If you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple, this Affordable New York City Travel Guide will help you do so without breaking the bank!
While there are many places I’ve yet to travel, I feel confident saying that no city will capture my heart quite like New York City. There’s something about this urban jungle that truly sets my soul on fire. It energizes me in ways I didn’t know possible and I sincerely hope to one day call it home. (Bucket list? You betcha!)
For now though? I have the pleasure of visiting and truly – the pleasure is all mine.
One thing that always sticks out in my mind about New York City? The idea that it’s a highly expensive city to visit. Yes, no doubt you could blow your entire budget in a New York minute if you’re not careful. But after several trips to the Big Apple, I’ve found countless ways to really enjoy all the city has to offer at a rate that’s surprisingly quite affordable.
Affordable New York City Travel Guide
And that’s where today’s love letter to New York City begins. My take on how to experience New York City affordably, without skimping on experiences what-so-ever.
I’m going to walk you through some of my totally FREE attractions – as well as budget-friendly eateries and tips for transporting yourself around the city without dropping an embarrassing amount in Uber fees. (I made that mistake once, never again.)
How to Get Around?
New York MTA Subway
It was when first attending New York Fashion Week that I learned FAST just how essential the New York Subway is for navigating back and forth around the city as quickly as possible. Above ground? Traffic can be painfully slow. Below ground? It’s about as close to smooth sailing as you’re going to get. And that definitely comes in handy when needing to zip back and forth across Manhattan.
For your convenience, MTA Metro cards are available at ATM-like machines in the subway and rates are very reasonable! If you’re planning to be in NYC for a week? I’d go for the unlimited 7-day pass which is only $33. You can also pay as you go by depositing cash on your card and using it almost like a gift card.
Pro Tip: Download the MTA app directly onto your smartphone to easily look at the subway map, plan routes or avoid any line closures/delays.
VIA
In Manhattan, I can’t stress enough what a waste of money Uber rides are. They sky-rocket the price at a rate you won’t believe and you’re seriously much better off taking a taxi everywhere. Better yet? I HIGHLY recommend the service Via.
Via works essentially in the same way as Uber – except at a much more reasonable price. Via rides come at a flat rate of $5 plus tax for solo ride. Additional riders can also be added at a very reasonable rate.
Download the app to your phone and I guarantee you’ll be pleased. Major cost saver!
NYC Ferry
A boat ride for $2.75? Yes, please! The first time I traveled over to Brooklyn, my sister and I took the NYC Ferry back to midtown and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how low the fare was. We were able to board the ferry in Dumbo and enjoy what felt like a scenic boat tour of the city at a ridiculously low price.
Even better news? They serve beer and wine aboard. So if you’re in the mood, go ahead and treat yourself!
Getting Cultured at Museums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Blair Waldorf and Gossip Girl aficionados will be all too familiar with The Metropolitan Museum of Art – more commonly known as “The Met”. Located on the Upper East Side, The Met is a MONSTER museum with so much to see I dare say you won’t be able to knock it all out in one day. Admission to the museum comes at $25 a person, $17 for seniors, $12 for students and free for children under 12. (If you’re a student…make sure to bring your ID!)
Granted admission could get on the pricey side depending on your group size, I really do think it’s well worth every dollar if you’re interested in looking at classic works of art. From impressionism to classics you’ll remember from your American history book, you’re going to see a lot of famous works of art up close and personal. The museum also has a fabulous bookstore and several eateries inside.
The Guggenheim
Also located on the Upper East Side, above The Met, is the Guggenheim museum. Truly, you can’t miss it. On my trips to New York City, I typically choose one museum to hit up and I absolutely fell in LOVE with the Guggenheim on my most recent trip in March.
The Guggenheim shows more modern works and I absolutely devoured the Mapplethorpe exhibit during my visit (which is on display through January 2020). Similar to The Met, there is also an eatery inside that has cafe sandwiches, soups and assorted pastries. Admission is also $25 per person, $18 for seniors/students and free for children under 12.
If mobility is a concern, I do vote The Guggenheim more accessible than The Met. Its design is very user friendly and there are plenty of places to sit should you need a rest while making your way to the top.
Top of The Rock
Above Rockefeller Center, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck has striking 360 views of the city that will simply take your breath away. With tickets starting around the $38 mark, I debated including the exhibit in this affordable New York City Travel Guide but the whole experience is just so remarkable I had to mention it.
When visiting Top of the Rock, you’ll take a thrilling elevator ride ascending 70 floors in a short 42 seconds. And when I say thrilling, I mean there is a full soundtrack and visual display to add even more to the experience. You’ll be let out on a viewing deck that’s enclosed and perfect for those who might be a little afraid of heights.
Outside, there are actually two levels for exploring the views. When you make your way up to the upper deck, you will feel as though you truly are on top of the world. There’s also no time limit for how long you stay at Top of the Rock. Feel free to relax on the many benches and take in the sights for as long as you like!
Note: Rates at Top of the Rock vary depending on what time of day you’re interested in visiting. Sunset and sunrise times are peak hours with rates coming at a premium.
Totally Free Entertainment
The Wendy Williams Show
After mentioning The Top of Rock and major museums, you might think this affordable New York City Travel Guide was getting a little pricey. Well, how about some totally FREE entertainment? The Wendy Williams Show might just be right up your alley.
The studio is located right in Chelsea and it is totally free to be an audience member. As with any show taping, the sooner you can get your ticket request in…the better. I submitted mine around three weeks in advance of my March trip and had no issue getting in. The application also asks you a little about yourself as well, so have fun with it!
Important thing to note: arrive early!
Those arriving late are likely to be turned away by the show’s staff. Personally, I think the call time of more than 2 hours before taping is a bit overkill…but I also understand that a lot goes into organizing the show and having the audience secured and ready is probably a good thing to have out of the way in the final crunch time.
Not a fan of Wendy Williams? No problem! Free show tickets are also available for request for Kelly Rippa, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon tapings.
Not-So-Free Entertainment
Long-Running Broadway Shows
Yes, Hamilton tickets still come at a premium on Broadway as do new releases. Such as, I REALLY wanted to see the new show Hadestown…until I saw the prices, that is. You can bet that if a show has a lot of buzz, tickets will be expensive.
That said, seeing a Broadway show on Broadway is do-able on a budget. Wicked, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and more are all long-running shows that have more reasonably priced tickets available. And let me tell you, the traveling Broadway shows have nothing on experiencing a show on Broadway itself. The caliber of the performances will give you actual goosebumps. Chills, I tell you!!
To browse all the current shows during your stay and price tickets, Playbill.com will be your friend.
Off-Broadway Shows
Worth noting, there are also several off-Broadway productions available that will give you an authentic theater experience at a more reasonable price. From musicals, to mysteries, to comedies, to parodies to Shakespeare – there’s bound to be something that satisfies your taste. Ticket prices of course vary by production, but I’ve seen them typically range from $30 to $80 a seat.
Same as above, you can find a complete listing of the current running Off-Broadway shows on Playbill.com.
Totally Free Places to Visit
It wouldn’t be an affordable New York City Travel Guide without mentioning some of the totally FREE attractions you can enjoy around the city, no would it?
Times Square
While I still don’t quite understand the mass appeal of Times Square (it’s just a bunch of ads…?), the good news is it is a totally free attraction to take in. It’s also located very near Broadway so you can easily hit it when taking in a show.
In Times Square itself, there are all the classic Americana restaurants that I bet you didn’t come to New York City to enjoy. Think Applebee’s and The Olive Garden. There’s also a massive (and I mean MASSIVE) Sephora, H&M and other retailers. Be warned, as it’s a go-to tourist location, you’re also bound to get heckled by people trying to sell you things.
Central Park
After finishing up at The Met or Guggenheim, you can also cross enjoy a free visit to Central Park.
The park is vast and features countless attractions within the attraction of it being Central Park alone. From Belevedere Castle to the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, I dare say you’ll find something interesting at every turn. There are also bike and boat rentals available should you feel like dropping some cash.
Boat rentals are available at The Loeb Boathouse and are $15 for an hour – seating four people. Not bad!
9/11 Memorial
While the museum does charge admission, the 9/11 Memorial is free to the public for paying respects.
Visiting the memorial is a very somber, moving experience and one I recommend to all my fellow Americans. While the tragic events took place back in 2001, the memory of that day and the lives lost are still very present in this space. As such, it is important to remember that you are at a memorial and it is not the appropriate place for photo ops and selfies.
If you have it in your budget, I do also highly suggest visiting the museum. In addition to countless artifacts from 9/11 and the events surrounding that day, there’s also a room dedicated to telling the personal stories of the lives lost. To me, that was the most raw experience. Sitting in a dark, cool room learning more about the individuals lives taken when the towers fell.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
I’m actually kind of kicking myself that it took me as long as it did to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Foolishly I thought looking at the bridge in Dumbo was somehow enough, but on my most recent trip I decided to make the trek across and I am SO glad that I did.
Making the walk across the bridge is truly a special experience. Of course it is a major tourist attraction and absolutely packed unless you go early in the morning, but even with the crowds it’s totally worth it. Definitely one of the best totally free things you can do in New York City and a shoe-in for this affordable travel guide. I guarantee I’ll be making this walk again…and again!
Eateries
My favorite way to find places to eat in New York City is using the app “Map My Places“. It’s brilliant. You can plot a point of an attraction you’re planning to visit and instantly see everything there is to eat in the surrounding neighborhood.
It’s essentially the same as walking the streets of New York exploring and looking at restaurants as you pass, but without the extra foot traffic. All the eateries are labelled and when one catches my interest, I can quickly look up their menu and go from there. Seriously, no matter where you’re traveling – I can’t recommend the Map My Places app enough for locating great places to eat! (Not to mention just generally learning your way around.)
That said, I’ve eaten at countless places in New York City during my travels there. Being someone who follows a plant-based diet, I even shared an entire post here about my Vegan Food Diary in NYC.
In addition to those spots, here are some of my favs:
Citizens of Chelsea (Chelsea)
During Fashion Week, I tend to spend a lot of time in the Chelsea area and Citizens of Chelsea has become one of my favorite breakfast joints. It’s an airy eatery with a welcoming staff and a menu filled with fresh options for whatever diet you’re following. Generally speaking, they’re very accommodating and the prices are also quite reasonable.
The Butcher’s Daughter (Brooklyn, Nolita and West Village)
I had the MOST delicious vegan waffle here before making my trek across the Brooklyn Bridge and I’m not joking when I say it was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my entire life. Even still I’m sat here with my mouth watering just thinking about it and I have half a mind to order myself a waffle maker and see if I can recreate it at home. (Of course there’s no way it could be near as good as the real thing.)
The Butcher’s Daughter I believe originated in LA but they have three NYC locations. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner menus available that feature a variety of plant-based and vegetarian options. From savory to sweet, they have it all!
Serendipity 3 (Lenox Hill)
While most famous of their frozen hot chocolate (and the charming romantic movie starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack), Serendipity 3 actually has a full menu. From sandwiches to omelettes and frozen drinks to teas, it’s a rather large menu with a lot to offer.
Whatever you choose for your meal, though, I dare say you’ll be blown away by just how charming the cafe actually is. Given how “urban” New York City actually is, it’s especially special to find a place as sugary sweet as Serendipity 3. Highly recommend coming here for lunch!
Blue Dog Cafe (Midtown Manhattan)
I discovered this quaint restaurant browsing the Map My Places app for a good place to eat near Wicked on Broadway. Thank goodness I did, too, because I honestly don’t think I would’ve noticed it while just strolling down the street. It’s a very small restaurant, with just one long communal table and a few high tops sprinkled about.
The menu features a variety of pub fare, including a large selection of gourmet burgers, salads and more. If you’re in a carryout mood, they also have carry out only locations in Bryant Park, Carnegie Hall and Chelsea.
If you made it this far, you are a rockstar!
No, but seriously. I really hope this affordable New York City travel guide gave you some pointers or things to think of when planning your next trip to the Big Apple. I feel like this is one of those posts that I can continue to add to as time goes on – because literally every time I visit NYC I discover something new.
Thank you SO much for reading! Be sure to leave a comment below about what most excites you about New York City and share this post with someone you know planning a trip. It will really make my day!
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XOXO
Kelly
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