Free Things to do in NYC: Landmarks

NYC has a vast amount of landmarks. These are all free to do. I wasn't able to get to all of the famous landmark this trip, BUT I conquered what I could!

Statue of Liberty: Take the free Staten Island Ferry to and from Staten Island. The ferry leaves quite often, however, I would avoid rush hour times due to heavy "local" traffic (many locals use this ferry). I would rather ride the ferry than pay to go stand and look at Lady Liberty. If you don't wish to stand outside, go inside and downstairs where there are less people!

Times Square: When a friend said, "The lights are so bright at night, it's like daylight," I didn't really believe her. But it's so true!!!!! Such an incredible amount of light blinds you at times! Don't fall for any tourist traps. Take your pics, people watch a bit, then leave. I recommend visiting during the day AND night.

No flash needed!

Brooklyn Bridge: It's not as long as you think and the panoramic view of the buildings on The Promenade is breathtaking!  Be wary of the cyclists zooming by! I also suggest walking it at night to see the city lights.

Grand Central Station: This is the best place to people watch in the city. Thousands of people walk through this beautiful building. Take a moment to step aside, take pictures, and watch the beauty of humanity pass by.

Chrysler Building: You won't be able to go to the top floor and take pictures of the Manhattan skyline, however, check out the frescoes painted on the ceiling and read about the history of the building.

St. Patrick's Cathedral: This magnificent church rivals some that I've visited in Europe. If you are Catholic, I highly recommend going to mass in such a massive cathedral. If you are not, try to avoid going during mass times in respect to those worshipping. You can make a small donation when you first arrive in the church before touring. This church holds the Cardinal's chair, which is the highest officiant for the United States. I did not notice if shoulders must be covered or not (I just always tend to cover my shoulders when I go to mass).

Rockefeller Center: When visiting this iconic area, go early in the morning and go to the Today Show to try and get on the morning news!

Chelsea Market: The building that Chelsea Market is housed in is the old Nabisco factory! The Chelsea Market area was the meat packing district of Manhattan. There are lots of eateries and small grocery stores to choose from. The seafood market looked delish!

9/11 Memorial and Freedom Tower: This serene solute to the victims of 9/11 brought me back to where I was when our beautiful country was attacked. Sit and stay awhile, thinking positive thoughts sending positive vibes to the family members survived by the victims.

Other landmarks to take pictures in front of (for free): Radio City Hall, Carnegie Hall, Empire State Building (is it really worth paying $35 to go to the top where most of the views of the skyline are blocked by bars and high concrete walls?), and many more landmarks that I was not able to visit in this trip!

Free Things to Do in New York City: Parks

Even though New York City is notorious for being expensive, there are many free or low-fee activities for the budget wary traveler. Most of your money will go towards accommodation, food, and beverages.

However, several of the green sanctuaries housed amidst towering sky scrapers offer a wide variety of fun, FREE things to do.

Bryant Park: Bryant Park is located south of Central Park, and it is tucked away between concrete giants. Every morning, some kind of class is offered, such as Tai Chi, barre fitness, dance classes, yoga, etc. The best part is they are all completely free!

My first Tai Chi class, and it was free!

Come back later in the day and catch a few songs from a broadway show, hear a pianist sing, play a game, learn a new language, or watch Shakespeare in Bryant Park. Check out the calendar here.

Shakespeare in Bryant Park: Romeo and Juliet

Romeo hiding amonsgt the crowd!

Prospect Park: Take a free cardio or yoga class, go on a nature walk, play games, take a walk, or just relax in this Brooklyn green space. Click here to visit the website.

Central Park: Being NYC's most famous and largest park, there are plenty of activities to satiate one's thirst for experiencing nature. Fantastic running and walking paths wind through the park. Check out Shakespeare in the Park, however, be prepared to stand in line early in the morning to get tickets. See the Met Symphony play or watch performers dance. Listen to a free concert or two, play frisbee, soak up the sun, or row a boat on "The Lake." Don't forget to visit the animals in the Central Park Zoo! For more information, visit their website. Several activities do cost money, but there are plenty that don't!

My run flew thanks to the awesome scenery!

Free Nicki Minaj concert during my run? Yes, please!

The Highline: The Highline is an abandoned elevated rail line turned park. Inspired by a similar French civic project, NYC repurposed these rails to create an oasis in the sky! This is a must do in NYC (the views are breathtaking!).

The flora is native to the area.

Beautiful escape

The parks in NYC bring nature and relief from the hectic, busy lives and buildings that surround them. Make sure to add a visit to any or all of these oases into your itinerary!

Chicago Cost Breakdown

We do our best to keep costs to a minimal while traveling because it allows us to do more and travel more. Due to busy weeks at work and preparing for school to start up again we did not get a chance to search any deals on Groupon. We also did not buy the Go Chicago card we referenced in our trip recap. So here is the cost break down for 4 (2 full days) in Chicago on a holiday weekend visit.

ACTIVITIES	$     107.40
AIRPLANE TIX (2)	$     615.00
BAR	$     236.29
FOOD	$     257.28
HOTEL (3 NIGHTS)	$     400.00
SOUVENIRS	$       80.32
TRANSPORTATION	$       87.16
TOTAL	$ 1,783.45

*Note the airplane tickets and hotel cost were paid in advance

Travel With Friends

If you can bare your friends for weekend trips, it might be worth doing. We took this trip with Becky's cousin, which helped greatly with hotel cost. Hotels are NOT cheap in Chi-Town... roughly $200/night after taxes. You can try staying further from the city but you miss out on the atmosphere, plus Taxis are not that cheap. Half our transportation cost were on Taxis and that was taking turns paying for them! There is nothing wrong with walking. On our first day, we already walked nearly 5 miles before noon. 

Think before grabbing a Taxi!

Splurging

Ok. I will admit it, we splurged this trip. Take a look at our cost from 9 days in Alaska and compare it to 4 days in Chicago... we would be broke! We spent more on hotels in Chicago than Alaska! 

Doesn't this look delicious? Because it was!

But always remember to take a look at the purpose of your trip. Alaska was adventures and outdoors, Chicago was attractions and food. We made sure to stop and smell the roses (or pizzas?) and savor it. How could you not? Chicago is home to many great varieties of food. The bar scene was fun and inviting. Northwestern's campus was a block from our hotel. Sometimes it is OK to spend a little bit of money!

Budget Travel Tips ( Written by Guest Blogger Marlana Salmon Letelier)

Have you ever found yourself using the excuse, “I don’t have money to travel!”  Worse….have you ever found yourself actually believing it?

Think again.  Traveling does not have to be an expensive extravaganza.   I actually spend less when I travel than I do when I’m home! 

After traveling to over 27 countries on a student and teacher budget, here are my tips for keeping travel affordable:

1.      Credit card points and airline alliance numbers

We all spend money, right?  You might as well get airline points for it!  I have already gotten two free international round-trip flights, two free domestic round-trip flights, and two free international one-way flights this year by using the United Airlines Mileage Plus Mastercard and the Southwest Airlines Visa.  Just by opening the credit cards, you will earn a huge chunk of points.  You will continue to earn points as you use the card.  In addition to this, I am a member of their loyalty programs so that when I fly on either one of these airlines or any airline in alliance with them I earn additional points. These points all add up to free flights!  Do be sure to pay your credit cards off on time so as not to incur interest fees, which would defeat the purpose of saving money.  To learn more about airline alliances, go to the following link: http://www.lowfares.com/blog/2010/05/07/understanding-airline-alliances-can-save-you-money/

2.      Affordable accommodation

The best deal I’ve ever had was a private room with homemade breakfast and transport from the train station included for $6! Try the following websites:

·         Hostelworld.com

·         Hostels.com

·         Airbnb.com (If you aren’t up for staying in a hostel, you can find a cheap apartment to rent and split with other people.  My best deal with this website so far has been a $13 stay/per night in Paris.  You can also go as luxurious or as cheap as you want with this page.  Highly recommend.)

·         Couchsurfing.org (For the VERY adventurous, this is your free option.   Get ready to open up your couch too and to meet some great people!)

3.      Grocery stores

Why go out to eat every day when you can grab something cheap at a local grocery store or market?  You can either get something easy to make like bread and peanut butter or get more creative and use your accommodation’s kitchen (often available).

4.      Research scams/prices before traveling

Be aware of common scams in the area where you are traveling so you don’t fall into them!  Also, know the exchange rates, tipping info, and typical pricing information BEFORE you end up in a new place.  Being informed can help you avoid being ripped off.

5.      Public transport and walking!

Why pay for expensive transportation when you could just figure out the metro/bus system and/or walk?  I see the best parts of cities by walking all around them, and I save a ton of money in the meantime.  If you are in good shape and limited on time, you can also do a running tour.  My husband and I have done this in Thailand and were able to run from tourist site to tourist site rather than pay for expensive transportation.  We were able to see a LOT, enjoy the city, and get some good exercise!

6.      Don’t get caught in tourist traps

Do you really need to pay for that tour guide?  Sometimes it IS worth it, and sometimes it is just as useful to use a good guidebook or print some information off the Internet before you go.  Research this and use your money wisely. 

7.      Bank ATM’s and international credit cards without fees

Check with your bank to see if it partners with banks in the countries you are visiting.  With Bank of America, I often have options for ATM’s where I can take out money without a fee and with a direct exchange rate.  Also, you can use an international credit card such as the United Mileage Plus card and the Southwest Visa previously mentioned.  Neither one charges an international fee.  You will also get a direct exchange rate when you use them around the world.  Just be sure that the store where you are using it doesn’t tack on an extra charge for credit cards.

8.      Sleeping while in transit

Want to save a night in a hotel and take full advantage of your travel time during the day?  Take overnight bus/train/airplane transportation and skip a night in a hotel.  Just be sure to sleep!

9.      Set a budget per day

If you are really tight on money, calculate how much you have to spend the entire trip, set a budget per-day and stick to it!

10.  Save free food for later

That airplane food that you think you don’t want at the time….SAVE IT!  You might need a snack later.  IT’S FREE FOOD….  And if you don’t want it later, give it to a homeless person you pass on the street. 

11.  Discounts (it never hurts to ask!)

Always be sure to ask for discounts at museum’s and tourist sites!  And always remember to bring your student card if applicable. 

12.  Refillable water bottle

In countries where tap water is safe to drink, I save SO much money by bringing my stainless steel water bottle and refilling it everywhere I go.  No $3 waters for me.

13.  Rent out your apartment/house while you are gone

You can also use airbnb.com to rent out your apartment/house while you are traveling.  You can pay your rent that way and get some extra travel money while you’re gone! 

Most importantly, just remember that extravagant does not equal memorable.  You can travel cheaply and simply and make some incredible memories.  There really is something magical about a dirt cheap backpacking trip!  Happy travels everyone!

 

Bio:

Marlana Salmon Letelier is an EdD student in the field of international educational development at Teachers College, Columbia University.  Her research focuses on post-conflict curriculum development and policy, cultural and religious presentations in curriculum, and peace and human rights education. She holds an MTS from Harvard University in Multiculturalism and Religion with a focus in Education.  Previously she has served as a Teach for America Corps Member working as a high school math teacher in an inner city school in Bridgeport, CT, USA.

She loves to travel and has been to over 27 countries including around the Middle East, Europe, South America, Central America, Africa and Asia.  Her favorite type of traveling involves adventure, cultural immersion, learning about history, genuine interaction with locals, time in nature and simplicity.  Traveling brings out the best in her, and each trip reenergizes her and gives her the space and experiences to grow.  She loves to see others experience the joy of traveling throughout their lives and discourages people from waiting to travel only after retiring.  Her motto is, “If you want to do something, do it as soon as possible….otherwise you may never have the chance.”