New York City, the Big Apple, is one of the most prominent cities in the world. New York sees travelers from not just all over the country but the globe as well. Fashion, finance, dining, entertainment from the super elite to penny pinchers all can find something in this metropolitan. That means those that people and travelers are a dime a dozen in a city where everyone is trying to make a buck. This can lead to an expensive vacation. These tips can help you cut costs and save allowing you to make the most of this amazing city.

Web Research
Doing a bit of research online can help you save big in the long run and make the best use of your time. You can find special packages and deals online not just from travel sites but most attractions and shows will have their own website as well. You can use this to look up times that may be off peak or special deals on tickets or reduced admissions. Planning your events around these deals can add up to significant savings for just a few moments of your time online. The looking up of times or how long an attraction can take will end up saving time traveling around as well.

Show Times

Broadway is one of the defining features of New York City. You can hardly go to New York and not take in at least one show. Theater tickets can be expensive but there are ways to cut down the cost. There are the popular TKTS booths in and around Time Square. The previous tip of web research can help here as well with ticket sites and special deals. If you don’t mind seeing older shows, and not original cast, you can get tickets for off-Broadway shows much cheaper. These shows are still high production just smaller theaters and have done the major runs already. Though smaller they tend to have a more relaxed feel to them and more chances to meet the cast.

Take the Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers amazing views of the New York Harbor. Pretend you are local, hop the ferry with your camera and skip the pricey harbor cruise. The ferry travels between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan and is a non-vehicular ferry that the NYC DOT operates and maintains. The 5 mile, 25 minute ride will offer you breathtaking views of the New York skyline, Ellis Island, and The Statue of Liberty. The ferry does have concessions and beer is sold, so you can even have a small picnic while aboard and Make sure you take your camera.

Bring a Map

New York City is a very big place, even if you don’t count the five boughs and just plan to stay on the island of Manhattan. A good map is a must as you move around the city. Getting lost on the streets or in the subway system is just an added cost if not a major one. Try to divide the city up into areas and plan on doing events close to the same area each day. Minimizing the amount of travel you have to do each day will save you money and time.

Venture off the Beaten Tourist Path

Times Square, Midtown, and the common tourist areas are going to cost more and be crowded, so why not try a somewhere off the normal path. Why not give Harley a try. Harlem is up and coming and expanding its culture and atmosphere. You will find amazing restaurants with an at home feel. While in Harlem stop into World-Famous Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant Red Rooster Harlem. This is a culinary experience you will never forget.

Travel costs to the Big Apple are very reasonable these days and many people enjoy cheap holidays to New York flying in from all around the world. And with these great tips you can make sure that you don’t over spend and can enjoy many different activities. New York sure is a fantastically lively place and hope to see you for a show and cocktail soon.