I’m headed to the Big Apple with my daughter to celebrate her birthday. This trip has been planned for a few months and we are both super excited. We will be in New York City for a few days and are looking for some fun (and frugal) things to do while we are there.
If you have any suggestions leave them in the comments. I won’t have my computer with me, but I can check on my phone so tell me your best tips!
The metropolitan museum of art is a “suggested” donation, so you can essentially get in free (if that’s what you want) or hand them five dollars (or whatever seems appropriate to you.) When I take my family of six with me, I usually hand the ticket person $20. Also, if you are going to be on the southern tip of Manhatten, you can ride the Staten Island Ferry for FREE and get one of the best views of the Statue of Liberty. Have fun!!
I read in BHG that the Museum of Modern Art in NY has an exhibit on how kitchen designs have changed over time. Tickets are $20 for adults and 16-under are Free!
the MoMA is free on Friday’s from 4 – 8. And they have a free coat check.
We were just in NYC in July and if you had a military id everyone was free.
For the Metropolitan Museum, I meant to say.
Sorry to leave yet another comment, but come to think of it, most of the museums and or attractions had free/reduced prices for the military.
The Museum of Natural History also has a suggested donation, so you can pay whatever works in your budget. They ask you what you want to pay when you buy your tickets and don’t even bat an eye at whatever you tell them. It is a great museum
The toys r us store and the fao schwartz stores are alot of fun also. Chelsea market where the food network tapes is a really cool market to visit. The bronx zoo and the central park zoo are alsso worth checking into. I am not ure how much they cost–the bronx zoo used to be free on wednesdays.
The New York Public Library at 42nd and 5th is my favorite building in the city. Great architecture, they have a Gutenberg Bible and the original Pooh animals on display. They give free tours daily at 11 and 2. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a classic and the Promenade on the Brooklyn side is a great view of Manhattan. The Staten Island Ferry (R or 1 train to Whitehall) is free and you get a great view going by the Statue of Liberty. Our favorite Chinese restaurant in China Town is Wo-Hop (17 Mott Street) it’s in a basement, it’s cheap. 9th Avenue in the 40s and 50s are some of the best restaurants (it’s Hells Kitchen) We like Island Burgers and Shakes at 51st street. That was a lot, have a great trip.
We recently had a great time exploring Central Park, which has so many cool sites! If you want to grab a bite to eat when you’re there check out the Central Park Boathouse. I think we got food from the Cafe, which had good food at great prices. The Plaza Hotel is also right by the park, and you can wander around the shops located at the bottom floor of the hotel. Enjoy your trip!
Bring your own water bottles….we wore them on our hips and were very happy to have them handy.
I’ll 2nd the free Staten Island Ferry. Go across, check out the skyline and the Statue of Liberty, then get off the boat, get back in line and go back.
If you like boats check out Battery Park.
Memorial at the Ground Zero site. Our younger kids didn’t appreciate it, and I didn’t know how I’d feel going there, but I’m glad we stopped.
Times Square at night. It’s just an amazing hub-bub of activity. We went through during the day and again at night.
Library – FABULOUS architecture. Wish we’d been able to walk around more. We got there 15 minutes before closing.
Have fun!
I love NYC! Have a great trip. Last time Jim and I went we ate at Burger Joint, which I think is in Park Meridian hotel (?) It’s stuck back in a corner of the hotel lobby area and it is sooo good and super cheap. It’s really like it doesn’t belong there at all. If you like history stuff, check out the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Really neat tours and history that you don’t get to see in the usual tourist stuff. Makes books like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn really come to life.
Eat at Gray’s Papaya! They have great hot dogs and yummy smoothie drinks all for a really great price! Have fun in the city!
It”s been a few years but before littles we went all the time. We caught several broadway shows for a fraction of the price by buying last minute tickets at a ticket booth near times square. If I have time, I’ll look up the name (dashing out right now)
HAVE FUN!
if you are up for a broadway show, get your tickets the night you want to go at the ticket counters in the center of time square (where the red lit up bleachers are)…. all the shows are discounted up to 75% off for that night!! I have used this!!
Have fun!
I saw this place…..Dylan’s Candy Shop on Oprah & told some friends who were bringing their daughter to NYC & they called me & told me it was WONDERFUL. It looked amazing on TV. Dylan is the daughter of Ralph Lauren. I think yall will both enjoy it. Have fun.
I just did a nice cupcake tour there … sugar sweet sunshine had the best cupcakes with Buttercup Bakery next!! You can find a Crumbs pretty easily, but it’s a chain store. I like the little independents!