New York City is an awesome town. There's a million & one things to do, sites to see, places to visit, food to eat...it's like a giant playground for both NYC natives & tourists alike. However, experiencing all that this city has to offer can really put a dent in your wallet. And, since we're in the midst of a recession, money's pretty tight these days.
So, you live in NYC (or visiting), the city that never sleeps, and you want to explore what this fabulous city has to offer....but you're strapped for cash? Well, never fear. I've compiled a short list of inexpensive ways you can enjoy this town ON A BUDGET. All it takes is being "in the know"...and you'll be having fun in no time!
#1. Ice skating in Bryant Park
The Lowdown: Admission to the skating rink is absolutely FREE. If you've got your own skates, great. If not, you can rent skates for $12. There are lockers available for you to place your shoes & valuables. Locks are available for $9. (HINT: Bring your own lock!) It'll cost you between $7-10 to check any large bags you may have. (HINT: Go shopping AFTER you skate!) Bryant Park is located on 42nd Street & 6th Avenue, easily accessible by taking the F train to the Bryant Park stop. For more info, head over to www.thepondatbryantpark.com.
#2. You've been cutting waaaaay back on going out so you can save some money, but you are seriously B-O-R-E-D, desperately need to go somewhere fun & don't want to end up a pauper. Well, CLUB FREE TIME may be your answer. For a tiny subscription fee ($2.95 for one month or $1.95 for one week), you can have full access to daily free & low-priced events all around NYC: tours, movie screenings, book readings, free concerts, etc. You'll never be bored again.
#3. Jump on the C train to Brooklyn, get off on Lafayette Avenue & head on over to the BAM Cafe. It's free to the public on Friday & Saturday nights. You can expect to hear a variety of artists & musical styles. Also check out the calendar to check out the free art exhibitions. Have fun!
#4. If you happen to be in Brooklyn on the FIRST Saturday of the month, definitely make your way over to the Brooklyn Museum. It's free to the public from 5-11 pm. Some exhibits may require tickets due to limited capacities, so definitely plan accordingly. There's also a dance party on the 4th floor from 9-11 pm. (I went once & had a blast. The crowd was a great mix of people & the music was awesome. I definitely recommend it!) If you're taking public transportation, you can take the 2 or 3 train to the Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum stop (see the subway map to plan your trip. If driving, directions are available. Also, after 5 pm, parking is a fabulously low $4, flat rate. (All other Saturdays, the Museum closes down at 6 pm.)
#5. This one is for the tourists (you will thank me & so will your pockets). The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a HUGE collection of art that spans 5,000 years & is simply breathtaking. I think admission is like $22 or something (hey, prices are rising everyday, you know). But it's a SUGGESTED donation...meaning you can pay whatever you want! Each time I go, I pay $1.00. (I've heard of people going as low as $0.25.) I suggest going early in the day so that you can see as many exhibits as possible, because The Met is tremendously huge. Take the 4, 5 or 6 train to 86th Street & walk west till you get to 5th Avenue. Oh, & wear comfortable walking shoes. (Trust me, you'll need them!)
#6. Did you know that the South Street Seaport Museum is FREE on the third Friday of every month? You can stop in after work or doing other "touristy" things from 6-8:45 pm. Pretty cool.
#7. While you're in downtown Manhattan, you may as well take a free boat trip across the boroughs if you want to snap pictures of the Statue of Liberty for free. Plenty of folks know about the Staten Island Ferry (easily accessible from the 1 train at South Ferry), but do you know about the Ikea Water Taxi? Located at Pier 11, it's an easy 20 minute ride to Red Hook, Brooklyn. Feel free to spend a couple of hours wandering around Ikea as well (it's a lot more fun than flipping through the catalog).
#8. Now, I know we're nearing winter, but save this one for warmer weather next year - Bryant Park has free concerts & movies during the summer months. This past summer they showcased young talented musicians from Juilliard (as well as other classical jazz ensembles) on Mondays, Tuesday & Wednesdays. To catch the movie, you'd need to bring a blanket & arrive around 5 pm to get a good seat on the grass. (Or you could just sit on one of the many chairs circling the park) Also keep an eye & ear out for free Broadway performances as well.
#9. Just because it's cold out doesn't mean you can't still head out to the Bronx Zoo. Admission is free on Wednesdays & there are many exhibits for you to pick from. HINT: Many people tend to go to the zoo on Wednesdays since it's free, so I'd suggest taking public transportation as opposed to driving, so that you're not stuck driving around looking for parking. Take the 2 or 5 train to E Tremont Av/Westfarm Sq. You can also catch the Q44 bus, it goes straight to the Zoo.
#10. Want to indulge in a little technology? Then definitely head over to the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, located at 56th Street & Madison Avenue. Engage yourself in certain Playstation 3 games, create your own movie trailer & watch it play back onscreen, or explore the process of making music.
By now, your calendar ought to be packed with fun & inexpensive activities for you to do for weeks to come. Don't let the recession get you down - go out there & have some fun!
