New York is my favourite place on planet Earth! There is just something about it and I love it so much. I went once to “get it out my system” but fell in love instead. I’ve been back on two more subsequent trips but a visit involves a lot of planning and saving between trips. New York City, in particular the Island of Manhattan, is an extremely expensive places to go. If you are clever though – you can fill a lot of your time with free or really cheap activities allowing you to fit more in! Here’s my favourite things to do when in New York on a budget.
There are loads of free walking tours available in New York. One of my favourite websites is freetoursbyfoot.com. They also offer other destinations in the world but there is a whole selection of ones available in New York. Whatever your interests – finance, architecture, history or shopping – you will find something that is perfect for you. They are all free although you can tip the tour leader if you want at the end. My favourite walking tour I did was through ztrend– it was a vintage and thrift store shopping tour. The guide took us to several stores – all of which were amazing. She clearly knew her stuff, and where to find things. This was one of my highlights of my most recent trip to NYC! You can of course go for a self guided tour with a map – but it is up to you! 🙂
The Staten Island Ferry goes from the South Ferry on the southern Tip of the Island of Manhattan, over to Staten Island. It is 100% free and it is amazing! It runs 24/7 and gives amazing views of the Statue of Liberty. You will have to get off the ferry at Staten Island and then get back on again to return to Manhattan (you can’t just stay on-board) but it’s a small price to pay for such a brilliant trip! It can get a bit windy but it is worth the experience.
Central Park is arguably the most famous park in the world. There is so much you can do there and it is free to walk around it. You might want to visit some of the famous monuments such as the Bethesda fountain or the Alice in Wonderland statue. Taking advantage of the space and air, picnics are a firm favourite. Make the most of opportunities to people watch and take in the scenery as well as climb up to the Belevedere Castle. You could easily spend a day in the park and not spend a penny (or a cent)!
I love a bit of celebrity spotting! New York is full of them so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled. My top tip for seeing them is to browse the theatre listings. See who is in what show and at what time. My favourite (and first) celebrity spotting in New York was a complete accident. We’d just arrived in New York and taken our bags to the hotel. We went out for a walk and as we turned a corner we saw a crowd of people outside of a theatre. I realised that the sign was for a show that one of my favourite celebrities is in, but that I couldn’t budget time or money to see on that trip. It had just finished a matinee performance and he was outside talking to fans! I went over and apologised for not seeing the show but I had literally just stepped off the plane. I told him I was a massive fan, and he welcome me to New York and I got a picture!
Dule Hill – star of Psych, The West Wing and Suits!
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most amazing and iconic experiences you can have in New York. It is completely free – just watch out for the thousands of other tourists doing the same. You can also get great views from the far side of the bridge back across to Manhattan.
So many TV shows and films have been filmed or set in New York. There are numerous tours that you can pay for to visit these sites but if you are clever and do your research you can do them for free. My favourite ones that I’ve visited are the corner of “Grove & Bedford” – the building used as the setting for Friends, Carrie’s steps from “Sex and The City” at 64 Perry Street, and McGee’s Pub which inspired McLarens from “How I Met Your Mother”.
FAQs
Have fun on your tirp smf, although it sounds like you will have no problem doing that! Carry about $100 a day in cash. Use credit cards for the rest. The $3,000 each is a reasonable budget for 7 days on vacation.
Is $100 dollars a day enough for New York? ›
If visitors are cautious about planning their travel, accommodations, transportation and itinerary, it is absolutely possible to visit New York City on a budget and still have a great time. Here are some tips on how to successfully do New York City on $100 a day.
Is it possible to do New York on a budget? ›
Can you visit New York on a budget? Yes! Ok, ok, we're not going to lie, New York is pretty spenny! There's definitely cheaper places in the world you could visit but, to be frank, nowhere else in the world is New York.
What is a realistic budget for NYC? ›
Cost of living in NYC broken down
Depending on your lifestyle, your living expenses in New York will vary. But overall, the cost of living in New York for a single person is $4,130. Whereas the average cost of living in NYC per month for a family of 4 is around $8,925 (renting a 2-bedroom apartment).
Is $1000 enough for 5 days in New York? ›
If you plan to stay at a 5-star hotel and dine at upscale restaurants in Manhattan, then a budget of $1000 is definitely not going to cut it. However, if you book a mid-tier hotel and take advantage of the many free things to do in New York, then a budget of $1000 is just fine.
What is a livable salary in NYC? ›
A single adult living in New York City would need to make $138,570 a year in order to live comfortably, according to the study. That equates to an hourly wage of $66.62. To cover the cost of just necessities as a single person in New York City, you would need to make an estimated $70,000, according to SmartAsset.
How much money do you need for 5 days in New York? ›
I used to average around $100 per day but it's gotten up closer to the $150 the last few trips. I recommend buying some of your sightseeing in advance such as Broadway, sightseeing tickets such as the observatories and SOL.
Can I live off 100k in NYC? ›
Approximately $100,000 in annual income would be required to meet rent, food, and other needs based on the number of children. For a couple who wants to live in a two-room apartment and cover all other expenses, a good option would be to earn between $60,000 and $80,000 per year for each partner.
How much money do you need for 3 days in NYC? ›
The average price of a Weekend 3-day trip to New York City, United States is $1109 for a solo traveller, $1885 for a couple, and $2440 for a family of 4. New York City city centre hotel range from $322 to $806 with an average of $403 per night, while Airbnb rentals will cost you $101 per night for the entire apartment.
Should I carry cash in New York? ›
Cash is widely accepted in NYC, including at local businesses and for transportation. Carrying cash provides a tangible and controlled way to manage spending. ATMs are plentiful in NYC for easy access to cash when needed. Cash is essential for tipping culture and at events that operate on a cash-only basis.
Emergency Food
You can pick up food packages at a food pantry or get a meal at a soup kitchen. Find Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens near you. You can also visit nyc.gov/donate for other local food resources. Select Find and Food/Beverage on the website, then enter your address.
How to eat in New York on a budget? ›
35 Best Cheap Eats in NYC
- 1 / 36. Photo: Armando Rafael. Bargain Bites in the Big Apple. ...
- 2 / 36. Photo: Jean Schwarzwalder. Malaysian Treats at Kopitiam. ...
- 3 / 36. Falafel at Mamoun's. When in search of cheap eats, head for the college kids' hangouts. ...
- 4 / 36. Seafood Tacos at Los Mariscos.
It's posited as the ideal way to budget, and it goes like this: 50 percent of your take-home pay is supposed to go toward necessary expenses and essentials (think rent, utilities, food, transportation, and any other fixed payments that you have to pay every month), 20 percent is supposed to go to savings, and 30 ...
What is the cheapest way to travel in NYC? ›
You can use public transportation to avoid the hefty cab prices. Take the JFK's AirTrain, their public transit line to connect with New York City's subways, buses, and rails. Public transportation is the most affordable way to get to downtown, and may be the fastest with traffic.
How much is a meal in New York? ›
We know visitors that eat in NYC for USD$20-30/pp per day if they stick to the food stands, salad bars, “boxed” meals from places like Whole Food and/or the Food Emporium, and purchase their beer at the supermarkets and their spirits at places like Warehouse Wines and Spirits (in the Village).
How much spending money for 1 week in New York? ›
A one week trip to New York City usually costs around $2,281 for one person and $4,561 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. A two week trip to New York City on average costs around $4,561 for one person and $9,123 for two people.
How much money is $3000 a week? ›
If you make $3,000 per week, your Yearly salary would be $156,000.
How many dollars do you need for 4 days in New York? ›
Citing the fact that New York is the one of the most expensive cities in the world. It would cost you around 1500 USD ( this figure can fluctuate depends on where are staying hotel or rented apartments). PS : this is only leaving cost. if you like to parting out, shopping at Times Square bruh there will be no limit.
