Winter Activities in New York

Heading to New York City in the winter doesn't mean you will find a shortage of activities. New York is buzzing the entire year and has many winter activities for you to enjoy. Winter activities in New York are both adult and child friendly.

Winter Restaurant Week
This is the winter version of a twice yearly New York event. This winter activity in New York is a great way to sample the city's diverse cuisine and you don't have to get to cold! Why is this a great way to try out New York's restaurants? Well because participating restaurants will charge far less than their normal prices. You can get a large three course lunch for $24 and find fantastic dinners for $35. These are real bargain prices for New York City.

Some participating restaurants that have a good reputation are Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park and Café Boulud. Some of the restaurants are even known to give their patrons extra free gifts such as coupons for money off a future meal. It is a good idea to decide which restaurants you want to visit well in advance and make reservations as you may end being disappointed. Many of the best restaurants get fully booked quite fast.

Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the most famous winter activities in New York. The place everybody knows about is Rockefeller Center. This ice skating area is fairly small and expensive due to its fame. There are however more ice skating areas in New York to choose from other than just Rockefeller Center. One of these options is Bryant Park, which is situated between 40th and 42nd streets. To skate in Bryant Park is free an obvious plus to this location. They provide skate rentals for just under $9 and the rink is open each day until 10pm on weekdays and midnight on Friday and Saturdays.

Another very popular ice skating rink in New York is the Wollman Rink located in Central Park. This is a very busy skating rink and you will have to pay to skate. The cost is $8.50 on weekdays and $11 on weekends. It is possible to rent skates at this location for $4.75. There is a second rink in Central Park called the Lasker Rink which is less expensive costing adults $4.50 and kids under 12 $2.25 for a full days skating.

Theatre and shopping and more
Ok this is a little out of the ordinary but going to the theatre and shopping in the winter especially January is a great New York winter activity. This is because this is the least busy time of year for Broadway shows meaning you will have a good chance of getting decent seats. Plus January is a great time for bargain hunting in the shops with all the post holiday sales you can expect to find so excellent discounts on items that the shops are tying to clear before they get their spring merchandise.

February is another great time to be in New York because of the Chinese New Year. This is one of most exciting winter activities in New York after the huge Christmas and New Year's celebrations. During this winter activity you can expect to find vibrant parades and celebrations. December has to be the most popular winter activity time in New York. This is the holiday season and the whole city gets into the Christmas spirit. Winter activities include admiring the shop window displays at the city's famous department stores, watching the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, ice skating and of course holiday shopping.