You know you want to go...SHOPPING...on a budget, that is! ;) I highly recommend going to Nordstrom Rack, Shake Shack, and the 2nd-story bar with a beautiful view of the downtown Manhattan skyline. Hot chocolate or tea is always an option and will keep you warm around that time of year. The outlet mall is located 5 minutes away from the St. George Ferry terminal (Staten Island of the ferry).
Great place to escape into a beautiful garden and take amazing pictures. There is a tunnel with branches and looks wonderful all season long! There is also a Japanese Garden where you can pay $6-10 to enter and take some wonderful pictures with gorgeous cultural architecture with a bamboo forest! These gorgeous grounds are located less than 15 minutes away from the St. George Ferry terminal (Staten Island Side of the ferry.) If you plan to drive, it is located in an area that has street parking.
One of the first places where Kat worked, at the age of 16! She started with an internship at the Lawfirm's library, which eventually became her first experience working within the professional world. This is also, a wonderful place to see the huge NYC Christmas Tree, shop at the Rockefeller Plaza underground with Dunkin Donuts, go ice skating, or watch the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular show.
In the city that never sleeps, there has to be something playing on Broadway or off, either way; the good news is, you have options! Plus, it is an iconic New York City thing. HIGHLY recommend the newest shows if they're playing: "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" and "Back to the Future" on Broadway; near Rockefeller Plaza (Top of the Rock)