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First, arm yourself with a few basic tools. A “Time Out NY” magazine is indispensable for finding out what’s going on in the city the week you’re there (you can pick up a Village Voice when you get there as well). If you order a subscription before you leave, you can get a free first issue then just cancel it when you get back and pay nothing! Also, be sure to buy a 7-day Unlimited Ride Metro Card (even if you aren’t there for a full week). It’s only $21 and allows you all access to the subway and local buses, but it’s only good until midnight and you’ll have to shell out more for late night riding. Never take taxis. You’ll go broke. While you’re in the subway, be sure to get a map of Manhattan and the boroughs, which should only set you back $5-$6.
It’s always best if you know someone you can stay with, but if you have to find your own accommodations, got to hostels.com. You can usually find something for under $30 ($21 if you share a 12-person dorm). The YMCA is also an option, but nowhere you find is going to be plush. Allow yourself about $15 a day to spend on food. Don’t plan on eating out. There are plenty of all night grocers you can buy food to make yourself. You must, however, get a bagel “with schmear” at least once while you’re there!
There’s plenty in New York that doesn’t cost a dime. Kicking around is always free. Brooklyn’s great and so are the galleries in Chelsea and DUMBO. You can go to MoMA for free on Friday nights from 5-8pm and P.S.1 in Queens is only $2 for students (if you’re nice and you plead poverty, they might let you in gratis, otherwise $5). If you’re adventurous, you can drop $10-$15 at the Guggenheim or the Met. It’s definitely worth it.
If you’re good at it (especially if you’re a girl), you can have other people buying your drinks when you go out at night. There are plenty of cool bars that don’t charge a cover. The Stinger Club in Williamsburg is one of the best cheap, laid back bars in Brooklyn. You can also check out the decadent (but free on select nights) Galapagos on N 6th St as well. Wandering around for bars in Greenwich and the East Village is a good idea too. The best idea is to bring a flask and just buy one beer and nurse it. If you’re a tightwad, you can make $250 last about five days or so, with a few bucks to burn. You could probably make it last longer and stay on the street, but the experience would probably be a little different.
BOTTOM LINE: SCHMEARS AND ART, METRO CARDS AND WILLIAMSBURG BARS, AND DORM ROOMS FOR ADULTS ARE ALL YOU NEED TO HAVE FUN IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS.
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