New York City has often made an appearance on the list of most expensive cities to live in around the world. This means that visiting is also usually quite costly. My friends and I would joke that New York has a breathing fee for walking out of your door. Even if you have no intention of spending money you will spend at least $20 that day. With all that said, it doesn’t mean that the city isn’t welcoming to budget friendly travelers! Exploring New York City on a budget just means you have to do a bit of extra research and plan out your activities wisely. If you have a trip planned to the Big Apple in the future but are tight on funds, keep reading for my tips on how to save money in NYC!
AFFORDABLE SIGHTSEEING
Free Walking Tours
Free walking tours are one of the best ways to see important landmarks, and learn more about the history of a city. The tours are free, but they do encourage a tip at the end. However, the tip is optional, and you decide how much you wish to pay the tour guide depending on your experience. Nowadays, free walking tours are readily available in most major cities. In New York City one of the most popular tour companies is SANDEMANs. They have several tour options. The main tour is tip-based but there are more specific tours of Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge for example that may have a small fee.
NYC Tourist Pass
If you want to see as much as possible during your time in NYC then it might be worth investing in an NYC tourist pass. There are several different companies that offer varying packages depending on what activities you wish to do. New York Pass offers passes ranging from 1 to 10 days. They include entrance to several museums, observation decks, and walking tours. You can also decide to go with a Hop on Hop Off bus tour. Top View Sightseeing offers many different packages that include a Statue of Liberty Cruise and bike rentals in Central Park. If you are short on time this might be a good option to see as much as possible in a few days!
Parks & Green Spaces
There are plenty of free attractions throughout the city, which is great for those wishing to explore New York City on a budget! Get lost in Central Park, head down to Battery Park for a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, and cross the iconic Brooklyn Bridge for some incredible views of the Manhattan skyline! One of my favorite green spaces in New York City is the High Line. The elevated garden used to be an old railroad track and stretches from MidTown to the Meatpacking district. In the summer you’ll find food vendors and performers throughout.
INEXPENSIVE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Free Museums
Unlike in Europe, many museums in NYC have paid entry. Some of the most famous, such as the MET (Museum of Metropolitan Art) and the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) have hefty entrance fees hovering around $20/25. For those trying to see New York City on a budget visiting all of the museums may not be feasible. However, there are a handful of museums in the city that offer free entry on specific days and times. If you plan on taking advantage of the free days, I highly suggest arriving as really as possible as there is always a long wait.
Here are some of the museums you can sometimes visit for free:
–MoMa:
The world-famous Museum of Modern Art is free on Fridays from 5:30-9 pm.
–9/11 Museum:
The museum which tells the story and history of 9/11 is free on Tuesdays from 5 pm until close.
–Guggenheim:
Specializes in impressionism, early modern, and contemporary art, and is free on Saturdays from 5-8 pm.
–Whitney Museum of American Art:
Focuses exclusively on American art from 20th and 21st-century artists. Free on Fridays from 7-9:30 pm.
Discounted Broadway Tickets
For theatre lovers, watching a musical on Broadway is a must! However, even the nose bleed seats can set you back almost $100 depending on the show. If you want to see a show but are on a budget then there are several ways to find discounted broadway tickets.
Many shows offer an online lottery service for discounted tickets every day. Hamilton, for example, raffles off a handful of $10 dollar tickets daily. Although there is a slim chance of winning I did manage to win lottery tickets for Kinky Boots once and they were box seats! Another option is to go for rush tickets. Some productions offer discounted tickets the morning of. These are usually the seats that haven’t been sold or ones they keep aside specifically for this. If you decide to go with this option then I recommend arriving as early as possible as there are usually long lines.
If you don’t care which musical you see, then Broadway Roulette is a great option. Broadway Roulette offers a fixed price for many different shows. The catch is that you won’t know which show you get until after you pay and spin the wheel. I tried this once and actually got great seats to see Miss Saigon, which I absolutely loved!
Free Concerts
If your trip to New York City is during the summer then I highly suggest taking advantage of the free summer concert series throughout the city. Many morning news programs, like Good Morning America, host weekly concerts in Rockefeller Plaza and Central Park. However, you will have to be an early bird if you want a good spot, as doors open at 6 am. I went twice during my time in NYC and would say that it was definitely worth the early morning start.
BEST NYC VIEWS
Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room
Instead of paying to head up to the Observatory Deck of the Rockefeller Center, grab a cocktail a few floors down at Bar SixtyFive. The bar is located on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller building. The bar has a wraparound terrace that provides some of the best views, including the Empire State Building. There is no fee to head up to the bar, but there is a dress code, so make sure to avoid wearing shorts, flip flops, or tanks. Drinks are a bit pricey, with beers costing around $10, but the view is worth it. Plus you’ll save the $41 fee for the observatory deck just a few floors up!
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a must-see for those wishing to visit New York City on a budget. The park located at the foot of Brooklyn Bridge offers some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline for free! Either ride the subway into Brooklyn or cross the iconic Brooklyn Bridge on foot to reach the park.
Cantor Roof Garden at the MET
If a trip to the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) is on your itinerary then make sure to check out the rooftop bar inside the museum. Cantor Roof Garden is one of the most unique rooftop bars I have ever been to. It has sculptures throughout and impeccable views of Central Park and the surrounding skyscrapers.
Bar Hugo
For breathtaking views and discounted drinks, head to Bar Hugo in SoHo. The small bar is located on the rooftop of the Hugo Hotel and overlooks the Hudson River. Therefore, you’ll get a view of both downtown Manhattan and the New Jersey skyline. It has relaxed vibes and delicious cocktails. Make sure you go for Happy Hour as most of the drinks are discounted during this time!
LOW-COST TRANSPORTATION
Ride the Subway
The main method of transportation in NYC is the subway. A single-ride ticket costs $2.75 and the physical card costs another $1. For those spending several days in the city, it might be worth purchasing the 7-day unlimited pass for $33. The subway system is quite extensive and one ticket can take you all the way from the Bronx to Coney Island. Check out the MTA website for updated fares and subway maps.
Rent a Bike
If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a Citi Bike. Pick one up at any of the docking stations around the city, and there is no need to reserve in advance. You can purchase a day pass via the CitiBike mobile app. A 24-hour pass costs $15. Within that time frame, you have unlimited 30 min journeys included.
Walk
NYC is a very walkable city which is perfect for those on a budget. Manhattan’s layout is based on a grid system and all of the streets are numbered. Streets numbers increase from South to North and Avenue numbers increase from East to West. It might take a bit to get used to at first but after a while, it becomes very easy to manage. The city is very big, however! Unless you wish to spend hours getting from the Financial District to MidTown I suggest you also use the subway every once in a while!
BUDGET DRINKS & DINING
NYC Pizza
Whether you are on a budget or not, trying a slice of NYC Pizza should without a doubt be on your itinerary! For a slice of classic New York City pizza head to Joe’s. Joe’s Pizza is a “Greenwich Institution” and has some of the best $2 pizza you will ever eat. They have multiple locations around the city, but the original and my go-to is the one on Carmine Street.
Happy Hour
In my opinion, Happy Hour is the best time of day in NYC! Food and drinks are generally quite expensive in the city, but there are so many bars and restaurants that offer happy hour specials. In general, happy hour deals are just for drinks. However, there are a few local spots that also offer discounts on appetizers and snacks. One of my favorites is La Biblioteca de Tequila. The speakeasy-style bar has great Happy Hour specials on food and drinks from Monday through Friday.
Picnic
Weather permitting, a picnic is a perfect way to save money, especially if you are trying to see New York City on a budget! All you need is some packed food and outdoor space. Pick up some snacks, sandwiches, and drinks at a local grocery store, and make your way to one of NYC’s many green spaces. Luckily, the city has plenty of parks and gardens, so you have a lot of different options! Some of my favorites are Central Park and Washington Square Garden.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in New York City tends to be on the expensive side. Try going for smaller boutique style hotels to save money. Hotels further uptown also tend to have lower rates in comparison to hotels in the more trendy neighborhoods of SoHo and Flatiron. You can even look in Brooklyn, Queens, or even New Jersey for more budget-friendly places. Renting an apartment is also an option but depending on the area these may be more expensive than staying in a budget hotel. On my last trip, I stayed at the Paul Hotel. It was well priced, had nice sized rooms, and a convenient location near Herald Square in MidTown.
Whether you’re planning to visit New York City for a few days or a few weeks, there are many ways to save money during your visit. Even for those with lower funds, it is still possible to explore New York City on a budget, and take advantage of everything the city has to offer.
Safe Travels,
Vip <3
Read More:
Vip’s Guide to London on a Budget
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