Cheap things to do in NYC

New York is home to many hundreds of parks, so there’s really no excuse not to spend as much of your time in them as possible. Strolling, picnicking and, well, just lazing about on the lawns are all perfectly acceptable – and cash-savvy – ways to enjoy this great city. But these are not just any old parks. Far from it, in fact. Ever heard of Central Park? Course you have; after all, it’s probably the most famous green space on the planet. 

Pay homage to John Lennon in Strawberry Fields, snap swoonsome selfies by the Bow Bridge, and ogle the quite marvelous folly that is Belvedere Castle. Meanwhile, a ramble through the wilds of The Ramble feels about a million miles from NYC’s urban jungle despite being a mere hop and a skip from Fifth Avenue. In summer, catch free events like free events include Shakespeare in the Park and the SummerStage Festival. Pro-tip: rent a bike to cover as much ground as you can in a single, wallet-friendly day.

Linking Hudson’s Yard with the Meatpacking District, the High Line transforms an old elevated railway into one of the coolest public parks in NYC, offering gardens, public art installations, urban architecture, and sweeping city views. Pause for a spot of essential NYC people-watching, snap wildflowers and wild grasses, and check out ever-changing art installations. Upgrade your High Line experience with a guided walking tour that also takes in Chelsea Market and the Meatpacking District.

That bike you rented for exploring Central Park? You don’t have to use it to explore Central Park. Like, duh! You can also branch out for the Hudson River Greenway, an 11-mile stretch of riverside path, running all the way from The Battery to George Washington Bridge and beyond. Along the route, the Greenway reveals a whole spectrum of parks, gardens and recreation piers, including lovely spots like Chelsea Waterside Park and Riverside Park South. It’s all pretty flat and, yes, there are plenty of shaded lawns and benches if you want to pause to people-watch or admire a sunset along the way. 

As any budget-savvy traveler can tell you, most major museums in most major cities host regular free or pay-what-you-can hours. Yep, even heavy-hitters like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Intrepid Museum, Brooklyn Museum and Whitney Museum of American Art let you in for nada at certain times of the week or month (check direct for latest info). This is a great way to experience the Big Apple’s rich cultural tapestry without having to part with your hard-earned. That said, limited free admission hours are – for fairly obvious reasons – wildly popular. So even if you do get in, you might still only catch the briefest glimpse of Van Gogh’s Starry Night across the galaxy of bobbing heads and straining necks.

Go City’s New York pass is another great way to save cash on museum entry (plus a whole stack of other A-list New York attractions, from Madame Tussauds to the Empire State Building). The way the pass works is by bundling entry to a number of attractions together in one handy mobile app – and the more you visit, the more you’ll save. It’s a cash-smart way to check off, say, MoMA, Top of The Rock, a harbor cruise, the American Museum of Natural History, Intrepid and a Yankees game without the premium prices you’d normally pay.

There are also several New York museums that won’t cost you anything to enter at any time, which even we have to admit represents slightly better value than the Go City NYC pass! Among the best of the free museums in town, we rate the Upper West Side’s excellent American Folk Art Museum, the treasure trove of Latin American, Caribbean and Puerto Rican art that is El Museo del Barrio (pay what you can), and the National Museum of the American Indian, where visitors can learn about the indigenous cultures of the Americas via some 800,000 Native American artifacts, including intricately detailed clothing, traditional artworks and everyday tools.

While the urge to splurge and go celeb-spotting over fruits de mer and filet mignon at La Grande Boucherie may be difficult to resist, neither your wallet nor your bank manager will thank you for it. And besides, there are many other ways to eat well, without using up your entire vacation budget in one fell swoop. Because, quite frankly, NYC’s street food scene simply can’t be topped. And no, we’re not talking about the ubiquitous New York hot-dog carts (avoid, avoid, avoid!).

Grab a classic dollar slice from Joe’s Pizza, sample dumplings in Chinatown for a few bucks, or munch on falafel at Mamoun’s. Bagels with schmear from Ess-a-Bagel make for a deliciously cheap breakfast, while Gray’s Papaya slings legendary hot dogs for under $5. Food carts in Midtown sell everything from arepas to Philly cheesesteaks; satisfying meals in themselves that effectively remove the need for sit-down dining altogether.

Then there are the city’s fine gourmet markets, chief amongst which is Chelsea Market set, appropriately enough, in a former biscuit factory near the southern entrance to the High Line. Sure, it might not be the cheapest market in town, but among many other things it does promise pretty tasty takeaway tacos (courtesy Los Tacos No.1) and some of the most interesting sandwiches (paired with equally excellent craft beers) in town (thanks, Mayhem sandwiches). With plenty more foodie stalls, bakery window-shopping and general people-watching to be done here, this one is a rainy-day classic and no mistake.

Warmer weather (April through September) means it's time for popular Brooklyn market Smorgasburg, with Saturdays and Sundays in Williamsburg’s Marsha P. Johnson State Park and Prospect Park, respectively, plus an outpost at the One World Trade Center Thursdays and Fridays. Here’s where to stuff your face with all manner of delectable global street foods, from lobster mac to Bolivian chola sandwiches via craft cocktails and heart-stoppingly good St Louis butter cake. Restaurants? Who needs restaurants!

New York’s exceptional architecture is yours to ogle, snap and upload to your Insta at your leisure and, best of all, it won’t cost you a red cent to do so. We’re talking the staggering feat of Art Deco architecture that is the iconic Empire State Building (constructed, quite incredibly, in just over 13 months during the Great Depression). And, hey, if you do want to pop upstairs for sweeping Manhattan skyline views, you can do that on the cheap with your Go City NYC pass. 

Meanwhile, architectural wonder Grand Central ain’t just for commuters. Step inside for stellar ceilings replete with constellation murals, grand marble staircases and, of course, the famous opal clock. Downstairs, find the Whispering Gallery near the Oyster Bar for a spot of quirky NYC fun: stand in one corner, whisper, and your friend will hear you perfectly from the opposite side – so probably best you don’t let slip e.g. your innermost desires or online banking password.

Then there’s the Brooklyn Bridge, with its eye-popping Neo-Gothic towers and sensational views of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Waterfront. Go it alone on a wander from Manhattan into Brooklyn, rewarding yourself with a well-earned scoop from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory on arrival, before plonking yourself down in Brooklyn Bridge Park for leafy riverfront vibes. Or join a guided Brooklyn Bridge walk with your New York pass. 

Indeed, guided walks are generally a pretty budget-friendly way to get under the skin of the Big Apple, and there are loads of them included with the pass, from money-spinning yarns along Wall Street and explorations of the iconic Rockefeller Center to TV and movie locations in Central Park and a chance to experience the best of New York’s street art scene in Brooklyn’s colorful Bushwick neighborhood.

Last but very, very far from least, the free Staten Island Ferry is practically a rite of passage for first-time visitors to NYC – especially if you’re on a shoestring budget. Make for the stern to catch the Lower Manhattan skyline retreating in the ferry’s wake, then head starboard for views of one of the planet’s most iconic monuments: the Statue of Liberty herself. And don’t skip Staten Island itself! There’s a pleasant (and pocket-friendly) day to be had here, strolling the South Beach Boardwalk, kicking back at Silver Lake Park, and checking out Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.

Enjoying New York on a budget is entirely possible if you’re willing to plan ahead, eat on the go and maybe compromise just a little on some of the more expensive shows and restaurants. With a little creativity and forethought, the city is still yours to enjoy, whether you’re an art lover, a foodie, an architecture aficionado, or just an average joe looking to catch the sights. And remember, the New York pass from Go City can save you big bucks on entry to multiple Big Apple attractions, activities and tours.