I am often presented with, I’d love to see New York City – but it’s too expensive!
I’m here to help you make it affordable! Many of the iconic sites are FREE – the only cost is the exertion to walk there. The mile long Brooklyn Bridge is one destination worth the walk. Completed in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge of its time.
At the end of the bridge, a short stroll will take you to the Time out Market in Brooklyn or have your picture taken under the Manhattan Bridge – then you can say you were in DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) – all FREE. See “The Empire” from Brooklyn!
Also, on the Manhattan end of the Brooklyn Bridge you can see the Federal Hall Memorial where George Washington was inaugurated. Additionally, you can walk to Fraunces Tavern where GW gave the last speech to his troops at the end of the Revolutionary War. Don’t forget Wall Street and the Charging Bull. All FREE and walkable.
Here’s my plan for NYC on $300 a weekend – Yes, that includes food and fun!
Of course, this plan is above & beyond the cost for bus and hotel at $427.50 per person (which can be paid in 4 installments.)
Friday
•Bring your snack/beverage of choice on bus. Stock up & carry into hotel for later enjoyment!
• Self tour of Grand Central Station using Free Tours by Foot audio found here: https://freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-tours/ on your phone for only $2.99.
• Bryant Park Winter Village Free ice skating every day, skate rental $15. In the summer months there are free juggling classes.
• Morgan Library – See one of the Gutenberg Bibles or Free on Fridays, 5-7 PM Live Jazz (must register online one week ahead)
• Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum – Free on Fridays 5-9 PM
• New York City Library always FREE. See a Gutenberg Bible or The Original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals.
• Museum of Modern Art see Vincent Van Gogh’ Starry Night for Free on Friday 4-8 PM
• Carmines Italian Restaurant (family-style) $50 average per person for group of 4
• Tour Rockefeller Center and St Patrick CathedralFree (closes 8:45PM)
• Radio City Spectacular Rockettes $70
• Junior’s Cheesecake $10
• Times Square’s Midnight Moment Free!
Saturday
• Breakfast @ Zucker’s Bagel $15
• Funburger Bus transportation to Lower Manhattan $10
• Staten Island Ferry, See the Statue of Liberty from the water. Free
• Battery Park Free
• Lunch at Stage Door Deli $20 – Famous for feeding first responders after 9/11
• Tour 9/11 Memorial fountains exterior Free
• 911 Museum $35 pp
• Dinner in Little Italy or Chinatown $50 (excl drinks)
• Metro card Subway back to Times Square $2.90
• NYC Slice at Little Italy pizza in Times Square $6.00
A spectacular rooftop view of NYC from the Knickerbocker Hotel bar, The St Cloud, a 5-minute walk from our hotel – located at the corner of 42nd St. & Broadway (avg price/ drink $20)
Sunday
• Sugar Factory in Times Square Breakfast $25
• Metro card Subway to Central Park $2.90 (or walk!)
• Free Tours by Foot – pay what you want tour with live tour guide of Central Park $10
• Tram to Roosevelt Island $2.90 x2 = $5.80 (great views of the city)
• Lunch on the go $20
Of course, these are only a few of the free and economical ways to see NYC. I would be happy to tailor a trip for you with cost containment.
We would love to have you join our June or November trips!
