New York City on a budget you can do
Despite common misconceptions, it is quite possible to enjoy many of the great things New York City has to offer even on a fairly modest vacation budget. It is important to remember when planning your vacation that your budget is often the most important deciding factor as to what activities should or should not be included in family plans.
The beauty is that you can still present lots of fun and wonderful options to your family while sticking to the tightest budgets. First of all, if you pay for accommodation in advance, that's a concern you won't have during your stay. Finding a hotel room that has a microwave and refrigerator can go a long way in limiting expenses. You can also save money by filling your bottles with water at your hotel instead of buying new bottles of water, bringing snacks from home for the kids and eating at good restaurants that offer lunch menus at lunchtime and visiting fast food restaurants or less expensive at night.
Another thing to remember is that you do not need to buy all the photographs that are taken of your children while you are in New York. Consider carefully which photograph will be the most meaningful to your child years from now, and let that be the photograph you buy. Use your camera to record other memories of your time in New York for a fraction of the cost. Make sure you bring lots of extra film (if you are still using a camera that requires film) and batteries with you from home, as they will likely cost more to replace in New York.
Other great ideas to save money during your stay in New York would be to buy the New York Pass. It may seem quite expensive, but you can buy a 3- or 7-day pass that will give you free entry to many attractions in the area. You will easily recoup your investment if you planned to visit the attractions to which it offers free admission. You will find a wide selection of museums and zoos on offer, as well as discounts at some of the gift shops.
New York is a great city to shop. It's not a great city to shop on a budget. If shopping presents too much of a temptation for you, avoid it. While there are some wonderful and interesting shops to see and experience if you can't get in and out without spending money, the best thing for your vacation budget would be to skip them all together. If you can resist the temptation, there are plenty of shopping malls and stores that offer not only delicious merchandise, but are also a sight to behold in their own right.
If you have children, there are many activities for children that are available for free in and around the city. Search the internet during the planning phases and I am sure you will find many activities that everyone can enjoy as a family that fits into the fabulous category of free gifts. Many of the city's museums also offer free admission on certain days of the week or at certain times. Other museums offer a type of entrance fee so that no one is far from the wonderful experience that awaits them inside.
New York City also has many national parks, some of which have deep historical significance. Entry to these national parks, including the Statue of Liberty, is absolutely free and the family can enjoy their time there, as well as gaining a deep sense of history in the process.
No matter what your budget is, you can afford to have a great time in New York City if you take the time to carefully plan the events you will be participating in and not participating in according to your budget. Keep in mind that you have to allow for some really nice events and reward yourself for being so budget conscious during your trip. After all, it's a vacation, even if you're limited to expenses.
