Guide to Visiting New York on a Budget

New York City is one of the most iconic destinations in the world, and as such, it’s an incredibly sought after destination that can become quite the expensive trip if you don’t know all the best budget friendly spots, stays ,and activities.

With a range of affordable destinations, attractions, restaurants, and even hotels, you can enjoy the New York City getaway of your dreams without breaking the bank!

Best Budget Hotel in New York City

Known for its lavish luxury stores and branded hotels, New York City can be an opulent and expensive destination if you don’t know where to look. When it comes to finding some of the best, most cost effective hotels to retreat to, New York City is full of some great hidden gems that allow you to enjoy a budget-friendly stay without compromising on style.

This selection of hotels consists of a great range of spots, from comfortable modern hotels to quirky and historical B&Bs, so you can enjoy your dream stay in the big apple for a fraction of the cost.

M Social Hotel New York Times Square, Theater District

Situated just a short walk from Times Square in the theater district of Manhattan, this hotel sits just a short distance from many great attractions, including Radio City Music Hall, Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and plenty of the city’s best Broadway theaters. It also boasts excellent subway access, making it a handy spot for getting around the city.

With impeccable cleanliness throughout and a timeless, contemporary design, this hotel is certainly great value for money. It offers free Wi-Fi and many great amenities, including an on-site fitness center, a coffee shop, and the Beast and Butterflies restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The front desk even offers concierge and currency exchange services.

There’s also a gorgeous on-site bar that boasts a great selection of local beers and delicious cocktails, and it’s a truly great place to hang out after a day of sightseeing. It boasts a foosball table, a shuffleboard table, and a couch with wall-mounted TVs and games consoles!

Rooms at this hotel feature a work desk, a flat-screen cable TV, a safe, a coffee maker, and on higher floors, stunning, sweeping views of the city. They’re straightforward and functional in design, but for such a great price, they truly look great and boast a simple interior that is somewhat expected of mid-range corporate hotels.

Moxy East Village, East Village

Located in East Village, the surroundings of this hotel are nothing short of hip and trendy. It’s a popular area for cycling (thankfully, guests at this hotel can enjoy free bicycle rental), and there are plenty of popular spots just a short distance away, including Bloomingdale's and the Flatiron Building.

The hotel seeks inspiration from its surroundings, with interior design choices inspired by the neighborhood, including work from local artists and a creative vibe. As a 4-star hotel, it offers a great range of on-site amenities, including a 24-hour front desk, a business center, free Wi-Fi, and a terrace. There are also great on-site facilities for those who like to spend some time at their accommodation, including great on-site dining options and table tennis!

Be sure to visit the Alphabet Bar & Cafe, located on the first floor, where you can find a main bar, an outdoor terrace, and a comfortable, den-like lounge. It’s a great spot no matter what time of day you choose to visit. Their on-site restaurant, Cathédrale, serves up some truly unmissable French-Mediterranean dishes.

Each of the 286 rooms at this hotel boasts a stylish, contemporary design and great amenities, including a flat-screen satellite TV and safety deposit box. Due to the low prices at this hotel, you may need to compromise a little on room size, with many of the rooms here being very small, but they certainly feel spacious and bright thanks to their floor to ceiling windows.

The Harlem Flophouse, Harlem

Situated in the Harlem area of New York City, this small, four-room B&B is a true showcase of the city’s unique history. It sits in a great location for those looking to explore upper Manhattan, and thankfully, there’s plenty of great hip bars, cafes and restaurants just a stones throw away, as there are no on-site dining options at this hotel. One great recommendation is the nearby Harlem Breakfast Club, where you can indulge in some traditional African American dishes to start your day off right!

Despite being a tiny, exclusive stay, the prices are incredibly reasonable, which is why this B&B made this list. Unlike the towering, grand hotels of the Big Apple, this small hotel has a unique and distinct charm that money can’t buy. It features a dark-wood interior, moody lighting and jazz music, that make it feel more like a 1930s speakeasy than a modern-day hotel.

As it is small in size, The Harlem Flophouse doesn’t have many on-site amenities. Guests can, however, enjoy the use of free Wi-Fi, and access to a shared lounge, should you want somewhere to meet and interact with other guests for a more social experience of this gorgeous historical spot.

Rooms at this hotel are all suite-style, and each include a desk. Some of the rooms boast garden views, but all have a gorgeous style, with restored tin ceilings, antique furnishings, and working sinks in original antique cabinets. It’s worth noting though that due to the historical nature of this hotel, there is on air conditioning, no TVs and all bathrooms are shared with other guests at the property, but if you’re looking for a way to experience true New York culture without breaking the bank, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Millenium Broadway Times Square, Theater Disttrict

Situated in the center of Times Square, right in the heart of midtown Manhattan, Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square sits just steps from some of Broadway's most infamous theaters, including the Majestic Theater and the Palace Theater. Madame Tussauds sits just 1585 feet from the Millennium, and even closer to the stunning Bryant Park.

This hotel features 52,000 square feet of flexible function space and provides services to assist with any event if you plan on holding one here. There are on-site dining options and a small bar for a convenient nightcap. The concierge team truly stands out as one of this hotel's best assets, though, with their outstanding attitude and willingness to assist. They can help out with things like restaurant reservations, theater ticket bookings, and booking excursions, and what’s even better is that most of them are multi-lingual!

While simple and modern in style, the guest rooms are still incredibly gorgeous, with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of the NYC skyline. The upper-level rooms are a little more luxurious than those on the lower floors, so try to request a high floor when booking if possible. Guests can also enjoy large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access, and a fully stocked mini bar.

Graduate New York, Manhattan

Located on an island on the East River, between Manhattan and Queens, Graduate New York boats a truly idyllic city-center location that’s just a five-minute tram ride away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. As the only hotel in the area, it’s truly amazing that it’s so cost-effective to stay here, and is one of the hotels in New York with some of the best views!

Graduate New York boasts a great range of on-site amenities, including a fitness center, a restaurant, a bar, a business center, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, and an outdoor deck with panoramic views of the New York City skyline. During your stay, be sure not to miss out on spending an evening enjoying drinks at the rooftop bar, Panorama Room, to enjoy seeing the sunset over the New York skyline.

Each of the rooms at the hotel is trendy in design, much like the rest of the hotel, and boasts great amenities, including a desk, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a fridge. Guests can enjoy room service at breakfast and stunning views of the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center, all from the same window!

Best Budget Restaurants in New York City

When it comes to sampling delicious cuisine in New York City, you can find it all! There’s a great range on offer, even if you need to stick to a budget. From taco stalls to authentic American dining spots, there’s something for everyone here.

These restaurants are a range of cheap options that locals and tourists alike often rave about, so you can sample all the great food New York City has to offer without breaking the bank!

Kuu Ramen, Financial District, Downtown Manhattan

A fan-favourite amongst local lovers of Japanese cuisine, this outstanding ramen restaurant serves up a great array of dishes, all at a great price. Whether you’re on the hunt for a hearty ramen, a satisfying curry, or a selection of Izakaya-style small plates, be sure to visit for a cost-effective evening meal.

Previous guests praised the spicy tuna tartar, delicious ramen, and fresh, tasty ingredients but noted that it is quite small in size, so be sure to get here early, or book a reservation, especially if you plan on visiting during peak hours.

Little Collins, Midtown East, Manhattan

If you’re looking for the perfect brunch spot on a budget, then this is it! Little Collins is a small coffee shop with a minimalist design that serves up an enticing array of breakfasts, pastries, sandwiches, and salads. They have an exceptional tea and coffee selection, making it a great choice for a lunchtime pit stop when you’re out and about sightseeing in the city.

Previous diners praised the fresh and tasty ingredients used in their dishes and highly recommended dishes including the smashed avocado, the french toast with strawberries and the egg, sourdough and halloumi breakfast.

$1.50 fresh pizza, various locations

If you’re looking for a place to eat that makes dining as quick and easy as it cheap, then $1.50 Fresh Pizza does exactly as the name suggests. With various locations all around the city, it’s the perfect grab-and-go spot whether you’re looking for a quick and tasty lunch or looking to line your stomach for a night out on the town in the Big Apple. 

It may not look like much at first glance, but it’s a firm favorite with locals and visitors alike, with many praising it to be some of the best pizza they enjoyed in New York City - at just a fraction of the cost of other places!

Johny's Luncheonette, Midtown Manhattan

If you’re on the lookout for some good old-fashioned American fare for a quick bite to eat at lunchtime, be sure to visit Johny's Luncheonette. This small, old-school spot is a favorite amongst locals and serves up plenty of great lunch counter classics and breakfasts all day long!

One of the most authentically American dining experiences one can enjoy in New York City, this great little spot may not look like much at first glance, but once you’ve indulged in some of the delicious food on offer here, and interacted with the friendly and helpful staff, you’ll soon understand what all the fuss is about.

Los Tacos No. 1, Manhattan

Los Tacos No. 1 is a great taco chain with various convenient locations all across Lower and Midtown Manhattan. This bustling taqueria serves up a delectable range of tacos, quesadillas, and aguas frescas in a street-food-style stand-up setting. Despite not having anywhere to sit, it’s an incredibly popular spot, especially with those looking to grab a quick takeout to enjoy in the park, or on their way to a big night out on the town! If you don’t want to stary too far though, there are some tables to stand and dine at.

Previous customers praise the delicious and fresh foods, outstanding service, and clean environment!

Best Things to do on a Budget in New York City

You can’t visit somewhere as iconic as New Yor City without doing some sightseeing, and of course, there’s plenty of ways of keeping the costs low whilst you enjoy this. From luxurious private horse-drawn carriage tours of central park to admission to one of the city’s best museums, these famous attractions, landmarks, and activities can all be enjoyed for a relatively low price!

Central Park, Manhattan

If you’re looking for a cheap and budget-friendly activity that takes you on fun-filled tours of New York City’s infamous Central Park, then look no further than this tour in a private horse carriage! It’s one of the most time and cost effective ways to see sights such as Wollman Rink, the Boat Pond, Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, and Cherry Hill, all while learning about the area’s rich history.

For less than $20 per person, you can enjoy your own private tour that is both scenic and rich in cultural and historical insights!

Liberty Sightseeing Cruise, Manhattan

If you’re looking for a way to see not only the infamous Statue of Liberty up close but also some of the gorgeous sights of Downtown Manhatta, you’ll be pleased to know that you can do so for great value on this stunning, scenic river cruise experience.

For around $25 per person, you can enjoy panoramic views of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks from the water, pause to take pictures with the Statue of Liberty, and even enjoy captivating stories of New York City from the knowledgeable tour guides.

Ice Skating, Rockefeller Center, Midtown Manhattan

One of New York City’s most iconic winter bucket list activities is ice skating at the infamous Rockefeller Center. Though not the cheapest activity on this list, guests can enjoy a full hour of fun-filled skate time and skate rental, all for less than $40 per person!

As one of the city’s most infamous Christmas season traditions, it's a truly unmissable activity for anyone looking to visit at this time of year.

American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side

The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York City’s most popular museums, and thankfully, you can enjoy a visit here for an affordable rate of just $30 per person! With more than 40 galleries exploring the natural world and the universe, the world’s largest dinosaur fossil collection, and access to the brand-new state-of-the-art gilder center, a ticket to enter this outstanding museum is excellent value for money.

Take a Day Trip to Washington DC!

When traveling on a budget, one of the most expensive things can be transport, and this is especially true if you’re looking to travel for longer distances. If you’re traveling quite far to visit New York City, it costs just over $100 for this day trip to the nation’s capital of Washington D.C, making it one of the most worth-while experiences to enjoy during your stay in the big apple.

With this tour, you can see all the important sights of Washinton D.C., without the need to worry about getting lost, wasting any time, or even paying for a hotel!