Manhattan is just a part of the beautiful city of New York, but the majority of those who visit New York are only concentrating on visiting Manhattan. The island is packed with restaurants, clubs, theaters and tourist attractions, enough to keep you busy during your vacation. Manhattan, however, is also a very expensive area of New York, so don’t expect to find low prices when it comes to both accommodation and flights.
Aside from hitting the stores and checking out the club and theatre scenes in Manhattan, don’t forget to visit some of its landmarks: the Brooklyn Bridget, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the touristy Rockefeller Center.
Planning your budget
Many travelers plan to visit Manhattan before the winter holidays (or for the holidays) to enjoy the special feel of the island and to do some shopping. There are numerous New York vacation packages available and, in most cases, you’ll be able to save some money.
There’s always the option to create your own package, by booking the flight and accommodation independently. The city is served by three airports so it is quite easy to find cheap flights to New York . However, this time of the year is considered high season, which means the airfare will be a bit more expensive. Needless to say, you can always benefit from the airlines special offers, especially if you like to fly with a particular airline.
Once you’ve got the flight secured, it’s time to look for a place to stay. In general, Manhattan is not a cheap area of New York but there are a lot of hotels and budget places to stay. Finding cheap hotels in Manhattan might be harder during this time of the year, but not impossible.
What to do in Manhattan
December is a beautiful month in Manhattan. Every activity revolves around the Christmas celebrations. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be illuminated on December 2, 2009 (and will come down on January 7, 2010).
Spending some time at the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is another favorite activity both among locals and tourists. The rink typically opens on Columbus Day weekend and closes in early April. Skating at Rockefeller Center is the quintessential New York winter experience but do remember that you’ll be paying a premium for having fun in such a famous location.
Christmas concerts and shows are also part of the entire New York holidays experience. There are numerous interesting performances take place at theaters all over Manhattan. But make sure to book the tickets in advance.
And don’t forget to walk the streets and admire the beautiful holiday window displays in Manhattan. Each department store is doing its best to depict colorful and interesting holiday scenes in their window displays.
Where to stay
When visiting such a touristy place before or during the holidays, it’s a good idea to book the accommodation in advance. Don’t be shy to look for hostels – most of them have private rooms, which are excellent for those looking for a more intimate place to stay – and of course, you should check the budget hotels as well. Do be careful when you choose the location. You’ll probably need to get used to the public transportation system in Manhattan.
Jazz on Lenox is located in Upper Manhattan and offers both double private rooms and dorms. There’s free wi-fi within the hostel and the guests can use the shared kitchen. The hostel books up quickly. Bed prices range from $28.33 per night in a 3-bed private room (shared bathroom) to $14 per night in a 10-bed mixed dorm.
5th Avenue Spot is located only 15 minutes from the heart of New York and close to the entertainment hot spots of the city. There’s free wi-fi within the hostel. The guests can use the shared kitchen. There’s free coffee and tea all day. Bed prices start at $50 per night in a twin private room (bathroom ensuite) and $17 per night in a 10-bed mixed dorm.
Explorers House Upper Westside is located in the Upper West Side of Historic Manhattan, just 10 minutes from Central Park. It offers both private rooms and dorms. There’s free breakfast and free wi-fi. The towels, pillows and linen are also offered by the hostel. Bed prices range from $25.50 per night in a 8-bed mixed dorm to $9 per night in a 16-bed mixed dorm.
Central Park Inn and Private Rooms , located in Manhattan, and offers various types of private rooms for the guests. There’s free wi-fi available for the guests. Bed prices range from $44 per night in a single room, $25 per night in a 1 double bed private room and $18 per night in a 4-bed private room.
The Sky Hostel is located in New York’s Upper West Side, minutes from Central Park and in close proximity to Times Square and Rockefeller Center. It offers 61 guestrooms, including doubles and twins. There’s wi-fi access through the hostel. The linen, towels and blankets are offered by the hostel. Bed prices start at $28 per night in a 1 double bed private room, $28 per night in a twin private room and $18 per night in a 6-bed mixed dorm.
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