Savvy city dwellers know there’s an upside to enduring cold winters in New York.
There may be a chill in your bones, but this time of year also brings the joy of walking the streets blissfully free of sidewalk-clogging tourists asking directions to the nearest Hard Rock Café.
Winter in the Big Apple belongs to New Yorkers.
While the city this week announced it broke a new record in 2011 by welcoming more than 50.5 million visitors, many are fair-weather travelers.
Deep winter is the slowest time for tourists — and that means fun time for locals, with a whole bunch of deals for those who want to experience playing tourist in their own city.
“We want to remind visitors and New Yorkers that there is no better time to visit New York City,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company.
“We encourage everyone to experience some of the city’s best shopping, dining, culture, entertainment and accommodations with programs such as Get More NYC, NYC Restaurant Week, Broadway Week and Off-Broadway Week.”
Among the deals, shoppers can register their American Express card in the NYC Mix-n-Match promotion and get $50 back when spending $200 in two of the more than 400 stores (including Macy’s, Costco, H&M), theaters and restaurants (nycgo.com/mix-n-match).
The offer is valid throughout the month of February, but is limited to the first 20,000 enrollees.
If you’ve always meant to visit the Apollo Theater, head uptown in February and save. The famous music hall is the featured Culture Spot for the month. Pick up coupons at Official NYC information centers and kiosks or online (nycgo/culturespot), good for $3 off Wednesday Amateur Night performances, $5 off shows at the Apollo Music Café and $3 off historic tours, beginning Feb. 1.
It’s a great time to visit major attractions without dealing with big crowds.
A New York CityPass winter special gives locals extra time to do the tourist thing at such top sights as the Empire State Building, MoMa and Top of the Rock (available at citypass.com/new-york).
Buy a pass now and rather than the regular nine-day valid period you can use the prepaid, discounted admissions until the end of February at six attractions. Priced at $79 adults, $59 kids ages 6 to 17.
Among other winter sightseeing specials, World Yacht (www.worldyacht.com) is discounting its Sunday Dinner cruise serving up harbor views and a four-course meal, through February.
Save 20% on the $88 Gold ticket by using code SUNDAY12, when you make your booking. Boarding is at Pier 81 for the leisurely three-hour jaunt.
New Yorkers can take advantage of money-saving restaurant, theater and hotel promotions ofered at this time of year because of a lack of tourists (more details at www.nycgo.com).
Theatergoers can nab two-for-one tickets for 20 shows during Broadway Week, through Feb. 4. New shows on the list include “Anything Goes;” “Private Lives,” starring Kim Cattrall; “Seminar,” with Alan Rickman and Jerry O’Connell, and “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”
During Off-Broadway Week, Jan. 30 to Feb. 12, get 2-for-1 tickets at smaller theaters for shows including “Avenue Q,” “Blue Man Group,” “Rent” and “Stomp.”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the expanded NYC Restaurant Week features more than 300 eateries serving three-course $24.07 lunches and $35 dinners, weekdays through Feb. 10.
Do a staycation in the Big Apple or one of the boroughs with special rates, upgrades, free breakfast and other Get More NYC hotels offers, through Feb. 29.
Or for a romantic romp, book two nights at the Plaza Hotel, the Trump International or any of 18 other participating Signature Collection luxury properties through February and get a third night free plus a Key to Madison Avenue card good for special offers at fancy shops and spas.
