How to Visit New York City on a Budget

New York City is one of the most popular cities to visit in the world for both international and domestic travelers.  Almost everyone wants to get a glimpse of the big apple at least once in their lives just to see Times Square or Central Park.  The best thing about New York City is that there are dozens of free and low-cost options that will provide you with a great trip on a moderate budget.  Here are some tips on how to plan your trip.

Carefully research your travel accommodations

Accommodations in the city are not equal, especially if they are low-cost accommodations.  The best thing to do is search for hotels on websites like Priceline, Expedia, or Hotwire, look at their reviews and then compare the prices and amenities.  Since the city is so enormous, there is not one hotel that anyone can recommend to you. So much depends on your budget and exactly where you want to be in the city.

Look for free and low-cost entertainment options

One of the greatest things regarding New York City is that it has an unprecedented amount of free and low-cost options for entertainment.  Most of the main tourist attractions are free like Central Park, Ground Zero, Time Square, and Rockefeller Center.  Riding the subway is relatively inexpensive, and that is an experience in and of itself.  There are also lots of unique restaurants and bars that offer some low-cost meals.

Avoid arriving or departing around major holidays

Since New York City is the central travel hub and tourist attraction, it is essential that you avoid visiting around any of the major holidays. The prices will increase dramatically and you may deal with some other travel snafus as well.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years are among the worst since most hotels and airlines increase their rates during that time.  Avoid the holiday rush altogether, and you will save lots of money.

Overall, New York City is one of the best places to visit, but you should plan your trip carefully if you want to do it under budget.

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