New York City travel information

Wow. What a place. I lived there for a year, living in Brooklyn and then 103rd and Broadway. After a while, you get to know the places to go and you find that NYC can actually be a very inexpensive city to visit and travel around.

For shopping for example, a visit to the Bronx market on a weekend is a great idea. It is only just inside the Bronx area and is perfectly safe to visit in the daytime - the red underground line goes right there. Get Levi 501's for $15 for example- seconds which you will not be able tell where they are damaged.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty. You can see the best view of it for free by using the Staten Island Ferry, rather than an expensive tour in which you'll have exactly the same view.

Picture below - Central Park in the winter.
(Photo by Paul Symonds - 1997)

Accommodation comes at all levels. If you are looking for something basic but with security and a great location, the place I used to work in, Malibu Studio's is a good choice. On Broadway and 103rd, it is very accessible, has 24 hour security on the door and is reasonable priced, although the rooms are basic. Central Park is only 2 blocks away.

Free tickets to see a show such as Ricki Lake can only be got. Go to the main AYH Youth Hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam Avenue. Just walk in and take a look at the notice-board. They always have notices concerning free tickets for different shows and well as having inexpensive tours and visits.

Theater can be very easily bought for half price. On the day, go to the TCKTS box office, right in the middle of Time Square - (46th and Broadway). Tickets are half price on the day and with a little flexibility you will get some great tickets. I saw Miss Saigon and sat near the front row for half price. Some of the Off-Broadway shows are as good and often better and are also well worth considering.

Food - Unbelievable. You can eat so well in New York City and it can almost and cheap as cooking yourself. One place I highly highly recommend is La Caradid. It is on Broadway and on the corner of either 82nd or 83rd street. Cuban food - great quantities, fast service, cheap, very popular.
Eating breakfast is no different. Free refills on the coffee, a pile of newspapers to read whilst you eat, only 2 or 3 dollars for a good feed. Why am I not there myself?

Cinema - You can go to a multiplex cinema and see a film, which won't be released in the UK or Ireland for about 4 months later. In the Worldwide Cinema, films only cost $3 (£2) and the multiplex cinema is right by Time square. Exact location is between 8th and 9th on 50th.

Ha - I am tired of writing now, so if you want any more information or ideas, send us an email. Enjoy the trip. Want to view photos of New York City.