NYC on a budget

Parent Cafe
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<p>CT:</p>

<p>Thanks for helping me out in my old age to remember names! No, it was definitely NOT the carpet store, but rather the Century 21 clothing store that was fun for us to hang out in even for an hour or two in between other activities, expecially on a cold or rainy day and especially with a 13 year old girl…</p>

<p>There really is so much to do and see, but I’m usually there in the warmer months so outside more. I was just trying to think of activities for indoors. Like everyone said, the museums are a biggie.</p>

<p>and agree with Jonri…heard wonderful things about the restaurant scene in Brooklyn these days! Inexpensive places too, like gourmet pizza slices or bakery croissants.</p>

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<p>As a Brooklynite, it’s hard to think of my borough as a tourist attraction. But a 14-year-old (and her mom) might get a kick out of Williamsburg. Take the L train, get out the first stop in Brooklyn. Hipster central.</p>

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<p>Oh—and walk back across the Brooklyn bridge for such a great view of NYC. Can then walk over to WTC/Freedom Tower, Battery Park City (if it is warmish as the wind off the water can be very cold).</p>

<p>Oldmom–my son and his friends trekked into NYC during 4th of July weekend last summer and then took the train out to Brooklyn to eat pizza. They ended up on the letter trains on their return. Imagine the schedule on a holiday weekend and a group of boys who never ride the subway. Glad I was not along for the ride. I tried to show him on a map later where it would have been faster to walk than transfer.</p>

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<p>Despite cost, I really do recommend the Circle Line (boat) tour, as a good way to cover a lot of territory very comfortably. </p>

<p>I just really think you don’t “get” New York if all you visit is Manhattan. So, as I said above, I’d suggest venturing out to see some of at least one other borough. If you get a subway pass for the day, it’s not going to cost you any extra. There are good restaurants, especially ethnic ones, for lots less money than comparable ones in Manhattan.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the great suggestions! I appreciate all the great input! :)</p>

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<p>Try spending Sunday in Brooklyn. Take the subway Brooklyn Museum/Eastern Parkway or Grand Army Plaza station.</p>

<p>Start with Brooklyn Museum, which has a suggested donation for admission. The women’s history table by Judy Chicago on permanent exhibit is memorable, along with their special exhibits. </p>

<p>At 4 p.m. walk “next door” (ok it’s a long walk) to the Brooklyn Public Library for their free Sunday Musical Interlude concert. Get tickets ahead, they can sell out, and arrive well before 4 p.m. to get nice seats (first come). Front of the Brooklyn Public Library has bronze door panel sculptures, each referencing a scene from a different American author, including for chidren. Teens will recognize them and can guess the author. </p>

<p>For dinner, stroll over to Park Slope for all kinds of restaurants and lovely brownstone homes. On your way notice Grand Army Plaza archway which was built to celebrate Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army. </p>

<p>Other great features nearby: the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (needs tickets) and Prospect Park (free). Since it’s February, you might consider just the indoor conservatory of the Botanical Garden and not all the grounds.</p>

<p>If age 65+, or disabled – as long as you carry a Medicare card, you don’t have to go anywhere for a half-price subway ticket. Just show your Medicare card to any subway station agent (NOT the machine kiosk), and they’ll sell you a half-price one-way or a roundtrip. You can only get one at a time, but there’s no time limit to when you can use it, so you can stock up just a bit ahead. If you live here longterm, then it’s worth going to get a permanent 65+ MTA card. </p>

<p>Check out TimeOut in NYC for “Free Things to Do in NYC” and closer to time, for “Best Things This Week” or “…this Weekend.” Sometimes what they describe is sold out by then, but you’ll get a few ideas sometimes.</p>

<p>Travel with a subway map if you’re not used to the city. Many stations and train cars have them, but not all. But once you get the hang of it, plan your daily trips using a smartphone app called “Hopstop.” Teens who like tecchnology can be your partner there, to plan the route.</p>

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<p>paying3tuitions, I sent a friend who was planning a month in the city to the MTA office to get his half fare card, and it took less than 15 minutes. The office is literally half of a short block from the Museum of the American Indian and a few very short blocks from the Staten Island Ferry.</p>

<p>I actually didn’t realize that the transit system still did individual-purchase fares for seniors. Thanks for pointing that out. You need to show your Medicare card as proof of your senior status. All individual purchases of subway fares have become inconvenient at many stations since fare booths with human beings at subway stations have been replaced with Metrocard machines at many station entrances.</p>

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<p>Hopstop is also available on a regular old computer. BTW, it covers lots of cities, both in the US and overseas.</p>

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<p>^ and ^^ thanks for the helpful additional info!</p>

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<p>Even better than Hopstop is google maps, which gives transit instructions within NYC. And the Transit authority’s website, mta.info, also gives pretty good instructions.</p>

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<p>In Manhattan, a free museum chock full of Hispanic art and history is around Broadway @ 155th St, so waaay north of the upper west side, north of Columbia U, but all available by public transportation. It’s closer to midtown Manhattan than the Cloisters. (Cloisters might be better in good weather when you can enjoy the gorgeous grounds around it, too. But if you want medieval art, put on a coat and love the Cloisters.)</p>

<p>As a destination, this might make more sense mid-winter depending on weather:</p>

<p>[The</a> Museum at the Hispanic Society](<a href=“http://www.hispanicsociety.org/hispanic/museum.htm]The”>http://www.hispanicsociety.org/hispanic/museum.htm)</p>

<p>Check days open with care. This is more a half-day experience, while the Metropolitan or Museum of Natural History will satisfy you all day!</p>

<p>Another idea: if the family loves music, look at the Julliard School website. They might have a student or faculty recital, free. </p>

<p>Also check the website now for a concert, reasonably priced [Welcome</a> | Kaufman Music Center](<a href=“http://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch]Welcome”>Merkin Hall) That’s the Kaufman Music Center/ Merkin Concert Hall. They’re located on West 67th right off Broadway, so near Lincoln Center.</p>

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<p>In addition to the Met which is pay what you want anytime, MOMA is free on Friday night as is the Whitney. The Jewish Museum is free on Saturday. </p>

<p>You can eat more cheaply in the theatre distict by walking over to 9th Avenue. There are lots of restaurants. Another inexpensive theatre district restaurant is John’s Pizza on 44th St, Don Giovanni on 45th Street, there is a good Thai restaurant mid-block on 56th street, I can’t think of the name but it is a good choice if you happen to be seeing anything at either City Center or Carnegie Hall. We’ve also sometimes just gotten coffee pre-theater in the Food Emporium supermarket on 8th avenue which has a nice seating area.</p>

<p>I work right near Penn Station/Herald Square and there are lots of chain hotels in and around… our street has a Hampton Inn, there is a Courtyard Marriott and a Hilton Garden Inn around also. Good location as easy walk to Times Square up Broadway and lots of subway connections at Herald Square. </p>

<p>Another easy place for a quick meal during the day is the Cellar at Macy’s. I have lunch there frequently and it is a favorite spot for tourists from all over the world.</p>

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<p>The Larchmont Hotel in Greenwich Village is definitely worth a look. Very well located, low price, spotless, breakfast included. European style, ie, bath down the hall, but those are well-lit, also spotless, and they provide a robe.<br>
[The</a> Larchmont Hotel, New York, NY 1(212)989-9333](<a href=“Home Page - Larchmont Hotel”>http://www.larchmonthotel.com/)
In January and February, stay 4 nights, get one free.<br>
We love it. It is elegant, and $90 per night in February. Really</p>

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<p>In all the times I’d been to the city, I never did the Circle Line…last time my best friend and I decided to try it, because we found a 50% off coupon (on one of the fares). We did the full circle. It was EXCEPTIONAL! We’ll be doing it again this next trip (April).</p>

<p>I found the coupon is still available (no expiration date, and we used ours at the box office): [New</a> York Circle Line Statue of Liberty Cruises Coupons](<a href=“http://www.destinationcoupons.com/New_York/NYC/circle-line/circle-line-coupons.asp#.Utxhn7TTnsY]New”>http://www.destinationcoupons.com/New_York/NYC/circle-line/circle-line-coupons.asp#.Utxhn7TTnsY)</p>

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<p>I second John’s Pizzeria in Time Square 44th and 8th - How about walking around macys herald square (they have a welcome center for tourists with discount cards) - there is also a tourist center in times square (1560 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 Entrance is located at 7th Ave between 46th & 47th Streets) that has lots of maps and discount coupons etc.- the teenager would probably like going to the nintendo store by rockefeller center. If you do central park go from columbus circle and check out the shopping place there (clean public bathrooms and a whole foods to get a picnic or quick lunch) - walk down 9th avenue in the hells kitchen neighborhood - great cheap chinese food at Mee Noddle Shop (795 9th Ave Corner Of 53st)</p>

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<p>The Circle Line could be more than a little chilly in Feb, but I agree with you just a mom that it is fun. I dragged my family to it six or so years ago. (We were almost the only Americans and certainly the only non-smokers!) It should be perfect in April when you return.</p>

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<p>Among these dance performances in February are several with reasonable ticket prices [NYC</a> DANCE PERFORMANCES FEBRUARY 2014 | SocialEyesNYC ?](<a href=“http://socialeyesnyc.com/nyc-dance-performances-january-2014-see-drop-down-for-february-2014/nyc-dance-performances-february-2014/]NYC”>http://socialeyesnyc.com/nyc-dance-performances-january-2014-see-drop-down-for-february-2014/nyc-dance-performances-february-2014/)</p>

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<p>My favorite things to do in NYC, either free or cheap:</p>

<p>Walk the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn heights and go to the Promenade!!! MUST do imo, go during sunset and the view is stunning!! Watch the lighting up of lower manhattan.</p>

<p>Explore all the interesting neighborhoods and see real new yorkers. Walk through Greenwich village, Bleecker street, West Village, Chelsea with its art galleries and the high line. Have pizza and bagels on Carmine st. </p>

<p>Soho is fun and trendy for shopping. Lots of shops on broadway.</p>

<p>East village- go to Katz deli and have the best pastrami sandwich. </p>

<p>Central Park- so nice to walk through especially when there’s snow. Enter from Columbus circle, you can visit the lincoln centre beforehand and walk down columbus avenue, stop by magnolia bakery for yummy cupcakes.</p>

<p>The Met and MOMA are must sees. Museum of natural history can be fun for your daughter, and afterwards go to nearby Shake shake on 77th and columbus for the best burgers. </p>

<p>Bryant Park. I was there during the holiday season and the place was magical and beautiful. Touristy, yes, but so pretty and the christmas tree was better than the one at Rockerfeller centre IMO. Good for ice skating. Combine it with a visit to grand central terminal and NY public library. </p>

<p>Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate on the upper east side if there’s time, will be fun for your daughter. </p>

<p>For cheap meals, have chicken rice from halah food carts, hot dogs, search for bagel places all over ny, pizza.</p>

<p>Saw Mamma mia on broadway which was fantastic. Will be perfect for a 13 year old, really fun, lighthearted, and humorous. </p>

<p>Have fun!</p>