Under $100: Brooklyn

There’s more to New York City than just Manhattan. Just over the river is Brooklyn, a borough that makes up more than 30 percent of the city’s entire population. There’s enough to fill a visitor’s itinerary for days and, luckily, much of it is geared toward budget-conscious travelers. Check out our top picks for affordable ways to spend time in Brooklyn.

Prospect Park

Brooklyn’s 585-acre crown jewel, designed by the same architects as Central Park, brings green space and charm to the borough. It’s also one of the best places to people watch in the city. With an ice skating rink, lake, small zoo, stage for live concerts and outdoor markets, you can easily enjoy a full day at the park no matter what the season.

The Brooklyn Museum

The second-largest museum in New York City, The Brooklyn Museum houses more than 1.5 million works of art in a gorgeous building that’s a city landmark and on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The museum offers student discounts and, on the first Saturday of each month, admission is free from 5 p.m. until closing at 11 p.m. (that’s right, late night museum time!).

Smorgasburg

On weekends from April through November, you can get fresh, reasonably priced food from some of the tastiest food vendors in the city at Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg. Bring a friend to maximize your experience: Stop at a few different stands and split the goods to nibble on more for less.

Greenwood Park

This indoor/outdoor beer garden was converted from an old gas station and mechanic shop. Not only can you sip on an enormous selection of craft beers, there are also bocce ball courts to work off your brews. Bonus: Revolutionary War historic site Green-wood Cemetery is just a stone’s throw away.

Smorgasburg, Brooklyn Bridge Park © Ashmephotography | Dreamstime