The Fine Art of Visiting New York City on a Shoestring Budget

When we see New York on TV and in movies, welower price: Go to the will call of the venue and just
tend to get the impression that it is one expensivehang around for a bit. Seats are often reserved for
town. Visiting New York on a shoestring budget looksfamily and friends of the stagehands, performers or
impossible. To be honest, yes, it is, but only if you liveathletes at an event, and many times, these people
there. What we see on TV is usually the glamorousare unable to attend. This way, you can avoid having
part of town, Manhattan, and that's a little misleading.to deal with ticket brokers or scalpers, and you can
New York is full of incredible spots that cost little tooften grab a seat at the last minute without having to
nothing to visit.even bother with a reservation.
LodgingIf you have the time to plan ahead, make sure to look
When you first arrive in New York, you'll want a placeonline for discount event tickets or a New York City
to stay, of course. An average room in Manhattan is aExplorer Pass, which can save you even more on
whopping three hundred bucks a night. The New Yorkattractions. Some travelers will even purchase an
Hotel in Manhattan has rooms in the hundred dollarEntertainment coupon book for the zip code in which
range and is located right in the heart of the area, butthey will be traveling. This will often save you on
that's still not exactly visiting New York on a shoestringlodging, dining, and attractions. Just make sure that the
budget.amount you can potentially save will cover the cost of
What you should do if you really want to save somethe book.
money is take a look around for bed and breakfastSafety
setups. Book a room online and make sure toLeave any unneeded cash, credit cards and even ID in
research the bed and breakfast you select beforeyour hotel room. If you're careful, you probably won't
you book. You don't want to wind up with aget mugged, but it does happen.
reservation in the middle of a bad part of town.Don't be tempted by the lure of shortcuts. Stick to
Diningmain streets that are well lit, stick to crowds, and don't
Honestly, the best way to save money on food (andgo anywhere alone if you can help it.
just about anything else) in New York is to be friendly.The legends of New York being absolutely
When you're looking for a place to eat, you'll want tooverflowing with thieves are mostly exaggerated, but
step away from the neon signs and glamour of thethey are based in truth. You don't need to be scared
main streets and into the little known hole in the wallfor your life your whole trip, but do be aware and alert.
bars and restaurants, and the only way to find thoseDon't be trusting of any strangers: even a man in a
spots is to ask the locals.business suit might mug you. If you have any friends in
EntertainmentNew York, spend a lot of your time with them.
A tip for getting into a show or a sporting event at a