20+ things to do, see and eat in NYC for free or cheap
By Emily Bloch
The first time I really got to explore New York on my own was while attending a CMA conference in the city as a college freshman.
Between sessions, I went on media tours and ate a giant pretzel while strolling through Central Park. I ate dim sum with my newsroom staff and visited the Top of the Rock. We staged photoshoots, visited Grand Central Station and (poorly) navigated the subway lines.
A friend who already lived and worked in the city agreed to meet me at a club I found in the Lower East Side where Beyoncé’s band was performing — sans Beyoncé. Then, she treated me to the coziest late-night (technically early morning) matzo ball soup run at Katz’s Deli. Nowadays, I’m lucky enough to frequent New York pretty often. But that first trip was one of those forever memories that still sticks with me today.
Whether it’s your first time in the city or you’re also a frequent visitor, the common feeling is that there is too much to see, do and eat. But even when you’re in town for a conference and only have small gaps of free time, there’s still a ton of free or inexpensive things to see, do and eat close by.
Here are some of my favorites. I hope you get your Beyoncè-less band and matzo ball soup moment.
Emily Bloch is breaking news reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, president of the Society of Professional Journalists and an organizer of ProCon 25.
GO…
I tried to keep this list limited to stuff really close to the convention hotel. If you choose to venture further, be mindful of how massive Manhattan is and make sure to factor in traffic and train delays.
The subway costs around $4 and includes a free transfer. No need to get a specific pass. Turnstiles accept Apple or Google Pay, or you can tap a credit card.
FREE THINGS CLOSE BY
The High Line (~30 min. walk)
The High Line is one of my favorite places to go on this side of town. It’s a linear park built atop an old railroad line and runs about a mile and a half. There are art installations placed throughout and great views. Grab a slice of pizza or a snack before heading up and wandering.
Grand Central Station (~15 min. walk)
Designed and built in the early 1900s, this train terminal still operates, but you’re visiting for the lobby. Check out its famous Zodiac mural ceiling and try out the Whispering Gallery: where you and a friend can stand on opposite corners of an archway, face the walls and speak quietly. Even over the chatter of commuters, you’ll be able to hear each other. It has something to do with the perfect shape of the arches.
New York Public Library (~10 min. walk)
This is a gorgeous library with fancy architecture and a massive entryway. Peep the iconic Lion sculptures outside.
Bryant Park (~8 min. walk)
Central Park (~15 min. walk)
Chelsea Market (~40 min. walk or 15 min. subway ride)
A food hall and shopping district in Chelsea
Chinatown (~20 min. subway ride)
All the dim sum and Hello Kitty-licensed merch you can dream of.
INEXPENSIVE
Museum of Modern Art (~15 min. walk)
Tickets are $5 for students with their student ID.
The Shed (~30 min. walk)
A mixed-use art gallery and theater, you access this building from The High Line if walking. Ticket prices range depending on what you’re there to see but student discounts are offered. Check here for current programming.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (~45 min. walk, 15 min. Uber or 30 min. subway ride)
Everyone should go to The Met once. Pro-tip: If you have a New Jersey, Connecticut or New York student ID, it’s Pay As You Wish and you can pay as little as a penny. For everyone else, a student ticket is $17 but there is enough to keep you busy for hours.
More on museums: Several local museums and galleries honor Pay What You Wish days and free admission days. Check out this guide.
MISC. TICKETED STUFF
Broadway
The Theater District is right by the conference. Prices vary but you can check sites like Lucky Seat and TodayTix to try your luck at scoring a discounted ticket for a Broadway show. If this is out of your budget but you still want to see a show, I’d suggest checking out Lucy Prebble’s The Effect, which is playing off-Broadway at The Shed (see above). There’s a ticket special where guests younger than 30 can purchase up to two tickets for $25 each and sit in the one of the first three rows on either side of the stage (these are great seats, trust!).
Summit Observation Deck (~15 min. walk)
If you need to have a high building, skyline viewing moment (we all do sometimes), The Summit’s $42 ticket includes access through its all-glass corridors — including glass floors — and art exhibitions. It’s the ultimate IG moment.
Top of the Rock (~10 min. walk)
Another high building with a big skyline view everyone does at least once — but this one is open air once you get to the observation deck. A $40 general admission ticket includes a very high elevator ride and time to explore the indoor and outdoor decks. Note: construction is expected starting in February 2023. The tours will continue, but check for updates.
Late-night shows (locations vary)
Being in Manhattan means you’re within walking distance of where several late night shows film, including Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, The Daily Show, etc. The process to snag tickets depends on the show and timing is really all over the place — some you have to score way in advance, others you can get day-of via standby ticket. They should always be free. Check 1iota based on the dates you’re in town. Here’s a good overview on how it works.
CHEAP EATS
I don’t know your life or budget! So a lot of this is “choose your own adventure.” Some tips when it comes to the grab-and-go stuff: ask for extra white sauce and hot sauce at the Halal carts (trust). Expect dirty looks if you request ketchup on your hotdog. Soft pretzels or those praline-coated pecans are always a crowd pleaser. If your pizza slice costs more than $5 max, you’re getting ripped off.
Here are some other extremely close-by highlights…
Breads Bakery (~8 min. walk)
1080-1090 6th Ave.
This is a stand within Bryant Park. It’s all grab-and-go with café seating outside and tasty croissants and sandwiches.
Culture Espresso (~8 min. walk)
72 W 38th St.
Also near Bryant Park, this is a solid coffee shop with limited seating. Great for filing a story.
St. Kilda Coffee (~7 min. walk)
328 W 44th St.
Another cozy coffee shop. It’s easy to miss this one, it’s downstairs (look for the sign as you approach).
Dim Sum Palace (~4 min. walk)
334 W 46th St.
A fun way to try a bunch of plates with a large group. Great for dinner and late night eats.
Kohoku-ku Ramen (~10 min. walk)
709 9th Ave.
A cozy local ramen spot with house-made noodles.
Russ & Daughters (~24 min. walk)
502 W 34th St.
A note: there are a lot of bagels in New York and many are perfectly delicious and probably cheaper than Russ & Daughters. But this is the OG spot. If you want a “treat yourself” bagel sandwich, go here.
Uyghur Cuisine (~11 min. walk)
144 W 37th St.
Combining Chinese-influenced dishes with Turkish favorites like kebabs and flatbreads, Uyghur Cuisine in Midtown will fill you up for less than $20, making for an ideal quick lunch.
ProCon 25 