How to have fun on a budget in New York City?

Home sweet home! Been away for over five years but finally came back. Unfortunately, I came back with only $100 in my pocket, a bunch of resumes, workoholic friends, no place to live and a New York attitude of I can make it, I can do this. But first.. lets have some fun! Let me show you how I enjoyed my city without having to borrow money from friends.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• internet access once arriving to New York City or do all your research before coming
• Can not be claustrophobic (this is a city of sardines)

1. Underground subway (Image by:pakidude on Flickr) First off.. Welcome to New York!! When I came back to New York, budget couldn't even describe my financial situation. My money was in conflict with my desire to see the city. So I did what I do best and got on the internet. I advise any and everyone when planning a trip to New York City to be sure that your hotel has internet access. Your new best friend will be www.mta.info. The fast and most affordable way to get around New York City is through its subways.
   
   MTA stands for "Metro Transporation Authority". It represents New York City's transportation system. Their website www.mta.info gives you maps of the subway, buses, time schedules, and most importantly a trip planner. You have no idea how much time the trip planner saves instead of guessing how to get somewhere in an unfamiliar city. Okay so first step is Transporation. Second step is budget. Third step is itineary. and Last step is websites.
2. Step 1> Transportation.
   Go to www.mta.info and print the subway map. If you're already in NYC then you have pick one up at any subway station. No cash necessary is my motto when traveling by bus or subway in NYC. Here we have a payment system called "Metrocard". Think of it as a pre-paid credit card that you can buy rides on the subway or buses. With that in mind, I recommend that you purchase a $25 unlimited 7 day metrocard. (Hint- 7days been from Monday until Sunday night, not from Monday to Monday night.. I learned that the hard way). Once you have your $25 unlimited Metrocard which you can purchase preferabbly at a subway station (with cash)or machine in the subway station (with cash, credit card such as credit or debit).
   
   Now that you have your Unlimited Metrocard, let's go put it to use!
   
   **Warning: Never purchase a Metrocard from any person on the street. More than likely it will be empty and you will be out of money and a useless Metrocard. I don't care even if they say they'll give it to you for $2.
3. Hot dog/Pretzel Stand on corners throughout Manhattan (by BuLu Chien on Flickr) Step 2> Budget of $20 a day.
   I will use my recent trip with my 2 year old nephew as a sample for how I spent less than $20 and had a full day of exploring in New York City.
   
   We left the house at 8am and was so hungry. We used our "Metrocard" and got on the 'F' train to 42nd st- Bryant Park station (see www.mta.info) We stopped at a near by Deli (they're all over the place in NYC) and purchased a breakfast meal to share. Breakfast totaled $5.50. It consisted of a plate of 2 eggs, bacon, grits, tater tots, orange juice bottle and free cup of water for my nephew). After filling up on breakfast it was time to see the sites.
   
   We walked to a nearby Public Park called "Bryant Park" (www.bryantpark.org) on 40th St on 6th Avenue. We arrived just intime to participate in the *free* Bryant Park Yoga Class in the Upper Terrace. After an enjoyable *free* Yoga class we was ready to go. We then decided to walk up the block and visit the New York Public Library (http://www.nypl.org). Inside the library was beautiful. White marble, detailed architecutral moldings, and murals were everywhere. My nephew and I walked upstairs (ask for elevator because we counted over 50 steps.. whew!!) and joined in on a Local Exhibition of Artwork. After viewing the artwork, we went down the hall to watch a documentary (vido screening). While at the libary don't forget to look up, its like a museum of art on the ceiling. With so much visual stimulation we was ready for a snack. So, after looking throughout the library we left and started walking two blocks up twoards Grand Central Station (http://www.grandcentralterminal.com).
   
   More beautiful artwork and murals on ceiling, and marble walls and floors. Everything was so beautiful, my nephew couldn't help but to keep staring up at the ceiling. Unfortunately, so did everyone else in the corridor in curiousity of what in the world were we looking at. Well time for dessert, we bought & shared a slice of New York Finest Cheesecake fro $6.25 at Juniors Bakery & Cheesecake at Grand Central Station, Main Concourse near Track 36. After all that looking around we decided to do plenty of window shopping at nearby stores. Before we realized it, it was 3pm. Time for Lunch! With food on our mind, we found our way to our nearest food vendor on the side of the street (usually has a yellow tent). And we got two delicious Hot Dogs $2.00). We ate to our hearts content. Tired from walking and so much to see. It was time to go home.
4. Step 3> Your NYC Itineary.
   So as you know, there is plenty of things to do and eat in NYC. Let's make a list of free events and low cost food items you can eat while in NYC.
   
   
   
   Free
   *Sony Wonder Technology Lab ~550 Madison Ave, New York, NY (Hours 10am-5pm Tu-Sa, Noon-5pm Sun) ~www.wondertechlab.com
   *Bryant Park~40th St. & 6th Avenue (summertime has tons of free events)
   *NYC Largest Public Library ~40th St & 5th Avenue (free local exhibitions, documentary screenings, book discussions & signings)
   
   Low Cost
   *Children's Museum of Manhattan ~212 W 83rd St, New York, NY (Admission $8 Adults & children over one,$5 Seniors. hours Summer Hours: Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm; Winter Hours: Wed.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm) ~www.cmom.org
   
   
   Find Events
   http://newyork.craigslist.org (click on events links)
   http://www.clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp
   http://nycvisit.com
5. Last step> When, where & websites.
   Tours & More (courtesy of nycvisit.com)
   
   Alliance for Downtown New York leads a free 90-minute walking tour that includes Wall Street every Thursday and Saturday at noon. Meet at the front steps of the U.S. Custom House (One Bowling Green); no reservations are necessary. For information on the tours, call 212/606-4064.
   
   Grand Central Partnership leads a tour year round of the Grand Central area, exploring architecture and social history, on Fridays at 12:30pm. Meet at Altria on the southwest corner of 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Reservations are not necessary. The Partnership also has a free lunchtime summer concert series.
   
   The Union Square Partnership conducts a free 90-minute tour each Saturday of historic and beautiful Union Square, home to New York City's premiere farmer's market and the famous equestrian statue of George Washington. Meet at 2pm by the Lincoln statue near the Pavilion building on the 16th Street transverse of Union Square Park. For more information call 212/460-1204.
   
   Village Alliance offers free tours of 8th Street and Street Mark's Place in Greenwich Village Saturdays at 11:30am. Tours depart from the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.
   
   The Hispanic Society of America is a beautiful, free museum and reference library housing the most extensive collection of Hispanic art and literature outside of Spain and Latin America. Works on display include those by Goya, El Greco and Velasquez. Visitors may also peruse photographs, textiles and decorative arts.
   
   New York Unearthed is the only museum dedicated to New York's archaeological heritage. Visitors can piece together 6,000 years of New York history through dioramas and archaeological artifacts. Free at all times. Located at 17 State Street (opposite Battery Park). Open Monday–Friday, 12 noon–5pm.
   
   Explore Native American arts, artifacts, film and photography at the National Museum of the American Indian. Free at all times. One Bowling Green, 212/514-3700.
   
   An outdoor museum on the East River in Long Island City, Queens, the Socrates Sculpture Park has giant sculptures and a waterfront view of Manhattan. Free at all times. Open 365 days a year from 10am to sunset. 718/956-1819.
6. Whitney Museum (image by a Is To B As on Flickr) Free Pay what you wish (courtesy of www. nycvisit.com)
   
   Enjoy folk paintings, furniture, pottery, quilts and other decorative arts from the 18th century to the present at the American Folk Art Museum which is free 5:30–7:30pm on Fridays.
   
   The Bronx Zoo is pay-what-you-wish Wednesday.
   Explore the beauty of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden free all day Tuesday and Saturday 10am–noon.
   
   The Brooklyn Museum of Art is free 5–11pm the first Saturday of every month. Explore 4,000 years of Jewish history at The Jewish Museum which is free Saturday 11:00am–5:45pm.
   
   The Museum of Arts and Design is pay-what-you-wish Thursday 6–8pm.
   
   The New York Botanical Garden is free all day Wednesday and Saturday 10am–noon.
   
   From Labor Day through Memorial Day, the New York Hall of Science offers free admission on Fridays 2pm–5pm and Sundays 10am–11am.
   
   The Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is pay-what-you-wish Friday 5:45pm until closing (with the last ticket issued at 7:15pm).
   
   The regular garden at the Staten Island Botanical Garden is open from dawn until dusk at no charge, though its Chinese Scholar's Garden has an admission fee.
   
   Enjoy spectacular Hudson River views from Wave Hill, the acclaimed public garden and cultural institution overlooking the Hudson and Palisades, which is free all day Tuesday and Saturday mornings 9am–noon year round. Additionally, from December through February, admission to Wave Hill is free at all times.
   
   The Whitney Museum of American Art is pay-what-you-wish admission Fridays 6–9pm.
7. China Town in lower manhattan (Image By master_levis on Flickr) Courtesy of http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/deals/freeny0705.html
   (copy and paste link)
   
   This is a fabulous and helpful link.
   Oh go to www.downtownny.com and order for free maps and visitor books to be mailed to your home before your visit to NYC.
   
   Hope all this information is as helpful to you as it was for me.
   Enjoy and once again..
   
   WELCOME TO NEW YORK CITY!!
   
   P.S. If you have money left over.. do your budget shopping in lower manhattan such as Chinatown (Canal St.) and the SoHo district.. unbelievable deals!!!