New York City Attractions on a Budget

So winter is just starting to break, there is still a little bite in the air, but nothing close to the frigidness of winter. Yes it's that time of year when your mind starts drifting away from work towards your upcoming vacation.

Ok so you want to visit New York City great! But what's that you say? The least expensive room that you can find in Manhattan is $200 a night? That's okay because I am going to give you a few ideas of how to save a little by enjoying a few of the cities free activities. That's right ladies and gentlemen I said the magic word. FREE.

I recently had a friend from New Jersey that wanted to see the statue of Liberty, and actually paid $40 for him and his wife to get on a boat and circle the island. Are you kidding me? I don't know about you but I am not about to pay $40 to sail past the statue of liberty! It's a beautiful thing, but in a city where your rent could easily be $4,000, on a 1 bedroom apartment, you have to be out of your mind! Here's how you do it. In Manhattan just at the waters edge at Whitehall and Water Streets the Staten Island Ferry picks up and drops off. And guess what it is going to cost you? Not a single penny. The ferry operates 24 hours a day. I will be a little crowded during the weekday rush hours, but if you have ever been on one of those tuna can tour boats, you know that they are packed pretty tight as well. The ferry takes off every half hour so you really don't have to plan when you are going to get there, because no matter what time you show up you are only a few minutes away from your ride. It will take about 1 hour to get from Manhattan to Staten Island and back. While on the ferry you will see some of the best sights in the city! You will have a great view of lower Manhattan, and all of the skyscrapers of Wall Street. You will have an amazing ride past the Brooklyn Bridge, and yes of course you will go right past the beautiful Statue of Liberty.

There is also my favorite place in the city, Times Square. Times Square runs from 40^th Street all the way to 53^rd Street, between 6^th and 9^th Avenue. This place is amazing! You could actually visit and walk around Times Square all day if you had the time. There are 11 subways that serve the Time Square area, so no matter where in the city that you are there is an easy way to get there. I have actually walked from Penn Station to Times Square if you are up for a walk. This is such a beautiful place. There are electrical billboards everywhere. And always a warm static in the air. There is so much to see from the Virgin Mega Store, to "New York's cleanest bathroom". You are going to have such a wonderful time there. Make sure to bring a camera.

Don't forget about Central Park. It is such a nice escape from all the buildings, people, and traffic, right in the middle of Manhattan! Let me tell you this place is huge. It is a total of 845 acres. There is so much to do from the trails that you can walk to get some cardio, to the gardens that fill with flowers in the spring and summer. There are even open places where you and your friends/family can have a nice low cost picnic. Make sure that you stop by, this place will amaze you. Just north of Times Square Central Park is Awesome.

There really are 100's of things that you can do in New York City for free. You don't have to break the bank to visit the city that never sleeps. Make sure to visit us some time, and enjoy yourself the best way to enjoy yourself, for free.