The best part is that most of these experiences are pretty cheap things to do in NYC. On entry-level wages in New York, we were able to save $50,000 in a year to travel the world and check all of these things off the list. While it might be a stretch to call ourselves past New Yorkers, it is safe to say we know the city pretty well as former residents; here are some of the most romantic things to do in NYC.

Romantic Things to Do in NYC for Couples

Head to the Lincoln Center

This is one of those couple things to do in NYC. The Lincoln Center is one of the most romantic spots in NYC and home to some of the world’s best performers. A night at the Metropolitan Opera House is highly recommended, as world-class talent and impressive set pieces are sure to wow.

We’ve been to three shows at the Metropolitan Opera, enjoying Carmen, Contes D’Hoffman, and The Magic Flute. It’s the perfect opportunity to wear your best outfit and enjoy dinner at The Grand Tier before the show. The New York City Ballet dancers at the David H. Koch Theater will leave you speechless with their exquisite moves. We loved spending time at the Lincoln Center, and in our last six months in New York, we attended two Ballets.

Please do not write it off if you have not been to the opera. It’s a beautiful chance to get dressed, have a fantastic meal, and experience brilliant art that can move and transform you. I think it’s the best thing for couples to do in NYC at night. Certainly better than a night in the clubs!

Stroll Through Socrates Sculpture Park

A free and easy thing you can do in New York City is check out the Socrates Sculpture Park. Socrates Sculpture Park is an outdoor museum and public park in Astoria, Queens, where artists create and exhibit sculptures and unique multi-media installations.

The park is open 365 days a year and is well worth a couple of hours of exploration with a coffee. On a lovely Fall day, our favorite season in NYC, it’s tough to beat a stroll through the park before heading for a good meal in Astoria.

Try Omakase Sushi

Next to Japan and Vancouver, New York City has some of the best sushi in the world. When we lived in New York, we made it a regular ritual to explore sushi institutions there. These fine-dining restaurants serve up a signature style of sushi called Omakase. It is a chef-selected meal where the head sushi chef curates the best of what’s available in the markets daily and serves you piece by piece.

The experience is intimate and relaxing as you dive into the beautiful intricacies of a dish that can be composed of two ingredients. The fish served in the sushi restaurants is curated worldwide and utilizes the New Fulton Fish Market, one of the world’s largest fish markets. If there is one negative to this experience, it’s the price. Sushi is not cheap.

Recommendations:

• $$$$ – Sushi Yasuda & Sushi Nakazawa
• $$$ – Tanoshi Sushi
• $$ – Sugarfish & Sushi on Jones
• $ – Tomoe Sushi  & Auyo Sushi

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Walking the famous Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most romantic things to do in NYC. There are a few iconic New York landmarks that everyone should experience, and Brooklyn Bridge is undeniably one of them. It’s the one landmark where tourists and locals can enjoy a beautiful day. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest in the United States, and at 1,595 feet, it’s no short distance to cross.

Just be warned, walking the bridge in bad weather or the winter can be pretty unpleasant!  Some of the best weather in New York City comes in the fall, and it’s the perfect time to visit New York City to walk over the East River. This walk is one of the best things for couples to do in NYC.

Picnic in Central Park

One of those great fun activities in NYC for couples is to head to Central Park. It’s impossible not to love Central Park; it’s one of the most romantic places in NYC. The park is an oasis for residents and visitors in one of the most densely populated cities in the world.  Frederick Law Olmsted pioneered landscape design and played a vital role in conservation in the United States.

His design style changed parks and grounds forever as he designed parks around landscapes meant to age with time. He broke the mold of straight paths and manicured garden beds and is responsible for what Central Park is to this day.

Central Park stretches between 59th Street and 110th Street, making up the center of Fifth Avenue and Central Park West. Spending a day outside in New York is reason enough to come to Central Park, but there is almost always something on offer.

Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, carriage rides, running the loop, Shakespeare, giant water fights, and parks concerts are all fun ways to spend a day! Of course, one of the most romantic things to do in New York City is to picnic in one of the many quiet spots within the park.

Catch a Jazz Show

One of the most fun anniversary ideas in NYC is to enjoy a jazz show. Harlem used to be considered dangerous, but lately, it has faced gentrification and new wealth in the metropolis. We used always to make our way to 114 Street to check out new restaurants and bars. One of our favorite things to do together was enjoy a jazz show.

Harlem has countless clubs where you can enjoy a live jazz show, but one of our favorites is Bill’s Place, a speakeasy that has existed since prohibition in the 1920s. Make a romantic evening here with dinner, cocktails, and a show. If you don’t feel like traveling uptown, there are many venues all over the city.

Enjoy a Show on (or Off) Broadway

I know it sounds cliche, but if you are into the arts and want to see some of the best actors and actresses in the world, you must see a show on or off Broadway. The TKTS Booth is a great place to get last-minute tickets for shows around New York. Don’t expect to catch the most popular shows; they can sell out months in advance.

However, there are other ways to find cheap Broadway tickets, such as discounted tickets for the day of shows at four locations: Times Square, South Street Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and the Lincoln Center. I recommend avoiding the Times Square location as there is usually a long line.

Take a Stroll on the High Line

One of the most romantic things to do in NYC is head to the High Line. Indeed, there is not much green space in Manhattan. That’s why, in 2009, the High Line was formed on the old New York Central Railroad platform on the west side of Manhattan. The High Line is a one-and-a-half-mile-long elevated park where you can walk with your loved one and enjoy the wonderful outdoors in New York City. It’s perfect for a romantic date on a nice day.

There’s also some great food, a coffee shop, and even a little bar along the walkway, making it a great place for lunch. We suggest you head to the new Whitney location from the High Line or check out the Chelsea Market. We love oysters, and you can pick some fresh ones at the Cull & Pistol oyster bar inside the market. In case you’re wondering, the High Line is one of the most romantic places in New York.

Have a Drink at a Speakeasy

One of those great couple activities in NYC is a Speakeasy Bar. During the prohibition days in the United States, a “speakeasy” was the term used for illicit drinking houses to serve booze in hiding when it wasn’t allowed. They usually had no signs or small hidden doors and were often by invitation only. Nowadays, speakeasies are hip establishments serving craft cocktails to imitate the atmosphere.

Speakeasy bars are popular in big cities worldwide, and New York City may be the epicenter of the craze. If you’re in the mood for a romantic trip back in time with some great cocktails, head to one of New York’s many establishments. Two great ones to check out are Attaboy, Employees Only, and Bathtub Gin!

Head to a Rooftop Bar

Sip cocktails amongst the rooftops and enjoy views of New York’s skyline. When the weather is good, New York springs to life with al fresco dining, picnics, markets, festivals, and rooftop bars. New York has a wide range of rooftop bars, all offering their own atmosphere. You don’t need to take our word for the best rooftop bar because Timeout has been to them all and breaks down the best bars for romance or a night out.

We’d suggest you check out Gallow Green and partake in the famed Sleep No More performance. The rooftop bar takes on the atmosphere of an old garden party, and actors from the play intermix with guests while in character. It’s a unique romantic experience that can only be found in New York City.

Explore The Cloisters

This is a tremendous, easy anniversary idea in NYC if it’s that special day. The Cloisters is a museum specializing in Medieval history, located at the top of Manhattan on 190th Street in Washington Heights. It’s a great place to enjoy nature along the Hudson if medieval architecture is your thing!

We found the museum to be boring. The Dark Ages were indeed a dark period for art… However, the architecture and surrounding grounds make for an excellent escape from the city. Take a run or bike ride along the west side greenway up the Cloisters.

Spend the day at the MET

This is a fun couples thing to do in NYC. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the finest museums in the world. If you’re into art, this can be one of the best things to do with the boyfriend or girlfriend in NYC. There are a handful of museums everyone in the world should visit, and the MET easily tops the list.

It’s a massive collection of art from around the globe from various periods. The museum is enormous, and it would take hours to see it all at once, so be prepared to see a section. The Met is located on the Upper East Side on the edge of Central Park.

Go to the Bronx Zoo

If you love animals, consider stopping by the Bronx Zoo as one of the most romantic things to do in NYC. We’ve spent our fair share of days in safari attire exploring the African bush. So, it’s safe to say we’re not big fans of seeing animals in enclosures or zoos in general.

However, we know that not everyone can travel to Africa, and some zoos do essential work in conservation. The Bronx Zoo is one of the few exceptional examples of a zoo. It is also the largest zoo in the United States, making for a romantic day together. The zoo does excellent work with conservation and frequently rescues and rehabilitates endangered species found throughout the globe.

Enjoy the New York Botanical Gardens

If you want a romantic anniversary idea in NYC, why not consider strolling through a garden? I know that everyone raves about the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Still, after spending time in both the New York Botanical Gardens and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, I think New York is better.

The New York Botanical Gardens are indeed located in the Bronx, but the gardens get much less packed than their neighbors in Brooklyn because of their location. The NY Botanical Gardens are the largest in the US and are recognized as one of the most significant historical areas in New York.

Get Sweaty

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of workout studios and gyms in New York. When we lived in NYC, we regularly tried different classes around the city. Anything from boot camps to spin classes to CrossFit classes.

Why not take a break from the touristy things in New York and get active with a unique workout class? You can find them any day and every hour in every neighborhood. Or you can try your hand together at activities like stand-up paddleboarding, bouldering, or trampoline fitness.

Recommendations:

• Peloton
• Warrior Fitness Bootcamp
• Barry’s Bootcamp
• Cliffs at LIC

Head Out to Ellis Island

Do you know your ancestry and where you came from? Enjoy your loved one’s company and take the ferry to Ellis Island for the day! Ellis Island was the gateway for entry into the United States, and it is estimated that over 12 million people came here between the late 1800s and 1950s. Ellis Island is open every day of the year besides Christmas and can be reached via ferry from either Battery Park or Liberty State Park. I would suggest allocating at least three hours for the trip.

Enjoy Nature at Wave Hill

Wave Hill is one of the most romantic places in NYC. I may be biased because we used to live in Riverdale, but Wave Hill in the Bronx is nothing short of amazing. For a nice, sunny day outside New York City, we would always escape to Wave Hill, where the crowds are low.

When Cameron and I were looking for something romantic to do during the day, we’d grab some cold brew coffees and head to Wave Hill to enjoy the views over the Hudson River.

People Watch at Grand Central Station

If you’re looking for a fun and free romantic thing to do in NYC in the winter, look to Grand Central Station. I know people-watching may sound boring, but when you people-watch at a terminal that 750,000 people visit daily, it’s bound to pass the time in a fun way! Grand Central is over a century old and quite an impressive sight with 44 tracks.  If you’re already visiting Times Square, you may as well walk the three avenues here!

Explore the Hudson Valley

Although it is the most fantastic city on earth, that doesn’t mean you should never leave! One of the most romantic things in NYC is exploring the surrounding area. The Hudson Valley is a beautiful region of The United States.

It has wonderful B&Bs, apple picking, museums, and farm-to-table restaurants. It’s also home to the Storm King Art Center, probably one of the coolest outdoor art exhibits in the world.

Romantic Things to do in NYC Map

Plan for NYC

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Where to Stay in NYC

The Chatwal

Regarding New York City hotels, it’s easy for the romance to fizzle. The vast majority of hotels are mega hotels with hundreds of tiny rooms. We’ve been in and out of many different hotels in the city, and without fail, we’re almost always disappointed with room/service to value. However, when it came to The Chatwal Hotel, we found it the perfect romantic escape in the city.

Hotels.com

Agoda

Booking.com

Hilton New York Fashion District

The Hilton Hotel is in the Chelsea neighborhood and within walking distance of Penn Station. It’s great for a late-night arrival or departure from New York. It also has a 24-hour business center, 24-hour fitness center, and a concierge who can help you with any planning needs while in New York!

Hotels.com

Agoda

Booking.com

Millennium Hilton New York

This is an excellent option if you want to stay in downtown Manhattan. The Millennium has a business and fitness center and is steps away 150 meters from The World Trade Center.

Hotels.com

Agoda

Booking.com

Should You Get A CityPASS?

The New York City Pass is great to see multiple tourist sites around New York. Entrance includes to the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Guggenheim Museum, Ferry Access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the  Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

You can save money by visiting at least three or more sites. Once activated upon first use, the City Pass lasts nine consecutive days, so you never feel rushed. You can get your City Pass here before you visit New York City!

What Is The Best Way To Get To New York City?

Three international airports service New York City. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). If you have the option, I recommend flying into JFK or LGA, as EWR is in New Jersey and will take more work and time to get into the Big Apple. JFK is in Queens and has the Airtrain, which will connect you to the MTA system for $5. Once there, you can easily navigate where you need to go into the city.

LGA is the smallest of the airports but the closest to Manhattan. The easiest and cheapest way into NYC from LGA is via the public bus, which can connect you to the subway. You can also use the private bus companies for about $15 a person and a taxi for around $40. If you arrive at EWR, you can take the AirTrain Newark to the Newark Airport Rail station ($5.50) and hop on the NJ Transit train ($13) to New York Penn Station.

Transportation Around New York

Once in the city, the subway is the best (and my favorite) way to get around. Yes, it is dirty and loud and over 100 years old, but I believe you haven’t seen New York until you have navigated your way around the underground world. The subway is always full of interesting characters, so you’re bound to be entertained at least once. MTA tickets are $2.75 a ride. You can also take the bus, but I would rather walk to most places.

The only other viable option to get around is to hail a cab, Uber, or Lyft. Don’t attempt to rent a car and drive through Manhattan unless you are comfortable with crowds or crazy drivers, and don’t suffer from anxiety. If you are only staying in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Long Island, a rental car can be a good option – just not in Manhattan.

If you only want a car for a short period, check out Zipcar. Zipcar is a car-sharing platform that operates in big cities. It is on-demand access to drive cars by the hour or the day in New York. If you’re traveling to New York City, it’s best to accept that you will walk a lot, so bring a good pair of shoes.

What Other Romantic Things to do in NYC would you suggest?

Most of these millennials are astonished that we were able to save enough money to travel the world while living in this world metropolis on entry-level incomes. Both of us had entry-level jobs, but we added $50,000 to our savings accounts before saying goodbye to Manhattan. We did so by living cheaply in NYC, well below our means. Once you set your own NYC living expense budget, it’s an attainable goal.

It was enough money to stash some bucks in our 401ks, start our own business, and kick off our travels worldwide. So how much did it cost to live in New York City, and where is the cheapest place to live in NYC?

How to Live in NYC on a Budget

You heard that right! In 18 months, we were able to put away more than $50,000 into our savings accounts. Why so short? Well, that is just about how long it took for us to realize that living in New York City is one giant sham. Yes, it’s a beautiful sham, but nonetheless a money-grabbing, an egotistical sham. We still love you, New York!

I moved to New York City thinking I would take cabs and drink cosmopolitans with Carrie Bradshaw. This was, of course, a young and naive white girl mentality with too many nights of watching countless Hollywood movies under her belt.

We spent the first few months spending our nights at the hip concerts, wandering into art galleries, and dining in restaurants. We were enjoying what New York does best, escapism.

It was all fun, and that’s what we love about New York. There is always something to do and see.  It is iconic, a cultural hub, and arguably the greatest city on earth. I love New York City. However, we weren’t saving anything more than a $100 or so a month between our living expenses and new social life. While that may seem like a lot to some, it was far from our financial goals.

We decided it was time to start living in NYC on a budget.

We reevaluated our living expenses, moved apartments, and learned to love home-cooked meals. This is where the year of saving started. New York is an expensive city, but we were able to make it slightly more affordable. Here is how much it cost us to live in NYC on a budget while still living more than comfortably.

What Does it Cost to Live in NYC (Cheap Living Edition)

Cost of rent in NYC

In New York, your primary expense will be housing, and you can’t get out of this one. We simply had to put a roof over our heads. Anyone that has lived in NYC knows how ridiculous the housing market can be.

Desirable apartments can disappear in minutes, and a good broker can be the difference between the bachelor pad in American Psycho and that shabby place Robert De Niro called home in Taxi Driver.

Cameron and I decided we were past the age of roommates. We would be living alone in either a one-bedroom or a studio. We landed on a one-bedroom, newly renovated apartment in the Bronx. Yes, the Bronx.

However, we chose to live in Riverdale, an upper-middle-class neighborhood right over the bridge well known for its Jewish population. Riverdale has the lowest crime rate in the Bronx and the second-lowest crime rate in New York City. So no, it wasn’t all “Jenny from the Bronx” there, and we don’t get any street cred for living in the Bronx.

We loved our 800 sq ft apartment. It had a new kitchen, spacious rooms, and massive open windows with a fantastic view over Van Cortlandt Park.  We paid $1800/month total for this little piece of heaven with no broker fees attached. Or $900 each with heat and gas included.  Believe me, this was a ridiculous price for us non-New Yorkers to pay, but anything under $1000 a person in NYC is considered a pretty good deal we came to learn. However, definitely not the cheapest place to live in NYC.

Forget that it took me an hour’s ride on the subway to get to work every day. I had my own place, a kitty cat, and massive windows in one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City.

Our biggest tip here would be to get creative with where you live. You don’t need to live in hip neighborhoods, especially as rent prices in Brooklyn have surged in the last decade.

How to Find an Apartment in New York?

There are several ways that you can make searching for an apartment in New York easier. Websites, search engines, and even the right mailing list can help with your New York apartment hunt. We suggest PadMapper which is actually how we found our apartment in Riverdale. Two other great online resources that we have used in our apartment search are Zumper and StreetEasy.

Then for those looking to live “dangerous,” there is always Craigslist. Which, is a bit like playing Russian roulette with housing. If you’re seeking a place in Brooklyn, we’d also recommend signing up for The Listings Project. It’s a safe way to find shared apartments, as in people looking for a sane roommate.

City Transportation Costs

Be it the subway, taxi, bicycle, or personal car, we had to have transport to lower Manhatten every day. We sold our cars long ago, so no private car rides for us. A taxi from midtown Manhattan to Riverdale was approximate $60…yes, that’s the cost for a 10-mile cab ride across bridges in NYC. Cameron rode his bike 13 miles to work some days, but it was not an everyday option on humid summer days or the icy winter.

That leaves the subway – the most affordable and certainly most entertaining option there is. A month unlimited pass on the MTA will run you $116.50, or $2.75 if you prefer to pay per one way. No one said living in New York on a shoestring budget would be easy.

Utilities in NYC

There is no way I’m getting by without the internet in my apartment in today’s day and age. Tack $50 on for the total household bill, or $25 per person to stay connected to my favorites like The Office, House of Cards, and Parks & Rec on Netflix. We got this price by shopping around for specials in the area, which you can often find as a new resident.

We also specifically sought out a building that included hot water and heat. While it may seem like a small detail, the cost of keeping your apartment warm and constantly running a hot water here can run up utility costs quickly.

Electricity

We can’t avoid this one either unless we are bats. This cost us anywhere from $50 in the winter months to $150 in the summer when we had to blast our little AC unit in the miserable NYC heat.

Most buildings, asides pricey modern ones, do not have central air conditioning. So many have to run a less efficient window unit. Then there are the buildings that run outdated and inefficient systems.

This is something to note when searching for apartments in NYC; we had friends who would shell out hundreds of dollars in utilities because their building did not include hot water and they had large old A/C units in the apartments. Pick the wrong apartment, and it could quickly eat out of your daily living budget in New York.

Food expenses

I just realized this was coming after the internet, but I guess that is the day and age we live in now. Food is another necessity and one we rarely went luxurious on. Besides going for sushi once a week, we kept food expenses to an absolute minimum and always cooked in.

I was fortunate because I had breakfast and lunches covered at my job and only had to account for dinner. Cameron was responsible for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and that’s where frozen Trader Joe’s meals come in handy. On average, we spent between $75-$130 on food each week. Cameron is on the higher end at $100 because of his breakfast and lunch.

Coffee

We love coffee! Cold brews, cappuccinos, and lattes are delicious, and New York is filled with wonderful independent coffee shops. However, at around $5 a coffee, they are an absolute budget killer.

If you have a cup of coffee every morning on your way to work, that is $25 a week, $100 a month, and $1,200 a year!  If you’re adding food like a bagel or breakfast, on top of that, the cost skyrockets. Working on an entry-level salary that could destroy your savings goals and severely hinder your income.

That doesn’t mean you have to live without coffee! We bought a french press and grounds for our mornings at home. While at work, we were both fortunate to have offices with coffee so we drank that and bought green tea bags as a coffee substitute. Another great idea is to buy a stainless steel thermos and bring your own coffee.

Join a Gym

We were part of the semi-early days of the phenomenon called Classpass. A gym subscription service that at the time cost $100/month for unlimited classes at different studios around the city. Though $100/month for a gym membership seems steep (and it is), in New York, this was considered a pretty good deal.

This is one of the main things I miss about living in New York City. I got to go to some fantastic gyms, meet great people, and get in shape through many different ways. In a single month, I tried Bollywood dancing, to Ballerina fitness, to Marine Boot Camp, all while taking showers in some of the most pristine Manhattan fitness clubs.

Splurging on my gym membership made living in NYC on a tight budget more bearable. However, from my understanding, the price has drastically risen since we lived in New York, making it a less fantabulous deal. Either way, one of the best ways to stay on budget while living in New York is to pick productive and cheap hobbies; the gym is the perfect example.

Entertainment

Okay, we did have some fun, but in New York, fun is expensive. More importantly, fun is time-consuming. When you’re working 10-12 hour days 6 days a week, the last thing I want to do is meet someone for drinks after work – I want to sit in my pajamas with my cat while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

However, we still went to the movies every once in a while ($16.50 a ticket in the Upper West Side), saw numerous ballets, visited the museums (ticket prices are a suggested donation!), and operas at the Lincoln Center. Oh, and did I mention sushi!? Throw in about $200 a month for fun.

What is the Total Cost to Live in NYC?

We lived in the Bronx, commuted an hour to and from work each day, cooked all our food, and got most of our entertainment from different fitness classes around the city. Living this kind of lifestyle wasn’t exactly the most exciting, but it did only cost us about $1350-$1500 each while living in NYC.

Could we have done it cheaper? Of course, we were living far from the cheapest place to live in NYC, but this should give you an idea of what to expect when you try and live on a budget in the city.

Could we have splurged a bit more? Oh hell yes. Spending $1350 a month was pretty bare bones for the type of life we were living in New York; considering my paycheck wasn’t even double that (without my second waitressing job), it was quite hard to save money at times. However, we managed to save, and save, and save. It took some determination, but it can be done.

Living in New York doesn’t have to involve a cab ride to dog sit your best friend’s Yorkie, a $75 all-you-can-eat pasta dinner (yes, this exists), or a $15 martini so you can desperately search for the love of your life. With some patience and determination, living in NYC can be quite comfortable and even allow you to put away some money in the bank so you can escape the city!

Bare minimum expenses in New York came to about $1400/month for us, and realistically I could have cut out $150 more of this if I wanted to live like a hermit.

It’s still worth noting that Cameron and I both traveled the world on less than $1500 each per month when we first started this website. In some places like Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, we can even get by comfortably on $700-$900. So yes, we lived in NYC on the cheap end, working six days a week with minimal fun for $1400. Now, we see unique places in the world and work on our laptops for the same price in some places in the world.

Where is the Cheapest Place to Live in NYC?

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a good deal almost anywhere below 180th street in Manhattan, so we moved to the Bronx. More affordable places to live in NYC are Inwood, Sunnyside, Bedford Park, Washington Heights, Flatlands, Jamaica Hills, and almost anywhere on Staten Island.

There are so many people I come across that have only stayed in Midtown Manhattan when they visit.  When we hosted friends and asked what they wanted to do, the reply was:

“I wanna go to Times Square!”

This was always what I dreaded hearing and the last thing I wanted to do with my day. New York City has so many things to offer to residents and tourist alike.  If you make a trip to the big apple, and not be a tourist in New York City then check out my personal favorites.

How Not to be a Tourist in New York City

Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met is absolutely stunning and MASSIVE.  If you are a history buff, you could easily carve out a whole day just in this stunning piece of architecture.  They have some great rotating exhibits.  The Met is on the east side of Central Park, so try to hit both in one day!  The Met is pay as you wish any day of the week, so this is a great cost efficient way to spend a day.

Get to the Outer Boroughs

I know many tourists that have only stepped foot in Manhattan.  If you don’t want to be a tourist in New York City then venture into The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island have great things to offer too! Make sure you get to another borough even if it’s just walking over the Brooklyn Bridge!

Spend a Day at Wave Hill

Along the Hudson River up in the Bronx is a beautiful public garden complete with greenhouses, art, and a cafe.  You can reach Wave Hill easily by taking the Metro North line from Grand Central into Riverdale Station.  Go on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 12 pm for free admission.

Chill in an NYC Coffee Shop

No not Starbucks.  There are so many awesome and vibrant neighborhood coffee shops in New York.  So grab a latte, take a seat, and people watch the day away.

Go to the World Famous Metropolitan Opera

Sometimes opera or ballet tickets sell same day for less than $30 a piece! Feel posh for a night and head to Lincoln Center to catch a top notch performance by some of the world’s best.

Take the Staten Island Ferry

It’s free and gives you the greatest views of Lady Liberty and Lower Manhattan before heading out to see the Statue of Liberty!

Splurge on Sushi

Are you a sushi lover like me?  New York offers some of the best sushi in the world outside of Japan.  If you’re looking to splurge on dinner, check out some of the many great sushi spots in the city. If you’ve got the budget this is one of the few places in the world you can try true Omakase. It’s an incredible experience. My favorite sushi place in the city is Aoyu Sushi. 

People watch at Grand Central Terminal

Are you an early riser?  If so head to Grand Central for the morning commute and watch the fast-paced life of New Yorkers fly by.

Take the subway

Don’t waste your hard earned money on cabs – do as the locals do and take the train.  The MTA runs 24 hours a day and can get you within blocks of anywhere you need to go.

Journey Through the Neighborhoods of Manhattan

Take it easy one day and promenade through the Upper West Side or Greenwich Village.  There are hundreds of neighborhoods in the city and sometimes and nice and peaceful to just take a walk through them.  Best part – it’s free!

Stroll through the New York Botanical Garden

Located in the Bronx, the 250-acre botanical garden boasts beautiful landscapes, lush gardens, and many events and exhibits.  A must for any nice day.  It’s completely okay to be a tourist though, and if you are then here are some great touristy things to do in Manhattan!

Where to Stay in NYC

The Chatwal, A Luxury Collection Hotel

When it comes to New York City hotels it’s easy for the romance to fizzle. The vast majority of hotels are mega hotels with hundreds of tiny rooms. We’ve been in and out of many different hotels in the city and without fail we’re almost always disappointed with room/service to value. However, when it came to The Chatwal Hotel we found the perfect romantic escape in the city.

The Chatwal is a part of the Luxury Collection owned by Starwood Hotels, but it operates totally independent from any other Starwood hotel in the city. It’s a 76 room boutique hotel that is right in the center of Midtown, something of a rarity. It’s high on charm and low on the standardized formula of hotels. When it comes to romance no one wants to feel like a number, but when we stayed at the Chatwal we were surprised to find the staff remembered our names and were quick to help.

Rooms here are glamorous and do an amazing job at blending the elements of classic New York with modern hotel amenities.

Hilton New York Fashion District

The Hilton hotel is located in the Chelsea neighborhood and within walking distance of Penn station. It’s great for a late-night arrival or departure from New York. It also has a 24-hour business center, 24-hour fitness center, and a concierge who can help you with any planning needs while in New York!

Millennium Hilton New York

This is a great option if you want to stay in downtown Manhattan. The Millennium has a business and fitness center and is just steps away 150 meters from The World Trade Center.

Should You Get a City PASS?

The New York City Pass is great if you want to see multiple tourist sites around New York. Entrance is included to the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Guggenheim Museum, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the  Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

It can save you some serious money if you are planning to visit at least three or more of these sites. Once activated upon first use the City Pass is good for nine consecutive days so you never have to feel rushed. You can get your City Pass before your visit to New York City here!

What is the Best Way to Get to New York City?

New York City is serviced by three international airports. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). If you have the option I would recommend flying into JFK or LGA as EWR is in New Jersey and will take more work and time to get into the Big Apple.

JFK is in Queens and has the Airtrain which will connect you to the MTA system for $5. Once there you can easily navigate your way to where you need to go into the city.

LGA is the smallest of the airports but the closet to Manhattan. The easiest and cheapest way into NYC from LGA is via the public bus which can connect you to the subway. You can also use the private bus companies for about $15 a person and a taxi for around $40.

If you arriving into EWR you can take the Airtrain Newark to the Newark Airport Rail station ($5.50) and hop on the NJ Transit train ($13) to New York Penn Station.

Transportation Around New York

Once in the city, the best (and my favorite) way to get around is the subway. Yes, it is dirty and loud and over 100 years old but in my opinion, you haven’t seen New York until you have navigated your way around the underground world. The subway is always full of interesting characters so you’re bound to be entertained at least once. MTA tickets are $2.75 a ride. You can also take the bus, but I personally would rather walk to most places.

The only other viable option to get around is to hail a cab, Uber, or Lyft. Don’t attempt to rent a car and drive through Manhattan unless you are comfortable with crowds, and crazy drivers, and don’t suffer from anxiety. If you are only staying in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Long Island a rental car can be a good option – just not in Manhattan.

If you only want a car for a short period of time check out Zipcar. Zipcar is a car-sharing platform that operates in big cities. Essentially it is on-demand access to drive cars by the hour or the day in New York. Here is $25 off! If you’re traveling to New York City it’s best to accept that you will be walking a lot so bring a good pair of shoes.

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We didn’t have much money when we moved to the big city in search of a career. We decided to make the leap without jobs, without a place to live, and without a plan – thankfully we had each other.

It was shortly after we landed entry-level positions and found an $1800/month 1 bedroom apartment in the Bronx, New York that we decided to start saving. We knew we wanted to travel more in the future, and even though we weren’t exactly sure when, we set out to save as much as we could.

For New York standards, we lived way below our means. Both of us value experiences rather than tangible items, and it’s this mindset that lets us travel the way we do. It has always been easy to walk past that coach purse or new flatscreen TV. My $10 purse holds its purpose and cable TV is dying anyway.

What to know how we were able to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world on a budget? We lived by these ways of life in New York, and this is how we were able to save over $50k in one year.

Living in NYC on a Budget

Learn to love home-cooked meals 

This is just how to live cheap 101. Cooking your own meals are generally healthier and you know exactly what is going into your body because you made it yourself. A decent meal, tip, and perhaps an alcoholic beverage could set you back $30+ (or $50 in NYC).

Get rid of cable

With the internet, cable is really an unnecessary expense. Invest in an $8/month Netflix or Hulu account to get your movie and TV fix in. Or just spend more time outside, reading, or working out.

Bye bye bar nights

At $10-$15 a cocktail, drinking wasn’t really in our budget. If you find yourself in need of some alcoholic juice then grab some friends, cards, and a bottle of vodka and have a fun night in!  A bottle of vodka at the store cost $15, while a vodka soda will run you $8…you do the math. If you’re given a hard time, just remember about much better those drinks will taste when they are $2 in Eastern Europe.

Work two jobs

While you’re young and able why not pick up a second job on weekends! Maybe you sit all day at your day job and love walking around and bartending. Or maybe you can swing a couple early mornings working at that awesome New York cafe. Even if it’s not needed, picking up a second job can really boost your savings.

Take public transport

On any New York itinerary, you can get by with public transport. It’s weird that I need to say this to New Yorkers, but obviously, this is “duh” advice on how to live cheap. This doesn’t just go for New York. Be greener and cheaper and hop on your local bus or train. We would have rather spend an hour more on the subway than dishing out $40 for a cab.

Ditch the 401K

Investing is smart. Investing means you are saving so you can enjoy life in your old age. But wouldn’t you rather have that money now, when you are young and agile enough to travel and experience new things? You never know what’s coming; so live in the moment!

Morning coffee

We are coffee snobs. I would love a fresh latte every morning. However, it is something we cut out years ago. The average American spends over $1100 on coffee a year. That’s almost $100 a month! Start making your coffee at home.

Pack lunch

This goes along with home-cooked meals. Ordering a BASIC lunch in NYC is around $15 even at some of the more famous affordable places to eat; so there goes $75 in one week. Remember when mom used to pack you a brown paper lunch while all the cool kids got to buy cafeteria food? It’s time to bring the old times back – be a brown paper lunch person again!

Open profitable Bank accounts

We never open a checking, savings, or credit card unless it is offering us something. Make the banks work for you again. Since when did we let them charge us to hold our cash? That’s not how the financial system got started. Sign up for checking accounts when they are running $200 sign up bonuses. Open credit cards in the interest of miles or cash. And pick savings accounts with high dividends and interest rates. Do a google search every month and see which of your banks are offering incentives.

Count your dollars

Next time you’re caught between spending $3 on that snack out, or just waiting till you get home – choose to wait. Yes, it is only $3, but dollars add up! Five times of saying “It’s only $3” equals $15.

And Finally – Live Below Your Means

How much does it take for you to just get by with the basics? If you cut out all the frivolous spending on clothes, shoes, and alcohol you will be amazed how much you can get by on. Even if you can afford those nice items, do you really need them?

Read More: How Much Did We Spend Living in New York City?