How to Visit NYC on a Budget — From the Top Free Things to Do to Affordable Eats

Here's everything you need to know to plan a budget-friendly trip to NYC.

While New York City is known for its high cost of living, a trip here doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank — as long as you’re equipped with the right tools and money-saving tricks. Sure, the city is home to some over-the-top hotels, tony restaurants, and designer boutiques, but it also boasts an abundance of free activities, affordable attractions, and cheap eats that are well worth a spot on your itinerary. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our top tips for planning a trip to New York City on a budget, including hand-picked personal recommendations and expert insights.

How to Save Money on Flights

If you’re looking to save money on flights to NYC, it’s a good idea to set price alerts on sites like Skyscanner, Hopper, and Kayak. Google Flights also lets you track and compare flights to ensure you’re getting the best deal. According to Kayak, the cheapest times to fly to New York City are January and February, which also happen to coincide with the city’s low season, when cold, snowy weather tends to keep travelers away. Additionally, travel advisor Arlene Sealy tells Travel + Leisure that “flying on Tuesday or Wednesday is typically less expensive” and that “prices fluctuate with demand, so flying around the holiday or weekends is typically more expensive."

How to Find Affordable Accommodations

A NYC hotel room doesn’t have to cost a small fortune — especially if you book well in advance and visit in the low or shoulder seasons. In addition, Sealy recommends joining a hotel rewards program to collect points you can redeem on NYC stays. You can search for hotels that provide discounted rates for AAA or AARP members; select properties may also offer promotions for military members, government personnel, or first responders. For example, Kimpton Hotel Eventi is located in the city’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood — just a few blocks from Herald Square, the Empire State Building, and Madison Square Park — and offers value-packed amenities such as bike rentals, morning coffee and tea service, and a nightly hosted wine hour; AAA discounts are also available.

Additionally, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to stay in Manhattan to have an enjoyable trip. Budget-conscious travelers may opt to venture to one of the city’s four other boroughs. For example, The Rockaway Hotel + Spa — a sleek Rockaway Beach, Queens stay that made T+L’s 2021 It List featuring the best new hotels in the world — has under-$300 nightly rates in the off-season ( after Labor Day). Trust me: A stay here is worth it for the spa and rooftop alone.

Sealy also recommends using a travel advisor since “many times, [they] have special package rates not available to the general public.” Even if they don’t offer discounted rates, travel advisors can help you snag free perks like room upgrades, breakfast, or resort credits. Last but not least, it’s worth noting that most hotel rewards programs are free to join, and many times, travelers are privy to member rates plus perks that run the gamut from free Wi-Fi to late check-out.

Transportation in NYC

New York City's public transportation network is affordable and easy to access. It's $2.90 per ride on the city's many subways and bus lines, and people over 65 can get a discounted fare. I use OMNY, the MTA’s contactless fare payment method, since it saves me the hassle of carrying around a Metro Card. Using it is easy, too: Simply add a payment card to your digital wallet and tap your phone on the OMNY reader at the turnstile or on the bus.

Sealy also notes that the city is incredibly biker-friendly, and Citi Bikes are available for a small fee. There are over 1,700 Citi Bike stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Jersey City, and Hoboken. A day pass costs $19, while single half-hour rides are $4.79. The good thing about New York City is that it’s incredibly walkable — and arguably best explored on foot. Sealy says, “You’ll get to see more of the city and reach your step goal for the day.”

Free and Cheap Things to Do

From museum-hopping to exploring the city’s many parks and green spaces, there is no shortage of free things to do in NYC. You can easily spend an entire afternoon strolling around Central Park, where noteworthy stops include Strawberry Fields (which pays homage to John Lennon), the fairy tale-worthy Belvedere Castle, the Conservatory Garden, and Turtle Pond. While it’s not free to visit, the Central Park Zoo is an affordable activity (adult tickets are just under $20) too. And while Central Park is arguably the city’s most famous, other green spaces abound, including the High Line and Bryant Park. Outside of Manhattan, there’s the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens in Staten Island (the grounds are free to stroll), Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx — the latter is more than three times the size of Central Park — all of which offer a calming reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re visiting in the summer months, consider a visit to one of New York City’s public beaches, including Rockaway Beach (Queens), Coney Island (Brooklyn), and Orchard Beach (The Bronx).

Several of the best New York City museums offer free or pay-as-you-wish admission on certain days and times. For example, the 9/11 Museum offers free admission on Mondays; tickets are available on the website each Monday at 7 a.m. and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum offers pay-as-you-wish hours on Mondays and Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. (While not technically free, the minimum contribution is just $1.) You may also consider snagging a CityPASS, which allows travelers to save up to 40 percent on top attractions; admission to the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History is included, as well.

The Statue of Liberty is another iconic NYC landmark. However, says Sealy, “If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, instead of spending the money and all day going to Ellis Island, take the Staten Island Ferry,” which is free, for a great view. Pro tip: “Make sure to go to the top of the ferry to enjoy the views and take amazing pictures!”

Lastly, while a Broadway show may seem out of budget, that’s not always the case. In fact, says Sealy, “If you make your way to Times Square to the TKTS booth, you can purchase same-day discounted show tickets.” Alternatively, if you can be flexible on show options, I recommend signing up for Broadway Roulette, which allows you to select your desired show date and number of tickets and spin a wheel to see which Broadway show it lands on. Best of all, tickets cost no more than $59.

Eating on a Budget

In New York City, great food doesn’t have to be expensive. Sealy recommends strolling through Chinatown, which offers delicious eats at a reasonable price. Joe’s Shanghai is a personal favorite for its soup dumplings (eight for $14), while other popular spots include Uncle Lou, where you’ll find dim sum dishes like wontons and scallion pancakes for under $8, and Shanghai 21, where many entrees clock in at under $20. However, you can still enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine at a reasonable cost outside of Chinatown at Wu’s Wonton King, a low-key, BYOB joint that’s especially popular among folks in the restaurant industry; don’t miss the roast suckling pig.

Pizza and bagels are pretty much synonymous with New York, and they’re both delicious and easy on the wallet. For an authentic slice, head to NY Pizza Suprema, beloved by the late Anthony Bourdain and hundreds, if not thousands, of others. While I’m partial to their upside-down slice, they have a robust menu of other options to choose from, too. Other local-loved NYC pizza joints include Joe’s (which has several locations), Prince Street Pizza (it’s worth waiting in line for their Sicilian-style square slices, including my personal favorite, the Spicy Spring), and L’Industrie. Sealy, meanwhile, loves Scarr’s Pizza, which offers whole pies or by-the-slice options, plus apps like vegan garlic knots and vegan Caesar salads. Otherwise, if it’s fresh bagels you’re after, look no further than Zucker’s, Utopia Bagels, Tal Bagels, Russ & Daughters, Black Seed Bagels, Bagel Pub, and the Insta-famous PopUp Bagels.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that many restaurants offer happy hour specials, which can be a great money-saving option. Located on the Lower East Side, The Ten Bells offers happy hour every day from opening until 7:00 p.m. featuring $1.50 oysters. $20 wine carafes, and under-$10 tapas like papas bravas, croquettes, and empanadas. Also nearby is The Gray Mare, where, from Monday-Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., customers can grab $6 beers, $10 cocktails, and $7 appetizers such as truffle fries, cauliflower wings, and artichoke dip. Meanwhile, the Mermaid Inn, a seafood-forward spot with several NYC locations, hosts happy hour every Tuesday to Sunday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. that includes $12 wines and cocktails and under-$10 apps like fish tacos, grilled shrimp and avocado sliders, and mini clam chowders. However, in my humble opinion, few happy hours are as great as the one found at Osteria Cotta on the Upper West Side. From Monday to Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., diners can take advantage of $9 cocktails, $5 beers, $7 wines, and $8 bites like personal pizzas and arancini.

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