How to save money on a vacation in New York City

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By Siouxmix
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Statue of Liberty

New York city is a great place to visit but it can be expensive. I live in New York city and I am going to share some tips with on how you can save money while visiting the big apple.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

comfortable shoes
subway map
sense of adventure

Step 1

Take the subway and buses. Don't take taxi cabs.
Step 2

Buy a metrocard that is appropriate for the amount of time and usage you need. A metrocard is the card you buy to pay for the subway and buses in New York City. You can't buy these on the bus. You have to buy them in the subway.
Metro cards come in either different dollar amounts or in different time amounts. If you are going to be in New York for more than 4 or 5 days and using mass transit often to sightsee it may be worth it for you to buy a weekly metrocard.
Step 3

You can only use an unlimited daily/ weekly or monthly metrocard once every 18 minutes. So don't think you can buy one card and swipe your friends in too. Unless you wait 18 minutes at the turnstile to swipe them in.
Step 4

subway

With the plastic metrocards you buy in the subway you get 1 free transfer from subway to bus or bus to bus good within 2 hours. This can come in handy if you plan your trips wisely.
Step 5

Museum of Modern Art = MOMA

Visit museums for free. Many museums like the MOMA and the Brooklyn Museum have "free days" that are sponsored by Target Stores. This can help you save money.
The natural museum of history has a suggested donation of $8 for adult admission. Since this is suggested you don't have to pay it. You can pay whatever you like to view the museum. Certain exhibits do cost extra.
Step 6

Pack your own lunch and snacks.
Just because you are staying in a hotel with no kitchen doesn't mean you can't pack your own lunch. Ask your hotel concierge where the nearest grocery store is. Don't go to the corner deli, they usually cost 3 times more.
Buy some bread, cut meats and cheese from the deli, mayonnaise, plastic sandwich bags and make your own lunches. Pick up some drinks too.
Keep the sandwich meats in the small fridge in your hotel room.
This also can come in handy for those middle of the night snacks instead of room service.
Step 7

Buy snacks from a grocery store too. it's the difference between buying a box of cookies for $3 or buying one cookie out somewhere for $3.
Step 8

Don't get stuck in tourist traps.
Times Square is a major tourist trap. All of the restaurants there are overpriced and are horrible chain restaurants. So visit Times Square but walk 2 avenues west to 9th Ave. where you can find a variety of great local eats that will cost you less. Manhattan is safe for such a big town so don't be scared about going away from tourist spots.
Step 9

If you really don't have a lot of money for transportation WALK! Wear comfortable shoes and walk. Everything is within walking distance in Manhattan and it is the best way to see the city.This will save you a lot of money.
Step 10

Try out all the fun bars during happy hour.
If you like visiting the local pubs and bars do it during their happy hours. Usually between 3/4pm and 7/8 pm. A lot of bars offer 2 for 1 drink specials or much cheaper prices.
Step 11

tkts booth

Buy tickets to Broadway shows from the tckts booth in times square for great discounts.
Step 12

Visit Central Park and bring your own drinks from the grocery store or pack a picnic (weather permitting). Central Park is beautiful and free.
Step 13

Check out the art galleries in Chelsea and find out if there will be any openings during your visit. This is a great way to see some great art and get free wine and cheese. The galleries are always free to view during normal business hours too.
Step 14

Buy souvenirs for people in the pharmacies like Duane Reade or Rite Aid. Find the dollar stores, they are all over the places and sometimes have great NY souvenirs for $1.