Visit New York City On a Budget During NYC Winter Promotion
New York City is one of the most expensive cities to visit in the world. But it’s also one of the best cities to visit in the world, thanks to its incredible food scene, entertainment options, countless top-notch museums and endless attractions. No wonder it's a must-visit destination for many families. A visit to the Big Apple is more affordable than ever this winter. For the first time ever, the city has aligned three of its signature tourism programs — NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week — under a new umbrella program called NYC Winter Outing. It runs Jan. 21 to Feb. 10, 2019.
NYC Winter Outing Makes the City Affordable for Families
Ideal for families on a budget, these initiatives allow for savings on some of NYC’s best activities: eating at acclaimed restaurants, seeing Broadway’s best shows and experiencing everything from going to the top of the Empire State Building to exploring the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The discount offers opened for booking on Jan. 9, 2019, so you can start planning your ideal trip immediately. And trust us, these discounts are not limited to places that you would normally never want to go to — some of the city’s most popular restaurants, shows and attractions are included.
Restaurants with special prix fixe menus ($26 for a two-course lunch and $42 for a three-course dinner) include Keith McNally hotspot Augustine, the recently opened Bluebird London inside the Time Warner Center and the family-friendly-but-still-hip Loring Place. Just be sure and check the restaurant's usual prices to determine if the Restaurant Week menu is actually worthwhile — some spots aren’t all that expensive to begin with, so make sure to get your money’s worth.
An undeniable saving though is the Broadway shows offering two-for-one tickets — acclaimed shows like Dear Evan Hanson, Book of Mormon and The Waitress are all available (but will probably sell out quickly). Also easy savings, Must-See Week offers two-for-one tickets to, well, must-see attractions like the Museum of Modern Art, the New York City Ballet and the Rink at Rockefeller Center, as well as for tours like the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and Gray Line Bus Tours. These deals are all in addition to all the amazing free and cheap things to do in New York that are always on offer — no special initiative needed.
Especially helpful for planning and ideas are the mini-tinies on the Winter Outing home page that offer various itineraries (maps included!) like Go Big or Go Home and the family-friendly Walk on the Wild Side, which suggests visiting the Bronx Zoo, eating lunch at Sarabeth’s and catching the Lion King — all worthwhile experiences and all with discounted tickets and meals during the Winter Outing time period.
Another program that can save you some money on a visit to New York in the offseason is New York City Hotel Week. From Jan. 4 to 14, 2019, Hotel Week offers rooms for as low as $100 or $200 a night — significant savings over many regular rates. If you’ve got a trip to NYC coming up next week, you can book a room at the Freehand New York (just watch out for tiny rooms), Chinatown’s family-friendly Hotel 50 Bowery or any of the Library Collection hotels from $100+ per night. This is a great way to try out a hotel not on your points program. You can also always pay with fixed-value points and take advantage of the discounts and keep your cash safe.
If none of those properties work for you, here are some of our other ideas to use your hotel points at family-friendly NYC spots or put your Marriott free night certificates to use in NYC while jumping on the discounted meals and activities.
You Don't Need to Visit NYC in the Winter to Save Money
But maybe you really don’t want to suffer through NYC’s chilly winter weather just to save a few bucks. Luckily, there are other times of the year when the city empties out and hotel prices drop. Early July is a good bet and November (except during the New York City Marathon weekend) tends to be less expensive. And avoid September, October and early December when prices really soar. Also pay attention to location — if you’re willing to forgo sleeping in Midtown, you can often spend less (Mommy Points is partial to Union Square).
How to Dine for Less
Aside from hotel prices, a ton of money is often spent on dining out in New York. Aside from Restaurant Week, look into dining at upscale, more expensive spots for lunch (or even breakfast) instead of dinner when it’s often easier to score a reservation at popular spots during those times. And check out Queens for a wonderful and diverse food scene that is incredibly affordable. Don’t forget: Some of the city’s most iconic food is also its most affordable: bagels, pizza and hot dogs will never break the bank.
Bottom Line
New York City has so much to offer families. Check out NYC Winter Outing to find out if the savings are enough for it to make sense for your family to plan a winter trip to the 'City That Never Sleeps'.
Looking for more trip planning advice for New York City? Here are some resources:
- 5 Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City Where You Can Use Points
- Best Marriott Category 5 Hotels in New York City for Families
- Tips for Navigating New York City With Kids
- Affordable Activities for Families Visiting New York City
- Your Points and Miles Guide to New York City
- 6 Reasons to Love New York City, According to New Yorkers
- 10 of the Most Instagrammable Places in New York City
- The Best New York City Holiday Activities for Kids
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.