Things to do / Travel Guide
New York City (NYC) is indeed among one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. For instance, dinner at one of the top restaurants and a Broadway show could easily cost a few hundred dollars. While generally expensive, the immense variety of attractions and activities in NYC offers visitors ways to vacation in the region on somewhat tighter budgets.
In terms of accommodations, a room at one of the more luxurious hotels will cost a lot of money. If it is luxury, pampering, and sophistication that you want, Manhattan is undoubtedly second to none. If you long for gold epaulettes on your hotel doorman's shoulders or dinner at an eatery for which reservations must be made months in advance, you'll surely find it here, but it will all come with a hefty price tag. And in terms of attractions, the Big Apple has some that can cater to the fantasies of anyone who can pay to play.
Enjoying New York City on a Budget
Ultimately, however, NYC is a region suited for even the tightest wallet. While a vacation in New York City may seem daunting and budget-busting, it is possible to have a great time without breaking the bank. The trick is twofold: firstly, seek out the places where the locals shop and dine, and, secondly, take advantage of the many free and low-priced activities. Remember - walking around the different neighborhoods, window-shopping, and people-watching are all free!
If you'll be using the subway system to get around, it would definitely be worth your while to purchase a discounted MetroCard. Depending on your travel needs, many types of deals are available.
There are also a number of discount cards, available for one day or more, which offer reduced prices and entrance fees to many attractions. Another advantage of these discount cards is that you won't have to stand in lines to buy tickets for each venue you visit.
Here are two such discount cards for your enjoyment:
- The New York Pass - This pass gets you into over 40 attractions free, comes with a free guidebook, and offers discounts at more than 25 shops. Passes are good for one, three, or seven days.
- CityPass - This pass gets you into six top NYC attractions within nine days of the first use for greatly reduced rates.
Free Activities in New York City
Many of the sights, sounds, and smells of New York City are absolutely free, like a leisurely stroll through Central Park or a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Other free activities include attending an entertaining gospel service at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, or visiting the systematic chaos that is the New York Stock Exchange. Some museums also feature free entrance on certain days. Attending a TV taping is also free, but you usually need to send in a ticket request months in advance. You can also take a free kayak lesson at the New York City Downtown Boathouse.
Other things you can do for free in New York City are browse the goods at one of the local fairs or street festivals and see performances of Shakespeare's plays under the stars at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park each June. Window-shopping all over Manhattan is always fun, as is people-watching in Times Square.
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