I’m off to NYC with my best friend in less than a month, and we are a little disorganized (to say the least).
We just booked our hotel today, and we only just got our New York Passes on Saturday. Flights are booked, and we have a very vague plan of what we want to see and where we want to go.
What we do NOT have, is a budget.
And, I am not even planning to make one.
I know that most people would burn me at the stake for this; and I know myself – I will succumb to at least making a spending forecast, but I don’t want to be bound to something tangible. This is my first trip after graduation, and I want to have a good time. So a good time I will have.
The flight was $439 and the hotel will be pretty much exactly that amount. The New York Pass was $165 and will help us save money on attractions and save time standing in line. I want to buy a new bag ($300-$400) and a decent blazer ($100-$150). I am sure I will spend another couple hundred on shopping, and then of course FOOD.
I am told to expect about $100/day in food (if I go to eat-in restaurants). Since such a big part of NYC is the food, I definitely will not be cutting back on that part.
So I’m looking at, already, about a $2500 trip.
I don’t think this is unreasonable at all, but I’m sure other things will pop up (I want to see a show, we’ll need subway tickets, etc).
It’s so much funner to travel a trip without a budget. I asked the Twittersphere for restaurant suggestions. I got a few good suggestions from Moneymaus and Asian Pear. Here’s what I have for food so far:
Porchetta
Caracas
Blind Pig
Momofuku SSam Bar
Big Gay Ice Cream
Chickalicious
Totto Ramen
Empanada Mama
HK Cafe
Shows:
When I reached out to Twitter for shows to see, I got quite a few responses. Here’s what my peeps said:
Avenue Q
Book of Morman
Rock of Ages
Wicked
Chicago
The Producers
These are just to name a few. I’ll consult with my friend to figure out which she wants to see, but there was lots of great feedback for Avenue Q.
Attractions:
There are a ton of things I want to see in NYC. I want to go everywhere, but of course that’s not possible in 6 days, so I’ll just have to visit again. But here’s a list:
Empire State Building
Statue of Liberty
Times Square
Central Park
Madison Square Gardens
Museum of Natural History
Brooklyn Bridge
NYU
NY Library
Top of the Rock
NBC Studio Tour
Madame Tussaudes
Wall Street
Harlem
TV stuff (Seinfeld diner, SATC apartment steps, Carlo’s Bakery (close enough to NY – lol))
Staten Island
I know there is a lot more that I want to see, but such little time!
Have you ever been to NY? What was your favorite part? Would you go without a budget?
I’ve been to NYC several times and we are actually going at the end of the month—I’m tagging along on a business trip that my husband is taking. I’m going to check out some of those restaurants you listed—I always struggle with restaurants in NYC (and end up eating pizza and bagels most of the time haha).
I’ve seen Avenue Q and Wicked and both are AWESOME. Those are two of my favorite musicals.
I think your budget sounds pretty good—I’ve definitely done NYC on a lot less than that. I don’t think I would go without a budget, but I think if you’re able to be flexible, don’t overanalyze your spending. You don’t seem like the type to just blow money on wasteful things, so don’t think about it too much!
Sounds like it’s shoring up to be a great trip. I used to live in NYC and my FAVORITE restaurant is Pio Pio (near times square) it’s family style, tasty and really affordable. My friends also swear by the blazers at Uniqlo-which they say are just as cheap as H&M and better made.
Let us know how it goes!!
I just love walking through Central Park and Little Italy. The funnest out-of-the-way find was Economy Candy on Rivington Street. This place is floor to ceiling candy. Everything you could think of. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but it was overwhelming. Enjoy!
I live in Hoboken NJ and work in NYC. Food can be really expensive out here. If you’re doing tourist food you can probably combine sightseeing with foods by going to known restaurants (like Katz or Carnegie deli, the diner from Seinfeld, etc.). If you’re going to sit down places you may find that $100 a day is low… feel free to shoot me an e-mail (you know how to find me). I’d be happy to give detailed suggestions or answer any questions. I’ve been here in 2004, living in NYC from 2004 until 2009 when I moved just over the river to Hoboken.
By the way, you may want to check out SnappyGo – I’ve heard it’s pretty cool for travel suggestions.
By the way, SnappyGo is apparently a local-pairing site where you put in what you like and can select a local guide to give you suggestions.
If you go to Big Gay Ice Cream please report about it as I saw a special on it the other day and it looked great. I’m going to NYC in November and was planning on going there myself.
Have a great time. I haven’t been to NY, but it’s on my list of places to go. 🙂
Wow, that is a lot of things to do when you’re out there! I’ve never been to NY but I will definitely visit someday. I’m not sure I could ever go without a budget, but when money isn’t a concern one day then I might be able to just let the dollars fly.
I know this is probably lame, but my favorite part of NYC is Times Square. I just love the energy there. I like to people watch, and you can sit there for hours just watching people go by. Enjoy your trip! NYC is awesome!
Don’t know if you saw this on Twitter, but for shows I highly recommend Anything Goes.
I forget if you’re a meat-eater, but if you are in Harlem (I noticed it was on your list), go to Dinosaur BBQ. The food is incredible. The lines are long, but it’s fairly cheap for NYC because the restaurant is from Syracuse, NY (where I grew up-ish) originally, and the prices in Harlem are the same as Upstate. I recommend ribs, salt potatoes, and of course honey hush cornbread! 🙂
$100 on food seems totally reasonable. Most of my trips to NYC have been for work (so on per diems) and the max I could spend on food was $75/day and I didn’t have a big problem staying under that. Unless you go super fancy or have lots of alcohol $100 should be within reason.
When we vacation we set a certain amount aside, prepay hotel and rental cars, etc. but then have the rest in cash that we divide up for our days. It keeps us under what we allocated (for the most part) and anythin we spend above and beyond the cash has to go on our cards, so is coming out of the everyday budget and we have to scrimp in that category when we get back.
$100/day for food is plenty. NYC is known for bagels. I literally could eat a NYC bagel for breakfast every day of the week for the rest of my life and be happy about it. And pizza too. Don’t splurge on breakfast or lunch. Save it and spend it on dinner. There are amazing restaurants all over NYC. Rather than going with a pre-planned list of restaurants, I tend to ask locals what’s nearby and what they recommend. Can’t go wrong.
I agree with the others; Time Square is awesome. As is Central Park. Wall Street and/or the Financial District is interesting as well.
Catch a Yankee game if you’re able to.
I been to NYC several times, but never around this time. Ideally I’d love to go late August/Sept when US Open starts, visit Flushing Meadows, and take in the whole experience.
Ideally you want to stay somewhere in Manhattan. You’re close to everything, and withing walking distance – if you like walking.
We stayed at the “Plaza”, which is a landmark hotel, close to Madison square garden, empire state building, shopping, 5th ave, macy’s flagship store (8 floors) and much more.
Have fun, you’ll have a blast!!
I would have to go to NYC with a budget. A budget large enough so I can enjoy NYC and shopping a little!
I went to the top of the rock at night and the view was awesome. They also had a neat room that tracked you as you walked through it with a light above and below you.
We went to NYC a few years ago and we actually did most of those items on your list. We rented an apartment for a week so it was a bit cheaper than staying at a hotel! It was pretty cool because we were right in soho and staying in a classic walk-up NYC building.
You should try to see some TV shows being filmed while you’re there. We asked for and received tickets to a Letterman taping which featured the Raveonettes. 🙂
Depending on what is exhibiting, it might also be fun to visit MOMA. We saw an Andy Warhol exhibit at MOMA while we were in NYC and it was pretty cool!
And while on transit, remember, Houston St: It’s “how-sten” not “hew-sten” …
My brother saw Book of Mormon and absolutely loved it! He also said you get a much better view from 30 rock than the empire state building (as 30 rock blocks most of the esb’s view.) I hope you have a good time! I’d just know how much I had in the bank account before I left to avoid overdraft fees. Vacations are more fun when you’re not counting pennies the whole time.
I have heard all kinds of amazing things about Book of Mormon — get tickets now! I’m not a fan of puppets singing and swearing, so I would skip Avenue Q too, but I definitely think you should see one amazing show in New York. And get bagels at H & H, they are the best in the world.
I went a few years ago and saw Wicked. I remember it the most from the trip. Def a must-see!
I went to NYC last September with a gf of mine. It was my 2nd time going there. We stayed at a hotel in Manhattan near the World Trade Centre Memorial, which I recommend visiting. We had to get tickets in advance in order to visit the memorial. Another great museum is the MoMa: Museum of Modern art. I think it was a Friday night we went and it was free admission.
FYI. When you’re in NYC, call the Boxoffice for Broadway shows. And see what shows are discounted. You can get tickets for the day off at cheaper prices.
You might want to check out the shopping districts. Even if you never buy… I totally suggest you check out FAO Swartz, Tiffany’s, etc. It’s fun to go and see these landmarks.
Hi Daisy, i am excited to read more about your NYC excursion. May I make a wistful request to include lots of pics, so I may vicariously experience it through you? *sooo envious*
Since you like shopping, DEFINITELY go to Century 21: . It’s 4 stories high and right near the World Trade Center memorial.
If you’re willing to wing it on Broadway tickets, wait until the day of and go to the TKTS booth: http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56/
With the amount of sightseeing you want to do, it sounds like the 7-day unlimited Metro card would be the best value for you:
Lastly, I’m never one to deny a gal a nice handbag, but have you signed up for the Coach Factory mailing list? http://www.coachfactory.com/store/default/storelocator
Their stock differs slightly, but I’ve usually been able to find stuff I like there, and then you can just order online. However, I fully acknowledge the allure of being able to say, “I got my Coach handbag in New York!” 😀