What are fun and inexpensive things to do while visiting New York?

Question

I know there's a lot to do, but I don't want to break the bank and still enjoy myself. So just list the best ideas that fit the description!

Answer 1

I did NYC on $20/day (not including hotel). I ate hot dogs and pizza from corner vendors and even tried my first knish! A subway/bus pass for the whole day is like $6 - definitely worth it! Also, the Metropolitan museum (including the Cloisters!!) are virtually free. Technically, you have to make a donation, but they will accept a penny (and glare at you).

The sky-scrapers all want big bucks, so stick to the street. Lady Liberty will take up nearly an entire day of waiting in line and crossing on ferries - I'd skip it.

The lower east side has the best window-shopping. There are also some gorgeous churches (like St. Patrick's) you can tour for free.

(Avenues go up and down, streets go across.)

The Library (in Midtown near Times Square) is also free to tour - it's really fancy inside.

p.s. - the cloisters (donated to the Met by the Rockefellers) is a wonderful medieval museum of partially reconstructed churches carried over stone by stone from Europe. It's surrounded by a beautiful garden in Ft. Tyron park (the subway will get you there).

Answer 2

A great way to see the Statue of Liberty for free with a great view is the Staton Island Ferry. If you have about 60 or 70 buck to spare you can get a city pass that has tickets to the Empire State Building, a small cruise around manhattan, and about 5 or 6 museums including the Guggenheim and Natural History. It's a great deal and is sold at any of the locations it has tickets to.

Also the best way to get around is the subway. You can get a week long pass and go anywhere really cheap and fast.

Answer 3

Lots of good ideas above ..

Also, if you are here in the summer.

Central Park has some Free concerts at summer stage.
* * Shakespeare in the Park is great and free.

In the Summer there are free LARGE screen movies shown outdoors at a couple of locations at night.

Always keep an eye out for the occasional big act free concert.

Answer 4

There are always film shoots in NYC. Call up the city and find out if any film shoots are going on. They may and may not tell you. Yet you could walk around Soho, Green Village, Central and Washington Square Parks, and most likely you will see a television, movie, or cable film being taken of NYC.

Answer 5

Walking and people watching at Central Park, Zocalo's (Mexican restaurant) has great margaritas and they are half off on Sunday and Monday nights (I know Grand Central and Upper East side around 83rd - not sure if there are other locations), walk around East and West Village lots of cheaper food there as well as at Chinatown. Save your money and use the subway instead of the cab.