Things to do in NYC cheaply

[GrumpyGuts]

As per the title, I am enquiring the mighty BCF for information about what good things you can do in New York City for not very much money as I am on a budget.

I'm flying there in March (will book tickets when I get time off work confirmed) and I will be only be in the USA for 7 days. Day one and seven will be spent on flying, so only 5 days to do what I want. I will also only spend 3 days in NYC before flying to DC to visit a friend until I fly back.

I know 3 days in NYC is not that much but hotels there are a rip off so I was wondering what I could do there in that space of time. The 9/11 museum is the only thing I can think of that I would really want to do.

Also anybody got experience regarding immigration waiting times at JFK? I've heard it's a bastard to get cleared quickly!

Thanks
____________________
My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012

[weasley]

The Staten Island ferry is free. Get on in Manhatten, sail past the Statue of Liberty for a great view, then get off in Staten Island and get on the next one back. All done in under an hour, and a great view of lower Manhattan too.
____________________
Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[1198]

And remember to bring back some Levi 501s (new, with tags!) for 'personal use'! Apple stuff too, if it's cheaper and compatible!
My entire jeans collection started life on USA soil - and yes, I've got a pair of White 'I'm a bee gee' ones!

[GhostRider]

3 days in new york is more than enough.

Central Park.
Empire State Building is worth it for a nice view.

And of course get some shopping done, and since you're not a woman that'll take you a couple of hours max.

Thats about it. Out of all the places I've been in the world, New York was by far the most boring.

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Clanger]

I went for a tour on the open top 'hop on / hop off' bus when I was there, a great way to get around and go to lots of places on the list of must see.

The view from the Empire State Building is pretty nifty - a good way to get some 'earth from above' pictures.

I stayed in a hostel too...dorm beds...but it was clean and decent and right in the thick of the action.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[waffles]

Take a stroll around Central Park? Strawberry Fields and the Imagine memorial are there. If you check online some of the museums have times of the day or week where they are free, e.g. American Museum of Natural History is free for its last hour and the rest of the time has a suggested entry price so you could suggest $0.

My folks went to the States last summer and said that clearing immigration wasn't too bad, you have to go through the TSA scanner thingys. I guess it depends if you are going at a popular time of the year or during school holidays but JFK is one of the main international airports so be prepared to wait for a while. Don't forget that you need to apply for an ESTA visa at least 72 hours before you go which they also ask you to pay for (cheeky fuckers).
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Tracey Suntan-King]

[Tracey Suntan-King]

[RedPanda]

3 days isn’t too bad, I rushed most of the main things in one day. I had about an hour wait to get out of JFK this year.

As mentioned, the Staten Island ferry is free. Places like Wall Street, Little Italy and Greenwich are worth a wander. Central Park is very nice, and far bigger than what you expect it to be from films.

Speaking of, I made a point of visiting as many film locations as possible – these are obviously free. Therefore if that’s your sort of thing I can dig up my research for Taxi Driver, Godfather, Mean Streets, Ghostbusters, Gremlins 2, Home Alone 2, plus there’ll be loads more I wasn’t bothered about.
____________________
CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[Ben90]

One alternative to the Empire State is the Rockerfeller. They have a modern system in place where you can pop in anytime and buy a ticket at the machine for whatever timeframe you like on any day, then turn up and be whisked to the top with minimal queues.

Certainly beats queuing around the block and the bonus is you get to see the empire state from a less-remarkable building. They have 8ft high glass all around as well which makes for a much better view.

Pro-tip: book a ticket for 30 mins before sunset.

If you like Levis and other american outdoorsy clothes, go to Dave's Army Navy store - $40 levis, I bought 4 pairs - sorted for life

9/11 museum was good, similar book now - go later system in place. Really interesting stuff and real survivors are often there telling their stories.

They have the equivalent of Boris bikes which are great for getting around, not as fast as the subway but you get to see more.

As above, Staten island Ferry. Best views of the statue and south Manhattan.


____________________
Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Eddie Hitler]

I'll offer you my company, a pint and bike talk!

[Ribenapigeon]

Tricks? That way you can actually make money and have stories to tell your grandchildren about your adventures in a foreign city.

[southglasgow]

Take a trip out to Queens and visit the old World Trade Fair site. The Unisphere is pretty awesome when you see it up close. If you don't make it that far, there is a tiny replica at the bottom of Central Park West outside a shopping mall.
If that street brings to mind memories of Ghostbusters then a trip to Hook and Ladder 8 is worth a visit too.

Edit - typo.....
____________________
CBT June 09 - Kymco KR 125 July 09 -> Sept 09. Suzuki RV125 June 10 -> Theory June 13, MOD 1 July 13, MOD 2 August 13. Woohoo -> April 14. Yamaha XJ6N.

[Wave2k]

Nothing is really cheap , also , do you really wanna do all that standard boring tourist stuff ?

You can stroll round and see stuff in a few hours .

Plenty of good bars around those

Barcade is very cool
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Ben90]

They've just finished another section of the High Line, an elevated park re-purposed from a disused train line above the Meatpacking District and Chelsea. It's free and offers great above ground views of the area.
____________________
Yamaha FZ6 S2

[arry]

[Wave2k]

Id agree with that 100%, and I live close by.

Hate the place
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[1198]

[kawakid]

Last time I went was 18 years a go.

I did the Statue of Liberty, The empire state & most importantly I did the trade towers.

The trade towers were pretty cool, the lift from the bottom to the top took only like 30 seconds. The guy who controlled the lift, said hello in like 30 languages.

I remember watching the city from the top and I then we got a subway from within the trade towers.

That's the first place I would go now if I ever went back.
____________________
I've a twin and a 4.

[Ribenapigeon]

I've always wished I had the confidence when I was young to go and live in New York. I went art school and to have gone to new York in the eighties to try the art scene would have been a great thing.

[hellkat]

Never been but these are the places/things I want to do if I ever go there:

1. Visit the restaurant ("Louis") where Michael Corleone shot Solazzo and MacCluskey in The Godfather.

2. Visit a shitty old diner in Greenwich Village previously known infamously as "La Labotomy" (aka La Bonbonniere) to avid readers of Kinky Friedman novels.

3. Rent a car and drive up to the Catskills.

4. Maybe drive out to Montauk.

5. Kiss a sailor in Times Square, dressed as a nurse.
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Stoo]

Personal favourite from my trip,

https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/The-Intrepid-Experience/Exhibits.aspx

Not free but not expensive

[mentalboy]

Have you checked the Visa Waiver conditions and sorted all that out yet?
Quick and easy if you haven't got a criminal record (Google ESTA/ VWP)
____________________
Make mine a Corona.

[Vincent]

[GrumpyGuts]

Thanks for the reply, Guys. Very good info, here!

I've sorted the ESTA application ages ago. It was accepted within seconds. I'm not a terroist/rapist/murderer/arsonist/naughty person so there's fuck all else they would know unless I did the above.

The 9/11 museum and, well, lower Manhattan is the only real reason NYC appeals to me. Other than that, it's the only place in America that I really wouldn't want to spend too much time in...