New York is one of the most exciting and interesting cities in the world, and it also has a reputation for being very expensive. Tourists who dine at the Big Apple’s finest restaurants and shop at its most exclusive stores can spend thousands of dollars in just a few days, but there is another way. Here, we’ll cover six unique tips to get the most out of your visit to New York City without breaking the bank. 

These tips to find affordable things to do in NYC include:

1. Take Advantage of Public Transit

New York has one of the largest subway systems in the world, and it’s trains run 24 hours a day. The subway is hands down the quickest and easiest way to get to just about anywhere in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx, and you can buy a MetroCard that will give you unlimited travel for seven days for just $33. 

Some of the most popular lines have sections of elevated track, which means you will be able to take in some sights as you travel from place to place. There are several apps that can help you to navigate the vast system, and you will be able to find a subway map on just about every station platform and in all subway cars.

A MetroCard will also allow you to get a bird’s-eye view of Midtown from the Roosevelt Island Tramway. The ride only takes about four minutes, and Roosevelt Island’s waterfront park is a great place to eat lunch and marvel at the skyline. 

2. Walk or Bike Everywhere You Can!

Exploring the Big Apple on foot can be a thrilling adventure, and it’s the best way to get up close and personal with all of the great things the city has to offer. From the side streets of SOHO and Greenwich Village to breathtaking lakes and trails in Central Park, New York has something to offer every pedestrian. 

Most of Manhattan is laid out as a grid with numbered streets and avenues, so getting lost is not something you really need to worry about. Walking is the cheapest way to see New York, and it is probably the most rewarding.

If you like to have control over where you go and what you see but would prefer a faster pace, you should consider a Citi Bike. A day pass costs only $15, and you can find a bike in just about any part of the city. Some of New York’s most popular walks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, also have bike lanes, and you can spend a little more to upgrade to an e-bike if pedaling sounds too much like hard work.

3. Take a Classic NYC River Boat Tour

The East River, Hudson River and New York Harbor offer visitors to the Big Apple a way to get up close to some of the city’s most amazing and iconic landmarks, and it’s a lot more affordable than you think. 

Circumnavigating Manhattan Island on a private boat tour takes about three hours, and it allows visitors to see some of the world’s most famous buildings and bridges from a very different and interesting perspective. 

You can take to New York’s waterways during the day when the city is alive with activity, or you could enjoy a more relaxing and tranquil sunset boat tour. Either way, you will come away with memories that will last a lifetime. 

The sights and landmarks you will encounter on your tour include:

• The Statue of Liberty

• Ellis Island

• The Freedom Tower

• Empire State Building

• The Chrysler Building

• The United Nations Building

• All of Manhattan’s amazing bridges

• Yankee Stadium

• The Cloisters

4. Eat Like a Local

New York is home to hundreds of expensive restaurants and cheap fast-food establishments, but savvy locals prefer the delicacies on offer at the city’s ethnic bistros and cafes. 

No matter where you find yourself in the city, a great place to eat that offers cuisine you may have never tasted before is likely just a few steps away. You will find authentic regional dishes from just about every part of the world, and all of this diversity and quality can often be had for the price of a burger and fries.

If Latin American and Asian food is what you are looking for, head out to Queens neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. The Bronx and Brooklyn are known for their Italian and seafood eateries, and a great pizza can be found virtually anywhere. 

Eating like a local is one of the best cheap things to do in NYC, and it will also give you some great ideas for meals you can make yourself when you get home.

5. Be Picky

Even a superhero would find it difficult to take in everything New York has to offer in only a few days, so you should plan your trip carefully. A boat tour will allow you to take in most of the city’s landmarks in just a few hours, which will leave you plenty of time to find cheap fun things to do in NYC. 

Many of the city’s craft breweries offer free tours, and walking the picturesque High Line, which is a stretch of elevated train tracks that have been turned into a park, is a great way to spend a couple of hours in the Big Apple. 

6. Talk to the Locals!

New Yorkers have a reputation for being a little brusque, but that should not put you off talking to locals when you visit the city. Most people love to help others and feel flattered when they are asked questions, and this is as true in a big city like New York as it is in a small rural community. 

Locals will be able to direct you to the tastiest food and the best deals, and they will also be happy to tell you about cheap things to do in NYC that you might not read about in travel blogs. 

A City Like No Other

New York truly is a city like no other, and many of its greatest attractions are quite affordable. The deck of a boat will give you a view of the Big Apple that few visitors experience, and your New York Harbor Tours captain could be a valuable source of information about where you could go to shop, eat and take in the city. If you would like to see and enjoy what most tourists miss out on in New York, you should think about booking a NYC boat tour. Try our Fall Foliage Tour or Sunset Cruise.