New York is such a big city with so many things happening it’s tough to be able to choose what to do in a short period of time. A lot of the time when we travel our stay is limited to just a week or a few days and we don’t always have a very big budget to spend. So we have put together a list of what we think are the best and most affordable things to do in New York on a budget. We talk about famous monuments such as Brooklyn Bridge, cycling through central park, visiting Times Square, wall street or climbing to the top of the Rock.
What to buy in New York
New York has many different offers available when it comes to buying things like computers, cameras, phones or technology products.
If you love clothes then there are also cheaper offers for some brands like Levi or converse.
How the New York Subway works
The best way to get around New York is by subway and although it may seem very complicated at first, you will definitely get used to it. The best way to check the subway map is to download the NYC subway app so you have your map available at all times.
There are two types of subways; local and express. The local line makes all the stops whereas the express line only stops at the white points on the map. You should also check if you want to head uptown or downtown and you can do that my looking at the map and see if you want to go to the top or to the bottom.
Where to eat in New York
If you’re looking for a cheap place to eat in New York, we recommend Shake shack, J.G. Melon of Bubba Gump. New York is known for its fast food so try some hotdogs or pizza. It’s very common to eat in the streets and it’s the cheapest place to buy them. Chinatown is one of the cheapest neighbourhoods in New York and great for those who like Asian food and to try new things.
During your week in New York you might want to try something a little bit fancy. How about Little Park which is a Michelin star restaurant, if you don’t want something quite so posh then try Café Habana or Boqeria.
Now you know a little more about New York, let’s check our your day itinerary for New York
Day 1: Central Park, New York
On your first day during the morning you can visit the famous Central park by bike. The park is huge and there is plenty to explore. Sit on a bench for a while and watch the world go by and feel like a real local.
Grab a bite to eat for lunch and then head to the Metropolitan museum of Art in New York. It’s open til 9pm everyday apartment Monday and Thursday when its open until 5.30pm.
After the museum you can walk along to Times Square when the evening is just getting started. This is the best time to see the lights of the square and when it’s busy during rush hour. You can even do a spot of shopping while you’re there.
Day 2: New York Skyscrapers
Visit Central station and New York skyscrapers. The next day you can begin your route from Central station, which you must also check inside as it’s one of the main places for filming American movies. From there you can see some famous skyscrapers just walking distance such as the empire estate building, Chrysler building and Chanin just a 10 minute walk away.
After you have seen or even gone up the skyscrapers, you can visit New York’s St. Patrick’s cathedral and the Rockefeller Centre, from up there you can get the best views of central park from above.
Day 3: Brooklyn Bridge
Start your morning touring around Brooklyn bridge! It’s something you absolutely cannot miss in New York. Get off at City Hall subway stop and then you can visit St Paul’s Chapel and New York County Courthouse.
Why not take a relaxing ride along the river in the New York Water Taxi. From here you get a stunning view of the statue of liberty.
After that we recommend that you cross Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and take some of the best photos of New York!
Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. In Brooklyn Bridge Park you can enjoy a picnic and then take a visit to Brooklyn Museum of Arts.
Day 4: Contrast Excursion
We would suggest that you spend a day to look around all the contrasts of New York, it includes a pick up from your hotel and it’s one of the best ways to see the city. With this tour you can visit places like Bronx, Hamley, Washington, Boston and all the hidden secrets of the city.
Day 5: Wall Street
Wall street is the financial district of New York and a must-visit suring your trip. We recommend spending a full day wandering around this area, looking at the skyscrapers, travelling through zone 0 and visiting the 9/11 museum; a tribute to the victims of the 2001 tragedy.
Day 6: Shopping in New York
If you love shopping then this is something you must do whilst visitng new York! There are so many areas and unique shops you can go to in the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Don’t forget to walk along Fifth Avenue which is located near Central park and full of all the biggest brands. If you want to find a good bargain, try Macy’s or Kmart.
Day 7: Attend a Gospel mass in New York
If you’re wondering what to do on a Sunday in New York, you should definitely consider attending a Gospel Mass in Harlem, New York. Gospel mass is one of the most exciting and fun experiences you can have in the city.
After Mass, enjoy a Sunday brunch at Sarabeths which is a chain of cafes in Manhattan.
To end the day on a high, visit the radio city music hall which is one of the best theatres in the Rockfeller centre.
Holiday apartments in New York
Are you unsure of where you should stay in the big apple? It’s one of the most expensive places to travel to in the world and therefore you should choose the cheapest option for you. Renting an apartment with a group of friends, family or your loved one is one more affordable option.
Neighbourhoods in New York
Another difficult decision is deciding where exactly to rent your holiday apartment in new York. Some of the best areas include Central Park, Times Square or central station.
Times Square is right in the city centre but, because of that it’s also one of the loudest and busiest areas to stay in. if you’re looking for a fun packed holiday with friends, this could be the best choice for you. However if you want a more relaxed area then choose to stay near to Central Park or Bryant Park which are slightly cheaper too.
If you want to be within easy access to all of New York’s attractions then stay in a holiday rental close to Central Station.
If you want to spend less money, Brooklyn is one of the cheaper areas to spend, and despite being a little further out of the city centre, it’s very well connected and you’ll feel more like a local than a tourist.
We hope you have a bit more of an idea where to visit on your trip to New York. Let us know in the comments where you decide to go!
