As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, New York City attracts over 65 million visitors each year. This should come as no surprise, considering the thriving city is home to some of the best shopping, dining, museums, and theatrical performances in the world.
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Commonly referred to as The City That Never Sleeps, New York City is overflowing with exciting things to do and see. However, it’s not the cheapest city in America.
You might be wondering how much you need to budget for this trip. Is $1,000 enough for five days in New York?
It’s a great question, but first, you must ask yourself what you will be doing in the Big Apple. If you plan to stay at a 5-star hotel and dine at upscale restaurants in Manhattan, then a budget of $1000 is definitely not going to cut it.
However, if you book a mid-tier hotel and take advantage of the many free things to do in New York, then a budget of $1000 is just fine.
We know the average accommodation price is $137 USD a night, making up a little over half of your $1000 budget.
So it’s important to take advantage of the many affordable options for dining and tourist attractions in New York City. The city is flush with cheap eats from delicious street food in Chinatown to reasonably priced cafes in Queens.
If you opt for a hotel with a kitchenette area, you could even make some of your own meals and carry snacks to further reduce the cost of dining in New York.
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Cheap Attractions in New York
Now that you know you can find affordable accommodation and cheap dining options in New York, it brings us to the real question: What is there to do in NYC for cheap? Believe it or not, the options are plentiful.
Our team at Trip Support has rounded up our top picks for cheap or free attractions in New York City that allow for a budget-friendly vacation.
From the scenic boardwalk at Coney Island to the glitzy streets of Fifth Avenue, there is plenty of fun and family-friendly ways to spend five days in New York City without blowing through your budget in a New York minute.
Here are the top eight cheap or free attractions in New York City:
Walk the boardwalk at Coney Island
Officially named the Riegelmann Boardwalk, this Coney Island staple is a 2.7-mile long boardwalk overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
If you’re visiting New York in the summertime, this popular destination is perfect for people watching, enjoying cheap eats, and riding the thrilling roller coasters of Luna Park.
The boardwalk is just a few minutes walk from the New York City Aquarium. Tickets to the aquarium range from $19.95 to $24.95.
Catch a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry
All aboard the Staten Island Ferry for the cheapest and most scenic route to see the world-famous Statue of Liberty. Head over to the Whitehall Terminal and hop on the Staten Island Ferry.
The ride is free and comes with stunning views of the New York City skyline during the 25-minute ride through New York Harbor. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with service roughly every 20 minutes.
Attend a performance at Juilliard
While New York is known for its spectacular Broadway productions, tickets to those shows can get incredibly pricey. If you don’t feel like shelling out the dough, check the schedule for performances held by The Juilliard School instead.
This famous performing arts school hosts dance, theatre, and music performances throughout the year, many of which are either free or very reasonably priced. The talent is outstanding, so this is one of the best deals we know of.
Explore the city by bike with Citi Bike
For just $15 USD, you can purchase a Citi Bike day pass and travel as far as your legs will take you in 24 hours. This is a fun and cheap way to see all the spectacular sights around New York City while getting a great workout in at the same time.
Citi Bike docks are stationed all around the city, so you can grab a bike no matter where you are and begin your self-guided tour. You can also pay $3.99 for a single ride for up to 30 minutes.
Enjoy a picnic in Central Park
In the midst of all the big city chaos, a relaxing picnic in the park is the perfect way to unwind with the family. As one of the largest urban parks in the world, Central Park is a must-see destination in New York City, with tons of lush green space for picnics.
Stop at a nearby bodega for some snacks and drinks, then head over to Central Park to enjoy a picnic complete with skyline views. It’s all free of charge, so you can’t complain about that.
Go window shopping on Fifth Avenue
We feel a Sex in the City moment coming on. Known for being the best street in New York City for window shopping, a stroll down Fifth Avenue is an absolute must.
With shops like Bergdorf Goodman, Armani, Valentino, and Dolce & Gabbana, Fifth Avenue is widely regarded as one of the most expensive streets in the world.
While you may find yourself wishing that you could afford those $5,000 boots in the window, it’s pretty fun to window shop and play pretend.
Stroll through Times Square at night
A stop at Times Square is an absolute must for any first-timer visiting New York City. You can see one of the most vibrant parts of the city, watch free street performers, go window shopping and soak up the atmosphere.
Pick up free tickets for a talk show like The Late Show With Stephen Colbert or the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. For a truly magical experience, it’s key to visit at night when all the lights are aglow.
If you stay up late enough, you can see the world’s largest digital art exhibition. Massive billboards light up in a synchronized show every night just before midnight.
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Visit the iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral
World-renowned for its breathtaking Neo-Gothic architecture, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in New York and is worth a visit regardless of your religious affiliation.
Visitors can walk through the church and snap photos free of charge or purchase a black or gold Tour Pass for $20-$25, which is an audio tour that guides you through the history of this incredible church.
More Free Activities In NY
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Go to the beach
- Take a free walking tour
- Tour the Brooklyn Brewery on a Sunday
- Tour the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's gold vault
- Tour the New York Public Library
- See a movie in Bryant Park in the summer
Visit the Trip Support website to find out more about Trip Support flights, or call our travel experts on #1-855-606-0606 for more information. They are always ready to help our clients plan their next epic vacation.
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You can book now and pay later and go to New York in America with Trip Support. Get your pay later flight to New York by Trip Support today!
The face of travel is changing rapidly. We are proudly leading the industry with an innovative and flexible Book Now, Pay Later option. You can buy the air ticket and vacation packages by putting down a small deposit to secure the services and pay the balance in installments.
Flexibility and savings are just some of the benefits of flying with Trip Support.
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