No matter what type of travel you’re into, New York City is a destination that nearly everyone wants to visit. This cultural hub hosts theater, history, music, fashion, technology, and media, and to be in the midst of it all? Now that’s a one-of-a-kind experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Unfortunately, The Big Apple is notoriously pricey to live in let alone visit. However, you can take the following steps to maximize your greenbacks without sacrificing any experiences.
Image via Flickr by Martin de Lusenet
Get a Hotel Near a Metro Station
Although the outskirts might be cheaper in terms of cost per night, you’ll be paying in time and transportation to get to everything you need to see. Avoid staying in pricey neighborhoods such as Midtown Manhattan, SoHo, or Flatiron. Instead, check for coupons on hotel deals from Priceline and search for New York City hotel deals before your stay. You can find last-minute deals on rooms that have yet to sell.
Eat From the Food Trucks
You can find gourmet food at an affordable price on the streets of New York City, where food trucks serve everything from classic hot dogs and pizza to trendy creations such as acai bowls, cupcakes, and five-cheese sandwiches. Not sure where to start? Check out this food truck tracker to spot the exact location of many food trucks at any given time.
Opt for Public Transportation
New York has a labyrinth of subway tunnels that can get you anywhere with a few connections and all within a reasonable amount of time. Buy a multi-day pass to save on transportation. Don’t rent a car or take a taxi unless you have absolutely no other way to get around. Expect parking fees, traffic, and tolls. Although the subway map might look intimidating, you can easily get the hang of the system after a few trips.
Take Advantage of the Free Activities
Walk through Central Park, where musicians and street performers entertain in hopes of receiving a small donation. The city has also recently created the High Line, a public park atop an old elevated rail line that weaves through interesting parts of New York City. Instead of taking a pricey cruise, hop on the Staten Island Ferry, which transports visitors to and from the Statue of Liberty for free. Tracy from Tracys New York Life also suggests exploring the parks and attending the parades!
Save on Entertainment
You can get discount Broadway tickets at the TKTS booths located all around the city, but your best bet is to go to a theater hours before the production to see if any tickets remain to be sold. If Broadway is out of your budget, then check the calendar section of New York magazine’s website that often features free or cheap activities and shows.
Hopefully, with the help of these money-saving tips, you’ll be able to see all the tourist highlights for less than you expected. As a side note, the “I Love (with a heart) NY” T-shirt is totally worth the extra $10.
I wrote this post in collaboration with Goodshop.