It’s no surprise to anyone that living in New York City isn’t exactly cheap. In fact, New York carries one of the highest costs of living in the entire world. The reality for most people living in NYC is that the majority of one’s earned money will be spent on rent, food, and transportation. These are necessities of life, but still don’t quite cover the requirements of leisure time – the good news for urbanites is that there’s a massive amount of fun things to do to relax that cost very little, or are completely free. Here’s our suggestions for awesome stuff in NYC to do on an NYC budget.
We know how amazing and luxurious taking a cab can feel- but if you can walk, do so. Not only will it be a healthy way to be in touch with your body, it will also save you the 10-20 dollar cost of a cab – in our experience they are always over 10 dollars.
There’s tons of local recreation centers in New York City – all of which boast the same exact machines that you would find in most gymnasiums, albeit at a fraction of their inflated price. Lose weight while preventing your wallet from doing so by checking out your local rec center.
Chelsea’s High Line is a beautiful elevated outdoor promenade that runs along an old freight line between 34th street and 11th street. It’s perfect for a leisurely afternoon walk. For especially scenic, classically NYC views, take a walk down the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset.
Check out Time Out New York’s schedule of free concerts in the city; this incredibly detailed and thorough list is sure to find you an evening’s worth of amazing music to enjoy.
Check out studentrush.org for majorly discounted ticket deals to Broadway and off-Broadway shows – many theatres also have cheap student tickets available on the night of the performance if you show up early enough to be first on line.
Go to a UCB Comedy Show
A national fixture in the comedy circuit, go to an Upright Citizens Brigade comedy show that offers tons of shows for only 5 dollars. Many of the most famous comedians of recent years go their start at UCB, and pay tribute to their old “alma mater” by performing there when they are in the city.
New York City’s status as a world media hub has it’s benefits for it’s citizens, as many TV shows that get taped live in NYC fill their audiences for free – simply go to the website for your favorite show and look for ticket availability.
New York boasts some of the most famous parks in the world -Central Park is a classic, with walking trails, scenic water, and bike and running paths. Prospect Park and Van Courtland park offer the same amenities in a much larger and forest like setting. Go for a run, a picnic, or just a leisurely stroll for a picturesque afternoon.