Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in New York City

THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in New York City

Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in New York City

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  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.


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What travelers are saying

  • Eileen108
    Mount Shasta, CA5,068 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I went about 9 to 10am on a Tuesday in early April, it was still like winter but oh! How wonderful to walk in the lovely quiet in nature, hearing the birds sing! What a joy!
    Written October 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hullarxim
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates54 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum is a must visit.very stunning museum with so many things to see.So far this is the most beautiful memorial I have ever seen.
    Written September 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Eileen108
    Mount Shasta, CA5,068 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The MET was a joy, wonderful displays, so much to see and admire! I came when it opened on a Tuesday and there were long lines already waiting outside in the rain, and the bag storage lines were too long, I took my backpack with me but it became so heavy!
    Written October 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charles_and_Susan
    Nottingham, UK7,329 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We'd only arrived in New York a few hours earlier but we wanted to join the walk along the High Line guided by one of the High Line Volunteers. It's an amazing space on an old railway viaduct that has been converted into a green oasis. Lots of work has gone into making a layer for the plants to thrive. Along the way there are various artworks too. Some were specially comissioned for the location.

    One of the amazing things to me was that when it was originally constructed to bring meat into the packing factories it was constructed through the buildings that were there at the time. You can still see a few where the High Line goes through and the building is shaped around it.

    Taking the guided walk we learnt a lot about its construction and the continuing efforts to save it from the developers. It's worth the effort getting there and there are views of the river and the city too
    Written October 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charles_and_Susan
    Nottingham, UK7,329 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a must-do when visiting New York. It turned out better than we thought. We'd booked a ticket that included visiting the inside of the Pedestal and that was good. We thought that the old museum inside the statue was better orgainised and gave more understandable information than the modern one outside. They've taken the exhibits (foot, torch, etc) into the modern one though so you do need to go there as well.

    Pick up the free (included) audio tour which takes you around the island giving information as you go, it's good.

    You need to book via Statue Cruises to land on the island.
    Written October 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • I W
    Leicestershire, UK346 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked the top of the rock for 7.00 on a Monday evening. Queuing to get in was simple and efficient. No problems going up to the lower viewing platform. There's a cafe to buy food and drink if you want. No problems going up to the top viewing platform. It was fairly busy, but you could get to the edge and take in the view, with a bit of patience. Top of the Rock gives great views of the empire state, central Park and the south of Manhattan island. Highly recommended. There are plenty of places to get something to eat in the Rockerfeller centre.
    Written June 16, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tracey
    Harlow, UK28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best seen at night. Lots of food and souvenir stalls, very busy but nice. It’s ok during the day but you get a better experience at night when all the lights are more visible.
    Written September 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hullarxim
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates54 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Everything was amazing.very great performance.there is alot to see.very friendly staffs and very helpful.loved the show
    Written September 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DipuKV
    Pune, India3,257 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Located in the heart of Manhattan, Grand Central Terminal is eye candy! A historic site, it is a functioning station as well as a tourist landmark.
    Written September 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Irina Tserodze
    Tbilisi, Georgia9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was my second time in NYC and explored this city differently. It was a solo trip. The weather this time was exceptionally good- warm and pleasant. I walked a lot in Manhattan ( main avenues, greenwich village, soho etc). These last two districts are perfect for shopping and some cocktails in the evening. Central park is an amazing spot to have rest and enjoy the nature. Brooklyn bridge and Grant Central Terminal are must see places. They are amazing. You should definitely cross the bridge from Brooklyn side in order to have a Manhattan view in front of. I also visited Woodberry Common - premium brand outlet, which is a good place for shopaholics (though do not expect very low prices on brands). Also enjoyed the night view over NYC from the One World Observatory. Serendipity cafe is a lovely place to visit to try their sweets. đź–¤ this city is something different, you are charged with happiness and energy throughout the year! But choose a nice weather, definitely.
    Written September 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • trip-radar
    Rhodes Town, Greece980 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There are many interesting things to see and do in this museum, especially the audiovisual hall about the Big Bang and the Universe
    Written August 27, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VinnyDPastel
    Lake Worth, FL4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was a very good trip, I mean it was free, so that's always a plus. The view was amazing, I got to have clear cut photos of the Statue of Liberty. The ocean breeze was so nice, it was decently clean, the wait for the Ferry wasn't so bad either (only about 15 minutes). The only negative I had was that I had to wait an extra 20 minutes because of a "technical issue" which sucked but I'm sure it doesn't happen often. Other than that it was a good quality trip to get me from point A to point B.
    Written October 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Raquel Reis
    Santos, SP36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very large market inside, many food options with places to seat inside, for different times of the day (lunch, brunch, just a drink).
    Written September 24, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • eagertraveller123
    UK1,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous and a must see if you’re in New York / really beautiful building and interior and fantastic collections. Not to be missed
    Written September 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DipuKV
    Pune, India3,257 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The famed Manhattan skyline, visible as it comes into view when you drive to the city from the airport, or when you see it across the water from New Jersey or Staten Island Ferry, is sheer eye candy!
    Written September 23, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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