6 Things to Do in NYC on a Budget

NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the US and can seem even pricier to a broke college student. It can be a pretty intimidating place for people to visit just with the price tags alone. However, there are a lot of awesome things to do in the city when you’re on a budget; here are six.

The High Line

The High Line is a gorgeous park that’s elevated above the Lower West side of Manhattan. It’s built on an old rail line that used to run in the city and the current theme and landscape of the park relates back to that. It has amazing views of the city and of the Hudson River, which are perfect backdrops for you to take artsy pictures.

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Chelsea Market

You can walk the High Line all the way to Chelsea Market where you can stop to get a quick and cheap bite to eat. There’s also a flea market in Chelsea Market where you can window shop or even snag a vintage piece of jewelry or art for a great price.

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World Trade Center Memorial

Although the museum costs money to tour, the memorial park is completely free. This amazing tribute has two beautiful waterfalls where the Twin Towers once stood, with the names of all of the victims written along the edge. It’s not only a memorial to the past but a place of hope and renewal that truly captures the American spirit.

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Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry has been called one of the best water cruises in the World. Not only does it have incredible views of everything that is iconic to NYC, such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge; but also it’s also completely free. It’s by far the best way to explore the New York harbor.

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Central Park

You can easily spend a whole day in the city just exploring Central Park. There are so many things to see and do. Whether you want to hang out in the sun on the Great Lawn with some friends, or go ice-skating during the winter; there’s something for everyone, at any time of the year. You can also go to the Central Park Zoo and look at the cute penguins or take a rowboat ride in the lake. Get lost in the park and just explore (or take really great pictures).

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Any museum (MOMA, Met, Museum of Natural History)

Check out any of the museums in the city. Although it’s not advertised, a lot of the museum ticket prices are just recommended, so you can actually pay what you want. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The American Museum of Natural History are just two museums that go with a recommended ticket price. You can see some of the most famous art or history exhibits in the world for as little as a dollar. The Museum of Modern Art has a set ticket price but is free on Friday nights from 4pm to 8pm. You can enjoy so much culture in the city for such a small price.