Visiting NYC on a Budget This January: Smart Savings Near Times Square

January transforms New York in ways that surprise even lifelong locals. The holiday rush gives way to quieter streets, the winter light turns Midtown into a softer, more cinematic version of itself, and the city suddenly becomes far more affordable. Hotel prices drop, Broadway deals return, Restaurant Week launches, and winter sales sweep across Fifth Avenue and Herald Square.

For travellers looking to stretch their budget without sacrificing comfort or experience, it’s one of the best months to visit. And staying at Margaritaville Resort Times Square makes it even easier, with warm interiors, walkable access to Midtown’s biggest highlights, and onsite dining that keeps winter days simple and cost-effective.

 

Why January Is the Cheapest Time to Visit NYC

January is the city’s best-value moment thanks to three major seasonal programs that overlap, each designed to make travel, dining, and entertainment more accessible.

NYC Hotel Week (January 2 – February 12, 2025)

Hotel Week offers 25% off stays at participating hotels, making it one of the most affordable times of year to book a quality stay. Running from January 2 to February 12, it aligns with the city’s post-holiday lull. Midtown properties tend to fill first because of their unbeatable location, making early browsing worthwhile.
 

Winter Broadway Week (January 20 – February 12, 2025)

This beloved theatre promotion brings two-for-one tickets to a curated list of Broadway shows. Whether you’re interested in long-running favourites or new productions, the savings are substantial. Because many theatres sit within a short walk of Times Square, guests staying nearby enjoy the rare luxury of skipping taxis and cold late-night commutes.
 

NYC Restaurant Week (January 20 – February 12, 2025)

Restaurant Week is the culinary highlight of winter, offering prix-fixe lunches and dinners at approachable price tiers, traditionally $30, $45, and $60. Hundreds of restaurants participate, from Midtown icons to neighbourhood favourites. Menus and reservations go live in early January and fill quickly, especially around Times Square.
 

Outside these programs, January also brings shorter lines at Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Edge, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, calmer museum days, and deep post-holiday sales across Fifth Avenue, Macy’s Herald Square, and Nordstrom Rack.

And because Times Square is one of the most walkable hubs in Manhattan, you naturally save on transport, an effortless built-in budget advantage.

 

Affordable (and Surprisingly Great) Things to Do Near Times Square

Winter brings out the quieter magic of Midtown. Many of the best experiences are free or low-cost, and nearly all are close enough to enjoy without long commutes.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Still vibrant till the end of March, the Winter Village blends a festive atmosphere with discounted post-holiday shopping. In the morning, the rink glows under pale winter light; by afternoon, the kiosks fill the air with warm pastries and cinnamon.

The High Line

An elevated walk that feels unexpectedly peaceful in winter. Bare trees, wide skies, and quiet paths create a cinematic cross-section of the city.

MoMA Free Friday Nights

Every Friday evening, the Museum of Modern Art becomes one of Midtown’s best-value experiences, but with a few important details to know before you go. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., MoMA offers free admission exclusively for New York State residents, with tickets released one week in advance and limited to two adults per reservation. Proof of residency is required on arrival, and spots tend to fill quickly, so it’s worth setting a reminder.

Same-day film tickets are also free for New York State residents and can be picked up on-site after 4:00 p.m. Visitors from outside New York State can still attend during this window, but standard admission applies unless they’re MoMA members. Either way, Friday evenings are one of the museum’s most atmospheric times, the galleries feel different after dark, and the crowd energy is lively without being overwhelming.

Museum of Broadway

An immersive, colourful look at the history and artistry of Broadway, more affordable than major museums and an easy winter warm-up close to Times Square.

New York Public Library — Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

The Rose Reading Room remains one of Manhattan’s most beautiful indoor escapes. Free, warm, and perfect between outings.

Times Square TKTS Booth

Same-day Broadway tickets at up to 50% off make shows suddenly within reach, especially when you’re staying nearby.

Hudson Yards

Indoor shops, winter sales, and a spacious food hall offer a break from the cold without straying far from Midtown.

Staying at Margaritaville Resort Times Square means you’re never far from anything, a major advantage in winter, when every minute outdoors matters a little more.

Where to Eat and Drink Without Overspending

New York’s most beloved meals are often the simplest, a perfect slice of pizza, a warm bowl of ramen, a plate of tacos eaten standing up. Times Square and the surrounding neighbourhoods offer plenty of affordable, flavor-first dining, alongside convenient onsite options when the winter chill sets in.

Margaritaville Coffee Shop — Lobby Level (Onsite)
A budget-friendly start to the day. Fresh pastries, quality coffee, and grab-and-go essentials let you skip pricey Midtown breakfast spots without sacrificing comfort.

Joe’s Pizza
An NYC icon. Thin, crisp slices served hot from the oven, simple, classic, and still one of the best-value meals in Manhattan.

Los Tacos No.1
Consistently ranked among the city’s top taco spots. Handmade tortillas, fresh fillings, and prices that stay refreshingly reasonable.

The Halal Guys
A New York staple, famous for its chicken-and-rice platters and signature white sauce. Warm, filling, and ideal for winter days.

Urbanspace Food Halls — Times Square & Vanderbilt
Curated food halls showcasing popular local vendors. Ideal for travellers seeking variety, quality, and approachable pricing.

Margaritaville Restaurant — 2nd & 3rd Floors (Onsite)

For a bigger meal or better value, Margaritaville Restaurant is your go-to. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, it brings a tropical break from the winter chill along with two strong budget-friendly options:

• Weekday Lunch Menu — dishes starting at $11.99
• Smashed Burger Meal Deal — $16.99 for a double smashed burger, fries, and a beer or soft drink

It’s a warm, colourful space overlooking Times Square, making it an easy, affordable choice for everything from quick lunches to relaxed dinners.

Eating well in New York doesn’t require a big budget, just good choices. For more ways to dine affordably onsite or nearby, explore our Dining & Bars page, including LandShark Bar & Grill and other warm, winter-friendly venues.

A Smart Place to Stay: Winter Deals at Margaritaville

January is one of the easiest months to get more value from a New York trip. Hotel rates dip after the holidays, major attractions feel calmer, and the city rolls out some of its best seasonal programs. Staying in Times Square amplifies those savings naturally, fewer taxis, shorter walks, and everything you want to see within easy reach.

Two winter offers make a January stay at Margaritaville Resort Times Square especially appealing:

NYC Hotel Week — 25% Off Winter Stays

From January 2 to February 12, 2026, guests can enjoy 25% off stays at Margaritaville Resort Times Square as part of NYC Hotel Week. It’s a simple way to secure premium Times Square convenience at a far better rate, with Broadway, Bryant Park, and Fifth Avenue all a short walk away. For longer winter escapes, our Stay Longer, Savor More offer, available January through March, lets you stay three nights and enjoy the fourth night free. Giving you extra time to explore the best of New York City without stretching your budget.

 

Wellness Month — A Fresh Start to the Year

January also marks the return of the resort’s seasonal wellness programming, offering mindful movement and energising rooftop sessions. It’s a refreshing counterbalance to winter sightseeing and a calm way to ease into the new year.

Together, these offers make winter travel feel lighter and more rewarding, not “budget,” but genuinely good value paired with warmth, comfort, and the ease of staying close to it all.

 

How to Save on Broadway, Attractions & Transit

A few smart strategies help stretch your budget even further:

• TKTS Times Square Booth — Up to 50% off same-day Broadway tickets
• TodayTix App — Lottery entries + mobile-first discounts
• OMNY Transit Capping — After 12 rides in a week, the rest are free
• NYC Restaurant Week — Prix-fixe menus at $30, $45, and $60
• Staten Island Ferry — A free, scenic ride with skyline views
   

Staying in Times Square means most attractions start with a short walk, so your transportation spend stays naturally low.

Winter Sales, Sample Stores & Bargains Near Times Square

January is New York’s unofficial sale season. As holiday crowds thin out, stores across Midtown and downtown begin major markdowns, including everything from designer pieces to winter basics. Staying near Times Square puts you between several of the city’s most reliable bargain spots.

• Saks Fifth Avenue (611 5th Ave): A go-to for post-holiday designer sales.
• Uniqlo Fifth Avenue (666 5th Ave): Known for deep markdowns on Heattech, winter layers, and basics.
• Macy’s Herald Square (151 W 34th St): Consistently strong clearance deals in early January.
• Nordstrom Rack Union Square (865 Broadway): Best for shoes, coats, and brand-name markdowns.
• 260 Sample Sale (260 W 39th St): One of the city’s most famous rotating sample-sale venues.

Plan to arrive early, many venues refresh stock daily, making return visits worthwhile if shopping is on your winter agenda.

 

Essential Tips for Visiting NYC in Winter Without Overspending

New York rewards travellers who plan with intention, especially in January. The cold can sneak up quickly in Midtown’s long corridors of wind, so layering is your best strategy. Bring pieces you can add or remove easily throughout the day rather than splurging on last-minute winter gear once you arrive.

Because so many of the city’s biggest attractions sit within walking distance of Times Square, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Broadway, you can save noticeably on transport. A steady pace and a warm drink in hand will carry you far in winter. It also helps to build natural breaks into your day: a museum stop, a café, a return to the hotel for a quick warm-up before heading back out.

Dining choices matter too. Ramen shops, Korean stews and slice shops offer some of the best-value meals in the city, especially when the temperature drops. And for big-ticket experiences, booking ahead generally means better prices, particularly for Broadway shows and observation decks where last-minute rates can spike.

Ultimately, winter in New York is about moving deliberately, staying warm, and enjoying the quieter rhythm of the season, not racing from one attraction to the next.

 

Planning Your January Stay: What to Pack & How to Prepare

January in New York is crisp, cold and often beautiful, with temperatures hovering between 26°F–42°F (–3°C and 6°C). The wind can make it feel significantly colder, especially around Times Square’s wider streets, so packing smartly helps keep your trip comfortable and budget-friendly.

Start with a reliable winter coat, ideally insulated or down-filled, and add thermal layers that can be adjusted throughout the day. Waterproof boots or shoes will make winter walks far more enjoyable, whether you’re navigating slush near Bryant Park or strolling along Fifth Avenue. Accessories matter: gloves, a scarf and a warm hat can make the difference between a quick photo stop and a memorable winter wander. A compact umbrella comes in handy for mixed snow-and-rain days, while a portable charger helps offset how quickly phones drain in the cold.

Staying at Margaritaville Resort Times Square means you don’t have to plan long stretches outdoors. You can step out for a morning skate, visit a museum, explore a market, then slip back inside to warm up before heading out again, a major advantage during New York’s chilliest month.