“Affordable” is not likely to be the first word that comes to mind when planning a trip to Manhattan. Thankfully, there are ways to stay in line with a budget and still get to explore and enjoy “The City That Never Sleeps”. Besides the obvious freebies, like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, travelers can conquer all aspects of New York without going into debt.
For starters, avoid traveling around the holidays if you are looking to get away without spending a fortune. Look for popular boutique hotels to run specials for discounted rooms in early February, after all of the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years has settled down. Staying in Midtown, where a lot of the action takes place, can also save travelers a pretty penny on cab fare with so much to do right out of the hotel’s door steps.
Once a date is set, aim to book plane tickets between three and five weeks before the trip. With sites like, Matrix Airfare Search, travelers can find affordable airfare without spending hours hunting online.
Fifth Avenue may be known for its shopping, but is not exactly where one would imagine getting the deal of a century. However, walking into a store that is going out of business with 75% markdowns is common in a city where new shops are opening and closing daily, and will leave shoppers with a huge grin without emptying their wallet. Even simply wandering the side streets of Soho will definitely get the fashion juices flowing and can spark some creative wardrobe inspiration. Best of all, when travelers need a pick-me-up from window shopping, they won’t have to search far for a cozy coffee shop that has some of the best cookies and cappuccinos in the world.
If getting pampered sounds tempting, save getting a manicure for “The Big City”, where prices are roughly half the price one might pay in their hometown.
Holding back on food will definitely not be necessary. With so many pizza joints that sell by the slice, and ramen shops, like Naruto Ramen, gaining popularity, one can easily get an amazing meal for under $10.
As for nightlife, the possibilities are endless. Reservations for a comedy club in the West Village can be made for as little as $10 a person. Travelers may even get the chance to see their favorite comedian do a guest appearance. Broadway show tickets are not known to be inexpensive. However, consider buying tickets to an off Broadway show for as little as $20. After all, it could be the up and coming must see show.
Remember, you don’t have to eat at the newest restaurant in town or buy next seasons Fendi bag to get an incredible New York experience. On the contrary, travelers may find out that visiting New York on a budget has more to offer once they start uncovering all of its hidden, and thrifty, gems.