10 Tips for Exploring NYC on a Budget

This post is for anyone visiting NYC on a budget with tips from a frequent visitor. I’ll cover where to stay in New York on a budget, what to do in New York City on a budget, New York City travel hacks, and how to save money visiting NYC. Find out the best things to do in New York City on a budget just like a local.  

My first trip to New York City was the summer after I graduated college, my mum’s graduation present to me was a trip around the USA. We traveled for a month, visiting San Francisco, Hawaii, Washington DC, and culminating the trip in New York City.

I remember visiting NYC for the first time; I’ll never forget getting off the bus near Times Square – it was around mid-afternoon – and walking straight into the hustle and bustle that NYC is quintessentially known for. For a first-time visiter, a trip to New York can be quite intimidating if you’re not used to living in a big city. There’s a lot you need to get used to – the people, the subway crowds during rush hour, figuring out the subway itself, navigating the city, the garbage piled up…I could go on!

On top of that it can get extremely expensive if you’re not paying attention to how much you spend. Since I visit the city so often (my last trip I was there for two months), I always get asked if it’s possible to plan a trip to New York on a budget.

Y E S, it absolutely is! 

After multiple trips over the years and many short-term stays later, I now know how to experience New York on a budget and want to share my knowledge of exploring NYC on a budget with you.

Where to Stay in New York on a Budget

According to CBS News, New York (Manhattan) is #1 on the list of the 10 most expensive cities in America with the average cost of a hotel room being $300 a night. During my first trip to Manhattan, I made the rookie mistake was choosing to stay at a hotel near Times Square because that’s where I thought all the action was!

If you’re traveling to New York on a budget, then I’d recommend skipping hotels in and around Times Square only because the average nightly costs will get you. Instead, when wondering where to stay in NYC on a budget, I recommend looking for hotels in Lower Manhattan – SoHo, the Financial District, and Chelsea. The boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens also have affordable accommodation – just make sure your hotel is within a couple of blocks of a subway station, and you’re all set.

Click here to find your budget New York City hotel or use the search box below

Alternatively, you can check Groupon for great savings on hotel deals in New York City. It’s an underrated option imo but they do have significant savings especially if you’re trying to visit during a holiday/high season.

10 Tips for Visiting NYC on a Budget

1. Museum Free Days

Unfortunately unlike museums in Washington, DC that are free, most museums in New York City have an admission fee. The admission fees can quickly add up (especially when they’re $20 a visit), and it’s no fun when you have to pick which museum you want to explore. Thankfully, a lot of the top museums in NYC have free days or pay what you wish days. It’s one day of the week where entrance to the museum is free or depending on the museum, you pay whatever you wish to enter. Check out my post that details all the free time to visit NYC museums.

2. Take the Staten Island Ferry

The Statue of Liberty is one of NYC’s most iconic monuments, a symbol of freedom and democracy, and a must-see for any first time visitor to NYC. However, a trip to Liberty Island isn’t cheap – a boat cruise with an island stop will set you back approximately $18.

But don’t fret, because there’s another great FREE way to see the statue: by taking the Staten Island Ferry!

Take the 1 or the R subway line (on the weekends, the 2 also runs to South Ferry, and on weekdays the W to Whitehall St) to the South Ferry/Whitehall Street station. Head outside to the Whitehall Terminal where you catch the Staten Island Ferry. During rush hour, the ferry runs every 15 minutes, and at all other times it runs every half hour; it takes around 25 minutes to get to Staten Island. You can find more information on the NYC DOT website.

In addition to wonderful views of the Statue of Liberty, if you walk to the back of the boat you’ll also get to see the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

3. Happy Hour!

Any New Yorker living in NYC on a budget will tell you the best way to eat out and explore NYC’s culinary scene is during happy hour! In addition to discounts on drinks, a lot of New York City restaurants also extend their happy hour deals to include food as well. Check out Eater’s 34 Happy Hour Deals in NYC and Refinery 29’s list of NYC Happy Hours.

4. Free Walking Tour

One thing you have to get used to when you’re visiting NYC is all the walking you’re going to do. Whenever I’m in the city, I generally average between 3 to 5 miles a day…so make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes packed for your trip! One of my favorites is of New York’s very own public park, The High Line, built on an elevated historic freight rail line. The non-profit, Friends of The High Line, that’s responsible for the park, offers free tours twice a week during the months of May to October.

There are plenty of free walking tours offered throughout NYC, you just have to know where to look. Here’s a comprehensive list of all the free walking tours offered in Manhattan and other boroughs.

5. Skyline Views

NYC has some incredible skyline views and I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to shell out money for the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center to get a chance to view them. In fact, in all my years of visiting and living in New York, I refuse to spend money on either of those attractions!

If #skylineviews are your thing, then I recommend heading to any of the rooftop bars mentioned below = prime time is during sunset if you want an Instagram worthy shot. Entry is free, and you can spend your money on a cocktail instead!

230 Fifth

The Skylark

Press Lounge

Le Bain at The Standard Hotel

The Ides at Wythe Hotel

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhIUc-BBcpP/?taken-by=idesbar

 

6. Take the Subway

Other than walking around the city, which is something I highly recommend you do (it’s free after all!), another cheap option to get around is by using the subway system.

A subway or bus ride anywhere in the city costs $2.75 per trip, which is extremely cheap considering the distance you can cover in one ride. You can purchase a Metro Card for $1 from any subway station and if you’re visiting NYC for less than 7 days, just top up your card each time you’re running low.  Find more information here. 

8. NYC Restaurant Week

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Held twice a year, every summer and winter, NYC Restaurant Week is an incredibly affordable way to enjoy the city’s diverse and renowned dining scene on a budget. The three-course prix-fixe lunches run $26, while dinners set you back $42. The name is a little deceptive because each restaurant week actually runs for three-weeks, and gives you access to hip new restaurants, classic favorites and some of the city’s best fine-dining restaurants.

7. TKTS Booth or Broadway Lottery

There’s a lot of recommendations I can make for your first trip to NYC and one that I highly recommend is seeing a show on Broadway. Even if theatre isn’t your thing, there’s nothing like watching a performance on Broadway…for some, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

My first every Broadway show was Memphis the musical. I was able to get a student discount on tickets and while the seats were kinda crappy, I’ll never forget the show. Since then I’ve seen countless other plays and musicals, my favorite’s being The Lion King, Romeo & Juliet, Waitress, and Of Mice & Men. 

While there’s no way to get free tickets to a Broadway show, please don’t pay full price! I like to use the Broadway Direct Lottery to score tickets to shows – they always have a rotating list of shows available. Or check Groupon – they always have significant discounts to a number of Broadway shows. Another option is to head over to a TKTS booth the day of your show of choice, wait in line an hour or two before they open, and you’ll get your same-day Broadway tickets for half-price. Pro-tip, avoid the Times Square booth and instead head to their satellite booths in South Street Seaport or Downtown Brooklyn – they’re less crowded and you’re more likely of scoring your ticket. 

9. Hungry? Grab a Slice of Pizza

The cost of eating out adds up quickly especially when you’re visiting a big city like New York where most entrees cost $10+. My first weekend trips to NYC were while I was interning at a non-profit in Washington, DC  aka I was mad broke and very quickly learned how to stretch my dollar.

What I ate a lot of during that time? Gigantic slices of New York pizza! The average cost of a slice of pizza is around $2.50, but it is possible to find $1 slices around NYC…this one Instagrammer documented his search for them. If you find yourself on the UES, one of my go-to for a no-fuss late night slice of pie is Roma Pizza on 3rd Ave. 

10. Love Shopping? Check out a Sample Sale

If you want to shop for designer items but cannot afford a trip down Fifth Ave, then make sure to research any sample sales that may be happening during your trip to NYC. Sample sales happen all the time in New York and you’ll often times find designer items on sale for up to 90% off retail prices! Talk about ballin’ on a budget.

A couple of things to note about sample sales:

• the more popular name brands will have New Yorker’s lining up a couple of hours before doors open!
• if there are multiple sale days, go on the first day if you can so you can get first pick
• there aren’t any fitting rooms, so wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to change into/out of
• where to find sample sales? Check out Racked, Time Out, Top Button, and The Budget Fashionista

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What are your favorite money saving tips for exploring NYC on a budget? Let me know in the comments below!

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Recommended Reading for Planning Your Trip to New York City

• Do you love coffee? I’m here to tell you that some of the coffee can be found in NYC – read my guide to the best coffee shops in NYC . If you’re visiting NYC in October, don’t forget to check out the annual New York Coffee Festival.
• There are so many restaurants to choose from, why not take a look at some of my favorite places to eat in NYC.
• Wondering how to spend a weekend in NYC? Read what my bestie Shaine (now New York resident) did during one of his many weekend trips to the Big Apple.
• Washington,  DC is a quick train/bus trip away – it’s where I used to live and I go back every year. Check out all my articles on DC in particular 45 Unique Things to do in Washington, DC
• Don’t wait till the last minute to book your NYC hotel – click here to get the latest rates via HotelsCombined