Money Matters in New York City

Money Matters

In New York, it's easy to get swept up in a debt-inducing cyclone of $60 per person dinners, $100 theater tickets, $20 nightclub covers, and $300 hotel rooms. But one of the good things about the city is that there's such a wide variety of options, you can spend in some areas and save in others. Within Manhattan, a cup of coffee can cost from 75¢ to $4, a pint of beer from $5 to $8, and a sandwich from $6 to $10. Generally, prices in the outer boroughs are lower than those in Manhattan.

The most generously bequeathed treasure of the city is the arts. The stated admission fee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a suggestion; those who can't afford it can donate a lesser amount and not be snubbed. Many other museums in town have special times during which admission is free. The Museum of Modern Art, for instance, is free on Friday 4-8. In summer a handful of free music, theater, and dance performances, as well as films (usually screened outdoors) fill the calendar each day.

Prices throughout this guide are given for adults. Substantially reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.

ATMs

Cash machines are abundant throughout all the boroughs and are found not only in banks but in many grocery stores, laundries, delis, and hotels. Many bank ATMs charge users a fee around $1.50, and the commercial ATMs in retail establishments may charge more. Be careful to remain at the ATM until you complete your transaction, which may require an extra step after receiving your money.