Burrow into New York this season

Winter in New York has a sparkle all its own, especially to bargain hunters. This month and next, many hotels, restaurants, and shops have offers special to this time of the year. Some examples:

A Paint the Town promotion offers savings on arts, culture, entertainment, cuisine, shopping, and hotel stays through Feb. 28. For instance, visitors paying with an American Express card get a complimentary third night with a two-night stay at participating luxury hotels, including the Carlyle, New York Palace, Plaza Athénée, Mandarin Oriental New York, Regency, St. Regis, and Trump International Hotel and Tower. Other savings include two-for-one admissions and other discounts in all five boroughs.

Visit www.nycvisit.com and click on Paint the Town for a list of offers or call 800-NYC-GUIDE for a brochure.

Any credit card, or even cash, will do for Winter Restaurant Week, Jan. 23-27 and Jan. 30-Feb. 3. Some 200 restaurants will join in offering prix-fixe, three-course lunch menus for $24.07 and three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $35. Restaurants will include Nobu, Union Square Cafe, Spice Market, 66, davidburke & donatella, Vento, and V Steakhouse.

(The fine print: Those prices do not include beverages, taxes, and tips. Not all restaurants serve both lunch and dinner.)

For the full list of participating restaurants, visit www.nycvisit.com and click on NYC & Co. Restaurant Week 2006; to reserve online, go to www.opentable.com.

A fine time for a shopping spree is during Tax Free Week. From Jan. 30-Feb. 5, retailers will waive the standard sales tax on clothing and footwear items under $110. If you're a browser, though, the Fashion Institute of Technology shows off thousands of designer costumes and accessories, fabrics from around the world, and the work of fashion photographers in its free museum. (Call 212-217-5800 or visit www.fitnyc.edu.) If you visit Macy's, the world's largest department store, head for the visitors center on the 34th Street balcony. Consultants will give you information about the store and can also help arrange theater tickets, dinner reservations, and sightseeing. (Call 212-695-4400.)

The Salisbury Hotel in midtown Manhattan has a winter promotion beginning today, with rooms at $149 a night for two Sunday-Wednesday and $159 Thursday-Saturday. The offer runs through March 15.

Call 888-NYC-5757 or visit www.nycsalisbury.com.

One way to stay warm, enjoy yourself, and not spend too much is to visit one of the city's many offbeat museums. The New York City Police Museum, for instance, provides an inside look at the massive agency, with turn-of-the-century mug shots, photos of notorious crooks, a display of police vehicles, a model of a jail cell, and a solemn exhibit honoring every NYPD officer killed in the line of duty throughout the department's history. Suggested admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children ages 6 to 18.

Call 212-480-3100 or visit www.nycpolicemuseum.org.

Getting an airplane seat in coach is beginning to have a lot in common with buying a stripped-down car. Budget Travel Online notes that as of this month, American Eagle, the regional carrier for American Airlines, is charging $1 for a 12-ounce soda. Terry Trippler, a specialist on airline happenings, sees that trend continuing, with possible extra charges from various airlines for everything from exit row seats to carry-on bags. There will still be sales -- witness the New Year's sales by several airlines -- but don't expect as many, what with increased demand and higher fuel costs.

You've got to hand it to Montreal for finding many ways to brighten those cold winter days. The seventh edition of the Montreal High Lights Festival, which celebrates music, theater, and fine food, will take place Feb. 16-26. This year, there are two money-saving packages. The Hotel St-Paul package begins at $346 for one night and $485 for two nights and includes accommodations in a superior guest room, a five-course dinner at the Cube restaurant, a continental breakfast buffet, turndown service with chocolates, a Casino de Montréal certificate worth about $17, and a gift. (Visit www.hotelstpaul.com or call 866-380-2202.) The Hotel Place d'Armes package begins at $425 and features accommodations for two nights in a king superior room, dinner for two at Aix Cuisine du Terroir restaurant, wine and cheese both nights, continental breakfast, and a casino certificate worth about $17. (Visit www.hotelplacedarmes.com or call 888-450-1887.)

For information on High Lights, visit www.montrealenlumiere.com.

When a new lodging place is opened or an older one is renovated, there are introductory offers. Take the Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah, with redesigned and enlarged rooms and the new Sagestone spa and salon. A sneak preview package starts at $209 per person per night, with a three-night minimum, and features accommodations, healthy living classes and events, three healthy gourmet meals daily, morning hikes each day among the area's red rock setting, unlimited fitness classes, and full use of spa facilities. Average daytime temperatures now are in the upper 50s.

Call 800-407-3002 or visit redmountainspa.com, where you can enter your name for a free getaway.

Fans of the new Woody Allen movie ''Match Point" can get a free map to help them visit places shown in the movie, such as the Tate Modern, Royal Opera House, New Bond Street, Mount Street Gardens, Belgravia, Marylebone, Notting Hill, Chelsea, and Seven Dials in Covent Garden.

Call 800-462-2748 or download the map, and those for other movies as well, at www.filmlondon.org.uk/moviemaps. Maps and city information are also available at www.visitlondon.com.

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.