Tri-State Winter Activities for the Budget-Minded
(and who isn't?)

It's no secret that our corner of the world is not one would describe as inexpensive. However, the bustling tri-state region has a wealth of activities for people and families whose budget lays a little south of a typical CEO or hedge fund manager. Of course that is most of us, and fortunately for us, there's loads to do here that won't put a big dent in your credit card.

Westchester Events

1. "Candlelight Tour" of Washington Irving's Sunnyside in Tarrytown (Dec. 17)

This tour, conducted annually for more than 20 years by Historic Hudson Valley, starts with a trip down a lantern-lit path to the legendary author's cottage and includes such things as manuscript readings, Christmas tales and family correspondence. On display in Irving's master bedroom, the room where he passed away, are his bible and a framed photograph of Matilda Hoffman, his fiancée, who died at the age of 17 from consumption.

The cottage tours run from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 17 and start approximately every ten minutes. Reservations must be purchased online at www.hudsonvalley.org in advance. Admission costs are $14 (adults), members receive a $5 discount; $6 (children 5-17). Free for children under 5.

Washington Irving's Sunnyside is located at 3 West Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown. 914-631-8200.

2. "Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" at the Westchester County Center in White Plains (Dec. 17-18)

The 16th consecutive annual performance of "The Nutcracker" will be performed by the Westchester Ballet Company at Westchester County Center in White Plains

Admission costs for tickets bought in advance are $20 for adults; $14 for children (ages 2 through 10); and $14 for seniors (age 60 and up).

Tickets can be purchased at the County Center box office, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster online or by calling (800) 745-3000, or at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, call 914-941-4532 or 914-995-4050, or visit www.westchestergov.com/calendar/ccorgcalquery.asp

3. Westchester Philharmonic's "Winter Pops" at Purchase College (Dec. 18)

The Westchester Philharmonic will return to the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College for its fifth annual "Winter Pops," featuring selections from Broadway's Carousel, West Side Story, Street Scene, Kiss Me Kate, and more. Broadway star Kelli O'Hara, referred to by The New York Times as "the most accomplished Broadway ingénue to emerge in years" will be joined by baritone Ben Davis, who most recently appeared in Knickerbocker Holiday at Lincoln Center.

The concert will be held in The Concert Hall at The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, on Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.

Single ticket prices range from $25 to $90. Student, child and group discounts are available. To purchase tickets or for additional information call the Westchester Philharmonic box office at 914-682-3707, ext. 10. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards are accepted.

4. Putnam Arts Council's Annual "Juried Craft Show" at Mahopac (Dec. 15-18)

Back for its 17th year, this juried show presented by the Putnam Arts Council at the Belle Levine Art Center in Mahopac features the work of regional artisans and offers for sale under one roof: jewelry, apparel, ceramics, accessories, woodworking, gourmet food, affordable art and more. Visa and MasterCard credit cards will be accepted. Admission and parking are free. Hours each day are noon to 5 p.m.

The Belle Levine Art Center is at 521 Kennicut Hill Road, Mahopac. Venue phone: 845-278-0230. www.putnamartscouncil.com. 845-803-8622.

5.  Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition's "The Art of the Holidays - A Festival of Trees" At Brewster (Dec. 17-18)

This is an exhibition of holiday decorated trees for viewing coupled with receptions on Dec. 17 and 18, hosted by The Town Of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition (TOSCAC) in Brewster. The coalition was created in August, 2010 to promote cultural arts in the region and support the renovation of the Southeast Old Town Hall, a historic landmark in Brewster, built in 1896. The tree-decorating exhibitions take place at The Studio Around the Corner in Brewster.

The Dec. 17 opening-day reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. and will include music plus an appearance by award-winning Broadway musical director, Don Pippin. The Dec. 18 reception, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will also have musical performances by local entertainers.

New York City Events

1) 9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial, on the site of the former Twin Towers, opened last year in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  The memorial features two reflecting pools nearly an acre in size each, and filled constantly with the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. Surrounding the imposing structures are the names of the nearly 3,000 victims inscribed on bronze parapets surrounding the pools.

Not surprisingly tickets are hard to come by. Though entrance is free, due to huge interest, tickets must be obtained in advance via their website.

2) The High Line

One of the world's premier examples of urban preservation, the High Line is an elevated train line located on the West Side of Manhattan that has been transformed into a public park featuring Hudson River views, natural landscaping and a rotating collection of public art projects. Initially running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 20th Street, the second phase of the park opened last summer extending north to West 30th Street.

3) Free Central Park Tours

Central Park, one of the world's most iconic parks, not only offers hundreds of free possibilities for exploring its 843 acres (which makes up 6% of Manhattan if you were wondering), but also is home to daily free tours led by park representatives. For a full schedule of the park's daily free tours, visit the Central Park tour calendar.

4) MoMA For Free

Still one of the best deals in New York, MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is free every Friday from 4:00 p.m. until closing at 8:00 p.m. What's even better is that you can now receive a free tour of the museum, all for nothing. Head to iTunes and download the new MoMA app for you iPhone that includes five tour options, an art index and even background music to play while you browse.

5) Christmas Markets

Remember when Harry Potter and the crew head to Hogsmeade Village and find themselves in a Dickensian Christmas wonderland? Well, this might be a stretch, but if you happen to go at night after some snow has just fallen to one of the various Holiday markets that spring up around Manhattan every December, you just may get the same experience.

Head to Union Square for the city's largest market. Nearby, on Broadway between 13th and 14th street, is Max Brenner, where you can pick up the granddaddy of hot chocolate drinks.

6) Ice Skating In Bryant Park

It may not be as well known as the one at nearby Rockefeller Center, but the free ice skating rink at Bryant Park is a full $19 cheaper.

7) Winter Garden

Just next door to the World Trade Center site is the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center, a giant atrium fixed up after 9/11. All through December you can catch free holiday performances including a performance of The Nutcracker, Danu — an Irish group that will be performing Celtic Christmas songs, and a world holiday music performance by the Turtle Island Quartet.

8) Barbes

From accordion-playing divas to Slavic soul, Barbes in Brooklyn's Park Slope offers some of the city's best and most eclectic variety of free music every night. Drinks are standard price and collection hats are usually passed around after the performances.

9) Jazz at Garage

New York is known for its great jazz, unfortunately it's also known for expensive clubs too. Instead, head to Garage Restaurant in the West Village where you can catch free jazz every night of the week in this former 1920's garage.

10) Free Juilliard Performances

Heading to Lincoln Center for world-class performing arts? Good news for you, many of the performers you're paying to see started out just next door at Juilliard, and all of them spent a good chunk of their time performing for free at recitals open to the public. Performances range from Jazz, Chamber Music, Orchestral, Solos, Dance, Opera and Drama. For a full schedule of the wide variety of performances, visit Juilliard's online calendar of events.

For more options for the frugal, check out the links below.

www.nycgo.com/free

http://www.thelmagazine.com/newyork/25-cheap-things-to-do-in-nyc/Content?oid=1508718

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/york-city-attractions-free-things-cheap/story?id=12307937

http://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2012/12/13/1012605_10-inexpensive-winter-activities.html

http://stephaniesmommybrain.blogspot.com/2011/02/100-free-or-cheap-family-activities-for.html

http://innerchildfun.com/2012/12/10-indoor-winter-fun-activities-for-kids.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/low-cost-winter-activities-2022855.html

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