Activities That Don’t Break the Bank

Some of the City’s Most Budget-Friendly Attractions and Offerings

With holiday outings, plane tickets home, and gifts for colleagues, friends, and loved ones, the holidays can get a little pricey. As much as we love the most wonderful time of the year, feeling the holiday pinch in our wallets can sometimes mar the magic of the season. In order to give your bank account a bit of a break, we’ve compiled some exciting offerings that will leave your pockets feeling slightly fuller. From free activities to amazingly cheap prices, here are some ways to enjoy Manhattan without breaking the bank:

Ice Skating in Bryant Park

The focal point of one of the city’s most beloved and beautiful parks, the 17,000 square foot Rink offers free ice-skating (skate rental not included), made possible by their partner, Bank of America. The Rink offers the city’s only free admission ice skating and visitors can also take in the excitement of Bryant Park’s Winter Village. Set against the stunning backdrop of the New York Public Library, the fairy-tale like spectacle of Winter Village features over 150 holiday shops and stalls and various pop-up eateries. Throughout the season, visitors can also enjoy free skating shows, special events, and activities.

Address: 41 W 40th St between Sixth and Fifth Avenues

October 27, 2018 – January 2, 2019

Monday – Friday: 11am-8pm

Saturday & Sunday: 10am-8pm

Take in the Holiday Windows

The holiday windows of New York City’s most prominent and glamorous department stores are not your typical mall displays. The annual installations are planned by entire teams with big budgets, and the results are jaw-dropping vignettes, and over-the-top creations that look like the belong in museums rather than store windows. Bloomingdale’s flagship store in Midtown always delivers one of the city’s best. Last year’s theme, “Greatest Holiday Windows,” was in partnership with the film The Greatest Showman. An homage to P.T. Barnum, Bloomingdale’s windows showcased whimsical visuals, circus acts on display, and outfits and props that were reportedly adorned with more than 7,600,000 Swarovski crystals. Row NYC offers an amazing deal for visitors with their Bloomingdale's Shop & Stay Package. Guests receive a $50 Bloomingdale's Gift Card, duffle bag, VIP leather wallet, key chain and special in-store offers alongside their stay at Times’ Square contemporary hotel. We’re not certain yet what this year’s theme will be, but we know it will be spectacular. For a fun, unique, and free night out, grab a hot beverage and check out the city’s most iconic stores and their windows. In addition to Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Barney’s, Henri Bendel, Lord and Taylor, and Bergdorf Goodman have some of the city’s most spectacular displays.

Visit the MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art is one of the city’s best museums. Located in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, the MoMA has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as one of the largest and most influential museums of modern art in the world. The museum has an ever-changing rotation of exhibits, but it has some of the world’s most recognizable paintings in permanent residence, including Van Gogh’s Starry Night, alongside the work of Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet, among others. Admission is free for all visitors during UNIQLO Free Friday Nights, every Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Address:11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Open seven days a week

Open until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays

Explore Sea, Air & Space

One of the city’s most unique museums, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a non-profit, educational institution that is home to the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets, and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming and the foremost collection of technologically groundbreaking aircraft and vessels, visitors of all ages and abilities are taken on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery. Row NYC has partnered with The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to offer its guests $4 off admission tickets and fast track access, for those who want to forego the lines. Row NYC guests will be able to head directly to will-call to redeem the discount to receive their tickets.

Address: Pier 86, West 46th St & 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036

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