10+ Things to Do in NYC for College Students & Ways to Save Today

UPDATED OCTOBER 2024
By Katie Sagal
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As the biggest city in the nation and one of the world's most important centers for everything from finance to fashion, New York City is a hot spot for tourists from around the globe. Bustling with diverse cultural life and a vibrant youth scene, The Big Apple is one of the most exciting destinations for college students. Not to mention the fact that NYC's vibrant nightlife is almost unparalleled (they don't call it The City that Never Sleeps for nothing!). Contrary to what you may have heard, New York attractions can be enjoyed on a college budget. So check out our list of the top places to visit in New York for college students!

Save on Attraction Admission

With a New York City Explorer Pass®, you can visit some of these great attractions all while saving up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. The New York City Explorer Pass® gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

This contemporary attraction is one of the most popular sites for students visiting New York and it's conveniently located right in bustling Times Square. The wax statues of your favorite celebrities (from Bieber to Obama) are so life-like that you can fool your friends with photo ops! Getting In: Madame Tussauds New York tickets are available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Dave & Buster's

This restaurant, bar, and the action-packed arcade is NYC's prime place to eat, drink, and play. Dave & Buster's features over 200 video games, fantastic American bar food, and an endless drink menu—what else could a college student ask for? Getting in: Dave & Buster's features a variety of options, from just dining or just playing games to combo packages with savings.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Whether you're an aspiring artist or not, you can't miss out on The Met! This world-class art museum houses over two million works of art and is the most-visited attraction in New York!

Ellen's Stardust Diner

This retro '50s diner takes dining to a new level with a talented staff of singing waiters that entertain you while you eat. In the heart of Times Square, Ellen's Stardust Diner is a great place to stop before (or after) your night on the town. Getting in: Ellen's Stardust Diner is open to the public.

NYC Food Tours

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What college student wouldn't be interested in a tasting tour of New York? Because NYC offers such an abundance of delicious cuisine, you can choose from a number of specified tours—like the World Famous Sweet Tooth Tour or the East Village Variety Tour. Getting in: Food on Foot Tours tickets are an included attraction choice on the New York City Explorer Pass.

Central Park TV & Movie Sites Tour

This comprehensive tour is the best way to see some of the most iconic Central Park spots from all your favorite TV shows and movies. On this guided tour, you'll get to see recognizable featured in Trainwreck, Home Alone II, Breakfast at Tiffany's, When Harry Met Sally, The Smurfs, and lots more. Getting in: Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour tickets are an included attraction choice with the New York City Explorer Pass.

St. Mark's Place

This is more your style, budget-wise.

For chic and cheap shopping, you can't beat St. Mark's Place in East Village. This shopping mecca attracts a young, eclectic crowd, as New York University is quite nearby. Getting in: St. Mark's Place is open to the public.

Ripley's Believe It or Not NYC

Be prepared to be a little weirded out...in a good way.

Dubbed New York's most bizarre attraction, Ripley's is the perfect spot for college students seeking a little off-beat fun. Come face-to-face with strange relics like shrunken heads, and brace yourself for "sideshow wonders" like "The Incredible Lizard Man." Getting In: Ripley’s Believe It or Not! NYC admission is available on the New York City Explorer Pass.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

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You'll be inspired by their impressive collection of stunning works of art.

The MoMA is the most influential modern art museum in the world, featuring iconic and influential pieces like Van Gogh's "Starry Night." No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to this celebrated attraction, especially if you're an art-lover! Getting in: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) tickets are available on the New York City Explorer Pass®.

Other Music

One of the few record stores still standing in NYC.

If you're like most college kids, you're too cool for mainstream music. Lucky for you, Other Music, a small but overflowing shop in the hip East Village, has a heaping collection of alternative records and relics to peruse. Getting in: Other Music is open to the public. Check their site for upcoming events.

Museum of Sex

It's actually educational...really!

You'd be hard-pressed to find a subject college students are more enthusiastic about. This progressive museum addresses a wide range of topics once considered taboo in order to present and preserve the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality. They also promote safe-sex practices. Getting in: Museum of Sex tickets are available on the New York City Explorer Pass®. Please note: visitors must be at least 18 years of age.

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue

Can't live without your newest "iGadget?" At the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, you'll get lost in a world of cutting-edge featuring all your favorite Apple products. Remember, if you want to save big bucks on admission when visiting NYC, scoop up a New York Explorer Pass and save up to 50% vs. paying at the attraction. You can even use it on your smartphone!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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New York Subway Tips for Tourists

If you plan on visiting New York City in the near future, or really any time in general, preparing yourself to navigate the subway makes a lot of sense. To be sure, you can get around in NYC via cabs, buses or just by walking, but there’s certainly no better way to make your way through the Big Apple than via the subterranean straphanger express. The first thing you will want to do, in addition to picking up a New York Explorer Pass, is get a subway map. They are free and generally available at every subway station that has a booth with an MTA employee on duty, so don’t be bashful and ask away. That doesn’t mean that you need to whip out the map and familiarize yourself with it while waiting for the train – in fact definitely don’t do that – but just look it over when you have five minutes to yourself at a hotel, coffee shop or park bench. Even just having a brief overview of the lines and where they go can be helpful The next thing you want to do is get yourself a MetroCard. Using the machines can be frustrating at times, but don’t get too upset if it is taking you longer than it should to use a crumpled dollar bill or if the people behind you in line are giving you dirty looks. The machines are annoying for everyone – seasoned NYC veterans and day trippers alike – so keep calm and carry on. Also, once you manage to fill up your card, you’ll want to hold on to it. There’s a $1 green fee every time you buy a new card, so just fill up the old one to avoid paying it. Use the subway and your New York Explorer Pass to see the American Museum of Natural History, Ripley's Believe it or Not! Times Square or the Museum of Modern Art NYC. It’s also important to keep an eye on the clock when using the subway. Although it’s true that the subway never completely shuts down, it does change the way it runs on late-nights and weekends and service on certain lines is suspended at designated times. The signage in the stations isn’t always clear – and is in a constant state of flux – so the best place to stay on top of things is at the official website of the MTA. There are also a multitude of mobile apps to use at this point, so download one or two just in case. When you are actually on the train itself, don’t be alarmed if you see something strange (and don’t lose your New York Attractions Pass). There are dancers, mariachi bands, people telling stories and people selling just about everything else constantly wandering throughout the subway, so just let them do their thing. If you do interact with them, chances are they’ll respond in kind, so don’t start a conversation unless you feel like finishing it. As in the case in most cities, let people exit the train before getting on and you’re all set. To view all the top New York Attractions for kids, check out Smart Destinations’ New York Explorer Pass and Go Select New York Pass!
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Last Minute New York Vacation Tips

The prospect of visiting New York City for a day, a weekend or even longer can seem a little daunting at first but don’t let it worry your too much - people have been doing it for decades! The standard belief that residents of the City are rude and obscene is only half true; in reality, New Yorkers are just too busy to stop and help tourists and have no patience for people who slow them down. If you want to have a great vacation in NYC, that’s the first thing you should know - Don’t be one of those people. Here are a few other tips to help make your trip to Gotham the best it can be. NYC Subway Map[/caption] Take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the city map: Obviously you aren’t going to be able to memorize the map in a few minutes but even just giving yourself a general idea of where certain things are (Wall Street is Downtown) and learning the names of various areas of the city (Midtown, Lower East Side, Hell’s Kitchen) will be a big help. Most of the city is a grid with the street numbers increasing as they head north and the avenue numbers increasing as they head west which makes getting around a little easier than in some places. Also, a good trick to remember when trying to orient yourself is that Broadway runs south throughout much of the City. Don’t forget to look up: Of course you want to be paying attention to what is in front of you and what your kids are getting into (hopefully nothing) but don’t forget to take a peek at what is above you from time to time. New York is filled with buildings both new and old that are architecturally significant and the artist community in NYC also likes to decorate up in the sky. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="269"] NYC Food Vendor[/caption] Be selective about what you buy on the street: Some people love coming to the city and loading up on all the off-market goods (cologne, perfume, watches, purses, etc) that are readily available in different areas of the city, but remember the old saying - you get what you pay for. Of course it can be nice to get a “designer” watch or purse for a vastly reduced price but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t last too long. As long as you don’t have an overly sensitive stomach, a better way to get bang for your buck is to eat from one of the local food carts or food trucks. Competition among food vendors is fierce and attracting customers is vital, so finding good, cheap eats is easier than you might think.
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