Affordable Dining and Free Activities

While New York City is known for its high cost of living, a trip here doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank—as long as you’re equipped with the right tools and money-saving tricks. Sure, the city is home to some over-the-top hotels, tony restaurants, and designer boutiques, but it also boasts an abundance of free activities, affordable attractions, and cheap eats that are well worth a spot on your itinerary. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our top tips for planning a trip to New York City on a budget, including hand-picked personal recommendations and expert insights.

How to Save Money on Flights

If you’re looking to save money on flights to a New York City airport, it’s a good idea to set price alerts on websites like Skyscanner, Hopper, and Kayak. Google Flights also lets you track and compare flight prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal. According to Kayak, the cheapest times to fly to NYC are January and February—this coincides with the Big Apple’s low season, when cold, snowy weather tends to keep travelers away. Additionally, travel advisor Arlene Sealy tells Travel + Leisure that “flying on Tuesday or Wednesday is typically less expensive” and that “prices fluctuate with demand, so flying around the holidays or weekends is typically more expensive.”

How to Find Affordable Accommodations

A NYC hotel room doesn’t have to cost a small fortune—especially if you book well in advance and visit during the low or shoulder seasons. Sealy suggests joining a hotel rewards program so you can collect points to redeem on future stays. Most programs are free to join, and many times, members are privy to special rates plus perks that run the gamut from free Wi-Fi to late check-out.

Sealy also recommends using a travel advisor since “many times, [they] have special package rates not available to the general public.” And even if they don’t offer discounted rates, travel advisors can help you snag free perks like room upgrades, breakfast, or resort credits.

Search for hotels that provide discounted rates for AAA or AARP members; some properties may also offer special promotions for military members, government personnel, or first responders. Kimpton Hotel Eventi, for instance, is located in the city’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood, just a few blocks from Herald Square, the Empire State Building, and Madison Square Park. It offers value-packed amenities such as complimentary bike rentals, morning coffee and tea service, and a nightly hosted wine hour; AAA discounts are also available.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to stay in Manhattan to have an enjoyable NYC trip. Budget-conscious travelers may opt to venture to one of the city’s four other boroughs. For example, The Rockaway Hotel + Spa—a sleek Rockaway Beach, Queens, stay that made T+L’s 2021 It List featuring the best new hotels in the world—has nightly rates under $300 in the shoulder and off seasons. Trust me: A stay here is worth it for the spa and rooftop alone.

Transportation in NYC

New York City’s public transit network is affordable and easy to access. It costs $3 per ride on the city’s many subways and bus lines—ages 65 and up can also score a discounted fare. OMNY, the MTA’s contactless fare payment method, makes it easy to ride (as of 2026, NYC no longer uses MetroCards). Simply add a payment card to your digital wallet and tap your phone on the OMNY reader at the turnstile, or on the bus.

Sealy also notes that the city is incredibly bike-friendly, and Citi Bikes are available for a small fee. There are over 1,700 stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Jersey City, and Hoboken. A day pass costs $25, while single half-hour rides are $4.99. The good thing about New York City is that it’s incredibly walkable—and arguably best explored on foot. Sealy says, “You’ll get to see more of the city and reach your step goal for the day.”

Free and Cheap Things to Do

From museum-hopping to exploring the city’s many parks and green spaces, there is no shortage of free things to do in NYC. You can easily spend an entire afternoon strolling around Central Park, where noteworthy stops include Strawberry Fields—home of the “Imagine” mosaic memorial, which pays homage to John Lennon—the fairy tale-worthy Belvedere Castle, the Conservatory Garden, and Turtle Pond. And while it’s not free to visit, the Central Park Zoo is a relatively affordable activity (adult tickets are just $23 each).

And while Central Park is arguably the city’s most famous, other green spaces, including the High Line and Bryant Park, abound. Outside Manhattan, there’s the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens in Staten Island (the grounds are free to stroll), Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx—the latter is more than three times the size of Central Park. All of them offer a calming reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re visiting in the summer months, consider a visit to one of New York City’s public beaches, including Rockaway Beach (Queens), Coney Island (Brooklyn), and Orchard Beach (The Bronx).

Some of the best museums in New York City offer free or pay-as-you-wish admission on certain days and times. For example, the MoMA PS1 museum in Queens, an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art, offers free entry all year long. The 9/11 Museum offers free admission on Mondays, with tickets available on the website each Monday at 7 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The acclaimed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum offers pay-as-you-wish hours on Sundays and Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. (while not technically free, the minimum contribution is just $1).

You may also want to consider snagging a CityPASS, which allows travelers to save up to 42 percent on top attractions and throws in admission to the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History. Check the website to see which sites are included.

The Statue of Liberty is another iconic NYC landmark. However, says Sealy, “If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, instead of spending the money and all day going to Ellis Island, take the Staten Island Ferry,” which is free, for a great view. “Make sure to go to the top of the ferry to enjoy the views and take amazing pictures,” she says.

Lastly, while a Broadway show may seem beyond your budget, that’s not always the case. In fact, says Sealy, “If you make your way to Times Square to the TKTS booth, you can purchase same-day discounted show tickets.” Last-minute tickets can often be snagged for up to 50 percent less this way. Another way to save: Check the website of the show you want to see, as some theaters offer rush tickets, either online or at the door, if you line up early enough (rules vary by venue).

Eating on a Budget

In New York City, great food doesn’t have to be expensive. Sealy recommends strolling through Chinatown, where you can usually find delicious eats at a reasonable price. Joe’s Shanghai is a personal favorite for its soup dumplings (eight for $14). Other popular spots include Uncle Lou, where you’ll find dim sum dishes like wontons and scallion pancakes for under $8, and Shanghai 21, where many entrees clock in at under $20. You can also enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine at a reasonable cost outside Chinatown at Wu’s Wonton King, a low-key, BYOB joint that’s especially popular among folks in the restaurant industry; don’t miss the roast suckling pig.

Pizza and bagels are pretty much synonymous with New York City, plus they’re both delicious and easy on the wallet. For an authentic slice, head to NY Pizza Suprema, beloved by the late Anthony Bourdain and hundreds, if not thousands, of others. While I’m partial to their upside-down slice, there’s a robust menu of other options to choose from. Other local-loved NYC pizza joints include Joe’s (which has several locations), Prince Street Pizza (it’s worth waiting in line for their Sicilian-style square slices, including my personal favorite, the Spicy Spring), and L’Industrie. Sealy, meanwhile, loves Scarr’s Pizza, which offers whole pies or by-the-slice options, plus appetizers like vegan garlic knots and vegan Caesar salads. If it’s fresh bagels you’re after, look no further than Zucker’s, Utopia Bagels, Tal Bagels, Russ & Daughters, Black Seed Bagels, Bagel Pub, and the Insta-famous PopUp Bagels.

It’s worth noting that many restaurants offer happy hour specials, which can be a great money-saving option. Located on the Lower East Side, The Ten Bells hosts happy hour every day from opening until 7:00 p.m., with $1 oysters and $22 wine carafes, among other specials. Also nearby is The Gray Mare, where, from Monday to Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., you can grab $6 beers, $11 cocktails, and $8 appetizers (think truffle fries, cauliflower wings, and artichoke dip).

The Mermaid Inn, a seafood-forward spot with several NYC locations, hosts happy hour every Tuesday to Sunday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.—and all night on Monday—that includes $8 beers, $10 wines and cocktails, and apps under $10, including fish tacos, grilled shrimp and avocado sliders, and mini clam chowder. In my humble opinion, few happy hours are as great as the one found at Osteria Cotta on the Upper West Side. Here, from Monday to Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., diners can take advantage of $11 cocktails, $5 and $6 beers, $7 wines, and bites like personal pizzas and arancini from $8.