Visiting New York City Without Breaking the Bank

It’s the concrete jungle where dreams are made of — and where, all too frequently, budgets go to die. Luckily, a trip to New York City doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out our tips to make the most of your visit on the cheap.

Ride the subway. Native New Yorkers know that the cheapest, quickest way to arrive at a destination is to head underground. The subway runs 24 hours a day and hits all the boroughs. Use MTA’s Tripplanner for door-to-door directions, complete with any subway changes.

Get in for cheap. Museum entrance fees can add up quickly, but many offer reduced-price or free admission days and hours, plus student deals. Check out websites for any weekly deals.

Visit always-free sites. One of the best things about New York is that so many of its attractions are always free. Stroll through Central Park, take in the sunset over the Brooklyn Bridge, or look at the city from above the High Line. None of these cost a dime.

Eat around the world. No need to sit at an upscale restaurant for every meal. In a city with so many foreign cultures thriving, you can eat your way around the globe without leaving the city. From Indian and Japanese to Dominican or Korean, ethnic restaurants offer delicious food at dirt-cheap bargains. They’re not all brick and mortar, either. Don’t forget to check out what food trucks are near you.

Don’t skip the other boroughs. Manhattan can keep visitors busy for weeks, but don’t skimp out on the rest of the city. Leave the island to eat delicious Chinese food in Flushing, Queens; head to art galleries in hipster Williamsburg or up-and-coming Bushwick in Brooklyn; catch a Yankees game or eat some of the best Italian food in the city on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx; or ride the free Staten Island ferry and explore the lesser-known island.