New York is one of the greatest cities in the world. The cool, crowded and cosmopolitan vibe of the city attracts millions of tourists every year. It showcases a beautiful blend of big-city splendor and small-town charms. The iconic landmarks and towering skyscrapers introduce you to a vibrant culture filled with trendy coffee shops, indie boutiques, and classic bakeries. Whether you’re visiting New York City for the memorable Broadway shows, the cutting-edge art collection of simply to admire the skyline, this magnificent city can get expensive real fast.
Don’t turn down your excitement levels just yet, as here are some of the tried and tested tips to save money on your next trip to the Big Apple.
Free Ferries and Cheap Rides
Every tourist must take a scenic ride on a ferry to view New York from an outside perspective. Go for the free rides like the Staten Island Ferry, for a dazzling view of the southern tip of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, along across the New York Bay to the fifth borough. Ikea ferry is rather cheaper on with only $5 on weekdays while the East River Ferry is for $4 on weekdays and $6 on weekends.
Affordable Accommodation
Living expenses is the greatest of all traveling expenses. You can save a lot of money by staying in a decent place, to have more to spend on your food and exploring adventures around the city. Cut the price to under $60 for a single room and shared bathroom by staying in a dorm, pick up options from flat-swap websites or pick one of the Brooklyn hotels near subway.
Delicious Budgeted Food
There are thousands of bars and restaurants all over NYC that will cater to your taste buds and will give your savory options at low costs with ease. Go for a cheeseburger for $8.05 at Waverly restaurant or explore the Williamsburg on weekends to have great food at open-air food stalls. To save that mandatory 10-15% tip, reach out to Gruppo for a mouth-watering thin-crust pizza and Peter McManus Café for cheap drinks.
Take a Walk Through the Park
Another inexpensive and scenic sightseeing is NYC is strolling through the parks of this beautiful city. Artists have taken it upon themselves to transform abandoned parks and buildings into mesmerizing artworks. The High Line is one of such examples, where looking at beautiful views will not cost you big bucks. Central Park and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are other free attractions of the city.
Reasonable and Worthy Museum Visits
NYC is filled with glorious museums where you can admire the art without having to put a big hole in your pocket. Metropolitan Museum of Art in Central Park beautifully depicts John Singer Sargent’s portraits and can be visited for just $25. The Whitney Museum of American Art allows you to pay what you wish for, along with other free museums like Museum of Modern Art, which is free on Fridays from 4pm.
Avoid Cabs and Cycle Your Way Through the City
Unlike the very common notion of taking cabs in New York, courtesy of Carry Bradshaw and shows like Friends, they are actually very ridiculously expensive and most of the residents don’t even take cabs that often. When you’re a tourist of the city, you can always exercise and enjoy the lands by riding a bike. You can pick up a great bicycle from Citi Bike and go for a ride along the whole west side of Manhattan.
Cross the Mighty Brooklyn Bridge
You don’t have to pay a huge amount to a cab driver for crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, as the walking and cycling pathway is elevated and you can stroll down the bridge while witnessing terrific skyline of the city.
Visit 9/11 Memorial for Free
Although the entry to the site is for $24 per adult, but on Tuesdays after 5 pm, you can visit for free. It is created by architect Peter Walker, and honors the lives of 3,000 people who died in the atrocity.
Enjoy your trip to the world’s greatest city with these tips, and keep your wallet safe and sound.
About the Author
Janice Cook is a travel blogger who loves to explore new places, cultures, people and food. Janice says, “Travelling and writing about my travel experiences is my passion and I love to add new destinations to my travel book”.