Heat of Summer vs Cold of Winter Visit

[purpleshowtunes]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 7:28pm

In an effort to maximize my budget. Which time of year would help stretch my vacation budget. I plan to spend a week and pack the time with as many shows possible. Any tips, tricks and thoughts greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 8:22pm

What about Spring or Autumn?

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 8:30pm

If you want to cram as many shows in as possible, then the week between Christmas and New Year's is the time to go.  The city will be packed, but it will be festive (people will say "Happy Holidays! as they push you on 8th Ave. J/K).  That is the only week of the year where you can see a matinee and evening show AND an early morning show or late afternoon show since the Radio City Spectacular has 11am/5pm shows and NYCB Nutcracker have the occasionally oddly-timed show. The drawback: it is the biggest week of the year on Broadway, so usually the only way to get discounts that week is doing lottery/TKTS.  Contrary to popular belief, shows do show up on TKTS that week. 

If you can the week after Thanksgiving or in mid January, that is the easiest time to get discounts because demand is so soft. But, you won't get any matinees on Monday/Tuesday/Friday. Not that big of a deal. 

in terms of the weather, I find winter easier because you can bring two of three sweater/shirts of the week and mix and match them different days. In the summer, everything you wear gets drenched in sweat and the stench of the city so you really can't wear anything more than once in the summer in New York City without washing it first. It's not just your sweat in those clothes, it's all the strangers who rubbed up all over you on the subway and in the bars, etc.  What might be a cool idea: do a Wednesday morning through Friday morning trip in February.  See 4 shows in two nights.  then, do a Saturday morning to Monday morning trip in early September. See 4 shows in two nights again. You won't have to pack 40 pairs of underwear that way. 

[madela2]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 9:00pm

I'm not sure how far you are traveling from or what your travel costs but I would also suggest multiple shorter trips instead of one long week, especially if your goal is to cram shows in. Though, if you are wanting to do a lot of sightseeing it might not be ideal.

Generally, I travel Friday morning and leave Monday (occasionally Sunday night). That way I can get 5 shows in without burning up a week of vacation days and hotel costs. Last year I think I did 5 weekends. I'm trying to take it a little easier this year. I've already done two weekends this year so we'll see how that goes...

Anyway, happy travels!

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 9:16pm

If you really want to see as much as you can and save money try mid to late January. It's so quiet around this time and easy to save tons of cash. 

[Esther2]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 10:40pm

I usually make my trips in January/February and July/August.  Hotels are so much less expensive during those months.