January In New York City

In the city that never sleeps, January in New York is no exception, offering plenty of things to do. Visitors and locals alike enjoy taking advantage of the numerous after-holidays sales and winter discounts offered by many restaurants and theaters. Of course, ice skating in Central Park or Rockefeller Center is a perennial favorite but it is also a great time of year to stay indoors and explore the hundreds of art galleries and museums scattered throughout the city.

It's New Year's Day and the ball has dropped, Times Square has been cleaned and a new year has arrived. A low-key way to spend the day is to take advantage of the brunch specials offered by many of NYC's fine restaurants, followed by a walk along Fifth and Madison Avenues to see the last of the holiday window displays. Most stores offer post-holiday sales throughout January, so be sure to go inside after enjoying the entertaining displays outside.

Many people are surprised to learn that several of New York City's museums are free, although there may be a fee for special exhibitions. The Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Guggenheim Museum Soho, the New York City Police Museum and the Whitney Museum at Philip Morris are among those offering free admission. The Cloisters, The American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of the City of New York and the New York City Fire Museum all have suggested donation amounts but a smaller contributions are also accepted. Of course, there hundreds of other museums and art galleries in New York City and its surrounding boroughs, so you are sure to find one that appeals to you.

January can be one of best times of the year to buy tickets for the most popular Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Many productions offer discounts during the month and there is usually a good selection of seats available, especially for weekday performances. The Broadway League program, The Kids' Night on Broadway, provides the opportunity for children, ages six to eighteen, to see one of the participating Broadway shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Kids' Night on Broadway also has discounts on parking and family-friendly restaurants.

For more,ice skating is one of the most popular winter activities in New York and if you do not have your own skates, all the facilities stock rentals in a wide variety of sizes. Central Park features two rinks, the iconic Wollman Rink just off of 63rd Street and the lesser known Lasker Ice Skating Rink, which is located south of the 110th Street and Lenox Avenue park entrance. Other popular skating locations include the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, the Pond at Bryant Park and the famous rink at Rockefeller Plaza.

Held annually in January and July, New York residents and tourists are welcome to enjoy great deals for meals at top restaurants during Restaurant Week. Le Cirque, Nobu, Tribeca Grill, Primehouse New York and Blue Smoke are among the more than 250 restaurants that participate in the NYC bi-annual event.