People from all around the world love America's largest and most populous city. Known as "The Big Apple" and "The City that Never Sleeps," New York City gets millions of visitors each year. Iconic neighborhoods, restaurants, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and many other tourist attractions have all helped draw a record number of 65.2 million visitors in 2018, a number that is expected to increase in the coming years.
The downside of New York City is that it's a very expensive place to visit. However, if you're bound and determined to knock seeing this amazing city off of your bucket list, there are ways to do it, even when you don't have a lot of change to spare.
Here are 5 tips for exploring The Big Apple on a budget.
1. Visit at the Right Time
Visiting New York City at the right time can help save you money, especially when it comes to hotels. The most expensive times to stay in New York City are during the peak tourist season, which is from May through August. Holidays are also an expensive time to be in The Big Apple. For example, getting a hotel room facing Times Square on New Year's Eve can cost as much as $3,000. Even a hotel room without a view of the famous ball drop costs $999.
The average price for a hotel in New York City is about $277 a night, but if you go there during the winter, (except during the holidays), the cost will drop below $200.
If you want an even cheaper hotel rate, January 4th through January 10th is the least expensive 10-day period of the year. If you can't bear the thought of going to New York in the winter (where they get cold temperatures and snow), you can try early April, September, or November.
2. Download Apps to Your Phone
If there is one thing New York City is famous for, it's their food. Eating out every day can get expensive in a hurry, however. Food expenses for two people in a week can easily exceed $1,000. One way to curb your spending but still enjoy fine dining in The Big Apple is to use coupons whenever you eat out. You can find coupons for a variety of eating establishments online. There are also apps you can download to help you find cheap food trucks and other less expensive eateries.
If you want to fully experience eating in New York City, you'll want to hit the various pizza shops that sell pizza for just a dollar a slice. You can also find a hot dog at one of the many hot dog carts for about $2.50. Other places to eat in New York City while staying within budget include the Lower East Side, as well as Chinatown, and Greenwich Village.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
