New York on a Budget
 

I am traveling on a budget so want to know what sites in New York are worth paying to do?

What are some free things worth doing?

I only have two days.

How much is the sub way? Can you really get anywhere on foot/by subway?

Thanks for the help!!!!

Yes, you really can get everywhere by subway and/or on foot. I'm hoping someone else will tell you about any day- orweek-long passes to save money on fares.

My favorite free thing in NYC is walking and enjoying the street scenes, so varied from one part of the city to another. Central Park, 5th Avenue, Washington Square park, the Village, Little Italy--if the weather's good, just soaking it all up is the best. Food from street vendors is cheap and often better than you'd think. Do a search here, because there's a recent thread with a list of cheap eats, compiled by a local.

Subway costs $2 a ride, or take a daypass for $7.
It depends where you want to go, walking from Times Square to Chinatown will take a real long while, and a subway is more convenient.
What I did was that I started walking at Canal Street, through Chinatown & Little Italy, to SoHo and (Greenwich)(West) Village. Won't take you too long, and it is all very beautifull.

Most 'attractions' require a fee, but what I really recommend is going on either the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller center (Top of the Rock). I don't remember the fee for the ESB, but the TotR is $17.50. It's a view you really need to see, it's amazing. By day, and by night. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is free, and taking the Staten Island ferry too (it has great views of Manhattan standing on the deck).

You don;t mention where you're staying - and a hotel is by far the biggest expense. Also - it it's midtow you may want to check midtownlunch.com for lists of cheap, decent places.

Yes - you can walk all over Manhattan - but it will take weeks. Use the subway (which does go everywhere - 24/7) for longer distances and keep walking for shorter.

Subway ride is $2 - flat fee - with a free transfer to perpendicular bus lines within 2 hours. For $7 you can get an all day pass.

Central Park, Staten Island ferry and exploring all neighborhoods is free. Many museums have pay what you can - if $ are really an issue, including Met, Natural History etc. Check web sites for details.

And food can be incredibly cheap. (Egg sandwich and coffe take out of a deli for a couple of dollars, hot dog in the park or slice at tons of pizza places. For dinner many of the ethnic places have great deals. Check New York Magazine and Village Voice web sites for lists of good, inexpensive places.

Thank you all! I am very excited to go!!!

I also went on a budget when I was in my 20's and was SO glad I went to the Empire State Building!! Well worth it. Bought a $10 "Gucci" watch in the Lower East Side, too. Everyone thought it was real, and it was a great conversation piece. Lasted for 3 years!