Planning a trip to NYC
Did I ever mention that I’m planning a 1-week trip to NYC next fall? This has been in the works since last year. I’ll be going with a girlfriend of mine (we used to work together in my hometown, then we both moved to Vancouver, and now she lives in Alberta). We both know that it will not be a frugal trip. That’s why we’re planning it so far in advance. And we’re already excited. Sometimes I’ll randomly get a text or a Facebook message from her that just reads, “NYC 2011!!!!”
There’s a possibility that another friend might come for part of the trip, but that’s just talk right now. In fact, I guess the whole trip is just talk until we actually book it.
There are so many ways to save money on a trip like this – and trust me, we’ll do everything we can to save $$$ in terms of planning – cheap flight, find cheap accommodation (but not gross), print out loads of coupons, walk everywhere, free sightseeing, etc. We’re both financially conscious of our spending, but we also want to dine out a lot, see the sights that cost money, and SHOP (within our price range). I’m probably going to impose a shopping ban on myself for 2011 and save it all for my 1-week in NYC. :)
Oh, and my friend wants to take a little trip to Kleinfelds while we’re there. We want to go when they’re having their rack sale, just to check it out (no appointment). I personally can’t afford anything at the store, but I’d love to go just for the experience. J.Crew also just opened up their first bridal boutique in NYC and we are both huge J.Crew fans, so that will also be on the list of shops to visit.
I have a few friends from college who live in NYC now. But I haven’t seen or spoken with them for almost 8 years. We’re Facebook friends, but that’s about it. I’m not sure if I’ll get in touch with them to hang out. Seems like it might be awkward, but on the other hand it’d be nice to catch up.
A quick glance at Expedia tells me I can get a flight from Seattle-NYC for about $450 CDN. Hotels are ridiculously expensive around the time we plan on going, so we’ll probably go the condo route. I quickly looked at VRBO – a website that I love – and we could rent something for about $200/night. Split between the two (or three) of us, that’s not too bad. Still expensive though.
Anyway, it’s still a long ways away, but at least knowing rough numbers helps me plan better.
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Sounds exciting! My first stop would be Magnolia Bakery!
My sister got a great hotel from Priceline… definitely less than $200/night and it was in Times Square… she said it was a wonderful hotel and she travels often. Might want to check that out!
Woohoo! I love New York.
I am the queen of doing NYC on the cheap, so I've got some tips for you: In my experience, ti's almost always cheaper to book a flight/hotel combo on expedia or kayak than it is to book flight and hotel separately. On of most recent trip, we paid $550 each for flight plus 4 nights in an adorable boutique hotel in Gramercy Park. Before I booked, I looked up the cost of the flight alone, and it was $300, which means we basically paid $500 total ($250 from each of us) for 4 nights in a hotel, which by NYC standards, is a bargain.
Here are a couple of my favorite things to see and do that are free or super cheap: Rid the tram to Roosevelt Island and wander around. It gives you a whole new view of the city. Take the Staten Island Ferry. Not only is it free, but it's a great way to see the statue of liberty. Go to an Upright Citizens Brigade show in Chelsea. UCB is an amazing improv comedy troupe and the shows are only $5. Get a pedicure in Chinatown. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
NYC is best seen on foot, but if you DO need to get somewhere quickly or just don't feel like hoofing it, consider a cab! They're strangely cheap and if there are a few of you, sometimes it actually works out to be CHEAPER than the subway. Although riding the subway is an experience unto itself.
For a great "nice" meal, go to Tom Collichio's "Half-Steak," a budget conscious way to partake of NYC's celebrity chef culture. It's only $15.
I heart NYC, which is why I live here :)
My favorite activities are hanging out in central park, going to canal street to people watch(warning, you need lots of coffee for that trip), little italy (amazing food!!). I live on the upper west side and I love it because tourists rarely come up here-they like to hang around midtown . I would defintely suggest having dinner in the upper west side-it's perfect.
If you have time -you can take the free shuttle to governers island. cheap fun.
If you are dilligent on your hotel search, you will find great deals, esp at the hotel website. We are staying at a 4 star on Broadway for $196/night. The normal rate is $488, at all the normal sites, Priceline, Expedie, etc…
Can't help with airfare, since we are driving. Good luck.
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You should definitely see a Broadway show while you're in NYC. But get rush tickets and see one on the cheap. Certain shows offer same day tickets for between 20 and 30 dollars. You just show up at the theater when the box office opens (usually 10AM) and the first 20 or so people in line can buy cheap tickets for that night. Some shows also have lotteries a couple hours before curtain. You put your name in and if it's pulled you can buy two tickets, usually around 25 bucks each. And lottery seats are often front row. I can't tell you how many shows I've seen from the front row and I hear the people behind me talking about how they paid $200 a ticket and I'm sitting there having paid $20.
The Times Square Visitor's Center (across from TKTS, right next to McDonalds) always has a current list of which shows offer rush and lotteries. Also, some shows have Student Rush, so if you have a student ID, bring it with you. Have a great time!
I want to encourage you to pick up the connection on facebook with your college friends… I was back in Ontario (from Europe) in October 2009 and connected with a highschool friend I had not seen or spoken to or facebooked with for 20 years! She agreed to drive up to Ottawa from Toronto the morning after I landed and we bunked up with anther girlfriend from school (who I had seen two years earlier, but the facebook friend from Toronto had not spoken with her in about 15 years)…
We had a lovely time. You may not want to bunk up with them, but really, you are going to *be there*… and all I can say is that I had a lovely time and am more connected with many people now for the time I had last fall.
I live in NYC! You'll love it! Hope you have a great trip.. and good luck saving that money! I'm into "making money online" as well so I know the importance of every single dollar and how it adds up in the end!
Love your blog and your personal writing style. Keep up the great work.
- TriNi
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Check out this website for cheap ace places to stay. I've heard it's supa awesome. http://www.airbnb.com/
I think sometimes it looks a bit like couchsurfing and sometimes like just a crazy awesome deal. Good luck
I envy you your trip to NYC I have only ever been to the states once and that was to California. My Aunt lived on East 81st Street and it was always a dream that I would get there one day, sadly she is dead now and I never had the time or the money to visit her. So with that in mind I would make a point of catching up with your facebook friends, you don,t want to return home and regret not seeing them.
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My advice is that if a hotel in NYC seems too good (cheap) to be true, don't book it. I had a place for $100 a night and it was a glorified hostel with shared, steamy, dirty showers and no air-con (in july). Just accept that you're going to pay $200 a night for a room, minimum, and roll with it.
How exciitng! New York CIty is definately on my travel list before I'm 30, I can't wait to see how your trip goes!
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New York is at its’ absolute best in the fall when cooler weather arrives. If you’re flying into LaGuardia, be sure to check out the M60 bus into Manhattan. It’ll save you a bundle and be an adventure as well…
http://savvysavingbytes.com/2010/01/laguardia-to-…
My recent post In Praise of Material Things
New York is at its’ absolute best in the fall when cooler weather arrives. If you’re flying into LaGuardia, be sure to check out the M60 bus into Manhattan. It’ll save you a bundle and be an adventure as well…
http://savvysavingbytes.com/2010/01/laguardia-to-…
My recent post In Praise of Material Things
I keep listening to the rumor talk about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?
I keep listening to the rumor talk about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?