Free or very cheap attractions in NYC

[happily single]

I will be in NYC next Thursday (10/22) to see an 8pm concert. I would like to go explore the city a little beforehand, I have been to NYC about a dozen times in the past few years. However, I am hoping to keep this day trip very affordable.

What I do NOT want to do:
1. Times Square
2. Staten Island Ferry
3. 911 Memorial
4. Top of the Rock/Empire State Building

Does anyone have any ideas? I am also looking for affordable but decent food (carts/diners, etc)

thanks!

 

[mjkacmom]

Downtown? High line first, head down to the village, Canal Street, maybe Battery Park and take the free Staten Island ferry (you have to get off, and get back on again).

 

[disfanforlife]

Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Natural History

 

[wilkeliza]

Go to one of the museums. Do your research first but most (the Met at Museum of Natural History are the 2 I frequent) are suggested donation museums. Unless I want to see the big traveling exhibit I only pay 1 or 2 dollars.

Also the highline is a great affordable thing to do. It is free and you walk close to the Hudson for about 1 mile. It is nice and there is some instillation art up there.

Central Park is always a great option as well.

As for food cheap and good in NYC don't usually go hand in hand.

 

[shamrock30]

The halal cart on 53rd and 6th (you'll know it by the line) is good. Also, Shake Shack is reasonable. Do you like falafel? Lots of reasonable choices for that. Mamoun's is the cheapest.

I would pick a neighborhood to walk around, such as Chinatown, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Even if you just go halfway and turn around, you'll get nice views of the city.

 

[Dopey420]

As for food cheap and good in NYC don't usually go hand in hand.

Disagree. PLENTY of cheap food in NYC!

Dumpling houses in Chinatown
$1 dollar slices of pizza (yeah its not the best, $3 for the best)
Recession special at Gray's Papaya Dog
Union Square farmers market
Halal carts
Bagels and cream cheese

 

[Dopey420]

I will be in NYC next Thursday (10/22) to see an 8pm concert. I would like to go explore the city a little beforehand, I have been to NYC about a dozen times in the past few years. However, I am hoping to keep this day trip very affordable.

What I do NOT want to do:
1. Times Square
2. Staten Island Ferry
3. 911 Memorial
4. Top of the Rock/Empire State Building

Does anyone have any ideas? I am also looking for affordable but decent food (carts/diners, etc)

thanks!

Walk across Brooklyn Bridge
Central Park- lots of free concerts
Little (and getting littler) Italy
Chinatown
Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Grand Central Station
St Patricks Cathedral
Take train out to Coney Island- very interesting if you are a disney nut like us- ride the Cyclone- Get a Totonno's pizza and see the Nathan's where they have the hot dog eating contest

 

[wilkeliza]

Disagree. PLENTY of cheap food in NYC!

Dumpling houses in Chinatown
$1 dollar slices of pizza (yeah its not the best, $3 for the best)
Recession special at Gray's Papaya Dog
Union Square farmers market
Halal carts
Bagels and cream cheese

I'm all about $1 dollar slices but that isn't going to ever be the best pizza you can get. Same with the rest of it. I haven't been to a Gray's Papaya in years. Not one conveniently located to my local. I got away paying for mediocre cheap food and now try to spend a little more for quality. Union Square farmer's market seems to be hit or miss.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The halal cart on 53rd and 6th (you'll know it by the line) is good. Also, Shake Shack is reasonable. Do you like falafel? Lots of reasonable choices for that. Mamoun's is the cheapest.

........

Shake Shack? Only if you want to waste a great deal of time waiting in very long lines for something you can easily find in other restaurants.

 

[GaryDis]

For various reasons, my new favorite vegetarian restaurant in NYC is Beyond Sushi (vegetarian - no fish, but a fair bit of variety). I find a combo of a roll with a couple of extra pieces is a satisfying light dinner, but a couple of rolls would be substantial.

The Tenement Museum has been on my list for a while, but I still haven't made it there. Or, for something totally free but impressive to many (albeit boring to many others), visit Macy's at Herald Square. It's no longer the world's largest store, but I believe it's still the largest one in North America.

 

[NewRVLady]

Hi line park on west side- I love it
Chelsea Market- just cool looking at it!there is lots of affordable food here- we got sushi in the amazing Fish market.

 

[ckcnj]

The high line is great. There are also food trucks parked near it and some food stands up on it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.......

The Tenement Museum has been on my list for a while, but I still haven't made it there. Or, for something totally free but impressive to many (albeit boring to many others), visit Macy's at Herald Square. It's no longer the world's largest store, but I believe it's still the largest one in North America.

The Tenement Museum is great, but it's not cheap and you really need to reserve your tour in advance. It's walking distance to Katz's Deli; stop for lunch. If you visit Macy's in Herald Square, be sure and ride the old wooden escalators.

 

[Ava]

Where is your concert? I assume you'll want to eat dinner somewhere nearby before an 8pm show.

The main branch of the NY public library on 5th Ave @ 42nd St usually has some interesting (free) exhibits, and its just a neat building to see. Walking through Central Park is always nice in good weather. Look up a map beforehand so you can find things like the Alice in Wonderland statue and Belvedere Castle.

 

[Arden01]

Disagree. PLENTY of cheap food in NYC!

Dumpling houses in Chinatown
$1 dollar slices of pizza (yeah its not the best, $3 for the best)
Recession special at Gray's Papaya Dog
Union Square farmers market
Halal carts
Bagels and cream cheese

Yes. Lots of cheap places to eat in NYC. Not sure where you are staying, but if you are in midtown, try 9th Avenue for Thai restaurants around 45-49th Street (lunch specials under $10), affordable Italian (my favorite is Bocca Di Bacco on 45th-lunch pasta entrees under $15, dinner entrees generally under $20; also Nizza usually had a nice panini/soup lunch special for around $10 or 12), Westway Diner b/ween 43-44th St- great diner!) and lots of other ethnic food, sandwich shops.

 

[Arden01]

I will be in NYC next Thursday (10/22) to see an 8pm concert. I would like to go explore the city a little beforehand, I have been to NYC about a dozen times in the past few years. However, I am hoping to keep this day trip very affordable.

What I do NOT want to do:
1. Times Square
2. Staten Island Ferry
3. 911 Memorial
4. Top of the Rock/Empire State Building

Does anyone have any ideas? I am also looking for affordable but decent food (carts/diners, etc)

thanks!

National Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan is free.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It's suggested donation to go inside, but well worth it. The detail on the stained glass is amazing and there is some extraordinary art in there. My favorite is the Chapel of St. Savior with the triptych on the altar done by Keith Haring. Full disclosure: I used to work there, but it was one of my favorite places long before that. 112th & Amsterdam. The Hungarian Pastry Shop is across the street from the Peace sculpture. Also, the Tom's Restaurant from Seinfeld is down the street on 112th & Broadway. It's just okay food-wise. There was a great Cuban place on Amsterdam where i used to get a pressed sandwich for $3 and a coffee for 85 cents...and this was only 11 years ago!

 

[Arden01]

Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It's suggested donation to go inside, but well worth it. The detail on the stained glass is amazing and there is some extraordinary art in there. My favorite is the Chapel of St. Savior with the triptych on the altar done by Keith Haring. Full disclosure: I used to work there, but it was one of my favorite places long before that. 112th & Amsterdam. The Hungarian Pastry Shop is across the street from the Peace sculpture. Also, the Tom's Restaurant from Seinfeld is down the street on 112th & Broadway. It's just okay food-wise. There was a great Cuban place on Amsterdam where i used to get a pressed sandwich for $3 and a coffee for 85 cents...and this was only 11 years ago!

Definitely! I went to college in the neighborhood and St. John the Divine is one of NYC's treasures! Such a beautiful cathedral. Not only is the Hungarian Pastry Shop across the street which makes the best cappuccino, there's V&T pizza a couple doors down. Best pizza and very affordable. You have to order it by the pie, but it's well worth it. Eggplant pizza is so good.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Definitely! I went to college in the neighborhood and St. John the Divine is one of NYC's treasures! Such a beautiful cathedral. Not only is the Hungarian Pastry Shop across the street which makes the best cappuccino, there's V&T pizza a couple doors down. Best pizza and very affordable. You have to order it by the pie, but it's well worth it. Eggplant pizza is so good.

This thread is making me homesick! I am originally from MA but lived in NYC for 7 years (off and on) before I came out west. I lived in Inwood for 6 months before I moved down to 104th & Columbus. The Lion's Den on 110th and Amsterdam had 20 cent wings and $1 PBRs on Mondays.

Most of my cheap/free things I loved to do are on the OPs "no" list, but here are some more:

I second the nomination for Gray's Papaya recession special.
Window shopping on 5th Ave.
I always go to Rock Center but have never done Top of the Rock. People watching is fantastic there.
Most of my favorite places to eat were along Ninth Ave between 43rd and 55th.
Zabar's on Broadway between 80th and 81st. They have the most delicious soups in their quick serve restaurant near 80th, but even just browsing inside the main store is fantastic.

 

[disneymami]

Grand Central Station - downstairs - a fabulous variety of food options, all very good and delicious and something to meet every budget. Plus you get to see Grand Central which is a great destination for the out of towner.
You are coming at the nice time of year so plan on walking. From GCT walk towards 5th ave and head for the New York Public Library. Then stroll through Bryant Park behind the library.
If you are up to a nice walk, proceed south 6 blocks to 34th street and 6th ave Herald Square to visit the famous Macy's. Even if you don't buy anything I think it is fun to see real old New York department store.