How to do New York City on a budget
New York City’s reputation as pricey and glamorous may precede it but you can still enjoy the Big Apple on a budget. Free ferry cruises and walking tours, affordable Broadway tickets and flea markets are just some of the top tips we’ve rounded up to allow you to enjoy this captivating city without being a big spender.
Shopping – Brooklyn Flea Market
Browse Brooklyn’s best vintage clothing and enjoy a jalapeño fritter or two
It only began in 2008 but Brooklyn Flea Market has already become an institution, regularly topping polls as the best of its kind. The brainchild of two entrepreneurial Brooklynites, Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby, the market sells a curated range of antiques, jewellery, vintage clothing, art and food. The old adage ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ really rings true here; chance upon the eccentric clock you’ve always wanted while window shopping and enjoying a jalapeño fritter. The market operates every weekend – al fresco from April to October and indoors the rest of the year. With an exposed brick and marble kitchen and high ceilings, Brownstone Penthouse is an affordable and stylish accommodation in Brooklyn.
Sightseeing – Grand Central Terminal
People-watch on the marble main concourse of Grand Central
Iconic enough to be featured in Whitney Houston lyrics, Grand Central Station is a free must-see while you’re in NYC. Of course you know what it looks like from the movies, too, but seeing the constant flurry of people criss-crossing the marble main concourse is something else in real life. This historic station would have been demolished were it not for the efforts of the First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, in 1975, who raised money for its preservation. Gaze up at the ceiling mural with constellations painted in gold against a teal background, then photograph yourself with the stations Greek statues and four-sided clock. Stay at The James New York – NoMad a charming hotel, it’s a matter of metres from the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park and Grand Central.
Walking – take a free tour
Free walking tours are a great way to see a new side to the city
Exploring on foot is one of the most rewarding ways to see a city, and New York happens to be home to a multitude of free walking tours. Free Tours by Foot is one of the more famous options, with a choice of districts to visit as well as various different themes including a Greenwich Village food tour, a street art tour and city ghost tour. Expect anecdotes of mobsters, authors, film and rock stars, as well as nods to significant moments in the USA’s cultural history. Tours are free but you’re encouraged to tip your guide at the end. Washington Square Hotel is a remarkably affordable accommodation in Greenwich Village, considering its location and in-house spa.
Cruising – take the Staten Island Ferry
Cruise close to the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry
To see the whole Manhattan skyline stretched out before you, take a ride on the free Staten Island Ferry. Head onto the outdoor deck as soon as you board, and watch the city’s skyscrapers shrink behind you as you cruise out into New York City Harbor. The ferry takes half an hour each way and passes close enough to admire the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the glinting southern tip of Manhattan. With locals often making the commute alongside you, this is a great, local New York experience. Save money on staying in Manhattan by checking into the highly rated Hampton Inn & Suites in Staten Island once you get off the ferry.
Nature – stroll around Central Park
Spend hours exploring Manhattan’s Central Park
One of the most typically NYC experiences you can have, a stroll around Central Park is also free of charge. This vast green space in the middle of Manhattan can easily occupy you for hours, with a sprawling network of paths, lawns and lakes, and even a zoo. In summer, the park hosts free or low-cost concerts, theatre shows, film screenings and exhibitions. And moving into autumn, you can take free guided walks on weekends, taking you around the park’s meadows and historic monuments. HI NYC Hostel is only a 10-minute walk from Central Park.
Theatre – do Broadway on a budget
Broadway doesn’t have to blow your budget
For discounted theatre tickets, you’ll find TKTS booths dotted around the city (Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn). These booths sell tickets for the same day reduced by up to 50%. And they also have an app, which you can download to see what’s on offer. You will need to be prepared to queue, particularly if you’re going for the Times Square branch but if you’re on a budget, it’ll be worth it. Stay at the HI New York City Hostel on Manhattan’s Uper West Side.
Art – go to the Met
The Met’s recommended entry fee is actually a suggested amount
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the country and it houses a vast collection of pieces from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, as well as important Byzantine, Indian, Islamic and African art. You can also wind your way through its extensive collection of period costume and antique weaponry, getting lost in its hallowed halls and ending up on its blissful rooftop garden with views of Central Park. What you may not know about this museum is that the recommended $25 entry fee is a suggested amount; you can actually pay what you choose. With an impressive rooftop garden of its own, impeccable rooms and a short walk to Central Park, Pod 51 is a great base from which to explore the Met.
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