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Step 1
Transportation - Renting a car in New York City is a nightmare. Not only do you have to factor in the cost of the car and the gas but parking is outrageously expensive (if you can find it at all). Cabs are a better option when you need to go a long way but there are two options that are even better. The subway system is great for getting around town. It is safe and convenient. Just be sure that you don't get on late at night and you will be fine. The most economical way to get around the city is to walk. New York (Manhattan) is actually pretty compact. You can walk almost anywhere you need to go. I always ride the subway to one area of town in the morning and spend the day walking around that area and taking the subway home in the evening. You might even shed a few pounds if you spend you vacation walking.
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Step 2
Food- food is one of the great reasons to vacation in New York. There are world class eateries all around. The problem again is the cost. Minimize your expenditures on food by packing picnic lunches before you leave home. My wife and I always pack a lunch for each day of our trip. We pack individual servings of crackers, tuna, raisins, nuts and cookies. These items can survive the trip and pack easily into a daypack. At lunch time we found a park and ate our picnic. We saved time each day looking for a place to eat. We use the money we save to go out to nicer restaurants in the evenings, but you could simply pocket the difference.
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Step 3
Do Free Stuff - There is a surprising amount of free stuff to do in New York City. You can take the Staten Island Ferry for free to see a different (and spectacular) view of the city. The public library is free as is Central Park. Many neighborhoods have some sort of free walking tour (see resources). There are also many churches and historic buildings that are free to tour. (See resources for free sights).
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Step 4
Get a Pass - check out the New York City Explorer Pass. It offers you admission to many of the top paid sights around town. No vacation would be complete without a trip to at least a few of these top sights. This card might help you save money on the ones that are on your "Must See" list. (See resources for a link).
