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10 Cheap Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Trip To NYC

Yes, it is possible to have an enjoyable vacation without emptying your wallet!

Danielle Fernandez

Jun 11, 2018

Ithaca College

140

10 Cheap Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Trip To NYC

Flickr

Times Square is one of my happy places, so I love spending time in New York City. That being said, I don't love all the money you have to spend just to eat and sleep there. Luckily, over the years I have perfected my money saving abilities and now know how to enjoy New York City on a reasonable budget. Here's the advice I have to offer.

1. Stay in a hostel at HI-NYC.

HI-NYC Youth Hostel

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This is by far the most beautiful youth hostel I have ever stayed at. Beds go for around $70 a night, and it's located right next to a subway stop! Plus, there are multiple common areas, including a patio covered in string lights. Check it out here!

2. Book a hotel just over the New Jersey border.

New York and New Jersey

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New York City hotels can be wildly expensive; prices are significantly lower just over the border in New Jersey. An added bonus is that most hotels by the border have express buses that will bring you from the front of your hotel into the heart of New York City in minutes!

3. Check out the High Five Tickets To The Arts program.

New York City Broadway

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If you or someone you know is a middle school or high school student, you could get $5 tickets to some of the best shows in New York City. Every teen who applies gets the opportunity to purchase one $5 ticket for themself and one for an adult who is 18 or older. Check it out here!

4. Stop by the TKTS Booth.

TKTS Booth

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Head on over to these iconic red steps to snag some cheap last minute tickets to popular shows and performances around the city.

5. Get a sightseeing pass.

Sightseeing Pass

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Sightseeing passes such as The New York Sightseeing Pass or City Pass allow you to enjoy multiple attractions for a fraction of the cost. This is a great option if it's your first time in the city or if you're just feeling touristy!

6. Hop on the Staten Island Ferry.

Staten Island Ferry

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The Staten Island Ferry is a free ferry ride to and from the Statue of Liberty. If you tend to get seasick on boats, I would recommend skipping out on this one. Otherwise, it's the perfect opportunity to get close-up pictures of the statue!

7. Hang out in Central Park and walk around Times Square.

Central Park

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New York City is an extraordinary place to wander around in. Central Park and Times Square are two of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and they're great places for people watching!

8. Take advantage of free continental breakfasts and skip lunch.

Breakfast

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If you fill up on a big breakfast, you can skip lunch and have an early dinner instead. That way, you can save a little more cash for shopping and unique experiences. It's an added bonus if the place you're staying at offers free breakfast.

9. Grab a slice of pizza for $1-5.

Pizza by the Slice

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Dollar slices and five dollar slices are a common sight around the city. They're the perfect meal when you're looking for something quick, cheap, and tasty!

10. Go on a chocolate tour.

Chocolate

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What sounds better than a two hour long chocolate tour? This one's a bit pricier than most of the other items on the list, but for five chocolate tastings, it sounds pretty worth it. Check it out here!

Enjoy your trip!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

10 Cheap Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Trip To NYC

Yes, it is possible to have an enjoyable vacation without emptying your wallet!

1. Stay in a hostel at HI-NYC.

2. Book a hotel just over the New Jersey border.

3. Check out the High Five Tickets To The Arts program.

4. Stop by the TKTS Booth.

5. Get a sightseeing pass.

6. Hop on the Staten Island Ferry.

7. Hang out in Central Park and walk around Times Square.

8. Take advantage of free continental breakfasts and skip lunch.

9. Grab a slice of pizza for $1-5.

10. Go on a chocolate tour.

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May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

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