Multi-part question. We're going to New York the second weekend in January for three nights, and I was hoping to find a hotel for $200 or less. (Adult, teen and tween) We were hoping to see Wicked, but how do we get discount tickets for that? Another option was The Addams Family. We were also interested in Radio City Music Hall, but it looks like there are no Rockette shows on during that time . . . . I'm hoping to get a hotel that's respectable, but affordable, and close to whereever we'd go to get discount tickets.

Thanks for any help you can give!

You aren't going to be able to get Wicked tickets at a discount, even in January. I'd suggest a hotel near Times Square. January is a slow period in NYC, so there may be a number of options for $200. Check the usual places (Kayak, Orbitz, etc.)

I'm looking at the LaQuinta on 17 West 32nd Street right now. Looks very economical. Anyone have any experience with this particular hotel?

The Christmas Show at Radio City ceases Dec 30.

The La Quinta is fine, but the rooms are very small, though typical for NYC, and it's within reasonable walking distance (20 minutes) to Times Square or one subway stop. I think you'll have a choice of hotels for around (though perhaps not under $200 a night).

You don't say how many people you are, but that can be an issue in NYC since not all hotels have 2 beds or can comfortably sleep 2 adults plus 2 kids. Keep that in mind. Look for a hotel in Midtown or, failing that, somewhere else in Manhattan or Long Island City Queens that is close to a subway. It isn't that inconvenient to stay in another part of the city as long as you are fairly close by subway, which runs all day and night.

You will not find any discounted tickets for Wicked, and you may not find any at all for January at any price other than super-premium. But many Broadway shows will be discounted, though a lot of shows are closing right after the hoildays. I think Addams Family will be running then, and it is sometimes offered at TKTS. Look on the web site to see what shows are being offered.

There will definitely be a lot of shows (including The Addams Family) offering discount tickets in January, but Wicked will not be one of them.
Check out broadwaybox.com and playbill.com for discount offers.

THis is generally how discounted tickets work. If the show is not selling well (full most nights), or is just opening (and need the buzzz), tickets can be had at a discount at TKTS and on broadwaybox.com, also www.playbill has discount codes for discount tickets as well.

Wicked (a friend is in the orchestra) is selling out still most nights, it is a HOT show, even though it has been open for a few years, so discount tickets are just not available, why discount if you don't have to?

All that said, check the TKTS.com website for shows that have been up recently so you have an idea of what might be available while you are here.

There are 2 TKTS booths, and I always suggest going to the booth downtown at the South St. Seaport. It opens I think at 10am and the line is always short so you can get your tickets early and see more of the city. Why wait in line for HOURS in Times Square.

After getting your tickets head up Water St. to Chinatown for some great Dim Sum.

Also look around for other hotel deals, 32nd St is in the heart of Little Korea, and that area is loud all night long, not an area you really want to say in.

Check all the discount hotel websites for better deals, and check the Millenium Hotel, they have been offering $199nt specials.

January will likely be VERY cold here, so plan on wearing layers so you will stay warm outside and can layer down inside.

You might also try the Radio City Apartments, which is a suite hotel set up more room for everyone. Also the Affinia Hotels are Suites and there are a couple in Manhattan.

Hope this helps and have a GREAT time while you are here.

For hotels, check quikbook.com. They have a lot of options for under $200 in Jan. I suggest you see what they have available, and then do some research on those hotels to see if they're suitable.

Doug mentioned Long Island City, and I tend to agree that it's a cheap, convenient alternative to staying in Manhattan -- short subway ride right into the heart of the action. But be aware that you're not going to get much in the category of ambiance (except maybe for a nice view of Mnhtn).

Take a look at travelzoo.com for hotel offers. You may find some good prices for January and February.

Stay in Manhattan if at all possible. Long Island City is an alternative, but that area is dicy and if you don't know where you are going, the area is mostly deserted at night. I'd not feel safe there after dark, and I have a client a 10 minute walk from the subway there. I walk by that Day's Inn all the time, it is right under the highway/subway. Staying there you will hear the subway (runs 24/7) bridge traffic and local street traffic. There are much better options in the City.

I wouldn't stay at the La Quinta both for location and size/comfort of rooms. The Hotel at Times Square which I think belongs to the same group has a better location, nicer rooms and some have 2 queen beds. But you should be able to book a 1 bedroom suite with 2 double beds and a sofabed at the Radiocityapartments.com within your budget. Same for nycsalisbury.com

You can probably find even nicer hotels with specials on travelzoo.com travel-ticker.com if you wait a bit. You might book one of these others which should be fully cancelable and see if something beter comes along. The Hampton Inn Times Square North is a very good hotel for a theater weekend with rooms with 2 queen beds if it fits your budget.

As others say, Wicked is never discounted in advance. I've heard a few reports recently that they have been tickets at the TKTS booth for Wicked if you want to try. Info on the booths, times etc. at tdf.org/tkts They also have a daily lottery but that's usually mobbed. Info here http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuz...-Only-Policies


There are plenty of other shows that are regularly discounted on the left column of broadwaybox.com, on playbill.com if you register for free and also on goldstar.com "In the Heights" is terrific and closing early Jan. The original lead and author is back in the show so there may not be discounts. Fuezerbruta off Broadway would be fun for them.

If I had my choice, I'd stay at The Muse, Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn close to Times Square (but not in the middle of the craziness).

You won't find discount tickets to Wicked.

The TKTS booth is a great option and lines probably won't be that long in January. Even still, I'm usually happier using the disount codes at www.broadwaybox.com than standing in line at TKTS, especially in cold weather.

If the budget is moderate, I do like the LaQuinta that you are looking at. There's a subway stop at the corner so it's easy to get around from that location. The rooms aren't fancy, but clean and comfortable. There's a free breakfast, access to the business center (I use it to print out tickets and check email if I don't take my computer). There's also a small rooftop bar. A while back I stayed several nights there free (on LaQ points) and then moved to the Hilton on 6th using a Priceline reservation. I was surprised to find how much I missed the LaQ especially since I'd stayed at the Hilton many times before. I like the smaller hotel (shorter wait for elevators), free breakfast at the LaQ, free wifi, and the closeness to the subway. If you aren't looking for "fancy", I think you will be pleased.

There are tons of hotels in the under $200 range on Expedia. We are going to NY that weekend and booked The Muse for $200, although their Dbl/Dbl rooms are more now. But with a quick Expedia search using 3 star or above, 4 persons to a room, Times Square location, 1/7-1/10, I found the following rooms with two beds in each for starters. There were many more.

Intercontinental @ 44th & 8th $215
Holiday Inn @ 57th $126 (you could afford two joining rooms)
Park Central Hotel @ 55th & 7th $207
Courtyard by Marriott @ 53rd & 3rd $199
Hampton Inn at 51st & 8th $161

Sorry...Courtyard by Marriott is on the East side, but still a good location.

As Starrs mentioned with LaQ there is a free breakfast, this is the case at all the Applecore.com hotels and for 3 people that can easily save you $30 a day (or $90 for your whole stay) which you can spend on a show ticket! Check the website for room configurations and hotel locations (and Tripadvisor.com for traveler reviews and photos) You're doing theater but you don't have to stay right IN Times Sqaure - although in January your weather could be dicey and it might be kind of nice to be at a hotel close to the shows. Also look at Travelzoo.com for discounts - there are a few on now that are good into January.

The one really good thing about that Courtyard is that the rooms are huge by Manhattan standards.

Thank you all for your replies! I'm very encouraged about La Quinta, then. We don't need fancy. We need no bedbugs and a place to crash for the night . Thanks also for the info about TKTS. I'll be checking back every once in a while, if there are more comments.

mclaurie said: You can probably find even nicer hotels with specials on travelzoo.com travel-ticker.com if you wait a bit.

I've never used travelzoo. What's the best time range to look for specials? A month? Two weeks? Any special tips for using the site?

As Doug mentioned, LaQ is about 20 minutes from Times Square. The Hampton Inn at 57th & 8th is right in the heart of theater district and it, too, offers a free hot breakfast. At $161 for a room with two queen beds, you can't go wrong.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/h...tyhocn=NYCMTHX

travelzoo.com today is listing hotel offers that range from January into April, and even some for December.