I've convinced a friend of mine, a 45-year-old Ontarian social worker, working here in Montreal, to come with me to New York City, for what will be his first trip ever to the Big Apple. He really watches his pennies; even in order to tempt him to come, I arranged so that we'll stay at my aunt's rent-control apartment in Manhattan and offered him a ticket on Greyhound (I got bumped once).

Even with all these incentives to go for the first time in his life, he's concerned (particularly with the stronger although weak $CAN) given NYC's reputation of expensiveness about the day-to-day expenses. Can he enjoy NYC with not so much money to spend, he asks?

I've been to NYC about a dozen times in my life and I told him I thought he could. He wants to see Saint Patrick's Basilica, so that's one thing. I thought of walking around Central Park, checking out Gramercy Park, doing an architectural tour of Greenwich Village, visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and just looking at Times Square would be relatively good ways to inexpensive uniquely NY City ways to pass the day. Stopping somewhere for a NYC bagel, having Matsoh Ball Soup at 2nd Avenue Deli... Do others on Fodor's have suggestions on inexpensively passing the day, that would give him UNIQUELY New York experiences?

Thanks. DAN

I would suggest getting an MTA unlimted use pass. You can get a 7 day card for $21 or if your staying for a shorter time $7 for 1 day.

There are a lot of things to see in NYC that are free, you just need to be able to get to them. I f you have a MTA pass you will be able to get around to everything.

Exploring neighborhoods on foot are cheap ways to be entertained.

Ride the Staten Island Ferry roundtrip for free. Walk through Battery Park and then north along the River. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

Check museum admission costs carefully. Most museums have a free night, and some museums have a "suggested admission" at all times--pay what you wish. Some museums have much lower admission than others. Get art for free by visiting galleries.

There are many inexpensive restaurants--shop around and read menus.

Near Gramercy Park is the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, a Victorian-era townhouse, the reconstructed birthplace of one of our presidents. It has a modest entry fee and gives a nice glimse of life in NYC in the late 1800s.

What are his interests?

Many of the restaurants in Chinatown are very inexpensive. The East Village and the Lower East Side have lots of reasonable small restaurants that take cash only. A ride on the Staten Island Ferry is free, and you get a nice view of the Statue of Liberty. A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is also great, and you can walk down into Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO and go to Grimaldi's for fantastic pizza (also pretty reasonable) and great ice cream at the Brooklyn ice cream factory. More great views of the city from there. Also think about having more of a main meal at lunch -- many great restaurants have excellent lunch specials, particularly in the East and West Village where there is not a large business lunch crowd. Check out the Union Square Green market on a Saturday -- tons of great booths with all kinds of produce, cheeses, breads, etc... with good prices. You can buy for a picnic or shop for dinner.... NYC can be done reasonably if you do your homework. Also off off Broadway shows for around $20 a ticket, depending on the show. Buy Time Out NY magazine for listings of shows. This time of year there are usually lots of street fairs and outdoor concerts as well. Those are also listed in Time Out in the Around Town section. And, as you mentioned, just walking around is great. Have fun....

Obviously, many New Yorkers also try to control day-to-day expenses--you have heard of our astronomical apt rentals, right? No money left for other things..

You didn't mention when you are thinking of coming, but during the summer, you can see world class performances of music (all kinds) dance, theater for free--outdoors.
Shakespeare in the Park , Lincoln Center out of doors festival and midsummer night swing, Summerstage, Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic are all REAL New Yorker events (and the Philharmonic motto is "priceless music, absolutely free!)

As others have mentioned, there are free/reduced price evenings/days at most museums, lots of books that you can use for your own self-guided (free) walking tours, lots and lots and lots of cheap restaurants.

You've gotten excellent advice so far. NYC is really easy to do on a budget once you've got your accomodation taken care of.

Here are some websites I found by doing a web search for free stuff
free museum nights
http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html

free concerts
http://www.newyorkled.com/nyc_events_Free_Concerts.htm

free events
http://cmackler.home.mindspring.com/

nycvisit.com has a good calendar of events to check what's going on while you're here.

Have fun!

Thanks for all the suggestions! We're off in 10 days for the Victoria Day weekend (May 22-25th). As for his interests, he likes charming architecture & parks, he specifically mentioned wanting to go to Central Park and visiting Saint Patrick's. Going to a Gay bar was also something he mentioned.

Thanks for all the advice! DAN

Daniel! I wish I were still in NYC to say hello!
My son, when he lived at home, would go to the Village with friends and eat at the Ukranian places on Second Ave (I think) and they especially liked a place called Dojo. It is on St Marks Place and is vegetarian/Japanese.
I mostly liked the bakeries down there ~
Hampton chutney in Soho is good, as is a small place on Prince St called Il Corallo.
Northern Italian, salads, sandwiches and wood burning stove pizzas, priced very well. With outdoor seating too!
I second the Staten Island Ferry, for a free ride with great view!
Wander down in the SouthStreet Seaport.
Wednesday nights in Lincoln Center, outdoor dancing and music, so much fun!!
Then wander over to Tower Records and browse.
We spent many a Sunday afternoon with a picnic and pup in Central Park, by the Great Lawn, under a tree. Relaxing on a blanket and watching the people is one of NYs finest entertainments~
Dinner in Chinatown, shop down there for any different gifts or souvenirs, art supplies if anyone is artistic.
Little Italy has become too much of an overpriced tourist trap in our minds, so I think Chinatown is the best bet..but do go to Ferraros for ices after dinner.
Have a wonderful time, please tell us all about when it is over?
Scarlett

Great suggestions from all. I'm also from Canada and have fallen so in love with NYC that as soon as I leave I start planning my next trip. I'm also heading to NY over the long weekend and this time I'm able to stay 6 full days - JOY! And - I've already booked again for September.

Oh yes, you had a question - sorry I got sidetracked thinking about my upcoming trip. Even with our brutal money exchange I have found New York to be very fairly priced. I've always found myself so busy enjoying the city (I too love the outstanding architecture) that I grab a good deli breakfast - easy to find many spots to eat reasonably and then just stop for dinner wherever we happen to be. If you are looking for a high end gourmet dining experience I'm sure you could empty your pockets very quickly but I've always found good, reasonable restaurants with outstanding service in whatever neighbourhood we happen to be in at dinner.

Sounds like your friend will love the city and will probably be surprised at how little he spends - how lucky for you to have the opportunity to stay at your aunt's apt.

One suggestion that hasn't been mentioned (it may be too late - I'm not sure how much notice they need) is to arrange a free tour with Big Apple Greeters (www.bigapplegreeter.org). I'll be taking a tour with them during my trip and will report back on how it went. I've requested a tour of Harlem and because I requested it a couple months ago, I'm hopeful that I'll be matched to a great guide.

All my best to you and your friend - I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time and he'll be begging to go back.

agree that the Lincolnn Centerare is great - between Tower Records and Barnes and Noble you can spend hours happily browsing. If you walk a little further uptown there are tons of very inexpensive restaurants on Boradway, Amsterdam and Columbus - many ethnic options have dinner for $20 - including beverage, tax and tip. Depending when you come there's Riverside Park (great views of Jersey - don't laugh) as well as Central Park - and the Museum of Natural History (entrance also suggested - but you should give what you can). The main Library at 5th/42nd also often has great exhibits.

On top of all the already excellent advice...

If you want a meal at a great restaurrant, remember that lunch prices are much lower than dinner.

I think the restaurant in the bottom of the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue provides excellent food at low prices, in a great location.

The food court at South Street Seaport is, as i remember it, full of excellent food at reasonable prices in a nice location.

On Friday nights and Saturdays there seem to be a lot of art show openings in lower Manhattan, where there is some wine, some snacks, and some great art, all for free.

BAK

Great ideas here already! You can visit Grand Central Terminal for free, and you can also join up with a free tour (if you enjoy the tour you may wish to tip your guide at the end). Every Friday at 12:30pm, there is a free tour which is run by the Grand Central Partnership. Meet on 42nd Street in front of the Phillip Morris/ Whitney Museum across the street from Grand Central. For more information on this tour call (212) 697-1245. I have taken one of the tours, it (and the guide) was excellent.

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great suggestions. My Ontarian friend is pretty giddy with excitement about going and I too am looking forward to paying the Big Apple a repeat visit.

Cheers! DAN

Hi Dan,

In response to your earlier comment, as far as gay bars are concerned, there are TONS in Chelsea on 7th and 8th Aves. and some in the West Village. Time Out NY has a gay section and lists what's going on in some of them on particular nights. Some very good reasonably priced places to eat in Chelsea as well.