]

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/new-york-hotels/665942

$169 & up -- NYC Hotel Sale incl. Westin, W & Sheraton*
Last Update: 10/6/2009, 10:07 AM ET
NY, N.Y.


Travel dates: Select dates November-January


Left: Westin NY at Times Square
Center: W - The Court
Right: Sheraton NY Hotel & Towers


By Keri La Ra
Travelzoo Staff

Save 50% off regular rates at hotels across New York City with this special offer from Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The sale features some of the lowest rates out in the marketplace for late fall and winter travel, and it is valid at over 20 hotels, including W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton and Four Points.

Book by Oct. 25 for select dates November-January, with the best rates found during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks, and January. Discounted rates are also available over peak holiday shopping weeks.

Here are just a few of the hotels that are on sale:

• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers: $169 ... Dec. 20-25, Jan. 3-7, 15-31 (regularly $299)
• Four Points by Sheraton Midtown - Times Square: $175 ... Jan. 3-31 (regularly $249)
• W New York: $179 ... Dec. 18, Jan. 1-10, 14-18, 21-24, 28-31 (regularly $329)
• W Hoboken: $169-$189 ... Nov. 25-29; Dec. 17 - Jan. 15 (regularly $299)
• Westin New York at Times Square: $199 ... Dec. 16-25; Jan. 7-31 (regularly $399)
• W The Court: $199 ... Dec. 18-29; Jan. 1-10; 14-18, 21-24, 28-31 (regularly $399)
• Also included in this sale are hotels in the suburbs of New York, including Newark, Westchester and Long Island, available at even lower rates.

Blackout dates vary by property, so be sure to check the dates listed on the offer page.

Click here to learn more about the promotion and to book online. Or call Starwood Hotels & Resorts reservation center at 866-716-8114 and mention set #387732. Book by Oct. 25.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Like this deal? E-mail it to a friend. »

 

[Ava]

I assume since you are coming specifically for the holidays that you will want to see the tree in Rockefellar Center - Google & find out when they light it. It's usually the first week in December, so if you want to see the tree make sure you come sometime after the lighting ceremony. (I don't think the tree lighting itself is worth coming for - waaaay crowded.)

I can't really give advice on hotels, but it is very easy to get around Manhattan by subway or bus. You might find a cheaper hotel rate by looking outside of Midtown. Plus you will see another area of the city that you might not have explored if your hotel was in Midtown.

I'd also recommend Amtrak as an alternative to flying. We go from NYC to Baltimore a lot, and the regional train (the cheapest route w/ the most stops) usually costs $256 round trip for 2 adults. It takes 2hr 30m to 2hr 45m. It also drops you off right at Penn Station on 33rd St & 8th Ave, so you won't have to pay for a taxi from the airport. With Amtrak though the pricing does go up as it gets closer to your travel date, so if you decide to go that route, buy your tickets as far in advance as possible. I've found they have the cheapest price up to 1 month before your travel date; once its less than a month, the price starts to go up.

Also second a PP's advice on restaurants - if you are in Midtown, go over to 9th Avenue. Between like... 42nd & 54th Streets on 9th Ave there are a ton of good, reasonably priced restaurants. Don't eat at the chain places in Times Square, they're a rip off.

Other than that, there are a lot of free or cheap things to do in NYC. You could spend a whole afternoon/evening just going to Rockefellar Center to see the tree & looking at all the holiday window displays along 5th Ave. As a PP mentioned, there is a free ice skating rink in Bryant Park (you just pay for skate rental). If you want to see the Radio City Christmas show, there are always discounts on tickets. Go to www.playbill.com and sign up for the (free) Playbill Club. You can print off discount flyers for Broadway shows from there, and IIRC they usually post one for the Radio City Christmas show as well.

 

[Chelley00]

I say this on every NYC thread...travelzoo.com. Sign up for their weekly top 20.

I agree. We got the Millineum Broadway hotel for $129 a night in June. We also found our Broadway tickets on sale through travelzoo.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you're willing to stay in Connecticut, there is a really nice Radisson in Stamford. It is literally right next to the train stop, and they also have a shuttle that can pick you up and drop you off. We stayed there for my 30th birthday trip to NY. It takes a little under an hour by train to get to the city. We really enjoyed that. There is no fee to park. Of course you need to be mindful of the train schedule, but we would definitely do it again to save some money.

Since she's coming from the south, I think NJ would be a better option (on the way, and I'm from NJ, so a little partial ). A Secaucus hotel with a shuttle bus will get them into the city in 15 minutes. Or maybe take a train from Jersey City, since if they're driving, they'd be coming up the turnpike - save 1/2 off of the drive.

 

[mrsboz]

Keep the great ideas coming. I am hoping to go to the city in May with my sister and our daughters (3 in all). They are 7, 9 and 14. Thank you.

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Westin New York at Times Square: $199 ... Dec. 16-25; Jan. 7-31 (regularly $399)


Stayed here early August. Beautiful hotel, clean and rooms were good-sized for NYC, I hear. Staff was a little uninformed and we had some issues with our room rate that finally did get resolved after a lot of pushing. So, double check your bill. Also communication among staff members seemed to be lacking. But they were always very polite.

Nice diner around the corner for quick breakfast or lunch (Cafe Europa). I had a view of the river.

We did Top of the Rock instead of Empire State Building.

Did a food tour down in the village. It was a bit pricey, but worth every penny. We walked and ate and walked and ate. Our guide made it great. Here is a link http://foodsofny.com/. Thought it was more "new yorky" than any old double decker bus. We then went down to Battery Park, but skipped the Statue of Liberty. If you want to see her, you need reservations in advance, so plan ahead. May already be sold out for that weekend. We were going to take the Staten Island Ferry (free), just to get a look from the water and turn around and come back. But it was getting late and we were beat, so went back to the hotel. If I'd never been to the SOL, I would have continued on, but I got to go to her crown in the 80s.

Have fun!!!