Things To See And Do In Lower East Side
- Feel like a kid again and visit Economy Candy, where youll find aisles upon aisles of your favourite sweets and treats.
- Shop local artisans and independent vendors at the Hester Street Fair.
- Grab a drink and enjoy a great night out at Two-Bits Retro Arcade.
- Enjoy good beer and live music at Parkside Lounge, the perfect dive bar in New York City.
- Tease your taste buds with bold and delicious flavours at Goa Taco.
- Sink your teeth into a savoury slice of classic New York pizza at Rosarios Pizzeria.
- Step back in time and explore New Yorks history of immigration at the Tenement Museum.
Cheap Budget Hotels In Nyc
Manhattan Budget Hotels Less than $100 per Night
Cheap budget hotels in NYC are somewhat difficult to find. After all, one of the most expensive things in Manhattan is space! We all pay a LOT of money to live here and the price and size of many apartments would likely shock you. There are plenty of clean cheap budget hotels in Manhattan, NYC, some with really interesting rooms and great amenities.
- See Also: West Village
The rooms at The Jane are designed like a ships cabin. The low rate catch is there is only a single bed and the coed bathroom is down the hall. Some rooms offer bunk beds and the captains cabin with private bathroom starts at $225. The hip, but tiny rooms, come with free wi-fi, 23-inch LCD television, DVD player, iPod dock, built-in drawers and a luggage rack plus bicycles are complimentary and they are right on the Hudson River. Brunch at the Jane Hotel is a NYC favorite.
More Downtown Cheap Hotels:
- 309 W 14th St, NY, NY 10014
- Redford Hotel comfortable, budget friendly, free breakfast. 136 Ludlow Street. Formerly Comfort Inn
Serenity At Home Cosy Tranquillity In Brooklyn
Manhattan island may get all the attention, but for cheaper New York hotels also look on the surrounding boroughs youre more likely to get better value for money. The highly rated Serenity at Home Guest House is located in Brooklyn, just over the bridge from Manhattan island, on a pretty tree-lined street, close to the Botanical Gardens. A B& B with an old school feel, the Serenity dates back to 1901 and offers cosy, warm spacious guest rooms. Check out The Serenity Suite, a separate one bedroom apartment that has access to the lovely gardens of the house.
- Prices from $110 per night.
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What Are The Major Attractions In New York City
The places to visit in New York City are endlessfrom swanky shopping centers to ethnic enclaves and some of the best parks in the country, this is a place that has it all and then some.
While you could spend forever and a day visiting them all, here are some cant-miss locales for some trip inspiration:
Pay As You Wish Museum Entry
Did you know that some of NYCs most famous museums have pay-as-you-wish entry all the time? Yes, even the American Museum of Natural History! This makes these national treasures accessible to all.
And if a museum isnt pay as you wish, theres a good chance they have specific days or times that entry is free. Here are some examples:
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9/11 Memorial: FREE on Tuesdays from 5 8 p.m.
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Museum of Modern Art : FREE on Fridays from 4 8 p.m.
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New York Botanical Garden: FREE all day Wednesdays, and from 9 10 a.m. on Saturdays
Take a look at this list of free museum days so you know when to plan your visit. Just know that on free entrance days, there is typically a longer queue.
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New York City On A Budget: 17 Money
Its true: New York City aint cheap! Accommodation is notoriously expensive, and food can add up if you dont know where to find cheap eats! But theres good news: Weve rounded up our top tips for traveling to NYC on a budget so you dont come home from the Big Apple completely broke! Read up on money-saving advice, cheap places to eat and free things to do in New York City.
New York City is notoriously expensive, but that doesnt mean you cant stick to a budget. There are plenty of free things to do in NYC and other ways you can save money during your trip.
Weve put together our best money-saving tips for traveling in NYC so you dont come home from vacation completely broke!
Whether this is your first time visiting New York City or The Big Apple feels like your second home, these tips will help you travel NYC for cheap!
Disclaimer: There may be some affiliate links on this page, which means when you click we get a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. This allows us to keep sharing great travel tips, so feel free to click away!
Best Airbnb In Upper West Side Quiet And Cozy One Bedroom
Just 100 paces from beautiful Central Park, this apartment in a bright 7th-floor south-facing building has the classic New york skyline view. With a cozy kitchen, one bed and cushions that can be used as a mattress, this is the perfect New York vacation rental for a small family. The building also has a washer and dryer in the basement.
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Where To Stay In New York City: A Complete Guide To Picking The Best Place To Stay
On my last visit, I spent a full week in New York City and stayed in three different neighborhoods during that time.
Prior to that, I had been to NYC for roughly 36 hours for work, and spent the entire time locked in a conference room. I really didnt get a chance to explore at all, so I was stoked to have a full week to walk around and uncover some hidden gems and explore the city on a deeper level.
The first thing I was struck by was the buzzing energy that fills the streets of NYC at all hours. 6am? Tons of people out and about. 2am? Same same. It boggles my mind, but I guess thats what happens when you pack millions of people into a place the size of Manhattan.
The second thing that blew my mind was the size of the buildings and the density. It truly is a concrete jungle.
I grew up in Seattle and live in San Francisco, and in both places there is a downtown area with massive buildings, and once you get out of that relatively small area, the tallest building is roughly three stories and you find green spaces around every corner. In New York City, I regularly looked up and saw a 40 story building when I was staying on the Upper East Side. The density is incredible.
Here are my top picks for the best areas to stay in NYC for all styles and budgets.
Psst! If you need to eat gluten free, youll want to read my guide to gluten free NYC to find the absolute best gluten free eats.
Best Places To Stay Outside Of Manhattan
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
This is one of the cool areas to stay outside of Manhattan. It is a beautiful and upcoming neighborhood in Brooklyn, which for decades, has been home to many old families.
However, new vibrant, and young residents have also started living in the region while some of them have made it their permanent residence.
This stunning waterfront area derives its name from Sunset Park, which is found within the region.
It is a good area to relax as you enjoy the sunset or even swim in the community pool. If you ever travel to Manhattan and are looking for an affordable place outside of New York City with a cool community park, consider Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Transport to New York City from Sunset Park is not a problem as one can take a subway. It takes around 35 minutes to get to Times Square in New York City, while it might take less than 20 minutes to get to some other parts of the city.
There are several accommodation options in the sunset area, but the most notable hotels include Hotel BPM, Sleep Inn, and Wyndham. While Wyndham has some of the highest rates with $40 more than the others, it has the most positive reviews without any consistent complaints.
The region is suitable for travelers who are on a budget or individuals who want to feel part of the Brooklyn community.
The city center is easily accessible from Sunset Park, and hotel costs here are cheaper than in Manhattan and most other parts of Brooklyn.
Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
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Getting Around New York City
- NYC Bus: Buses in NYC accept tokens, exact change, or MetroCards. They do not accept bills. MetroCard offers a one-day pass for $2.75 and a seven-day unlimited ride pass for $33.
- NYC Subway: The Subway is the best way to get around in New York. The New York City Subway System is the second-oldest subway system in the United States and one of the largest and most extensive rapid transit systems in the world, with 468 stations in operation.
- Uber/Lyft: for quick trips to locations not served by the metro or the bus, take an Uber.
- Taxi: Once synonymous with easy, cheap travel in New York, Taxi cabs in the city are on their dying breath due to Uber and Lyft, so you might want to only use a Taxi in an emergency.
- Walking: You will be on foot for the majority of your day exploring New York. Plan your day and route logically, so youre not doubling back many times. To calculate distances in New York City, bear in mind that 20 avenues or 10 street blocks are equal to one mile. Also, keep in mind that parts of the city do not follow a proper grid layout so the distances will need to be calculated using your GPS.
- Ferries: To see a handful of attractions like Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty, you are going to need the ferry. Remember, Manhattan is an Island after all!
Top Picks: The Best Places To Stay In New York City
Dont have time to read the whole post full of me waxing poetic about all the things I love about New York City? I totally get it.
Heres a condensed version for you.
The 5 Best Areas to Stay in New York City for all Styles and Budgets
While all of the areas below are fantastic places to stay for your trip to New York, my absolute favorite place to stay in NYC is the area between Nomad and the Flatiron.
I spent the bulk of my time in New York City in this part of town, and it was a perfect home base for exploring all corners of the city.
I stayed first at the Freehand, which is a budget-friendly option a few blocks from the Flatiron building with relatively small rooms, but a great location and fantastic amenities.
I also stayed at the Ace Hotel, a classic boutique hotel option, which had roomier rooms and an amazing lobby , but was a little bit more expensive. I wanted to stay at the Made Hotel, but it was sold out for the time I was there.
If its your first time in NYC, you should look atMidtown Manhattan.
Its central, close to both Central Park, Chelsea, and Times Square, and its well-connected to the rest of the city via the Subway.
If youre on a budget, look at Pod 51, a budget hotel with 358 basic rooms and a super accessible price point.
Id also look at the CitizenM Times Square, one of the most highly rated hotels in the area.
If youre looking for a younger, hipper crowd, look at Chelsea and Greenwich Village.
Best Places to Stay in NYC: Top Rated Hotels
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Spur Of The Moment Sometimes Pays Off
For the most part, we would tell you to plan ahead to get the best resources. However, if youre the type of person who likes to just get up and go, you might be able to find yourself a cheap hotel at NYC as a last minute booking.
Check out the app or site for Hotel Tonight. This is basically for people who book on the fly or who maybe get stuck traveling and need a last minute solution. These are basically excess rooms that are marked down at the last minute because they were never booked.
Its worth a try, if you can take off at a moments notice. This option works best during week nights in off-peak seasons.
New York City Travel Tips For Your First Visit
Dont be scared of public transportation If you have never been to New York before, be prepared for an intense introduction. A city of 8 million people, it is the most populated urban center in all of the United States. In order to get around, there are a number of options from which to choose: bus, subway, and taxi but they can add up quickly.
Establish a budget If you are looking to save money on your trip, staying in a budget hotel is a great way to do it.
Get to Know the Neighborhoods You cant experience New York City in a day or even a week. We suggest you take your time and get to know the neighborhoods before running all over town. Doing so will help keep your expenses down and youll be able to see more attractions that way!
Try the local cuisine One of the best things about traveling is trying out the local cuisine, and New York City does not disappoint. From hot dogs to pizza to bagels, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Wear clothes that are appropriate for the city New York is a fashion-forward city, and visiting there is no exception. Be sure to pack clothes that can keep up with the competition!
Take in the sights There are hundreds of attractions in New York City, but they dont all require money to enjoy. Many attractions such as Rockefeller Center and Times Square feature ample seating for those who wish to relax and soak in the cityscape.
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Enjoying Free Things To Do
TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media
New York can be an expensive city, with pricey admission fees and tours that will challenge your travel budget. Yet, there are free opportunities for sight-seeing and visiting museums and attractions. Some of the best New York experiences won’t cost you a dime.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is always fun to do in mild weather. And when it’s chilly head to a museum on a free museum day.
Central Park is full of gardens to wander. Buy lunch-makings at a New York deli and picnic on the lawn in the park.
Anyone visiting New York City will need to bring walking shoes. Walking the neighborhoods, along the rivers and from building to building downtown can be hard on the feet, but cost nothing.
For A Sophisticated Simple Sojourn: Hotel Hugo
SoHo, Tribeca, and West Village have a reputation for being chic, sophisticated, and everything you might associate with a quintessential NYC visit. But they also have a reputation for being over-the-top expensive when it comes to hotels and BnBs. Hotel Hugo gives you an affordable key to these neighborhoods, tucked into Hudson Square . Location aside, the hotels main draw is its rooms, decked out with mid-century modern furnishings, giving you a sumptuous, soothing place to rest your head. This is 4-star hospitality at its most pure: Youre in New York to experience New York, and when you retire for the day, you want a room that matches the metropolis sophistication.
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The Best Area To Stay In Nyc Is
Just kidding, its not that easy! Unfortunately, the real answer is it depends.
Yes, we know thats frustrating. We also hate researching a place or product and being told it depends.
But the fact is, youre planning a visit to one of the most diverse, tourist heavy and unique places in the world. Demand is sky high, and that means supply is in abundance.
New York City is a vacation planning monster. It is an enormous, hotels and attractions galore jigsaw puzzle. But it is also one of the most irresistible cities on Earth and we will help you piece it all together.
The Best Budget Hotels In New York Are:
Best for food and drink: Moxy Times Square, Booking.com
Best for city views: citizenM Times Square, Booking.com
Best for cocktails: Freehand, Booking.com
Best for an urban oasis: Arlo Soho, Booking.com
Best for history: The Jane, Booking.com
Best for proximity to Central Park: Pod 51, Booking.com
Best for wellness: HGU New York, Booking.com
Best for families: The Paul NYC, Booking.com
Best for futurism: Yotel Times Square, Booking.com
Best for music fans: The Redbury, Booking.com
Best for quirky design: The Moxy Chelsea, Booking.com
Best for space: The Boro, Booking.com
Best for discovering Brooklyn: Nu Hotel, Booking.com
Best for a timewarp: The Harlem Flophouse, Booking.com
The Independent’s hotel reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and book, but we never allow this to affect our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.
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