News Flash: NYC is expensive. At first glance, it can look really expensive. But there are a surprising number of ways to still enjoy the city without emptying your pockets. 

You have four years in one of the most famous cities in the world. If you stay holed up on campus all the time, I promise you will look back on your time in college wishing you had explored more. 

That being said, New York is expensive. It’s no secret that life costs more here than it does in most other places. For a lot of students, that makes having fun here seem inaccessible. But, you’ll be happy to learn that there are a ton of options for free or cheap things to do in the city that give you all the fun experiences you’re looking for without the price tag.

Museums

There are a ton of museums across New York where students get in for a heavily discounted rate, if not completely for free. My personal favorite is the Met, and I’m not even that into art. I love wandering all of the different exhibits (especially the Ancient Egypt section) and see all of the cool artifacts they have, not to mention those steps on the front of the building are iconic. Barnumbia students get in for free, and I think everyone should plan to go at least once. The place is so big you won’t come close to seeing everything. Plus, you can take the 1 train down to 86th Street and walk across the park to get there when the weather is nice!

The other must-see is the Museum of Natural History. NY residents (which you count as) can get pay-as-you-wish tickets, which is a huge deal considering out of state visitors pay $30. If for nothing else, go see the DINOSAURS. Staring up at them makes you feel like a little kid, and it’s honestly magical. Among many other museums, you can get into the MoMA for free and the Whitney now has free admission for anyone under 25!

Parks

One of the first things you think about when you hear New York City is probably Central Park. Whether you like biking, roller skating, or riding one of those electric scooters which I find terrifying, you can do it all there! Taking a blanket and a frisbee and stopping at Trader Joe’s to get some picnic goodies with your friends is all you need to have a great park day. If you want to venture further, Washington Square Park and the surrounding areas are really fun too. You can walk around and get to see how the other half (NYU) lives. 

If you want to stay closer to home, our very own Riverside Park is beautiful. You will find no shortage of cute dogs to pet and if you go south, you’ll find an entrance to the West Side Highway, which has a really pretty path by the water if you are into running or biking, or even just want to go for a long walk!

Farmers Market

As soon as the weekend rolls around, it seems like there are farmers markets and pop-up food stands on every corner. Every week, there are a handful of stalls that open along Broadway outside Lerner Hall. I love to get bread from there and look at all the stands selling flower bouquets. Union Square farmers market is HUGE and you can find pretty much anything you could think of. One minute you’ll be looking at handmade jewelry and the next you’ll be sampling artisanal butter, the options are truly endless. 

Holiday Markets

I’m ready for November already because nothing beats the holiday market vibes. Even if you don’t buy anything, the energy is so fun and all the Christmas lights make you feel a little bit better about life. Bryant Park and Union Square have big markets where you can find tons of handmade items, jewelry, clothing, and (of course) FOOD. 

Hot chocolate is a must, and anything else you might get is a bonus. I love going with a group where we all get food from a different stand and try a little bit of everything. I got a couple of holiday gifts for my family from the market last year too!

If you’re looking for the classic “New York City Christmas experience” that draws over 4 million tourists a day around the holidays (fun fact!), go see the tree at Rockefeller Center and walk down 5th Avenue to experience all the stores with their over-the-top lights and displays. 

Honorable Mentions:

  • Staten Island Ferry leaves from South Ferry and is totally free! Go at sunset for AMAZING views!
  • Flea markets can be a really fun weekend activity and you might find something you really love!
  • Walking the High Line when the weather is nice.
  • Tickets for late night show tapings like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers are totally free!
  • Last minute sports tickets can be under $20.
  • The New York Aquarium is free after 3 pm on Wednesdays, and the Bronx Zoo is free all day on Wednesdays.
  • Pop-ups are happening all the time, follow your favorite stores on Instagram and see what events they might have going on!
  • Beach days! Brighton and Rockaway are great options.
  • Exploring new coffee shops and the big New York Public Library in Midtown as potential study spots.

Image via Bwog archives.