What are your must do New York attractions

[Loretta]

Check out Governors Island. It was a former military base now open to the public. The school, high rise apartments and some other housing have been demolished providing lots of open space. The fort and older buildings have been left. You can rent bikes and food is available but you can bring your own picnic. I’m pretty sure the ferry is free. We were stationed there in the seventies for four years our apartment was on the Brooklyn side and still stands.

[dreamadream]

All the usual; ESB, TOTR, OWO, SoL etc. But one of favs is the tenement museum near Katz deli, we did the irish settlers family, highlight of our three trips to nyc.

[scottish mama]

We didn't bother getting a city pass as like you, we were on a budget, and most of the things we all wanted to do either weren't included on the same pass, or we could do for free.

We loved the High Line, taking the subway to Brooklyn and walking back over the bridge to Manhattan so you get the view of the skyline, taking the Staten Island ferry to see SoL, Central Park (didn't get to spend nearly enough time there), and generally walking around the city.

We did pay to go up TOTR, and did it at sunset so we could see the city in both daylight and with the lights on - that way Central Park isn't just a great black hole.

[MinniMouse]

The only thing I can think of that was free is the walk you can do that is overground. We didn't do it, it was on the list but I forgot about it. Is it an old rail line possibly?

If you are fans of Friends go and walk to Monica's apartment (the outside of it) and take photos. Lots of people doing the same as us.

We just walked everywhere and saw so much.

If you are looking for cheap eats one of our best meals was at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. So tasty, and so cheap.

[bluedave]

VIP pass to the emirates state building -no queueing at all. It’s like the ultimate fast pass and we were made to feel like royalty.

[tracy99]

Apart from all the iconic attractions,we had a blast on the ride.we had a great crowd on the bus & we all thoroughly enjoyed it
Tracy x

[the_lemms]

Places to go for free which we have been to (some more than once on repeat visits)
- Walk the highline (start at 34th st)
- Walk Brooklyn Bridge
- 9/11 Memorial
- Staten Island ferry (for views of SOL)
- Roosevelt Island cable car (included in sub way ticket, If you impractical jokers fans Joe did a forfeit riding on top of cable car)
- Central Park
- Grand Central
- Public Library and Bryant park
- We like to walk so planned a route to take in 5th Ave, Rockerfeller centre, Empire State, Flat iron
- We did a sight seeing cruise bought from Groupon, it was about $10 each and well worth it (the departure was near the entrance to the Highline on 34th
- Walk round china town and little italy
- Times Square area
- The Museum of Modern art is free every Friday 4pm - 8pm if thats your thing, we loved it
- If you have subway passes then Coney island is a must

Food
- Chelsea market and Ganesvoort Market, both at the end of the High line
- Pennsey food hall, we would rather eat in small places than big restaurants
- Grand Central Food Hall has a great selection of all types of food with central seating area so you can all have different meals
- Any where in China Town, lots of small independent cafes / fast food
- Theres a few places in Brooklyn after you have walked the bridge including Grimaldis Pizza,
- Nathans at Coney island
- Tick Tock diner was ok and not too expensive

We rarely planned where we would eat we just planned our day around an area and went with it, some nights we have got take away and taken it back to the hotel.

Hope this helps and enjoy NYC

[Myakka17]

Interested, going for new year.

[darbs]

Lots of great ideas, we are just planning for our trip next month. OP hope you all had a great time!