Top 10 Things You Should Visit in New York without Breaking the Budget

By: Molley Mills

New York City is a tourist Mecca. The place is fairly hoping day and night. Nothing shuts it down, well nothing short of 10-20 inches of snow but hey that brings a nice peace to it anyway. The problem is that it can be expensive. Here's some ways to see the place without spending much. Call it the cheapskate tour.

1. Staten Island Ferry. Better than a Liberty/Harbour cruise and free
   
   When you come to New York of course you wanna see Lady Liberty. She's the jewel of the New York Harbour. Unfortunately, to go over there can be an all day experience and you get shuffled through a security check strict enough to rival any airport. Not to mention the expense. For a nice boat ride on the Harbour and a cruise past Lady Liberty for free, you can jump on the Staten Island Ferry, They hardly ever crash these days and it's a free ride. We love free....
   
   
2. Wall St, the Bull and the Financial District
   
   Walking around the Financial district is pretty cool, all the small cobblestone streets. The area has quite a history and of course, the Bull, everyone needs to go say Hi to the Bull. He gets all his power from the ball rubbings he receives.
   
   
3. Central Park, Carriage ride, Ice Skating
   
   You can spend days in Central Park and not see it all. There's so much to see. It's New York's backyard. Beautiful in any season. You can Ice skate in the winter, take a horse and carriage ride anytime, go to the zoo, see many and varied buskers and performers and just enjoy the beauty of the park. 825 acres of spectacular, including children's playgrounds along the edges. The park has everything for every one...
   
   
4. Union Square Farmers Market
   
   A local farmers market that has become so popular it is open 3 days a week. So much fresh produce is available and many unique Characters frequent the place. It's a fun place to just bustle through and rub shoulders with the locals.
   
   
5. First Corinthians Baptist Church Harlem Gospel Experience
   
   Nestled in Lower Harlem on 116th st and 7th ave, is the First Corinthians Baptist Church where they run services all day Sunday. The church is housed in a turn of the century building and boasts an authentic gospel choir. A must see and an easy subway ride from midtown ...The church is free so stop in and enjoy.
   
   
6. Times Square
   
   Just do it.. but for God Sake walk faster, you tourists just get in the way ALL the time, so frustrating. (I might be local now) If you come at Christmas time you can see the ball drop for New Years Eve. The atmosphere is electric and the locals never go so there's plenty of room for tourists. You're sure to meet some great people.
   
   
7. The Apple Store, 5th Avenue Stores
   
   Cruising through the Glass 5th Avenue Apple Store is a cool thing to do, buying something is a bonus but you can totally go in for a look around without spending anything, go on, I dare you :)
   
   
8. The Museums
   
   If you love museums then you need to see The Met, The Museum of Natural History and the other majors but you should know that the price is suggested...
   
   
9. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
   
   If you come at the right time of year you can enjoy a pleasant stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a great way to see the skyline of the city and it's a fun thing to do. It's available all year round but the weather can be prohibitive in the colder months. But totally worth it.
   
   
10. Empire State Building 34th St, Macy's
    
    The Empire State is worth a look of course and the Macy's building, which is great shopping. If you're a foreigner you can go to the visitors centre and get an 11% discount card, so you don't pay the state taxes on your purchase. The Rockerfeller Centre (Top of the Rock) is another look out point. It's quicker and cheaper and you can see the Empire State. I always prefer that but.... Do the Empire State, just to say you have :) It's quite an experience.

Above all enjoy it. Don't be scared to ride the subway. It's totally safe. Bring walking shoes, you'll do plenty of that and most of all have fun!