Listing 10 of the best things to do in New York for students (or travelers on a budget) as well as some essential tips to make sure you experience the best of this buzzy city!
What comes to mind when you think about the world’s most iconic megacity New York? I’m sure the world-famous Times Square, the Empire State Building, or even Wall Street immediately comes to mind. And you may (wrongly) think that New York is an expensive city to visit, after all the ‘Big Apple’ is home to the highest number of billionaires in the world. But actually, NYC is home to many free and amazing attractions like Central Park and the New York Public Library.
I’ve targeted this blog post to students and anyone on a budget – and I hope I can prove to you that New York can be enjoyed on a tight budget. In fact, almost everything on this list is free or costs under $50 USD!
For students, NYC is a learning hub. With almost 3 million people in the city born outside the US and more than 800 languages spoken, it’s a cultural melting pot. Plus, there are museums, theaters, and monuments that tell of the city’s rich history. So you will always be learning when you visit New York.
Now, let’s explore the best things to do in NYC on a student (or budget-friendly) trip.
Tips for students visiting NYC
- Always ask if an attraction offers student discounts – Many students don’t know this but many New York attractions like The Met, The Museum of Natural History, and some Broadway Shows offer discounted student rates.
- Make sure you clear all your assignments before leaving for your trip – Studies should not be compromised because of your travel plans. Enjoying your trip at the expense of your homework or essays is never a good idea. This is why many students use EduBirdie for help with their assignments. You can pay for an essay if you don’t have enough time to do so before your vacation to NYC. That way you can get help from experts who are available 24/7.
- Get public transport – If you want to avoid the NYC traffic jams and costly cabs or Ubers then you’ll need to catch the subway here. The subway system here runs 24 hours a day and if you have a MetroCard the base subway fare is just $2.75.
- Eat at street food stalls – If you want to save money while in NYC, your best bet is to swerve expensive restaurants and instead eat from street food stalls or food trucks. There are loads dotted throughout the city serving up every cuisine imaginable from Mexican to Thai.
Top Things to Do in New York For Students
1. Graffiti & street art walking tours
In a city this culturally rich, even the streets are open-air galleries! Yes, on these streets, you can explore vibrant murals and hidden alleyway masterpieces. Take a walking tour to learn about the art forms, like stenciling and wheatpasting.
These tours tend to take place in Manhattan or Brooklyn and are led by local artists who will point out the stunning murals and explain the meaning behind the art. These tours cost from just $25 USD. And last for around 1.5 hours, it’s the perfect New York activity for art-loving students on a budget.
Related Read: Check out the best things to do in 3 days in San Francisco here!
2. Statue of Liberty cruises
The Statue of Liberty is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think of NYC. And it’s hard-to-miss at a whopping 93 meters tall.
On the cruise to this famous landmark, you will come across other iconic landmarks like Ellis Island. Once you are up close to Lady Liberty, make sure to take iconic photos for your social media page. You also get to explore the island’s exhibits, And if you are a history lover, you can learn about America’s rich history through interactive displays.
This well-rated Statue of Liberty Cruise is 50 minutes long and costs only $29 USD. It departs from South Street Seaport.
3. The Empire State Building
The 102-story Art Deco skyscraper is a must-visit for NYC student travelers. The top of this popular building gives a 360-degree view of the entire city with Central Park and Times Square easily visible on a clear day. And that’s another top spot for clicking amazing photos.
In fact, the Empire State was recently awarded the number one spot on the list of Top Attractions in the World in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best!
A ticket to the 80th floor of the Empire State starts from $47 USD, it’s extra to get to the 102nd floor.
4. Radio City Music Hall
If you love partying in college, you can’t go wrong with watching a concert or Broadway performance at the world-famous Radio City Music Hall. Honestly, once you experience the magic of a Broadway show at Radio City Music Hall, you’ll be left asking for more because it’s so fun and memorable.
If you love history, then a behind-the-scenes tour of this historic building is sure to be right up your street. It’s a 60-minute tour and you’ll learn so much about the construction of the building as well as the famous faces who have performed here. This tour costs from $38 USD per person.
5. Central Park
There are parks and then there’s Central Park in NYC. The city might look like an urban jungle to nature lovers but Central Park gives the perfect break in nature to make you relax. And it’s without a doubt one of the best free things to do in New York!
When I say, Central Park is HUGE I mean it, it’s an impressive 3.4 square kilometers. Some popular (and very photogenic) spots to check out here include Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, Belvedere Castle, and Gapstow Bridge.
You can sunbathe or people watch on the Great Lawn or rent a boat and explore the lake. For stunning views, you can go walk the Mall and Literary Walk which is lined with elm trees and features statues of renowned authors such as Shakespeare!
Related Read: You can read about the top things to do in Seattle here!
6. SoHo – Little Italy – Chinatown walking tour
If you want to get a feel for authentic NYC and see how the locals live, then head to the diverse neighborhoods of Little Italy, Chinatown, or Soho. You don’t need to book a guided tour or anything, simply take your time walking through these vibrant neighborhoods and see how New Yorkers live.
SoHo is a great people-watching neighborhood as everyone here looks so stylish and cool. There are also several chic boutiques and art galleries here. The Museum of Ice Cream is located here. If you love coffee like me, one of my favorite NYC coffee shops is located here – Drip Drop Cafe on Thompson Street.
If you’re a foodie, then head to Little Italy or Chinatown – both areas are renowned for being home to the best restaurants in the city! Little Italy is also home to the cool Little Italy Street Art Project featuring vibrant and cool wall murals by local artists.
7. Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Next on our list of the best NYC attractions for those on a budget is The Met. A must-visit for true art lovers. It has everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to masterpieces by European giants like Van Gogh and Monet. At the Met, there’s something for every art or history-loving student. Would you believe over 2 million pieces of art are housed here!
If you love the TV series Gossip Girl then you may recognize the entrance steps to The Met!
Students can visit The Met for the heavily discounted rate of $17 USD.
8. Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment (from Sex & The City)
Speaking of famous TV series, why not visit Carrie’s apartment from Sex & The City while you’re in the city? It’s iconic and free to visit the outside and snap some photos – you can’t visit the inside as someone lives there. Lucky them!
It’s one of my favorite places to visit in New York as I’m a massive fan of Sex and the City and just adore the whole look of her apartment, from the warm, inviting interior to the photogenic brownstone exterior. And those steps!
Carrie’s apartment is located at 66 Perry Street in the West Village.
9. St Patrick’s Cathedral
The biggest Roman Catholic cathedral in the country is located here in NYC on 5th Ave., and as it’s completely free to visit it’s well worth checking out during your time in the city. It’s Neo-Gothic in style and was built way back in 1858.
10. New York Public Library
Another free place to visit in the city is New York Public Library on 5th Ave. It’s one of the most stunning libraries in the world and was featured in many Hollywood movies like Ghostbusters!
Now, I know what you’re thinking – why would I want to visit a library on my vacation from college? But, honestly, it’s a must-visit! The entrance with its marble staircase and two massive lion statues is wow-worthy. As is the Main Reading Room and the McGraw Rotunda!
Where to Stay in New York on a Budget
Pod 51 – This 3-star hotel in Midtown East is well-rated and offers rooms from around $120 USD per night. It’s modern and stylish and boasts an epic rooftop with great city views. There’s also a restaurant and bar on-site.
Pod Times Square – Located in bustling Times Square this 3-star hotel has a gym and 24-hour front desk. The rooms are modern and clean. And you just can’t beat its location. Rooms are around $150 USD per night.
The Local NYC – This excellently rated hostel in Queens features ensuite guest rooms, a roof terrace with stunning views, a bar and, movie room. A private room is around $50 USD.
HI NYC Hostel – Located on Amsterdam Avenue this well-rated hostel is very popular. It offers beautifully renovated rooms, a large common area, well-stocked kitchen and it hosts plenty of social events. Rates start at around $35 USD.
Thanks for Reading!
As I said earlier, New York is a culturally rich city with vibrant locals and a fast-paced lifestyle. It’s played the muse to many novels and movies and is the birthplace of significant cultural movements like the Harlem Renaissance providing diverse learning opportunities to students on their visit here.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan it out, pack your bags, and visit the city that never sleeps. You’ll be amazed – there is no doubt about that.
Note – Fellow blogger Stella Gary contributed to this article. Stella is passionate about the technology and business fields. To keep her work light and add a dash of fun to it, she travels widely and shares her experience in the form of blogs and YouTube videos. Besides this, she loves to participate in marathons, enjoys theater, and trains young students in the academic writing field.
Last Updated on July 19, 2024 by snaphappytravel