New York is a fully legendary metropolis. Because the monetary and cultural hub of the US and the de facto capital of the world, New York is a metropolis that everybody has to go to not less than as soon as of their lives.
It’s additionally legendarily costly. Whereas you are able to do New York on a funds, the price of the key points of interest is sufficient to make your eyes water. However you possibly can’t go to New York with out seeing sure locations.
On my first journey to New York, I attempted to strike a steadiness between seeing all the pieces I wished to see and partaking within the basic nyc procuring expertise, while not spending an absolute fortune. How properly did I handle? Learn my New York Metropolis spending diary to search out out.
Day 1
My first day in New York was actually solely half a day. It was already afternoon by the point I landed at JFK airport. I had a room booked within the decrease East Village, near Manhattan, which I felt was a reasonably whole lot at $98 an evening. However first, I needed to get there.
As tempting as a taxi from the airport could be, I wasn’t able to spend the $80+ it might’ve value. Moreover, I had performed my analysis earlier than my journey. I knew I may attain my room comparatively simply on public transit. So I took the AirTrain to Jamaica station for 5 bucks, then took the J practice from Jamaica to Essex Market.
The practice value $33, however that’s as a result of I purchased a seven-day limitless MTA cross good for buses and subways all through the town. I figured in the long term, this could most likely save me cash. And even when it didn’t, it might save me the effort of getting to purchase a ticket each time I wished to journey on the subway.
I additionally didn’t wish to be dragging my baggage by the town till after I acquired my bearings, so I tracked down a baggage storage place close by and dropped off my baggage. New York’s transit system may be overwhelming for a customer, and there’s no level carrying greater than you could.
The J practice isn’t precisely a vacationer attraction. It’s loud and lengthy and sort of grotty. However because it enters the town, it crosses the Williamsburg Bridge, and the view of New York because the sky was getting darkish was extremely atmospheric. I used to be already excited to be within the metropolis that by no means sleeps.
That doesn’t imply I don’t must sleep. After my flight, I used to be fairly drained. As soon as I checked into my room, I discovered an area Mexican place referred to as Los Feliz. Mahi-mahi tacos value $13, and with a drink and a tip, my invoice got here to $23. Stomach full, I headed again to the room and fell asleep to some dangerous TV.
Complete: $551 (contains lodging for five nights)
Day 2
Now that I had myself located, I used to be able to see the sights. And the Statue of Liberty was first on the record. The subway took me to Battery Park, the place I may leap on the ferry to Liberty Island the place the statue stands. The ferry value $23, together with admission to the statue’s crown, an audio tour, and admission to Ellis Island Museum. Not a foul deal contemplating that this can be a must-visit attraction.
Taking advantage of my ticket buy, I visited each points of interest. Again when Ellis Island was the gateway for immigration to the US, $0.30 would purchase bread, cheese, sausage, and a glass of lemonade on the concession stand. These days are lengthy gone.
These days, Ellis Island has a restaurant the place you will get a good meal of roast hen, potatoes, and gravy or Dover sole for $12. As I regarded over the choices, I may really feel my abdomen grumbling, reminding me I had forgotten about breakfast that morning. However I made a decision to move again to the town in hope of discovering one thing cheaper.
Again in Manhattan, I hit up the West Financial institution Gourmand Deli and tucked into a huge sizzling pastrami sandwich for eight {dollars}. It’s about as New York because it will get, and the quantity of meat you get in your sandwich is actually ridiculous. It’s an important deal contemplating its location.
Fueled by lunch, I headed deeper into the town. Do you know that it prices $72 to journey to the highest flooring of the Empire State constructing? Sure, it’s an iconic location. However the factor about seeing New York from the highest of the Empire State Constructing is you can’t see the Empire State Constructing whilst you’re in it.
As an alternative, I headed to Rockefeller Plaza and took the lengthy elevator journey as much as the Prime of the Rock. $38 is much more manageable, and also you get to see the Empire State Constructing within the thousand images you’ll inevitably take of the skyline.
As darkness fell, I made my option to Instances Sq.. This well-known New York attraction has the bonus of being free – so long as you don’t get swindled by the quite a few avenue distributors and performers. New York has cleaned up so much in the previous couple of a long time, so maintain your wits about you and you need to be simply superb.
Of all of the gin joints in all of the world, I needed to stroll into this one. It took a very long time for the deli sandwich to put on off. So I had a late dinner at Bathtub Gin, an upscale bar close to the West Village. At $23 for a Kobe beef burger, it could have been an pointless extravagance contemplating I didn’t even end my plate.
Perhaps I had one too lots of the scrumptious cocktails. The Pandan Specific was my favourite, however at $16 every, I most likely shouldn’t have had 4 of them. I used to be most likely a little bit wobbly as I made my manner again to my room that evening. My pockets was definitely lighter.
Complete: $156
Day 3
After the extravagance of the day prior to this, I assumed I used to be being intelligent. My room was proper subsequent to Essex Market, a newly-renovated meals market that not solely sells produce but additionally has all kinds of eating places inside.
I picked up some granola bars for breakfast ($3.50 for six) and stopped at Shopsin, a stylish Essex Market eatery. Their Egg Bomb value $13. I ordered it to go and took it to Central Park, chewing on a granola bar alongside the way in which.
Central Park is free, and is likely one of the finest locations I’ve ever been to people-watch in my life. New York is residence to each strata of society, from the grime poor to the outrageously rich, and just about all of them may be seen in Central Park. It’s the right place to whereas away a morning with out spending an excessive amount of cash.
After my picnic within the park, I headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork, also called the Met. The ticket was steep at $25, nevertheless it does cowl you for 3 days over the three places the museum operates.
And for those who’re an enormous artwork fan, you might simply spend these three days wandering across the halls of the Met. This establishment is residence to paintings from nearly each tradition and time interval of historical past. After spending a number of hours there, I nonetheless solely had time for the highlights.
Near the museum, I had dinner at UpThai, the place a Pad Thai set me again $13, or $20 with a drink and a tip. If I wished to save lots of more cash, I may’ve gone straight residence from there. However my go to to Essex Market that morning had intrigued me. I needed to cross proper by it to get residence…
Contained in the market corridor, a bar referred to as Tops Hops focuses on craft beer. A tasting flight value me $10, and I picked up a few cans of my favorites to take again to my room for one more $16.
Complete: $87.50
Day 4
My low-cost day in New York hadn’t turned out to be all that low-cost. However not less than I nonetheless had granola bars for breakfast. Taking one with me, I got down to stroll throughout the Brooklyn Bridge. Not solely is that this free, nevertheless it’s an effective way to get gorgeous views of the town and the enduring bridge that connects Manhattan to the borough of Brooklyn.
As soon as I reached the Brooklyn aspect, I headed to Brooklyn flea market. It is a excellent spot to do some searching for quirky gadgets you received’t discover wherever else. Aware of the fee, I attempted to maintain my money in my pocket. However there have been a few vinyl information I simply couldn’t resist. One other $20 gone.
I had heard that stylish Brooklyn, whereas not precisely low-cost, gives higher bargains than you’ll discover in Manhattan. That proved to be true. I ended for lunch at Heights Falafel. A falafel sandwich and a can of soda solely value me $6 and had me feeling a little bit higher about my impulsive buy on the flea market.
After lunch, I ended by the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn. To be trustworthy, I didn’t have notably excessive hopes. However I had heard good issues from a buddy who had been there. And even for somebody with none explicit curiosity in public transportation like me, I’ve to confess, it was fairly enjoyable. Exploring the previous subway carriages is like taking a visit again in time to previous New York. Admission was solely $10.
I stayed in Brooklyn for dinner. The Soul Spot was only some blocks from the museum and gives soul meals and Caribbean delicacies that can make you are feeling such as you’re someplace far south of New York Metropolis. Jerk hen with cornbread value $11.50, and the home made lemonade was solely $2.25 for a big glass.
Brooklyn had turned out to be cheaper than I assumed it might be, so I didn’t really feel too responsible about treating myself to a live performance. Moreover, the place else are you able to take heed to classical music whereas floating on the river? BargeMusic in Brooklyn allows you to do this for round $35 a ticket.
The practice residence was free because of my 7-day cross. All in all, it was a enjoyable day for not an excessive amount of cash.
Complete: $88
Day 5
For my final day in New York, I made a decision to get a little bit bizarre with it. After my now-customary breakfast of granola, I headed to Tribeca to see the firehouse of Hook and Ladder Firm 8 – higher often called the Ghostbusters headquarters.
Since that is nonetheless a working firehouse, you possibly can’t simply wander in. However it’s an important spot for picture alternatives, and there’s a reward store on web site that I used to be ready to withstand.
Within the temper for one more quirky attraction, I headed to the Museum of the American Gangster. The constructing was once a speakeasy again in Prohibition days, and this small however fascinating exhibition illuminates the historical past of organized crime in New York and all through the nation. Tickets value $20, however they embody a guided tour to be sure you get essentially the most out of the expertise.
There’s nothing like a brush with the mob to make you hungry. Katz’s Deli is understood for 2 issues — nice sandwiches and impolite service. To be trustworthy, I didn’t discover the service precisely impolite; extra brusque than something. That’s to be anticipated in a spot as busy as this.
And when my sandwich arrived, I noticed directly that I had made a mistake. The Reuben sandwich I obtained may’ve simply fed three or 4 individuals. There was no manner I may end it. And provided that it value $24, it appeared like a little bit of a waste. Making an attempt to recoup my losses, I wrapped up many of the sandwich and took it with me once I left.
My subsequent cease was throughout the island of Manhattan on the 9/11 memorial. This monument pays tribute to a darkish chapter in American and world historical past. However it additionally carries a message of hope. New Yorkers will always remember the tragic occasions of September 11, 2001, however the metropolis has regenerated the way in which it all the time does.
After the sobering go to to the memorial, I wanted some leisure. So I headed to Greenwich Village and Cafe Wha?
Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Woody Allen, and quite a few different legendary performers all acquired their begin at this still-operating bar. The $15 cowl cost was a little bit steep, nevertheless it helps to help musicians. And whereas I can’t say I noticed the following Bob Dylan play whereas I used to be there, it was positively a enjoyable evening.
Beers have been $8-$9, I handled myself to a couple of them, understanding it was my final evening in New York. Moreover, the monster Reuben I nonetheless carried in my bag meant I didn’t must order any meals. As soon as I made it again to my resort room, I ate the remainder of my sandwich and went to sleep, understanding I had an early flight the following day.
Complete: $98
My New York spending diary
Journey complete: $980.50 plus return flights
New York isn’t going to be an affordable place to go to. However there actually is nowhere else prefer it on earth. And relying on what you’re focused on, there are methods to economize.
In hindsight, I most likely ought to’ve spent extra time in cheaper neighborhoods reminiscent of Brooklyn. If I had identified how huge the sandwiches they serve at Katz’s are, I may need gone there a few instances and acquired a complete day’s meals for $25.
However given all the pieces I acquired to see, I’m fairly pleased with how a lot I spent. It wasn’t low-cost, nevertheless it was an important journey that I’d be comfortable to do once more.
