New York City is without a doubt, one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. to visit. A business and financial mecca for American’s, the allure of the city (in most cases) peaks our curiosity. So what can you do to make the bright lights your destination without going broke?  Here are a few tips and activities you can plan for your family and still maintain a positive balance in your bank account.

Visiting The Statue of Liberty

If you are planning to visit NYC, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go see the Statue of Liberty while you are there. Rich with history, Ellis Island hosts the national relic. Cruises out and around the island can be quite pricey if not planned out correctly. Think ahead, and print out coupons made available on the internet from various Statue of Liberty websites. Also, research the pricing on different days. Sometimes fairies and cruises are cheaper on weekdays versus weekends.

Walking Tours of the City

Walking tours are an inexpensive way to see the city, and get some exercise while you explore. You can find several different types of walking tours. Some of them are centered around history of the city. Some tours focus on New York City cuisine. Sign up for a tour around Brooklyn, or Harlem to get a taste of the culture of the island. You can walk around on a street art tour, or discover the beauty of Central Park. By the time you wind up your journey in Chinatown, your family will be ready to relax and have an ethnic dinner.

Choose Public Transportation

When it comes to transportation in the city, take the advice of the general population. Choose public transportation. Because of the massive scale of the city, you can’t walk everywhere!  No worries. There’s a taxi on every corner, a bus at every stop light, and a train or subway to take you wherever those things might not.

Trying to drive in the city is bad enough, but attempting to park in the city on a budget is pretty much impossible. If you want a good idea of just how expensive parking could be in the city, consider this. Twelve years ago, in the city of New York, the cheapest parking rate for an average parking garage was around ten bucks an hour. Ten dollars an hour!!!  Just walking from your car to have lunch and coming straight back could run you twenty dollars in parking if you go over sixty minutes. Don’t try to drive in the city if you’re just visiting. It’s not worth the hassle or the risk to your wallet and well being.