martes, 23 de octubre de 2012

Tips For Visiting New York City On A Budget

By Kelsey Benson


It's the world's most filmed city and a center of almost anything from finance and politics to fashion, music and media. It's the city that never sleeps. Like Frank Sinatra you may sing that you want to be a part of it, but as exciting as the Big Apple is, it is also notoriously expensive. However, if you pay heed to some tips for visiting New York City, you may find that it's indeed possible to get in on the action without breaking the bank.

Most travelers find that accommodation is their biggest expense. New York hotel rooms are pricey and not many people can pay $100 a night or more for a place to sleep. If you keep in mind that you'll spend most of your time exploring the famous streets, however, you can bring down accommodation costs substantially.

There are many great hostels, not only in Manhattan, but also in the outer boroughs. They offer accommodation that is affordable even if it's basic. Couch surfing is another option to consider, since it's not only free, but will give you the opportunity to get inside information from a New Yorker. The further away from Manhattan you decide to spend your nights, the cheaper it will be. You can even stay in New Jersey and simply travel into Manhattan by train or bus.

Another advantage of the public transport system is that it's inexpensive. The subway and bus system is easy to navigate and reliable, so you don't have to rely on expensive yellow cabs to get around. Since Manhattan is quite small, you can also walk from one destination to another in no time and get to sight-see at the same time.

The Staten Island Ferry is a New York institution that you simply cannot miss out on. The best thing about it is that it won't cost you a dime. You get to see the same sights as on a more expensive harbor cruise and it operates all night too. From the deck you will be able to take great photographs of the city's most famous statue and of downtown Manhattan's skyscrapers.

Dining in Manhattan can be expensive, but you don't have to rely on fast-food chains or snacks from the grocery store to fill you up. The East Village is famous for the variety of food you can find there at reasonable prices. In addition, another truly New York experience is to buy a hot dog or a pretzel from a street vendor. When you plan on how much to spend on food, remember that the prices don't usually include the sales taxes, which add up to almost 9%.

Many of the Big Apple's best attractions are free. These include Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, St Patrick's Cathedral and Times Square. Museums like MoMA also offer free admission on certain days. For information, check the local listings or their websites.

A prepaid pass to the city's attractions is another good option if you want to visit attractions like the Empire State Building. These packages offer great discounts on the cost of admission tickets. You will find them online. Simply visit traveler's websites for more information and other tips for visiting New York City.




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