Visiting New York City On A Budget– Here’s how!

New York City sparkles a little brighter in Fall as it dresses up for the winter season.  The city becomes a popular destination for travelers coming to see the iconic Macy’s Day Parade at Thanksgiving, shop on 5th Avenue, attend the theater, and see the dazzling holiday decorations.  Traveling does not have to take a big bite out of your budget though, budget travel can be done when visiting The Big Apple. New York City is a wonderful destination, which everybody should experience at least once in their lifetime. Many people know the city from movies and tv-shows, but experiencing the real deal for yourself, will be magical. Here’s how to do NYC on a budget.

Where to stay in NYC on a budget

In NYC you will be able to find accommodation in many price ranges. Some areas cost more money than others, so you should maybe consider areas such as the Lower East Side, Long Island, or Queens. You will be able to find some hostels, but not many, compared to many other places in the world, otherwise, you can find budget hotels as well.

Another great tip for you to save money, is if your flight arrives in the morning, and you won’t be able to check in yet, you can leave your bags at a luggage Storage place in the city. In that way, you can plan a full day of sightseeing without dragging your bags around the city.

Getting them cheap eats in NYC

If you want to save money on food in New York City, you might want to consider having some of your meals from street vendors who you will find set up all over the city. New York City is very well known for quality street food with bagels, pizzas, Asian noodles, chili dogs, and lots more. There’s no doubt this city is a food heaven that will satisfy your stomach and taste buds.  There are many great resources to find cheap eats in NYC, so make a list before you go.  When in doubt, head for a New York Deli where you’ll find that the portions are plentiful and the prices are reasonable.

Free attractions to consider in NYC

Some attractions cost money, some don’t. Lucky for you there are lots of both in NYC.  For instance, you can take a free trip to Staten Island sailing past the iconic Statue of Liberty on the way, or visit beautiful Central Park, all without it spending a dime. Other options are to take a walk on the famous Brooklyn Bridge, hang out in Times Square, or visit New York Public Library. During the holiday season, you won’t want to miss the beautiful lights in Rockefeller Center, or the store displays on 5th Avenue.  There are so many cool and free things to do and see in this bustling city, so make sure you check all of these out before arriving.  If you want to see a Broadway show, take advantage of the TKTS discount ticket booth in Times Square.  Line up for unsold tickets for that day’s performances and save considerably.

Other useful tips

Besides luggage storage in NYC, street foods, and free tours, there are also other things to consider if you want to save money in NYC. Instead of taking cabs everywhere, consider getting yourself a travel pass and take the subways during the day.  Tourist passes may also give you reduced admission fees for some attractions.  Or a ticket to one of the hop-on-hop-off tour buses is another affordable option that lets you see the city as you move from one spot to the next.