What's better than a winter holiday festival? New York in winter without the holidays! And of course, some good old-fashioned family fun. If you're here in late January or the first week in February, by all means take advantage of New York's Restaurant Week, when lunches cost $24.70 and dinners are $35 at 200 of the city's top restaurants.

Here are some other ideas on how to enjoy the winter season in New York City.

Bryant Park offers free admission at their ice-skating rink, the Pond, as well as a variety of daily sponsored events through April. There are also company sponsored tents, our favorite is the "Cozy Up with Alberta" tent, where you can test out your ski skills with their ski simulator, receive spa treatment, or play a game of backgammon, all inside Travel Alberta's heated tent. The Pond at Bryant Park is Manhattan's only free admission ice-skating rink. They also provide free skate lessons daily; skate rentals and lockers are also available for a fee. For more information, visit www.bryantpark.org

Imagine New York celebrating the 75th anniversary of Rockefeller Center, then add another skating rink. If that sounds good, book a Skate-A-Date package, available as long as the ice lasts. The Rockefeller Center Rink first opened on Christmas Day, 1936 as the premier artificial outdoor skating pond built in New York City, complete with modern amenities: night skating, a heated house for changing skates, piped-in music and rink-side dining. Over the past 71 years, The Rink has become one of the most visited sights in NYC's more than 150,000 skaters graced the ice last year. Perfect for families, the Skate-A-Date package presents two rink-goers with a delicious two-course dinner for two from the popular Rock Center Cafe with its wonderful views, as well as VIP skating on The Rink, which allows guests to skip the lengthy lines. It can be reserved for the special price of $75 (plus tax and tip) for two people, from January 21 through early April, and is located on 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. Guests can book reservations by calling Rock Center Cafe at 212/332-7620 or visiting the Rink at Rockefeller Center site.

If you are looking for a break from all the New York ice, make sure to check out a performance of Monday Night Magic, a friendly, funny and quite amazing show of whatever magicians with whatever skills are in town that week. This showcase is fun with kids because it's relatively cheap by live theatre standards and takes place in a small off-Broadway house where the audience gets up close (but never figures out) the magic tricks at hand. It's run by Michael Chaut, himself a magician who's performed at places like Catch a Rising Star, The Rainbow Room, Dangerfield's, The Improvisation and the prestigious Magic Castle in Los Angeles, and the quality is fantastic. We've seen magical lasso work, scarves that turn into doves, pretty girls sawed in half, and spinning plates. In intermission, the fun continues as magicians do special acts in the aisles and around the concession stands. Kids and adults alike are bound to love it. The show takes place Monday nights (of course) at 8pm at The St. Clement's Theatre, 423 West 46th Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues), year round. The advance purchase ticket price is $32.50, day of show $37.50; tickets can be purchased by calling 212/615-6432 or online at www.mondaynightmagic.com.

Where To Sleep
Discovering the right place to stay is another challenge, but special New York Sunday rates apply at many hotels during this period. We have two midtown places to recommend.

Among our favorite family hotels, you can take off 20% off at the Loews Regency Hotel at 60th Street and Park Avenue. You'll also receive a complimentary welcome cocktail and 15% off food and beverages (except more alcohol); use Promo Code: NYCSUN when reserving by phone at 212/759-4100. You can read more about this hotel at this link.

At the Westin New York at Times Square, this special promotion gives families 25% off the best available room rate, complimentary continental breakfast and one welcome cocktail per guest. The architecturally stunning Westin is at 270 W. 43rd St. off Times Square, right in the heart of the action. If the kids can't find enough to do around here, this hotel even has its own 25-screen multiplex. You can book this using the Promo Code: NSU at the special Starwood site.

Or, if you have a daughter who is a fan of the American Girl series, you can stay at the Kitano Hotel (212/885-7000) located on Park Avenue and 36th Street. New York's first Japanese hotel is featuring its American Girl Place Package. Valid only Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights through all of 2008, the package starts at $345/N with a minimum two night stay. Included are deluxe accommodations in one of the Kitano's 149 guestrooms, a complimentary American Doll Bed that your little girl can take home after her stay, American Girl activity books, and a late check-out time of 1pm. Additionally, all children will receive a Kitano Kids Club Card which entitles them to unlimited soda and milk and cookies at the hotel's The Garden Cafe and a 10% discount at the hotel's Boutique store.

Your family will also receive a ride to New York City's American Girl Place (877/247-5223)at 609 Fifth Avenue. It features a cafe where patrons can have brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner; there is a theater that features two shows, "The American Girl Revue" and for younger audiences, "Bitty Bears Matinee: The Family Tree." There is also a photo studio and a Doll Hair Salon, as well as SHOPPING for all different types of American Girl apparel, dolls, books and other merchandise.

Check out the New York City tourism office site at www.nycvisit.com for other winter events and hotel specials prior to booking.

by Jillian Ryan