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If your travel plans have you landing in New York City don’t wring your hands at the thought of how expensive this vacation could cost. It’s true that NYC is notoriously expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar to have the best experiences. There are a lot of free and inexpensive activities for families to enjoy in the city.
When you begin planning your vacation, take some time to do some research and make a list of everything your family wants to see and do. It might make sense to purchase a The New York Pass that grants access to multiple attractions for one fee. You will need to do some number crunching to determine if it’s worth it for your family. Hop on – Hop off tours are another way to see the city easily, but it may be just as easy to navigate via public transit. If you’re not sure what to do and see, here are a few suggestions for families with younger and older kids that won’t break the bank.
Starting at the bottom tip of Manhattan, also known as the financial district, families of all ages can find engaging ways to learn and have fun. The Imagination Playground at Southport Seaport is an innovative playground for under-12’s to explore. It’s unlike most playgrounds you’ve probably seen. Unlike traditional play structures the Imagination Playground encourages kids to manipulate their environment by introducing sand, water, and other lose parts. The park is open from 9-5am daily and access is free. There is a team of park staff on hand to facilitate play.
Wander the area to view the country’s largest privately owned fleet of historic ships, then walk towards Orchard Street to visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. The museum runs several different tours all focusing on immigrant life in New York. This might not be the best stop for families with young children (they recommend 8+ and children under 6 are not permitted) but older kids will learn from this interactive experience. This is not free, and could be considered a big expense however, it is worth the price of admission. If you’re going to spend money on one museum during your visit – this should be the one.
Sticking with the immigration theme, Liberty and Ellis Island are only a short trip away. There are special tours that run to the islands. If you are wanting to tour Ellis Islands tickets can be bought online or at Battery Park. A few tips, getting off the ship at Liberty Island is generally wasted time. Aside from seeing the statue there’s nothing else to do on the island. If you have young children Ellis Island is likely to go over their heads and be an unenjoyable experience for everyone. If you still want to see the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty, take the FREE Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall. You can cross the river and come back easily.
Finally, visiting the ethnic neighborhoods of New York are a great way to experience new cultures and taste amazing food. There’s a parade or festival just about monthly in the city so chances are good you’ll be able to join in! Chinatown and Little Italy are well known but if you venture into the boroughs, why not visit Astoria Queens for Greek and Arab neighborhoods or Williamsburg Brooklyn for Jewish, Polish, Puerto Rican, and Italian neighborhoods. Visit a grocery store, bakery or mom and pop restaurant in the area for a real taste of the culture.
Have you visited New York City? Do you have any budget friendly tips others may enjoy?
My brother in law lives in Astoria and the Greek food there is out of this world. He actually got married at one of the Greek restaurants down there.
I love all that there is to see and do in New York. I love your tip about the Staten Island Ferry, smart idea.
New York looks so exciting! I wonder if Ill ever travel to there. I hate flying, so not sure. lol
Living just outside NYC for most of my life (within the city limits for the rest of it) I know it can get expensive-but there are so many things you can see and do for either free or very little–Just strolling around Times Square is an experience in itself–and of course Greenwich Village–You don’t really have to take a bus tour-just hop on one of the NYC crosstown buses! Central Park is beautiful. Of course right now it is covered in snow and being covered even more as I type–one thing is for certain the view from a hotel window at a snow covered NYC is magnificent!
I have always wanted to visit New York. If I did, I would definitely have to check out their Greek food!
I love visiting NYC, and I hope to take my kids there someday. I’ll be saving these tips for that trip!
Thanks for this! I live fairly close to NYC (in the Poconos), and it’s fun to take day trips into the city. I’m always looking for stuff to do that doesn’t cost a lot. I love it in the winter. Aside from the money I spend at the toy stores, we always manage to do a lot for very little money.
We we rethinking on goin to NYC and we were concerned about the cost but we are taking up your recommendations!
I’ve been to NYC for work. It’s nice to know that there are so many inexpensive options for visiting.
I would love to go to New York one day, it seems like such an amazing place. x
We love NYC thanks for the tips with the budget. Its not so much what we are going to do there its the tickets that get us. However we are planning a trip this summer so I am book marking this page. thank you so much
I think New York City has THE best selection of good food, no great food, out of any place we have ever, ever been! This post made me homesick to visit the city.
These are great suggestions for an inexpensive way to see the Big Apple. We have visited New York several times and it can get pretty pricey. One thing that was free was visiting many of the magnificent Catholic churches. We also loved visiting some of the local fire stations and talking to the firemen. The fire stations are rich in New York history too.
NYC with my son is on my to do list!! I can’t wait to take him. Thanks for the tips!!
I would love to go back to NY for a nice visit. I have been twice but only for quick visits so never had time to do much
We take the kids into the city a couple of times a year. It can be expensive, but there are so many things to see and do; I’m very glad that we live close by!
NYC can be very expensive so that will help people visiting the Big Apple. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Oh I’d love to go and work there someday. I’d love to live the thrifty life!
NYC is on my list to take my family. I haven’t been since I was a young child and would love to return.
The last time I was in NY I was only 10 years old. I hope to go back one day and visit Koreatown! Tha’s my dream!
I am always searching for deals. For NYC I use the guide book 365 Guide New York City. It lists restaurant deals and bar specials. Saves me a ton of cash.