Cheap Things To Do In New York

A Budget Guide For A Trip To New York

Jul 17, 2009 Richard Oldale

The pound may have recovered against the U.S dollar recently, but in New York money can still fall through your fingers like water.

However, there is plenty to do and even more to see without your stay in New York costing more than your bank balance allows.

Gallery Hopping In Chelsea

Fundamentally this is window shopping for art, but on West 22nd Street in Chelsea there are several galleries exhibiting contemporary works from some of the brightest prospects in the present day art world. Many of the exhibits are abstract and expressionism and though the pieces are on sale for exorbitant prices visitors are free to browse with no obligation to buy.

Museums in New York

Most Museums in New York charge an entrance fee of around $18-$27 (£10-£16) though several offer 'pay what you will' schemes and rely on donations. On Fridays between 6-8pm the ultra cool Guggenheim Art Gallery on 5th Ave and 89th St. is the best option. The Museum of Moving Images on 35 Ave and 37 St. also rely on donations and is a great day out particularly if you have children. Get involved with interactive facilities and learn how films are made. The New York Public Library is also worth a quick visit for its stunning architecture alone. Hour long guided tours are available free of charge Monday to Saturday at 11am and 2pm or 2pm on Sundays.

Have a Rest in One of New York's Parks

New York is a tiring place to walk round. Thankfully there are plenty of parks and gardens to take a well earned break. Some of the most pleasant are the City Hall Park in downtown Manhattan, Union Square near the hub of the shopping centre of 5th Avenue and Washington Square round the corner of Greenwich Village and Bleecker Street. On Houston Street between the Bowery and 2nd Avenue is a quaint urban garden oasis complete with colourful flowers, plants, a fish pond and shade. Alternatively, Bryant Parkoffers a whole programme of interesting events.

Take a Bike Ride Round Central Park

The largest and most famous park in New York, if not the world, is of course Central Park and covers an area of 843 square. The best way to get around is by bike which can be hired from numerous rental operators close to the main entrance near Broadway. Beatles fans will want to stop of at Strawberry Fields which was built and designed by Yoko Ono is remembrance of her assassinated husband, John Lennon.

For more cheap things to do in New York click here.

Where To Stay

Chelsea Star Hotel,300 West St. and 8th Ave is a modest yet stylish hotel equipped with Queen sized beds, flat screen TV's, telephones and safes big enough to fit in laptops. Room prices start at $109 (£66) though regular offers are available at $99 (£60)

The Whitehouse Hotel of New York, 338 Boweryis on the doorstep of some of Manhattans major tourist attractions like Cooper Union and CBGB's and is ideally situated for getting around the city. The rooms are small but have air conditioning wireless internet, cable TV and range between $20-$30 (£12-£18).

Where To Eat

Finding places to eat that serves good food at affordable prices is not as easy as you might think. The meals are generally reasonable but once you add alcohol and service tip to the bill the cost can be more than you were anticiapting to pay. Below are a couple of options that offer meal deals.

De Mole, 45, 48th Ave, Woodside is the first authentic Mexican restaurant in Queens and offers great food at affordable prices. The Tamales and the Chicken Enchilades come highly recommended. Prices start from $10 (£6).

Babouche, 2 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn is a stylish restaurant with an Asian ambience serving French cuisine. Monday is steak night with a massive reduction on Sirloin, available for $12 (£7.50). Any other night Steak dishes are $23 (£14). Tuesday's is fish night and offer the same discounts. The wine list is excellent and reasonably priced, the staff are efficient and friendly staff and the food is out if this world.

The copyright of the article Cheap Things To Do In New York in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Richard Oldale. Permission to republish Cheap Things To Do In New York in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Advertising in Bright Lights at Times Square

The Ultra Cool Guggenheim

The Exorcist Dummy in the Moving Images Museum

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