Monday, November 17, 2008
Cheap Date: New York City
The greatest cities in the world are often some of the most expensive cities in the world to stay in. However, with a little know how, and a sense of adventure, a great vacation in a world-class city can be made on a tin can budget. This is the first of an occasional series on this world traveler to show just how easy it can be. This week: New York City.
Housing
For a city of 8 million, affordable hotel availability seems relatively scarce. Even a Holiday Inn Express can run upwards of $200 a night on any given weekday. Staying across the Hudson in New Jersey might save you some cash, and looking into hotels near JFK airport might also save you some money, even though they are quite far away from most of the sights and scenes of the New York City that is worth experiencing. For the more adventurous, Loftstel might be the right place to stay. No private rooms, all bedrooms are shared with at least three other people, the stay seems like its in its own enclosed NYC house with gorgeous kitchen accomodations, free wi-fi and a lot of other extras. Starting at $25 a night, it might just be one of the best bargains out there in New York City.
Food
New York City is home to many of the world's best restaurants and any kind of food can be found here. If there was one thing worth splurging on in New York City, it would be the restaurants. But if the budget is tight, there are a number of places worth visiting.
The best fries in the city are undoubtedly at Pommes Frites off St. Marks. The regular size is extremely filling and affordable. It's possible to get filled with potatoes and any of 40 different frites sauces for under 6 dollars. Strongly recommended: the "Frites Sauce," a danish tangy mayonnaise that's available for free with the purchase of an order of fries.
Dirty water dogs are available at every street corner for about a dollar or two and they are quintessentially New York. They also may get you a little sick. For something that's an NYC hot dog tradition, skip the overpriced dogs at Nathan's and head to Gray's Papaya (3 locations in Manhattan including 37th Street and 8th Ave, just off the A/C/E subway lines at 34th st) for the "Recession Special." Two dogs and a drink for $4.45. Worried that the recession will be over before the visit is possible? No problem, the recession special is even available in boom times.
Looking for something with more bite? Try Oasis, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Amazing falafel, schwarma and just about everything else. Pricing is extremely reasonable too for a great takeout meal in one of the most happening neighborhoods in the city. (On 7 Street, just off the L train at Bedford Ave)
Getting Around
The best and cheapest way to get across New York City cheaply is the subway system. Day passes are available for just $7.50 and this will get you unlimited access for the day. Also, get a great view of the Statue of Liberty without paying to get there by taking the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island and back. The ride is free and offers some wonderful views.
Things To Do
There's so much to see and do in New York City, and much of it is cheap or free. Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Coney Island, Times Square. All those places are worth hitting up and they don't cost a dime. A lot of museums have free admission occasionally as well. The Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street is free on Friday evenings, and the New Museum on the Bowery in SoHo is free on Thursday nights. Also in more than a handful of spots in the city, ice skating is possible during the winter for just the cost of skate rental.
Looking for nightlife? That's a bit more costly, but there is one spot in Williamsburg where there's always live entertainment and never a cover charge. Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg (Lorimer Street, off the L train at Lorimer) hosts three or four performance a night ranging from indie rock to poetry readings and spelling bees. Plus $2 drafts for happy hour. It's one of the best values and most pleasant venues in the city.
There's plenty to do for very little money in New York City, enough to easily fill a weekend. NYC can definitely be a cheap date.
Housing
For a city of 8 million, affordable hotel availability seems relatively scarce. Even a Holiday Inn Express can run upwards of $200 a night on any given weekday. Staying across the Hudson in New Jersey might save you some cash, and looking into hotels near JFK airport might also save you some money, even though they are quite far away from most of the sights and scenes of the New York City that is worth experiencing. For the more adventurous, Loftstel might be the right place to stay. No private rooms, all bedrooms are shared with at least three other people, the stay seems like its in its own enclosed NYC house with gorgeous kitchen accomodations, free wi-fi and a lot of other extras. Starting at $25 a night, it might just be one of the best bargains out there in New York City.
Food
New York City is home to many of the world's best restaurants and any kind of food can be found here. If there was one thing worth splurging on in New York City, it would be the restaurants. But if the budget is tight, there are a number of places worth visiting.
The best fries in the city are undoubtedly at Pommes Frites off St. Marks. The regular size is extremely filling and affordable. It's possible to get filled with potatoes and any of 40 different frites sauces for under 6 dollars. Strongly recommended: the "Frites Sauce," a danish tangy mayonnaise that's available for free with the purchase of an order of fries.
Dirty water dogs are available at every street corner for about a dollar or two and they are quintessentially New York. They also may get you a little sick. For something that's an NYC hot dog tradition, skip the overpriced dogs at Nathan's and head to Gray's Papaya (3 locations in Manhattan including 37th Street and 8th Ave, just off the A/C/E subway lines at 34th st) for the "Recession Special." Two dogs and a drink for $4.45. Worried that the recession will be over before the visit is possible? No problem, the recession special is even available in boom times.
Looking for something with more bite? Try Oasis, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Amazing falafel, schwarma and just about everything else. Pricing is extremely reasonable too for a great takeout meal in one of the most happening neighborhoods in the city. (On 7 Street, just off the L train at Bedford Ave)
Getting Around
The best and cheapest way to get across New York City cheaply is the subway system. Day passes are available for just $7.50 and this will get you unlimited access for the day. Also, get a great view of the Statue of Liberty without paying to get there by taking the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island and back. The ride is free and offers some wonderful views.
Things To Do
There's so much to see and do in New York City, and much of it is cheap or free. Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Coney Island, Times Square. All those places are worth hitting up and they don't cost a dime. A lot of museums have free admission occasionally as well. The Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street is free on Friday evenings, and the New Museum on the Bowery in SoHo is free on Thursday nights. Also in more than a handful of spots in the city, ice skating is possible during the winter for just the cost of skate rental.
Looking for nightlife? That's a bit more costly, but there is one spot in Williamsburg where there's always live entertainment and never a cover charge. Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg (Lorimer Street, off the L train at Lorimer) hosts three or four performance a night ranging from indie rock to poetry readings and spelling bees. Plus $2 drafts for happy hour. It's one of the best values and most pleasant venues in the city.
There's plenty to do for very little money in New York City, enough to easily fill a weekend. NYC can definitely be a cheap date.
Labels: budget travel, cheap date, cities, hostels, new york, new york city, tips, travel
Thursday, January 17, 2008
My Cities of 2007
So I was leafing through various travel blogs, and I found Blissful Travel. It's a pretty insightful journal and she had a post talking about the cities she lived in. It was inspired by another travel blogger's list of cities visited last year. Taylor Davidson put up a list of cities he's spent a night in last year, and I thought I should do the same. It's neat to see where you've been in an aggregate sense over the past year. So I thought, I'd share.
Asbury Park, NJ - My hometown and a place I've grown to love. This former tourist destination is the home to Bruce Springsteen and a lot of broken dreams. It's currently working on the rebound and is an interesting case for redevelopment. I like it here, even if I think my time on the Jersey Shore may be nearing an end.
Quakertown, PA
Buffalo, NY
Newark, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
New York, NY - The big city nearby, I'm finding my trips there becoming more and more frequent as my heart is drawn to this city. Walking through Manhattan can at times be like walking through multiple cultures in just a few blocks.
Mountain View, CA - My first night in California was shared with some good friends in their small apartment just outside San Jose. I was immediately struck by how comfortable California can be, and after a couple days - I very much felt at home on the west coast.
Boulder Creek, CA
Worthington, OH
Pittsburgh, PA
Port Chester, NY
Boston, MA - Only my second time in the city, the stay was just too short. Yet pleasant. Finally had a chance to take the T, Boston's tram/subway system and frankly, I loved it. I wish my town had a T.
Michigan City, IN
Philadelphia, PA
Trenton, NJ
Atlanta, GA
Granada, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua - I honestly don't much care for Managua, the largest population center in the poorest Central American country, but there are some charms to the city and a small ex-pat community makes it their home. There's a very pleasant hostel run by a goodhearted South African/Canadian who's working on development projects for the country when he isn't running his hostel. Managua Backpackers Inn is the spot, and definitely worth the money for a night in the capital city.
With some good luck, the list of cities in 2008 will grow longer. If there's a specific town or city I should visit, let me know. I love discovering cities that might be a bit off the beaten path. They usually provide some excellent ideas.
Asbury Park, NJ - My hometown and a place I've grown to love. This former tourist destination is the home to Bruce Springsteen and a lot of broken dreams. It's currently working on the rebound and is an interesting case for redevelopment. I like it here, even if I think my time on the Jersey Shore may be nearing an end.
Quakertown, PA
Buffalo, NY
Newark, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
New York, NY - The big city nearby, I'm finding my trips there becoming more and more frequent as my heart is drawn to this city. Walking through Manhattan can at times be like walking through multiple cultures in just a few blocks.
Mountain View, CA - My first night in California was shared with some good friends in their small apartment just outside San Jose. I was immediately struck by how comfortable California can be, and after a couple days - I very much felt at home on the west coast.
Boulder Creek, CA
Worthington, OH
Pittsburgh, PA
Port Chester, NY
Boston, MA - Only my second time in the city, the stay was just too short. Yet pleasant. Finally had a chance to take the T, Boston's tram/subway system and frankly, I loved it. I wish my town had a T.
Michigan City, IN
Philadelphia, PA
Trenton, NJ
Atlanta, GA
Granada, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua - I honestly don't much care for Managua, the largest population center in the poorest Central American country, but there are some charms to the city and a small ex-pat community makes it their home. There's a very pleasant hostel run by a goodhearted South African/Canadian who's working on development projects for the country when he isn't running his hostel. Managua Backpackers Inn is the spot, and definitely worth the money for a night in the capital city.
With some good luck, the list of cities in 2008 will grow longer. If there's a specific town or city I should visit, let me know. I love discovering cities that might be a bit off the beaten path. They usually provide some excellent ideas.
Labels: boston, california, cities, list, new jersey, new york, nicaragua
