NYC on a Budget 🇺🇸 [English Edition]

Información Clave:

✈️  Airports: 

1. JFK - Only a 35-minute drive or subway ride from the city.

2. La Guardia - 25 minutes by car and 37 minutes by subway from the city.

3. Newark - This airport is located in NJ and is only a 27-minute train ride from the city. The benefit of flying into this airport is that flights tend to be cheaper.

🗓️ Turismo

High Season: June - August (summer)

Low Season: Mid-January - March (winter)

*The best times to travel are spring and fall, which are the months of April/May and September/October.

⏳ Ideal time to visit: At least 4 days to explore the city and enjoy its surroundings.

💰 Average cost per person doing only free activities: $50 USD per day (excluding accommodation).

🏨 Accommodation: In the most budget-friendly range, you can find hostel accommodation for $42/night and hotel accommodation for $130/night.

🍕 Food: In NYC, you can find meals for budget travelers starting from $1 for pizza, street food for $5, and restaurants offering full combo meals (appetizer, main course, and drink) for $20 in some chain restaurants. There are also plenty of fast-food restaurants where you can satisfy your hunger on a low budget.

💸  Tipping: Tipping is expected in restaurants, but the percentage is up to you. The norm is to give 15-20% of the total bill.

🚕 Transportation: The city has a great public transportation system. The subways are easy to use and run frequently. By using the Google Maps app, you can see which train to take, the schedule, and where to get off.

--> Cost per subway ride is $2.75 USD.

--> Cost for unlimited 7-day usage is $33 USD.

#ProTip: Many stations now accept "contactless" payment. This means if your credit card is equipped with this system, you can pay for the ride directly at the entry turnstile without the need to stop and purchase or recharge a MetroCard. This saves you the cost of the physical card ($1) and the time it takes to recharge the card at kiosks. Saving is progress! 😉

🚨 Safety: Despite being a giant city with a population of 8.4 million people, NYC is relatively safe. However, you should always be cautious and mindful of your belongings, the areas you visit at night, and the people around you. Here are some recommendations.

--> Safest areas of NYC: Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, and Brooklyn.

--> Complex areas with low tourism and a history of crime to avoid are between 145th and 180th streets (Vinegar Hill, East Harlem, Washington Heights, Little Dominican Republic) and the Bronx.

--> Areas to be aware of due to crowds and high activity are Times Square, Chinatown, and Rockefeller Center.

NOW, LET THE FUN BEGIN! 😎

FREE ACTIVITIES 

Central Park

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🇪🇸 Visita uno de los parques urbanos más grandes del mundo. Es gratuito y puedes pasear por sus senderos, lagos y jardines. 🇺🇸 Visit one of the largest urban parks in the world. It's free, and you can stroll through its trails, lakes, and gardens.

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American Museum of Natural History (🇪🇸Museo Americano de Historia Natural- AMNH )

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🇪🇸 Este museo tiene un póliza de "paga lo que quieras" todos los días para residentes de NY, NJ y CT. Es decir que tu pago es una donación y puede ser hasta de $1. Si este no es tu caso la entrada vale $25 y $20 si eres estudiante, pero debes presentar tu ID. Aquí puedes admirar sus famosos dioramas de animales, y fósiles de animales extintos incluyendo el enorme esqueleto de un Tiranosaurio rex. 🇺🇸 This museum has a "pay-what-you-wish" policy every day for residents of NY, NJ, and CT. This means that your payment is a donation and can be as little as $1. If this doesn’t apply to you the entrance fee is $25 and $20 for students with valid ID. Here, you can admire their famous animal dioramas and fossils of extinct animals, including the enormous skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

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Museum of Modern Art (🇪🇸 Museo de Arte Moderno - MoMA)

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🇪🇸 La entrada es gratuita todos los primeros viernes de cada mes de 4:00pm a 8:00 p.m. Precio de admisión general en horario normal es de $25 USD. 🇺🇸 Admission is free every first Friday of the month from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. The general admission price during regular hours is $25 USD.

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Radio City Music Hall

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🇪🇸 Un punto ideal para unas fotos icónicas de esta gran ciudad! 📸 🇺🇸 A goof spot for iconic pictures.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral

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🇪🇸 Es una catedral católica de estilo neogótico decorado ubicada en Nueva York. En su estilo, es el segundo templo más grande de América del Norte solo después del Santuario Guadalupano en Zamora (México) y es un punto de referencia prominente de Nueva York. Esta incredible visitarlo y ver el contraste de una arquitectura tradicional rodeada de enorme edificios modernos. 🇺🇸 It is a decorated neogothic-style Catholic cathedral located in New York. In its style, it is the second largest temple in North America, only surpassed by the Guadalupan Sanctuary in Zamora, Mexico, and it is a prominent landmark of New York. It is incredible to visit and see the contrast of traditional architecture surrounded by enormous modern buildings.

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Rockefeller Center

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🇪🇸 Visita el Rockefeller Center, donde encontrarás el famoso edificio GE, la plaza de patinaje sobre hielo y la icónica escultura dorada de Prometeo. *Si deseas ver el gran árbol de de Navidad debes planear tu visita a partir de finales de Noviembre. 🇺🇸 Visit the Rockefeller Center, where you'll find the famous GE Building, the ice skating rink, and the iconic golden sculpture of Prometheus. *If you want to see the giant Christmas tree, you should plan your visit starting from late November.

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Times Square

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🇪🇸 Recorre Times Square, uno de los lugares más turísticos de la ciudad, para ver sus famosos anuncios luminosos. 🇺🇸 Explore Times Square, one of the most touristy places in the city, to see its famous illuminated advertisements.

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NYC Public Library (🇪🇸 Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York )

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🇪🇸 Visita la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York, una de las bibliotecas más grandes y hermosas del mundo, donde encontrarás exposiciones gratuitas y una gran cantidad de libros. 🇺🇸 Visit the New York Public Library, one of the largest and most beautiful libraries in the world, where you'll find free exhibitions and a vast collection of books.

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Grand Central Terminal

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🇪🇸 Visita la estación de tren Grand Central, uno de los edificios más emblemáticos de Nueva York, donde podrás ver la impresionante arquitectura y la famosa sala de espera. 🇺🇸 Visit Grand Central Terminal, one of the most iconic buildings in New York, where you can admire the impressive architecture and the famous waiting room.

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The Vessel

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🇪🇸 Un lugar increíble para tomarse fotos. 📸 The Vessel es una estructura de acero y vidrio en forma de panal de abeja, que cuenta con 154 tramos de escaleras y casi 2,500 escalones. La entrada a The Vessel es gratuita, pero se requiere una reserva previa en línea para acceder a la estructura. The Vessel está abierta al público todos los días de la semana desde las 10:00 a.m. hasta las 9:00 p.m. **Desafortunadamente ya no se puede subir pero aun se puede entrar a la primera planta para ver su interior. 🇺🇸 An incredible place to take photos. The Vessel is a steel and glass structure shaped like a honeycomb, featuring 154 flights of stairs and nearly 2,500 steps. Admission to The Vessel is free, but a prior online reservation is required to access the structure. The Vessel is open to the public every day of the week from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. **Unfortunately, climbing is no longer permitted, but you can still enter the ground floor to see its interior.

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The High Line

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🇪🇸 Este parque lineal construido sobre una antigua vía de ferrocarril elevada es gratuito y ofrece vistas panorámicas de la ciudad. 🇺🇸 This linear park built on a former elevated railway track is free and offers panoramic views of the city.

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Little Island Park

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🇪🇸 Es un parque público flotante ubicado en la costa oeste de Manhattan, en el río Hudson, en la zona conocida como Meatpacking District. demás de las áreas verdes, Little Island también cuenta con un anfiteatro al aire libre para eventos, un centro de artes escénicas y un café con vista al río Hudson. La entrada al parque es gratuita, y está abierto al público desde las 6:00 a.m. hasta la 1:00 a.m. Revisa el enlace del Calendario de Evento Gratuitos en la sección de abajo. 🇺🇸 It is a floating public park located on the west coast of Manhattan, along the Hudson River, in the area known as the Meatpacking District. In addition to green spaces, Little Island also features an open-air amphitheater for events, a performing arts center, and a café overlooking the Hudson River. Park admission is free, and it is open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Check the link below for the calendar of free concerts and events in Little Island.

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Pier 35

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Best at sunset 🌅, beautiful views!

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Pier 25 at Hudson River Park

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🇪🇸 El parque de Pier 25 ofrece una variedad de actividades gratuitas y de pago para todas las edades, incluyendo una cancha de vóley playa, campos de fútbol y béisbol, una zona de juegos infantiles, mini-golf, una pista de patinaje sobre ruedas y una cancha de baloncesto. También hay un bar y restaurante con vistas al río y una tienda de deportes acuáticos donde se pueden alquilar kayaks y tablas de paddle. 🇺🇸 Pier 25 Park offers a variety of free and paid activities for all ages, including a beach volleyball court, soccer and baseball fields, a children's playground, mini-golf, a roller skating rink, and a basketball court. There is also a bar and restaurant with river views and a water sports shop where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards.

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Oculus Center

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🇪🇸 Es un lugar popular para visitar y tomar fotografías debido a su diseño impresionante y único. Ademas de ser una estación de tren, también es un centro comercial que cuenta con más de 100 tiendas y restaurantes. El diseño del Oculus Center se inspiró en la forma de una paloma en vuelo y cuenta con una gran cantidad de vidrio, acero y luz natural. 🇺🇸 It is a popular place to visit and take photographs due to its impressive and unique design. In addition to being a train station, it is also a shopping center that features over 100 stores and restaurants. The design of the Oculus Center was inspired by the shape of a soaring dove and features a large amount of glass, steel, and natural light.

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9/11 Monument (Monumento al 9/11"

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🇪🇸 Es un lugar muy especial que conmemora a las víctimas del atentado del 11 de Septiembre del 2001. También puedes visitar el museo por un costo de $29 USD. 🇺🇸 It is a very special place that commemorates the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack. You can also visit the museum, but that has a price of $29 USD.

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Charging Bull

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🇪🇸 Recorre la zona financiera de la ciudad, donde encontrarás la Bolsa de Valores de Nueva York y el famoso toro de bronce. 🇺🇸 Explore the financial district of the city, where you'll find the New York Stock Exchange and the famous bronze bull.

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The Battery Park

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🇪🇸 Es un parque público ubicado en el extremo sur de Manhattan en la ciudad de Nueva York. El parque es el hogar de muchos monumentos históricos y es un lugar popular para los turistas y los neoyorquinos. El parque tiene una superficie de 25 acres y ofrece vistas panorámicas del puerto de Nueva York, la Estatua de la Libertad y Ellis Island. Algunas de las atracciones del parque incluyen el Castle Clinton National Monument, el SeaGlass Carousel, el Battery Urban Farm y la histórica fortificación del Battery, que data del siglo XVII. 🇺🇸 It is a public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City. The park is home to many historical landmarks and is a popular destination for both tourists and New Yorkers. The park spans 25 acres and offers panoramic views of the New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Some of the park's attractions include Castle Clinton National Monument, the SeaGlass Carousel, the Battery Urban Farm, and the historic Battery fortification, which dates back to the 17th century.

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Statue of Liberty View Point

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Este es punto mas cercano a la Estatua de la Libertad desde Manhattan y queda justo en The Battery Park.

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Pier 17

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🇪🇸 Lugar ideal para unas fotos con esculturas y exposiciones de arte. No muchos la conocen! 😉 📸 🇺🇸 An ideal place for some photos with sculptures and art exhibitions. Not many people know about it! 😉

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Brooklyn Bridge

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🇪🇸 Camina por el puente de Brooklyn, uno de los monumentos más emblemáticos de la ciudad, y disfruta de las vistas panorámicas del horizonte de Manhattan. 🇺🇸 Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks of the city, and enjoy panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

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Bargemusic

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🇪🇸 A las 4:00pm hay conciertos gratis!! Solo tienes que llegar 15 min antes. Para mas información revisa su pagina web oficial. 📍 bargemusic.org 🇺🇸 At 4:00 pm, there are free concerts!! You just need to arrive 15 minutes early. For more information, please check their official website. 📍 bargemusic.org

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Outdoor Movies- summer (🇪🇸 Películas al Aire Libre- Verano)

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🇪🇸 La locación exacta es " Harbor View Lawn" y esta abierta al publico durante el verano completamente GRATIS los jueves por la noche entre los meses de Julio y Agosto. Los horarios exactos los encuentras en el enlace de abajo. 🇺🇸 The exact location is "Harbor View Lawn" and it is open to the public during the summer completely FREE on Thursday nights between the months of July and August. You can find the calendar and schedule of movies in the link below.

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Dumbo

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🇪🇸 "Dumbo" es un barrio ubicado en el distrito de Brooklyn en la ciudad de Nueva York (NYC). El nombre "Dumbo" es un acrónimo que significa "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass" (Debajo del Paso Elevado del Puente de Manhattan) y se refiere a la ubicación del barrio debajo del puente de Manhattan. Dumbo es conocido por su arquitectura industrial y su rica historia, y en las últimas décadas se ha convertido en un barrio de moda con tiendas, galerías de arte, restaurantes y bares. También es famoso por su vista panorámica del horizonte de Manhattan y sus accesos al río East y el puente de Brooklyn. 🇺🇸 "Dumbo" is a neighborhood located in the Brooklyn borough of New York City (NYC). The name "Dumbo" is an acronym that stands for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass" and refers to the neighborhood's location beneath the Manhattan Bridge. Dumbo is known for its industrial architecture and rich history, and in recent decades, it has transformed into a trendy neighborhood with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. It is also famous for its panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline and its access to the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge.

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I hope this guide has been helpful in planning your trip to New York. Don't forget to share it with friends and family who would also like to have this experience 😉

Enjoy the city!

Kathe x @Mentes_viajeas_