New York - things to do on a budget?

Coinkeedinkee · June 2012

Hi everyone,

So we're going to New York for our Honeymoon in September. We live in the UK so it's already costing us a lot just to fly over there and we're already on a tightish budget as it is. So it would be great to get some suggestions from people of things that are great to do on a budget, and also places to eat as I don't want to end up spending an absolute fortune on food whilst we're there, and eating out every day does add up.

I have looked around online and gotten some good advice here and there but just wanted to see if anyone had anything else to throw at us. Maybe some of you live in New York or have done in the past or visit there regularly and therefore have a few tips?

I used to live in London, and whenever I hear about someone from overseas coming to London for a visit I usually do this sort of thing for them if I know they're a bit stretched for cash, but sadly I don't know anyone who lives/lived in New York and the only things people suggest that have visitied there are super expensive shopping trips etc.

So.....anything?

Thanks

thegreeneyedkri · June 2012

Are you a fan of museums? The Met is actually a "donation" so you do not have to pay the stated price (recommended donation). Just give them whatever you feel like and they let you in. You can spend the better part of a day in there (I know I do) because there is just so much to see.

Check out Groupon/Living Social/Travelzoo for different specials/money off offers. I've done quite a few restaurants through there and haven't been disappointed yet. I also got a groupon for The Museum of Sex before which was basically a buy one get one. So we both got in for like $17. The Museum of Sex is really interesting if you can do that! Love that place.

If you like Chinese, take a trip into Chinatown and have dim sum or go to Joe's Shanghai for some great soup dumplings. Most places in Chinatown are pretty tasty actually (and have really cheap prices).

If you like Polish, take a trip into Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It is fairly quick to get to from Midtown. Head to Lomzynianka, a great polish food place with *really* great prices. You could even walk the Brooklyn bridge to get over there (give yourself plenty of time) its a great view and I have done the walk a few times, nothing too strenuous.

Also a fun and cheap idea, head to a deli and get some sandwiches, perhaps some wine and some cups and head into central park. Central Park South has some great spots with huge rocks (or bring a blanket and just hang out on the grass) that you can picnic on. It is actually pretty romantic.

Dont' forget to get some Halal* street meat (chicken over rice is my favorite) from a cart. I recommend the Hala Guys on 53rd and 7th (during the day and up until around 7:00) or 53rd and 6th late at night (but there will be a line!. You can get two chicken over rice for $12 and one is usually two meals for me (though my FI can sometimes finish a whole chicken over rice in one sitting.

DO NOT go into any restaurants in times square area! They are overpriced and usually serve sub par food.

I would also check out TripAdvisor. You'll find a plethora of information on there regarding what to do for cheap in NYC.
NYC Forum link:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60763-i5-New_York_City_New_York.html

If you have any questions, just let me know! I'm more than happy to help.

(* forgot an l)

alithebride · June 2012

one of the tourist passes might be a good idea for yu-they cover entrance to a lot of places. the metropolitan is not the only donation museum (believe they also may have free admission in the afternoon on fridays all summer). the natural history museum is as well. as for better than cheap (free) central park (if you can look online and get the landmark maps it's a great fun walk around), the staten island ferry that goes past the statue of liberty, walking along 5th avenue, battery park, union square, grand central station. a great way to save $ on eating is to hit a deli and pick up some sandwiches or picnic food and head to the park to eat. you can also take the subway to areas outside of manhattan that are famous and fun-coney island-there's an amusement park there and a minor league baseball team and some great food and people watching.
also you can look on yelp.com for the neighborhood you're staying in and review restaurants and their ratings and prices so you have some budget friendly ideas for when you get here.

annamhisle · June 2012

I would check out Chelsea Market. It's a very cool markert inside an old brick building with lots of bakeries, deli's, restaurants, little boutique stores.

30 Rock building is amazing. You can go to the top for a fee & it has the BEST views of the city.

I don't like chinatown. You all might, but I thought it was smelly, crowded & just not a very pleasant place to be.

Great Places to Eat:

Shake Shack

Grimaldi's

Blue Dog Cafe - for coffee & breakfast

Little Owl

Amy's Bread - for coffee & breakfast

Lime Jungle

Have Fun!!!!

PS-try to use the Subway system, it's great.

GoodLuckBear14 · June 2012

You can get discount Broadway and Off Broadway tickets at TKS - your hotel can point you to the closest one. You won't get tickets to Book of Mormon but you'll still get to see pretty good shows.

meganb1977 · June 2012

You can eat cheap in NYC if you want to. One of my favorite meals I ever had there was hot dogs from a street vendor on the steps of the Met. Also got a cheap lunch in Chinatown that was delicious.

NotATotalBetty · June 2012

High Line Park is free, great people watching too. You can rent bikes cheaply, go to a deli or Italian grocery mart and pack a picnic, then ride along Riverside Park near the Westside Highway and the boat basin. September is so lovely in New York! If you like ethnic food, there's affordable and diverse options in Astoria and Flushing, Queens. Easy subway trip from Manhattan. Want views of city from the water? Staten Island Ferry is cliche, but it's FREE! Touring art galleries in Chelsea are free. Most museums/botanical gardens have at least two free days too. And The Met and the Museum of Natural History have suggested donations but you can pay what you wish.

Coinkeedinkee · June 2012

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

With regards to food, (and it's something I'm an idiot for not mentioning in the first place) we would need to eat places that are either Halal, or that serve fish or vegetarian options. So it's really great that the very first suggestion is the Halal Street Meat cart - thanks very much for that one, along with times/location, it's perfect.

All the ideas about cheap things to do are excellent, we're there for two weeks so will have loads of time to check everything out, maybe do our favourite things twice.

Thanks again people

JoanE2012 · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_new-york-things-to-do-on-a-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:335beaa0-8789-4a58-b934-0fa0b48786f1Post:591b385b-8bfb-4b2e-bb29-a9f4e3e337fe">Re: New York - things to do on a budget?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for all the suggestions so far! With regards to food, (and it's something I'm an idiot for not mentioning in the first place) we would need to eat places that are either Halal, or that serve fish or vegetarian options. So it's really great that the very first suggestion is the Halal Street Meat cart - thanks very much for that one, along with times/location, it's perfect. All the ideas about cheap things to do are excellent, we're there for two weeks so will have loads of time to check everything out, maybe do our favourite things twice. Thanks again people
Posted by Coinkeedinkee[/QUOTE]

I would seriously consider looking into a side trip if you can squeeze it into your budget. Maybe rent a car and driving up to Cape Cod for a few days on the beach if you like the beach. Two weeks seems like an awfully long time to stay in any city, no matter where it is.

lconoran · June 2012

I soooo 2nd the 53rd and 6th street chicken and rice cart! And if you enjoy people watching, that's free and entertaining there too! I know I'm a mess with I'm there come 3am Lol

For eats, I never go into the city with a restaurant.com certificate. You sign up for their emails and sometimes I get a $50 certificate for $4 (pay attention to restrictions/minimums; some aren't all THAT great after all the rules and crap). Check it out and maybe use it on the 1 or 2 slurge nights.

thegreeneyedkri · June 2012

Living in Astoria, I find the prices to be a little higher now than they once were, although there are a LOT of food options! Jackson Heights, Queens has lots of great Indian places (although, since you're from the UK, they might not have enough spice for you!) that are really cheap. Also a very short ride.

I prefer the Bronx Zoo over the Central Park Zoo, but that's just me. If you're interested in heading up to the boogie down (Bronx! sorry, lived way up in the Bronx for a few years, not too far off the 5 from the Zoo actually) check out the Bronx Zoo on a Wednesday-that's the suggested donation day!

@lconcoran-It's really one of the best chicken over rice in the city. I've tried a lot of others, but they just don't hit my craving like the Halal Guys! I don't know what they put in their white sauce, my guess would be magic.

random4180 · June 2012

Definitely try to hit up the outer boroughs if you're here that long! In Manhattan- Central Park is fun, Museum of Natural History and the Met are amazing- and totally all-day trips on their own, (I second riding the ferry, fun to go past the Statue of Liverty, Ellis Island and Governor's Island!) The Bronx Zoo is great (another all day trip.) Chinatown and South Street Seaport are also great, low-cost places to go. Sculpture Park in Long Island City is free and interesting and some of the places along the river in Queens or Brooklyn make for great places to take pictures of Manhattan. The Aquarium and Coney Island (same subway stop) are both fun visits and easy to get to. There are TONS of food options- and aside from cart food, you can find amazingly inexpensive and authentic options all over the city. (I'm vegan and can vouch for the ability to find suitable options for strict diets all over the place.) Also, livingsocial and groupon have great deals for entertainment and dining! And the subway itself is an experience so definitely utilize it.

mrsR12 · June 2012

dont forget to walk or bike over the brooklyn bridge, september is still nice enough that you can take a stroll over the bridge.

What area of NYC are you staying in?

Are you into any sports? it's not cheap but maybe check out a game or 2 can be fun since you're in town for 2 weeks.

New York - things to do on a budget?

Re: New York - things to do on a budget?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards