Travel Destination
New York, New York – So Nice, They Named It Twice – that’s the slogan that was printed on a T-shirt I bought on my first trip to New York City.
When it comes to hotels, expect to pay top dollar in New York City – especially if you to stay in midtown Manhattan. On my last trip to the Big Apple, I saved money by staying at a motel in Queens.
Thanks to New York’s excellent transport system, I was in midtown Manhattan in 30 or 40 minutes – including the leisurely walk through a charming residential neighborhood of row houses.
When it comes to everything else, however, you can spend as much or as little as you want. You can dine extravagantly at some of the world’s finest – and most expensive – restaurants. Or you can feast inexpensively by patronizing the food vendors that set up shop on the sidewalks of Manhattan.
Some of New York’s top attractions for tourists – such as its parks – are free.
While New York’s museums are pricey, read the fine print. Admission prices are actually “suggested donations”.
You can, in fact, pay as much or as little as you want. And many of them have free nights, if you find it embarrassing to pay less than the suggested amount.
10 Things You Must Do on Your Next New York Visit
Note: some of these prices include shows, audio tours, and – in the case of the Stature of Liberty and Ellis Island – transport by ferry to and from the venue.
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – the landing point in the United States for European immigrants in the days before air travel (adults: U$13).
- Empire State Building – long the world’s tallest building, a trip to the top is not to be missed for its panoramic views of the Big Apple (Adults: US$30).
- National September 11 Memorial – a memorial to victims of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (free).
- Central Park – known locally as New York’s backyard, there is something for everyone in this splendid urban oasis (free).
- Metropolitan Museum of Art – one of the world’s greatest art museums (Adults: US$25).
- Guggenheim Museum – strong collection of modern art housed in a structure that is itself a work of art (Adults: US$18).
- American Museum of Natural History – one of the world’s top natural history museums (Adults: US$25).
- Museum of Modern Art –check out the masters at one of the world’s greatest collections of modern art (Adults: US$25).
- Top of the Rock – more panoramic views from observation deck at Rockefeller Center (Adults: US$25).
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise – a two hour cruise around Manhattan (Adults: US$32).
How to Save Money in the Big Apple
New York CityPASS will save you up to 51% percent off combined admission to six of New York City’s top attractions.
Each New York CityPASS includes prepaid admission to the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) plus your choice between a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise and a choice between the Guggenheim Museum and the Top of the Rock observation deck.
Tip: opt for the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise (a US$32 value) and pay for the trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (a US$13 value) separately.
In addition to the savings, New York CityPASS allows holders to bypass most of those lengthy lines to buy tickets, and believe me, that might be worth more than the amount of money you save!
Passes are valid for nine consecutive days beginning on the first day of use.
Click on the following link for more information: Visit 6 New York attractions for just $79.00 CityPass price – $164.00 value!