New York is home to some of the richest people in the world, but you don’t need to be a millionaire to have a great time in the Big Apple! Hotel prices and the cost of attraction tickets may seem daunting but there are definitely ways to pinch the pennies whilst still enjoying yourself to the max! Here are our tips to save money in New York City without sacrificing
Eat Away from the Landmarks
Times Square and the surrounding areas are full of restaurants and the location and ease of access seems appealing but restrain yourself! These places are very overpriced and are usually just mediocre chain restaurants that can afford the extortionate rent of tourist hot spots. Take a bit of extra time to hunt down local favourites in areas such as the East Village or Soho and it’ll really pay off, in both price and quality. Also be sure to see which restaurants have pre-theatre offers and take advantage of them. It may mean eating a little earlier but then you have the whole night to explore!
Take the Staten Island Ferry
Official Statue of Liberty Tours are expensive, and whilst they can be worth it if you want to learn more about its history and get up close and personal, you can actually tick off the landmark for free! If all you want is a look at the iconic monument, hop on the free Staten Island Ferry which runs every 30 minutes. You get a good look at the statue and the view of the city as you return is just breathtaking.
Buy Theatre Tickets from TKTS Stands
Located in Times Square and near the South Street Seaport, TKTs offers discounted theatre tickets on the morning of each performance. The shows on offer, as well as the price deduction, varies daily but this is easily the best way to snap up some great deals. Make sure you get their early though as they can sell out fast and be prepared to wait in line.
Spend Time in Central Park
Central Park is one of New York’s biggest landmarks so it’d be silly not to take advantage. It doesn’t cost a thing to wander around the beautiful area so pack a picnic and head out for a day of exploring! Get lost in the woods, climb the rocks or eat on the banks of the lake. There’s so much to see here that you could walk all day and still have plenty more left to see.
Buy a Subway Pass
Manhattan is a big place, and that’s even before you’ve considered heading to Brooklyn, and even if, you love walking round new places, you’ll find yourself using the Subway more than you think. Getting an unlimited Subway pass for just a few days of your stay allows you to visit some of the less central attractions such as Coney Island, The Bronx Zoo and the Yankee Stadium without having to spend on a ticket each time. Just try and pack all of your Subway based activities into a couple of days and walk for the rest of your trip.
