As a college student, I am always looking for ways to have fun on a budget. Luckily, in New York there are so many enriching things to do for no, to very low, cost. Sit in the park with friends, check out some great museums, or even grab a bite to eat without busting the bank. Here are my top 11 low cost things to do in New York City.
1. UNIQLO Free Friday Night's at the MoMA.
Every Friday night, UNIQLO sponsors free admission from 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Get there a little early, wait in line, and you will receive a ticket giving you free admission to an absolutely incredible art museum.
2. Central Park.
Go into the city on a beautiful day and spend some time by yourself or with friends in Central Park. It's free of charge, and well worth it to sit in a beautiful green space in the middle of the city that never sleeps.
3. High Line.
This park was constructed from an abandoned elevated railroad track, and it connects Chelsea with the Javits Center. Walking along the High Line gives beautiful views of the Hudson and the city, and it's a great route to take to get a different, less crowded perspective of the city. It also has gorgeous gardens and seating areas. Plus, it's free!
4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While they have a suggested student donation of $12, the fine print says that you can pay any amount that you want to get admitted to the museum. Basically, you can give them a nickel and get to see some of the greatest art in the world.
5. Rush Broadway tickets.
Visit the TKTS Booth, use the Today Tix App, show up to the Box Office early, or go to www.studentrush.org. It's very easy to find (relatively) cheap tickets to go see a Broadway show close to show time! Also, many shows offer lotteries where you enter the drawing, and if your number gets pulled you pay little to no money for a front row seat!
5. Washington Square Park.
If you want a taste of NYC culture, this is the place to go. Sit in the park, sip a coffee, look at the fountains, and listen to the various conversations, political rallies, and performance groups that are happening in Washington Square Park.
6. The Museum at FIT.
This free museum has a large collection of student-created fashion and gallery works from different periods of history. I've heard it's an incredible museum, even for people who aren't interested in fashion!
7. See Jazz at Dizzy's Club.
Most jazz clubs are pretty expensive, but at Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, there's a $5 cover charge and a $5 menu. It's a great, cheap way to see some mind-blowing music.
8. Brooklyn Bridge Park.
This park is a beautiful place to sit and chat with friends on a sunny day. It provides great views of the bridge, the New York City skyline, and the water. It's super cute, and located near some great restaurants and shopping areas.
9. Visit the 9/11 Memorial.
The memorial is free and open to all visitors. There are attached museums, but they can have admissions fees of around $20. A beautiful way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11.
10. Staten Island Ferry.
This free ferry ride is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty! Departing from the Whitehall Terminal, this 25 minute ferry ride will take you right past the statue for free!
11. Get a slice of NY Pizza.
New York City is said to have the best pizza in the world, and you can find some great places all over the city that sell slices by the dollar.
