New York at Christmas?

Question

I was thinking of going to new york for christmas well around that sort of time. How much excluding hotel and flight, do you think it will cost? I'm planning going on a few attractions i.e empire state. Has anyone been around this time?

Answer 1

I like all the lights at Christmas time that they hang all up and down the fire-escapes. It's cold, but usually not yet as painful as January, February, and March.
As for costs, attractions would be at least $10 and up. You might be surprised that food can be reasonable if you go into diners and one-of-a-kind places. I'd say budget a minimum of $30 a day for food, or you could skimp by on $15 a day if you don't go to restaurants. You could grab a coffee and a muffin for breakfast, go to Dojo for lunch (about $6-10) and get a felafel or slice of pizza for dinner. But the sky's the limit with restaurants, too....there are lots of shi-shi places that will charge $12.95 for a couple of sprigs of arugula drizzled with balsamic, and you can imagine the subsequent courses.
If you don't drink a lot of alcohol or go nightclubbing, you'll save hundreds of dollars. There's lots of free things to do. Look in the village voice. Don't rent a car. Get a bus map. Buses are a good way to see Manhattan cheaply and there's always one coming.
My biggest problem there is I always want to buy clothes.
I lived there for 10 years in the East Village, the best neighborhood for a wide variety of affordable restaurants.
Be prepared for long waits to go up the Empire State building or Statue of Liberty.

Hotels? also, the sky's the limit and nothing is really cheap, but I just looked on expedia.com and searched rooms from Dec. 20- 25 and found some for $79 a night, like the "continental" on upper west side. Might be shared bathrooms, so if your tastes are princessy, you'll need to pay for it.
Have fun and I hope you have no rain, just a few flurries, some sun, and lots of amazement.

Answer 2

X-mas season is a high season in NYC.
Attractions do not go up on price due to seasons....but hotel and flights can cost you more than normal......

NYC is nice during the X-mas season....a few attractions that are just around for this season...including the Rockefeller Tree ,the Bloomingdale Window display...Christmas Carol at MSG and the X-mas show at Radio City....
But its also a very busy time so expect things to be crowded..

I lived in NYC all my life....

Answer 3

One of the most expensive times if it is before xmas.
If you wait till January the prices are cut in half.
Everyone wants to go for the xmas shopping, Rockettes, Rockefeller Center Xmas tree..etc.

Hotel pricing will average 300 to 400 a night at this time
You can do 175 to 250 in Jan

Answer 4

Albany is a good palce to go to during the holidays.
Its not expensive.
Shops, parks, main attractions are usually in walking distance.
It should cost a lot
Hotels are pretty cheap in Albany aswell.