A Brief Guide to Exploring New York City Without Breaking the Bank

There are a lot of things New York is known for, but being cheap isn’t one of them. Between the rising rent and increased costs of food, it seems like an extremely hard place to be frugal. But if you make smart choices, the Big Apple has actually a surprising number of options you can easily explore for cheap.

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Cheap Drinks and Affordable Bites

While the reason behind New York’s nickname, the Big Apple, is not foodie related, with such a moniker you can expect that the food here is delicious. So, if you’re ready to take a bite at the Big Apple on a budget, get ready for some incredible finds.

There are still a few spots that offer a decent bargain, even if the classic dollar New York pizza slice is much rarer than it used to be. If you truly want to go for the classic New York-style pizza, you can’t go wrong with Joe’s Pizza.

For those who want a thicker Sicilian-style pizza Prince Stree Pizza has plenty to offer. Both options will set you back around $3-4 and they’re still sure to hit the spot.

But let’s not forget about getting some drinks when you’re out. While cheap cocktails are hard to come by, the same cannot be said about beer, and these drinks make the perfect pairing with pizza.

Moreover, as per the latest beer industry trends, there’s been an incredible push in variety. This has ensured that regardless of your preferences, there is a beer out there for you. You can even opt to enjoy a crisp non-alcoholic option if you’re not a big fan of heady bubbles.

For those who spend too much time on Instagram reels, you’ve probably seen the burrata and prosciutto toast. If this has got you craving some Italian fare, we really can’t blame you.

If you're craving the combination of salty prosciutto and creamy cheese that will leave just about anyone salivating, head down to Malatesta Trattoria, and try out their Piadina con Prosciutto which will give you a similar feel to the aforementioned toast. While Italian restaurants are aplenty in the city, few will offer cheap prices like the ones found here.

Food trucks will always be a safe bet when it comes to offering something that will fill your belly without emptying your wallet. And there’s so much variety, from falafel to hot dog stands, you won’t have any shortage of cuisines.

We’ll round this off with a trip to Chinatown, where you’ll find authentic and innovative Asian options for a relatively low cost. Here, you should check out the viral cheap eats option, Shu Jiao Fu Zhou’s dumplings, which for just $3 will leave you more than pleased.

Affordable Activities

While New York may be a major city known for its iconic skyscrapers, there’s still plenty of nature to enjoy. Head to Hudson River Park in Manhattan where you only need $10 to enjoy a game of mini-golf.

Our next suggestion would be Bryant Park,. Here, the options are seasonal: you can try out the free yoga and tai-chi in the summer, or enjoy the free admission skating rink in the winter.

If you’re more of a movie buff, then you can’t go wrong by checking out the Movies With A View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park. You just need to grab a blanket to sit down on and some popcorn and enjoy the selected movies under the stars.

Does a free summer concert sound like too much of a dream in an expensive city like New York? Well, this was made into reality by the GMA Summer Concert series which offered free tickets and had quite an impressive lineup this year.

Budget-Friendly Attractions

Starting again with nature, we’d suggest venturing through Central Park and finding the bow bridge, from which you can enjoy the view of the Loeb Boathouse and the lake. There’s a reason this is New York’s most famous park, making it a must-visit on our budget-friendly list.

If you love art, then there are multiple museums that offer free entry on set days or pay-what-you-wish, although this does depend on whether you’re local or not. If you’ve never been to the Met before, then you might be surprised to learn it’s pay-what-you-wish for NY state residents.

On the first Friday of every month, the MoMA is completely free for NYC residents from four til eight in the evening. And as one of the most influential modern art museums in the world, you’d should definitely check it out.

Make sure to get the free Staten Island Ferry, ideal for those looking to enjoy the best view of the Statue of Liberty, along with New York’s iconic skyline. And finish your journey by heading to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden with an admission fee of only $5.

Conclusion

It’s clear that even with a tighter budget, there’s plenty you can enjoy in New York City. Even if you’re limited in funds, you can still have a ton of fun!