This time, I’d like to share some information for those planning a trip to New York or dreaming of traveling to the United States, especially New York.
Here, I’ll share 9 budget-friendly tourist spots in New York. Why budget-friendly? Because you don’t need to pay an entrance fee to these locations. However, you’ll still need to pay for transportation to get there. Hehe.
For other paid attractions, such as Ellis Island & Liberty Island, Madame Tussauds, and the Museum of Modern Art New York, I’ll cover those in a separate article.
1. Washington Square Park
Located in the Greenwich Village area of Lower Manhattan, New York City, this park is easily accessible by public transport. It’s also close to New York University.
The park features two iconic structures. The first is the Washington Centenary Arch, which resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but is flanked by two statues of George Washington—one on the left depicting him during wartime, and one on the right showing him in peacetime. Visitors often take photos in front of this arch.
In the middle of the park, there’s a large fountain where you’ll see people taking pictures and, on hot days, even kids in swimsuits (or sometimes without shirts!) playing in the water.
The park has a relaxed vibe, attracting NYU students, tourists, street musicians, parents with kids, and people walking their pets. It’s always lively, especially in the summer. I spent almost every morning there last week and never got bored because there was always something new to observe. I wrote about my experience in my previous post, “From the Bench at Washington Square Park.”
2. Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is a popular tourist area, not only because of Washington Square Park, which frequently appears in movies but also because it’s a cool and shaded area even in summer. It has many Instagram-worthy spots and is home to numerous cafes and restaurants, including those offering halal food.
This area is also legendary because famous musicians like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez once started their careers here.
3. Times Square
A trip to New York isn’t complete without a visit to Times Square! The streets are lined with shops, and the videotrons are a major attraction for visitors wanting to take photos.
You can take as many photos as you like without spending a dime. However, if you enter a store and start shopping, or catch a Broadway show, that’s a different story. Hehe.
I popped into two stores in Times Square. The first was the Disney Store, which sells all sorts of Disney merchandise. I just browsed, but it was still a lot of fun. Hehe.
Near the Disney Store, there’s a shop selling souvenirs like keychains, fridge magnets, and “I Love NY” t-shirts. The selection is pretty comprehensive, and the prices are quite reasonable. But remember, hold onto your wallet tightly!
I didn’t visit any other stores, mainly because I was trying to keep my wallet closed! HAHAHA.
4. Battery Park
This park faces New York Harbor. If you plan to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty from New York, the ferry departs from here.
Being by the waterfront, it’s hotter and windier than parks like Washington Square. However, that doesn’t diminish the enjoyment of the people there, whether they’re just sitting around, street performers earning a living, or kids playing in the fountain. It’s a great spot for budget-friendly sightseeing in New York.
5. Wall Street District
This district is famous as the financial hub of the United States. It’s home to many skyscrapers and upscale restaurants.
In the middle of this financial district stands a historic building called the Federal Hall National Memorial. This building was the first seat of the U.S. government before it moved to Washington, D.C. It’s also where George Washington, the first president of the United States, took his oath of office.
6. New York Public Library—Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
If you’re a fan of libraries, this is another great budget-friendly sightseeing option in New York.
You can visit the New York Public Library, which has a grand European-style building with many rooms, each dedicated to a specific theme. We spent quite some time in a room that housed maps and geography-related materials.
The library also hosts exhibitions. When we visited, there was an exhibit on Walt Whitman, a legendary American poet, essayist, and journalist.
7. Grand Central Terminal
As the name suggests, this is a terminal, specifically New York’s commuter rail terminal. It’s located on 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
This terminal is incredibly busy, with people constantly on the move, some rushing to catch their trains.
Despite the hustle and bustle, many visitors stop to take photos in the middle of the terminal. The building is beautiful and very Instagrammable, perfect for those who want to post like there’s no tomorrow! HAHAHA.
8. Central Park
This is another must-see destination! The park is enormous! According to one of the staff, if you want to walk around the entire park and visit every building and interesting spot, it would take about 3 to 4 hours. Not only is it time-consuming, but it’s also quite a workout. Hehe.
For those willing to spend some money, there’s the option of a horse-drawn carriage ride or a pedicab ride. However, the cost is quite high. If converted to Indonesian Rupiah, the horse-drawn carriage ride could cost around 2.5 million, and the pedicab ride about 50,000 per minute, not including a tip of about 15%.
For those on a budget and not overly obsessed with sightseeing, like me and Mr. Jay, a simple stroll to Bethesda Fountain should be enough. It’s satisfying enough, honestly.
9. Brooklyn Bridge
This is another must-visit spot when traveling to New York. Not just the Brooklyn Bridge itself, but the surrounding area is also interesting, including Dumbo, where you can see two iconic New York bridges—the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge, a flea market, a park, and an Environmental Education Center.
I’ll cover the Brooklyn Bridge area in a separate article in the next two days. It’s a bit long, and I want to provide a more detailed story.
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