Nyc Budget Lunch/dinner Options & Prices
Most New Yorkers have very little time for lunch so they eat at their desks. Thats why youll find an abundance of takeaway restaurants serving soups, salads, and sandwiches its pretty amazing how quickly these places crank this stuff out. Below are a few examples of typical food prices in NYC:
- Street food carts sell a range of affordable options like tacos, chicken over rice, hot dogs, gyros, etc. Most things tend to cost between $4-$8. There are also specialty food carts that tend to cost a little more.
- A premade sandwich or panini from a bodega/deli is usually $7-$9.
- A make-your-own salad typically costs between $8-$14.
- A slice of pizza will run you from $1 for a cheap slice to around $3.00-$5.50 for a quality slice.
- A quality personal Neapolitan pizza will set you back around $13-$16. A sharable pizza costs $22-$30.
- A good taco costs around $3-$4/each and a burrito will be $9-$10.
- Chicken and waffles from a Harlem soul food joint tend to cost around $18.
- Chinese food from Chinatown offers plenty of budget-friendly options. An order of soup dumplings cost around $8-$10 for eight dumplings. Other main dishes will range from $10-$18+ depending on what you get.
- Tasty ramen from most quality ramen restaurants will be around $8-$12.
- Two hotdogs and a drink from Grays Papaya is $7.
- A double Shack Burger from Shake Shack is $8. Add another $3 for fries. An order of burger and fries at a sitdown restaurant will run you around $12-$18.
Buy A New York Citypass
Buyinga New York CityPASS is by far our number one travel tip for any NYC itinerary. Weve talked about it a lot in this article, and thats because the New York CityPASS is just great value. For only USD$136 youll get access to some of the most popular attractions in the city.
This includes the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Rockefeller Center Top of the Rock, a Statue of Liberty or Circle Line cruise, entrance to the Met as well as the American Museum of Natural History.
If you did all of these independently it would cost you $92 more, giving you a saving of 42%. Well worth it if youre planning on seeing all the best things in this NYC itinerary.
Lunch: Grand Central Station
Once youre ready to grab a bite to eat, head downstairs to the dining concourse for some culinary excitement. Since 1913 the renowned Oyster Bar has had only one specialty serving the freshest seafood in New York, so seafood lovers prepare to be amazed. Another great option is to indulge in a tasty Nordic dish at The Great Northern Food Hall. Next, its time to spread your cultural wings and experience some of the greatest museums in the world.
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A Note On Travel Insurance In The Usa
Please, do NOT travel without travel insurance! Iâve had to rely on mine twice before . While the cost may seem annoying and better spent elsewhere, trust me when I say youâll be sorry if you donât have it. For just a couple bucks a day, you can save yourself a whole lot of stress and money. I like to recommend SafetyWing for travel medical insurance. With prices starting at $37 for 4 weeks, they are one of the most affordable options Iâve found. Learn more about the importance of travel insurance here.
The Best Time To Visit New York
Arguably, the best times to book a rental in NYC are during fall and spring when the weather is pleasant and the city full of atmosphere. Winters get chilly but in the run-up to Christmas, the city offers magical, festive vibes. Summer’s soaring temperatures are perfect for those who like it warm and it’s a perfect time for outdoor activities like strolling through Central Park and Coney Island.
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How To Plan The Most Relaxing Weekend Getaways From New York City
When you live in a city like New York, you know you have everything at your fingertips. Some even say that the world ends at the Hudson River. For those of us who live outside of New York City, we can assure you, there is much more to this great area. When the hustle and bustle of the city get to you, the best place to go is the mountains. Luckily for you, the Pocono Mountains are just a short 2-hour drive away. We at Ledges Hotel love having guests from all over come and visit us to see what life is like in the mountains and can show how much a trip into nature can do wonders for your life. Let us show you how much fun weekend getaways from New York City to the Pocono Mountains can be.
Having Fun In New York
Take advantage of free attractions. Some of the city’s most well-known attractions actually are free. You can wander the 843-acre Central Park — or take a guided tour — for free. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from the Staten Island Ferry, play a song on the big FAO Schwarz piano and much more. Plenty of museums also are free or accept contributions, such as the American Museum of Natural History. And you can even take a free walking tour of the city with groups such as Big Apple Greeter.
Buy passes for multiple attractions. Get a discount on entrance fees by buying a pass to multiple attractions. For example, the CityPASS provides admission to six major attractions for 43% less than what you would pay if you bought tickets individually for each attraction. The New York Pass offers admission to 80 attractions with one-, two-, three- or seven-day passes. If you saw three attractions a day with the seven-day pass, you could save $400.
See Broadway shows at a discount. There are plenty of ways to save on tickets to Broadway shows, from timing your visit to coincide with Broadway Week when you can get two tickets for the price of one to buying discounted tickets the day of a show at TKTS Discount Booths in New York City’s Times Square, the South Street Seaport and Brooklyn. See How to Save on Tickets to Broadway Shows for more tips.
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What To Do In Nyc: Day 1
Take a Walking TourStart your trip off with a walking tour. The city is home to dozens of walking tour companies offering tours in every niche possible. History, food, booze, TV/film if you like it, chances are there is a tour revolving around it. Walking tours offer a unique look at the city that never sleeps from a local guide who can answer any and all of your questions. I always take my friends on at least one when they visit.
Three of my favorite walking tour companies not to be missed are:
But, for way more suggestions, check out my favorite NYC walking tours.
See the Statue of Liberty/Ellis IslandThough the line for the ferry from Battery Park is long, if you get there early, you can avoid most of it. The Statue of Liberty is spectacular to see up close , but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island. This is where you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC . Theres such a great sense of history there that you cant help but be impressed.
Tip: If the lines too long and you dont want to wait, take the free Staten Island ferry for photos of the statue and harbor instead. You wont get up close but its faster and cheaper
Battery Park, +1 201 604 2800, nps.gov/stli. Ferries operate from 9am3:30pm. Tickets are $23.50 for the ferry, which includes access the pedestal and Ellis Islands Great Hall. Tickets must be purchased months in advance.
1650 Broadway, Times Square, +1 212 956 5151.
Vacation Rental Price Information In New York City
The graph shows average prices of rentals in New York City for the next twelve months. Prices rise in October and reach an average of $286 a night , making it the most expensive time to book a rental in the next 12 months. The cheapest week is in January . Prices fall to an average of $191 per night.
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A Budget Weekend In New York City
New York City is a notoriously expensive city, both to live in and to explore as a tourist. But it doesnt have to be! Although you cant outright change the prices of things, you can take Busbuds research and enjoy the perfect weekend getaway that will help you visit the city that never sleeps without compromising your wallet for the next few weeks.
NYC is a super touristy city for a reason it has everything you could ask for: great food, great attractions, great nightlife. Do we need to say more? With connections to all major cities around the country as well as smaller locations, buses run often and are incredibly budget friendly. Bus travel is the way to go its not expensive and you arrive the in heart of the city at Port Authority Terminal, eliminating cab fare and traffic. Cha-Ching!
If youre under or about a 5-hour bus ride away, youre looking at an average of 81$ USD for a bus roundtrip making that weekend pretty affordable for transportation.
Where To Stay In Nyc
Youll never run out of things to do during your weekend in New York City, but we want to make sure that where you rest your head at night is as world-class as the attractions. We highly recommend you book your stay at The Lexington New York City to experience just that.
Graced by the presence of Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, and other international celebrities, this historic hotel lets you live in opulence without breaking your budget. Just five blocks from Grand Central Terminal, The Lexington New York City is exclusive, unique, and fabulous in every way. With a style reminiscent of the Jazz Age, youll be welcomed by chic designs, a renowned art collection, and live jazz on Friday from 5-8pm. Get ready to relax in sophistication as the superior amenities and personalized service perfect your weekend in NYC.
For more accommodation options in New York City take a look at Booking.com or Airbnb. No matter what you are looking for, there is bound to be a hotel or Airbnb in NYC with your name on it.
Once youve dropped your bags off, your New York City adventure truly begins!
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Will The Sitter Have Additional Responsibilities
Its common for babysitters to have additional responsibilities outside of physically watching the kids. Its best to make a list of what you expect your sitter to handle. Will they pick up the children and transport them to after-school activities? If so, youll need to pay for gas.
Will your sitter cook or clean at your house? In that case, will they be responsible for small chores, extensively cleaning the house, maintaining the outdoors or a combination of tasks?
Discuss your needs upfront to ensure your babysitter is comfortable with the additional responsibilities. While some tasks may be grouped into the job description, widespread duties should be fully compensated.
Get Up High On A Rooftop Bar
Considering that most of the time in New York youre craning your neck to look at all the tall skyscrapers, it can be refreshing to turn the tables upside down and look down on the city.
The only problem is, doing that can cost a lot! With places that allow this such as the Empire State Building costing quite a fair amount.
Solution? Find a rooftop bar, get a drink, and sip away overlooking the whole of New York.
A cheap rooftop bar Id recommend is Rare View, which is located on 152 West 26th Street. It serves fantastic drinks, is in a prime location to see the city, and also offers a great bar and grill if youre feeling peckish. It usually opens late afternoon.
There are other cheap rooftop bars too such as Cantina Rooftop which serves Mexican drinks & food.
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Mount Tremper New York
It’s hard to decide which season we’d like to stay here mostin the summer and fall, you can take advantage of hiking in the Catskills and spend time on the large wooden deck or in the screened-in porch in the winter, you can play in the snow, then cozy up to the fireplace under wool blankets with coffee from the kitchen’s Chemex. The cabin has two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with a double, one bathroom, and a fully-stocked kitchen. Plus, it’s a five-minute drive from Phoenicia Diner. To note, until further notice, the host is only accepting stays of 10 nights or more, with pricing for monthly stays available upon request.
Volunteering In New York City
Long term travel is awesome. Giving back is awesome too. For backpackers looking to travel long-term on a budget in New York City whilst making a real impact on local communities look no further than World Packers. World Packers is an excellent platform connecting travelers with meaningful volunteer positions throughout the world.
In exchange for a few hours of work each day, your room and board are covered.
Backpackers can spend long periods of time volunteering in an awesome place without spending any money. Meaningful life and travel experiences are rooted in stepping out of your comfort zone and into the world of a purposeful project.
World Packers opens the doors for work opportunities in hostels, homestays, NGOs, and eco-projects around the world. Broke Backpacker readers get a special discount of $20 just use this discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and membership is discounted from $49 a year to $29.
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What To Do In Nyc: Day 2
See City HallNew Yorks City Hall is a great piece of historic architecture and has a beautiful little park thats filled with office workers during lunch . To learn about the buildings history, art, and architecture, take one of the tours. This way, youll be able to see the landmarked rotunda, city council chamber, Governors Room, and the City Hall Portrait Collection.
City Hall Park. Pre-reserved tours are typically offered for groups on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:30am and for individuals on Thursdays at 10am. There are also first-come, first-served tours on Wednesdays at 12pm.
Walk the Brooklyn BridgeRight near City Hall , the Brooklyn Bridge offers an easy 25-minute walk into Brooklyn and the waterfront park on the other side. Stopping to take photos and meandering along the way will make the walk about 40 minutes. You get a lot of wonderful views of downtown as you make your way across . I enjoy doing this walk at night when downtown Manhattan is all lit up. Otherwise, come early to beat the crowds.
Relax in Prospect ParkOnce you get out of Manhattan, you can explore Brooklyns version of Central Park, which spans almost 600 acres. While youre here, dont miss the nearby Brooklyn Museum. Spend the afternoon discovering its vast collection of both historical and contemporary art and artifacts . It has art exhibitions highlighting ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, colonial USA, and more. Tickets to the museum are $16 USD.
New York City Weekend Market In Brooklyn
Wherever you wander, make your way over to the Artists and Fleas market. They have so many cool things! Especially if you are into handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, and handmade cosmetics then this is the place to find all three. Although it is mostly jewelry there are some other gems like Bad Girl Good Tea . A record seller and a few local artists selling their paintings.
Once you are done with the market have a wander back up 7th. Soak up the hipster vibes, drink coffee and overpay for second-hand clothes in the thrift shops.
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What To Do In Nyc: Day 3
Stroll around Central ParkThe perfect way to relax in the city and leave the crowds behind is to spend the day in Central Park. Its free, there are lots of paths to walk , bike lanes, lakes to row in, and a zoo. Since the park covers over 150 square blocks, its easy to spend hours wandering around. During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions . From the late spring to the early fall, there are free guided walks run by the parks service on Saturdays at 11am. Im a big fan of laying out in Sheeps Meadow on a hot, sunny day with a book, some food, and a bottle of wine.
Several excellent museums can be found in or on the edges of Central Park too .
Visit the The Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe Met is one of the biggest museums in the world, and if you only see one museum in New York, I recommend this one. It has a wide array of art, historical artifacts, photographs, and other exhibits. I like its expansive Impressionist and Greek exhibits. Its chaotic and filled with people, especially on the weekend, but since it is so big, you can usually find some quiet spots away from the crowds. Budget at least a half-day here as a few hours wont do this place justice.
1000 5th Avenue, Central Park, Upper East Side, +1 212 535 7710, metmuseum.org. Open SundayThursday from 10am5pm. Admission is $25 USD .
Central Park W. at 79th Street, Upper West Side, +1 212 769 5100, amnh.org. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-5:30pm. Admission is $23 USD .