New York on a Budget: Our Favourite Spots

New York, like many other world class cities, also has a reputation for being expensive if you’re a visitor. This isn’t necessarily the case however; there are plenty of things to get your teeth into in The Big Apple without experiencing your own credit crunch!

The Big AppleWanderingtheWorld (www.ChrisFord.com) / Foter / CC BY-NC

First up, check out the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. For a little over $30 dollars and with a range of cruises to choose from, these offer a fantastic way to see the sights and lights of the NYC skyline. Choose from a Full Island or Semi Circle cruise, a shorter Liberty cruise, or hop on board at dusk for an amazing Harbor Lights trip.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises r h / Foter / CC BY

Yellow cabs in New York are also reasonably cheap – and can often be an adventure in themselves! However,  if you’re really keeping an eye on those cents, then what better to stay financially and physically healthy than seeing New York on foot?

Yellow cabs in New York Justin in SD / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

Stroll down to 5th Avenue heading to Battery Park and you will come across Washington Square Park. It’s well worth spending some time hanging around in the square, not least because it won’t be too long before you will be propositioned by some of the friendly gents there into playing a game of chess.

5th AvenueDiego3336 / Foter / CC BY

They’ll sit you down at a concrete table, tell you their life story, scratch their heads and make you think you’re gonna win the game, before checkmating you and keeping your dollar. Actually, if you really are on a budget then maybe that’s not such a good suggestion after all!

After that, cross Bleecker Street, made famous by Simon and Garfunkel and turn right to go pay your respects at the 911 memorial and witness the incredible One World Trade Center, or turn left and aim for Brooklyn Bridge. Cross it at rush hour and take in the twinkling skyscraper lights – all for free!

Brooklyn BridgeWerner Kunz / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

If you enjoy a sense of community spirit and wish to meet some other colourful locals, then head to the corner of 9th Street and Avenue C. The La Plaza Cultural centre was a no-go zone in the 1970’s until local residents decided to clean it up. With much love and lots of paint, they transformed into a vibrant community centre. The space is used by all sorts of different groups in the evening and at weekends – music, meetings and performances. Pop in and say hello!

Or how about a movie in the open air? The Brooklyn branch of Habana Outpost at 757 Fulton Street screens classics every weekend at 8pm before turning into a mini block party with Cuban food and cocktails.

Eat, drink, dance and watch! If you like your culture slightly more sophisticated, however, if not less cosmopolitan, then go check out the tiny galleries around Chelsea.

Central Park WanderingtheWorld (www.ChrisFord.com) / Foter / CC BY-NC

David Zwirner at 537 West 20th Street is always worth a visit for controversial new artists. And after that you can head up to the Museum of Modern Art before spending the rest of the time in Central Park – again, all for free!

So, there you have it, if you’re thinking of spending some time in New York City, there really is no need to break the bank and cause your own Wall Street Crash as well!