Looks like some tix have been going for $45-55 if you can stretch.

https://www.tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf/tkts-live/?tab=LincolnCenter

We went to NYC over New Years. The subway is very inexpensive-- go down and see the tree and walk around, window shop.

We walked through central park and ate bagels.

Pizza is also cheap and good.

Musuems are crowded and not free, so I would stay away from that.

+1 on inexpensive shows in the tkts line if you are willing to wait.

Go see the New York public library on 5th Avenue. It’s free and they have a display of the original Winnie the Pooh.

Go see the Nintendo store, American Girl, Lego, etc. in Rockefeller Center.

If it’s open, view the Museum at FIT.

Like others have said, NYC is very expensive but there are some free things to do if you’re creative.

OP here-

Thanks for the ideas.

The $150 for all four of us is accurate.

No hotel, we’re staying with friends in Hoboken, NJ.

We have two meals out planned (dinner and lunch); we expect to spend under $300.

We will go to the Metropolitan Museum ($100 for two adult and two student tickets).

We’ll check out the Broadway lottery idea. While I’d love to see a Broadway show, it’s just not a choice we can make right now. Just going to NYC for three days is a huge treat for our family.

New York City actually has a ton of activities available on Groupon at a low price but most of them are outdoors.

Go to Bleeker Street Pizza and get the nonna maria. That alone is worth the trip.

Anonymous wrote:It will be freezing and bitterly cold. Why NYC? All of those things can be done in a more hospitable locale during January.

I’d suggest going no earlier than April.

It might be cold. It might be 45 degrees and fine.

Teddy Roosevelt's birthplace is a federal site, free to visit, interesting historical townhouse.

Lots of relatively cheap places to eat - pizza slices, noodle places in Chinatown.

OP- please clarify if the $150 is total or per person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are taking our kids (17&20) to NYC for three days in Jan. Both kids like window shopping, music and performances.

Any ideas of cheap or fun activities? I’m thinking one splurge activity of $150 total.

$150 for 4 people?

I can’t even imagine getting show tickets for that. PPs are right - NYC is cold and expensive in January. Cheapest things I can think of are taking a train to Cooney Island - I’ve done it in the winter and there’s nothing to do besides saying you went. But round trip is only like $24. And taking the Staten Island ferry to Staten Island and see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - which will cost your full splurge activity.

Where is your hotel?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are taking our kids (17&20) to NYC for three days in Jan. Both kids like window shopping, music and performances.

Any ideas of cheap or fun activities? I’m thinking one splurge activity of $150 total.

$150 for 4 people?

Lol right, buy everyone an ice cream (or hot chocolate?) Lol

It will be freezing and bitterly cold. Why NYC? All of those things can be done in a more hospitable locale during January.

I’d suggest going no earlier than April.

Anonymous wrote:We are taking our kids (17&20) to NYC for three days in Jan. Both kids like window shopping, music and performances.

Any ideas of cheap or fun activities? I’m thinking one splurge activity of $150 total.

$150 for 4 people?

Apply for all the Broadway lotteries and see what you win. If not, go to the theatre for rush tickets.

We are taking our kids (17&20) to NYC for three days in Jan. Both kids like window shopping, music and performances.

Any ideas of cheap or fun activities? I’m thinking one splurge activity of $150 total.