Visiting New York City can be expensive, so for those on a budget, January might be the time to go. The flights and accommodations are at their cheapest and you'll find that the crowds are smaller. The frigid weather makes a lot of things difficult, but if you can bear it, there are some fun things to do in New York City in January.
Restaurant week at the end of January gives visitors and native New Yorkers a chance to sample delicious food from some of New York's most popular restaurants at a fraction of the normal price. Places likes Del Posto and Safran will offer three- or five-course fixed price menus with discounts of up to 50 percent off only at this time of year.
This joyful and festive Latin American cultural celebration takes place on January 6 in East Harlem. It celebrates the three kings who visited the birth of Jesus Christ. The streets are decorated with props and prominent members of the community play the role of the three kings in the parade. Watch the dancing and listen to the music and storytelling.
Join in with the crowd celebrating the life of one of the most inspiring men in American history, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade takes place on the third Monday in January every year. It goes down Fifth Avenue from 61st to 86th Street.
The weather will be cold so it's a good idea to wrap up well before heading out to take advantage of the post-holiday clearance sales in New York. Well known shops slash their prices. Diesel, for example, usually takes up to 50 percent off some items and Paul Stuart slashes prices by as much as 80 percent. These sales will last for the first week or two at the beginning of January.
Take advantage of the cold weather by ice skating in Central Park. In the buildup to Christmas this can be a bit of a tourist hot spot, but if you prefer to have more freedom to move and relax as you skate then January is the time for you. As you skate, enjoy the backdrop of Manhattan skyscrapers.
