NYC on the cheap?

[chris902]

I am going to be in NYC (Manhattan) for a little over a month on a student's budget so I need some cheap things to do/eat.

What are some good cheap/free things to do? What galleries/museums other than MoMA have free/PWYC days? (and when are they?) What galleries/museums are free/cheap and fly under the tourist radar? What sort of strange, rarely mentioned landmarks should I check out? I will have a transit pass and I am willing to venture outside of Manhattan if stuff is interesting and free.

By the same token: Where can I eat dinner for under $10? Even cheaper lunches?


I am looking mainly for stuff that people who live in the city do, since tourist stuff tends to always be a rip off and is often boring as hell. Give me suggestions on how to entertain and feeed myself for free or nearly free!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by chris902

By the same token: Where can I eat dinner for under $10? Even cheaper lunches?
McDonald's.

Have you looked at New York magazine's Cheap Eats section? Good place to track down inexpensive grub.

 

[chris902]

Yeah - I also have the Cartography feature from last summer on food carts which should have me covered for lunches.

 

[feynmix]

Mamoun's $2 falafals near NYU campus are perfect for lunch. There is Kati Roll down the street for $5-$6 i think.

 

[Clench Million]

There are plenty of cheap places to eat including obviously tons of great pizza by the slice places. Eat some fries at Pomme Frites too. **** is great.

A lot of museums have a high charger that is, in reality, only a voluntary charge. Natural History Museum and the Met work this way. You can technically just give them 20 cents or 2 bucks or whatever.

 

[GQ Lawyer]

There are tons of good cheaps eats in the East Village between 14th and 6th (mostly around St. Marks place).

 

[Smokestack]

Gray's Papaya is a good cheap NYC standby, if you like hot dogs. Of course, stake out a good local pizza place that makes a good slice.

 

[samblau]

I go to a bar called Wharf on 38 and 3rd.....nightly specials....Monday was $3.50 alld domestic drafts including good stuff like Sam seasonalm Magic Hat and Sierra Nevada + $0.30 Wings.....less than $20 inc tax and tip for a good night out!

Le Parker Meridien "Burger Joint" hidden off the lobby...good burgers in a random setting in one of NYs nicer hotels..classy digs on the cheap

Veselka on 8th St and 2nd Ave.....really awesome Polish and Eastern European food, clean decent size place, get a good home cooked meal in the $10 range, unheard of in NYC

 

[mmhollis]

Kati Rolls are made by GOD! Great cheap eating

 

[lee_44106]

Monthly subway pass is a very good idea. No need for car when subway is so nice and convenient.

Cheap eats are literally everywhere. All the ethnic locations will have hole-in-the-wall cheap eats, and very good and authentic too.

If I were still single and young I'd be having so much fun on a little bit of money and doing all the cheap stuff.

 

[MrDaniels]

Try Criff Dogs an St. Mark's Place between 1st and A....eat the Spicy Redneck if you dare.

In Chinatown you will find dumpling shops where you can get 5 for $1. The best is on Mosco street between Mott and Mulberry (see if you can find it!).

If you are there in May, do NOT miss the 9th Avenue Food Festival.

 

[fcuknu]

i know in my neighborhood moma has free fridays sponsored by target. If you go uptown to the museum of the city of new york and say "im a neighbor" they will let you in for gratis, but the student rate is pretty cheap so cough up the dough. Also, check out the cooper-hewitt (i think its in the 80s-90s on madison)

 

[GQ Lawyer]

There is a very good "hidden" bar through Criff Dogs - P.D.T. (Please Don't Tell). The drinks are on par with Milk & Honey, Death & Co., and FlatIron Lounge.

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/pdt/

 

[samblau]

Originally Posted by Try Criff Dogs an St. Mark's Place between 1st and A QUOTE

There is a very good "hidden" bar through Criff Dogs - P.D.T. (Please Don't Tell). The drinks are on par with Milk & Honey, Death & Co., and FlatIron Lounge.

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/pdt/

Good place but as soon as word got out about it it became hard to get a reservation. Try going weekdays. Not a cheap place by any means.

 

[MrDaniels]

Don't forget to ride the Staten Island Ferry. Best free ride in the world. And when you get to Staten Island there is this REALLY cool thing you can do: Turn right around and go back to Manhattan as fast as possible!!!