How We Did a Cheap New York City Christmas Trip Without Spending a Fortune
So here’s how this actually went.
We were sitting there looking at flights to New York City during Christmas time, and everything looked ridiculous. Prices everywhere, hotels through the roof, and it felt like one of those trips you either go all out on or don’t go at all.
We decided to just try it anyway—but do it our way.
Two days. Keep it simple. Don’t overspend. See how much we could actually fit in.
Getting There Without Overthinking It
We flew Spirit Airlines. No seat selection, no extras, nothing fancy.
Flights were about $50 each way.
We each brought one personal item. That’s it.
We used one of those small Amazon bags (we’ll drop a link in here), rolled our clothes tight, and packed for two to three days without any problem. Toiletries fit, chargers fit, everything fit. No checked bags, no carry-ons, no extra fees.
You don’t need more than that for a short trip like this.
First Night: Stay Near the Airport
We landed at LaGuardia Airport late, so instead of heading straight into Manhattan, we stayed near the airport.
We booked a room at the Hyatt Place Flushing LaGuardia Airport using points. It was a low redemption, somewhere around 8–10k points.
The hotel had a free shuttle, so we didn’t have to pay for transportation that night, which helped right away.
After checking in, we walked around the area a bit and ended up in a spot nearby for dumplings. Real Chinatown spot, nothing touristy. Food came out in those wooden steamers, everything was fresh, and it ended up being one of the most fun meals of the trip.
We went back, crashed, and got ready for a full day.
One Night in Manhattan (That’s All You Need)
The next morning, we got up early and headed into the city.
We stayed one night at the Hyatt Centric Times Square New York using points again. That one was more expensive, so we only did it for one night.
We dropped our bags at the front desk early. They’ll hold them for you, even if your room isn’t ready. That made the whole day easier because we didn’t have to carry anything around.
From there, we just started walking.
The Day We Packed Everything In
We spent time around Times Square, walked over to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, and made our way through the holiday displays near Herald Square.
You don’t have to pay for any of that. You just walk it, take it in, and enjoy it.
At one point we grabbed a couple slices of pizza. Nothing planned, just quick and cheap. That’s part of the experience anyway.
We also did the tour at NBC Studios. It’s worth doing if you’re into TV or just want to see something different. We saw a few studio areas, learned how everything works behind the scenes, and even passed Mikey Day in the hallway, which caught us off guard.
Late Afternoon at SUMMIT
Later in the day, we went up to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt around sunset.
That timing matters. You get the city in daylight and then watch it transition into night. We stayed up there for a couple hours just walking around and taking it in.
It’s not just a view—it’s an experience. Worth setting aside time for.
Night: Broadway + Skating
That night, we saw The Lion King.
We picked aisle seats on purpose. If you’ve never done that show, performers move through the aisles, so sitting there puts you right in it. We sat a few rows up, and the seats were still great without being the highest-priced ones.
After that, we made our way over to skate at Rockefeller Center Ice Rink.
We booked the last time slot of the night. It was quieter, the tree was lit up, and we didn’t feel rushed. It ended up being one of those moments you don’t forget.
Getting Around (This Part Matters More Than People Think)
We walked a lot, but we also used the subway.
If you’ve never used it before, it can feel like a lot at first. There’s noise, movement, people going every direction.
What made it easy was just using Google Maps.
We’d type in where we wanted to go, tap the train option, and follow it step by step. It tells you which line to take, where to get on, where to get off, and if you need to switch.
After the first ride, it stopped feeling complicated.
It also saved a lot compared to taking rideshares everywhere, especially during the holidays when traffic is heavy and prices go up.
Day 2: A Few More Stops Before Heading Out
The next morning, we checked out and headed downtown.
We walked part of the Brooklyn Bridge, spent some time near One World Trade Center, and made a stop by the Ghostbusters Firehouse for a quick photo.
We also checked out RiseNY, which is an indoor experience that gives you a different view of the city.
Later, we went to Ellen’s Stardust Diner.
If you’ve never been, the servers sing while you’re eating. A lot of them are performers, and it feels like you’re watching a show while having dinner.
Heading Home
After that, we made our way back to the airport and flew home.
It was a quick trip. We were tired by the end of it, but we got to see a lot more than we expected.
The JB Roams Way (aka Jude & Bridget’s Take)
So yeah… if you’re sitting there thinking New York at Christmas is one of those “maybe someday when I’ve got extra money” kind of trips—we thought the same thing.
And then we just… went.
Not in some perfectly planned, Pinterest-itinerary, matching-outfits kind of way. More like, “let’s book the cheap flight, figure it out as we go, and see how much we can squeeze into two days without losing our minds.”
And honestly, that’s what made it fun.
You’re walking through New York City at night, freezing a little, hands in your pockets, looking at the lights, and it kind of feels like you stepped into a movie for a second. Not in a dramatic way—just in that “wait, this is actually happening” kind of way.
Like you half expect Buddy the Elf to run past you or someone to break into a full Broadway number in the middle of the street… which, to be fair, isn’t that far off from what happens at Ellen’s Stardust Diner.
And yeah, you’re tired. You’re definitely tired.
You’ve walked all day, your phone’s at like 12%, you’ve been on the subway enough times that you finally stop second-guessing yourself, and at some point you realize you didn’t actually spend nearly as much as you thought you would.
That’s really the whole point of this.
Not doing everything. Not doing it perfectly. Just getting there and experiencing it.
We didn’t do every attraction, we didn’t eat at the “top 10 must-try restaurants,” and we didn’t stay in some crazy expensive hotel the whole time. But we saw the tree, we walked the streets, we caught a show, we skated, we ate good food, and we figured out the subway like everyone else does—by just trying it.
And that’s enough.
That’s more than enough.
As we keep building this out on JD Roms, we’re going to break down each part of this trip—the hotel, the Broadway show, the summit, the skating, all of it—so you can pick and choose what works for you and piece together your own version of it.
Because that’s really what this is.
Not a perfect itinerary. Not a checklist.
Just a way to show you that you can actually go do this without overthinking it… or overspending.
And if you come back a little tired, a little cold, and already thinking about the next trip…
you probably did it right.
FAQs (Real Questions We Had Before We Went)
Is New York City actually worth it during Christmas?
Yeah, it is. It’s crowded, it’s cold, and it’s a little chaotic—but that’s kind of the whole thing. Seeing Rockefeller Center lit up at night or just walking through the streets when everything’s decorated… it feels different than any other time of year. You don’t need to do everything for it to be worth it.
How much does a cheap NYC Christmas trip cost?
If you do it the way we did—keeping flights cheap, using points for hotels, and not overdoing meals—you can keep it pretty reasonable. Flights were about $100 roundtrip, and the biggest savings came from only staying one night in Manhattan. The rest really depends on what you choose to do.
Can you really do New York City in 2 days?
You can’t see everything, but you can see a lot. We focused on the main spots, kept things moving, and didn’t try to over-plan it. If you’re okay being on your feet most of the day, two days is enough to get a really good feel for the city.
Is the subway hard to use?
At first, it feels like a lot. Once you use it once or twice, it starts to click. We just used Google Maps the whole time, and it told us exactly where to go and when to get off. It ended up being way easier than we expected and saved a lot of money compared to rideshares.
Is it better to stay in Times Square or outside the city?
For this kind of trip, doing both worked best. Staying near LaGuardia Airport the first night saved money, especially with the free hotel shuttle. Then doing one night in Times Square gave us the full experience without paying for multiple expensive nights.
What are the best cheap things to do in NYC at Christmas?
A lot of the best parts don’t cost anything. Walking through Times Square, seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center, checking out holiday displays, and just exploring the streets are all free. Those ended up being some of our favorite moments.
When is the best time to visit NYC during Christmas season?
We went during the week—Tuesday and Wednesday—and it made a big difference. It was still busy, but not overwhelming. Weekends get a lot more crowded, especially around the main spots.
Are Broadway shows worth it on a budget?
If there’s one thing to spend a little more on, this might be it. We saw The Lion King and picked seats that weren’t the most expensive but still gave a great view. Sitting near the aisle made it even better since the performers come right through.
Do you need to plan everything ahead of time?
Not really. We booked the main things ahead of time—flight, hotel, and a couple activities—but left space to just walk around and figure things out as we went. That made the trip feel a lot less stressful.
Is it really possible to do NYC without spending a ton?
It is, you just have to be intentional about a few things—flights, where you stay, and how you get around. You don’t need luxury for this kind of trip. Most of what makes it memorable doesn’t cost anything.
