Money and Time Saving Tips for Visiting The Big Apple During the Holidays {Guest Post}

I know Jen Madden through the community in which I live in Northern New Jersey, and enjoy hearing about her experiences out-and-about the city.  As a journalist, Jen tends to get the scoop on some cool things happening around town, and what better time than the holidays to share money and time saving tips for those heading into New York City this season.  Below is Jen’s guest post:

Visiting the Big Apple can be fun and festive but also a bit hectic no matter what the season – especially during the holidays. And the cost to get in many museums or landmarks can add up quickly. The “New York Pass” seems to be the way to go. For as little as $80 you can get a one-day pass to visit as many of the 80 attractions as you can over those three days for a flat fee.

It saves time as you are pre-paying for admittance in advance and can then skip many lines that, this time of year, can be very long. Passes for one, two, three or seven day periods can be purchased. Attractions included in the 80 offered are Empire State Building, statue of Liberty, Top of the Rock, the NBC Tour, MOMA and many more.

Money Saving: Flat Fee for multiple attractions

Discounts – Select Retailers-Restaurants- Broadway Shows

Time Saving: Pre-Paid admission to avoid lines

Pass Price:1 Day Adult Pass: $80

1 Day Child Pass: $56

2 Day Adult Pass: $117

2 Day Child Pass: $99

3 Day Adult Pass: $155

3 Day Child Pass: $120

7 Day Adult Pass: $195

7 Day Child Pass: $155

Website: http://www.newyork.com/attractions/new-york-pass/

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While flying can certainly be much more stressful and time consuming during the holidays, there are certainly great ways to pass the time if you are stuck at your gate waiting hours to take off.  This holiday season there are ways not only to pass the time, but I have learned you can even sit and order your Christmas gifts while you wait and… hold on…even have them gift wrapped and delivered to you as you wait in the terminal!!

A company called OTG has set up some 7,000 free iPads to use in select airports, one of which is LaGuardia.  With the new technology at the Delta terminal, passengers who are delayed can sit at these iPad terminals, order from a menu of gifts, and have them wrapped and ready to go before boarding the plane.  If you have kids along, they can also use the iPads to play games or watch movies to keep them occupied.

In addition, travelers at LaGuardia can visit the holiday ZADY.com pop-up store featuring timeless style and solid construction in apparel, home and gifts. And passengers arriving and departing from LaGuardia don’t forget to take advantage of their airport concierge that will cater to your individual needs!!

We sure have come a long way from the days of plunking down on a cot at the airport hoping we can finally get to Grandma’s house. So while air travel may be full of delays in the age of stepped-up security, being stuck at the airport can now mean we are not really “stuck”. That is until you get the credit card bill for all the fun stuff you bought at the terminal…

The Scoop from Jen: USE YOUR AIRPORT WAIT TIME WISELY

OTG Offers Free iPads –  Holiday Shopping – Fine Dining and More!!

iPad Terminals: Over 7000 in select airports nationwide

Local Airports: LaGuardia Airport

JFK International Airport

Found: In the Delta Terminals

Learn More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/07/idUS121837+07-Jun-2012+PRN20120607

Jennifer Madden is an award-winning broadcast journalist, wife/mother and longtime lover of New York City. While a junior at Ramapo College of New Jersey she began her professional broadcast career at Time Warner Cable Channel 10 News before moving on to NY1 News. Jennifer first appeared on-air as a sports reporter covering professional teams in the New York Metropolitan area. Her career path then lead her to cover breaking and hard news, politics, features, entertainment and human interest stories. Most recently an anchor, Jennifer also has experience writing and producing segments and shows.