Cheap or free in New York City

Cheap or free in New York City is a prime way to control vacation costs. Going to from Knoxville to New York City for $350 required planning, flexibility and research. Vacations don't have to be expensive. After nailing down transportation, you will want to start working activities that are cheap or free in New York City into your vacation itinerary.

Here are five things you may be interested in doing.

FIT Museum
The Megabus dropped us at the entrance to the Fashion Institute of Technology front doors. Expand your understanding of fashion by perusing the galleries. The main gallery is designed to exibitions by students and faculty. Rotating exhibits are on the second gallery.

The Fashion Institute of Technology is part of the State University of New York. Approximately 100,000 people visit the free museum each year. It's at Seventh Avenue at 27 Street, New York City 10001-5992.

The New York Public Library
Free and fun. The nation's largest library is more than a place to check out free books and media. Tourists can enjoy lots of free programs and exhibits. You can see the mascots of the library, the Library Lions, in front of the Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan.

Hot Dog vendors
Hungry? Lunch from a hot dog vendor is one cheap meal. I paid $3.00 for a hot dog and another $1.00 for a soda. Best of all, buying the cheap food didn't take up too much time. I was able to move on to other cheap or free things in New York City pretty quickly.

Hard Rock Cafe
I know what you're thinking. The truth is that you while you can spend a fortune at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, you don't have to. The Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich entree that I ordered only set me back $15.50. Dinner and tip were just under $20.00 after the AAA discount. You can read more here about the cheap food I got at the Hard Rock Cafe. The restaurant is in Times Square at 1501 Broadway New York, NY 10036.


Tours
How would you like to tour New York City for half price? My friend and I paid $24 each for the Go NY Tours Holiday Lights Night Tour by booking online. It is not a hop on, hop off tour and the narration is recorded, but it has the advantage of being a cheap tour of New York City. Pick up and drop off points vary among the tours. Check the website for more information.


Souvenirs
There are souvenir shops all over NYC. I found t-shirts priced at for for $20.00 in the Theatre District Shopping Court. It was also a good place for postcards and other items.

Window shopping
Stores like Saks, Macy's and Lord and Taylor go all out during Christmas with massive displays. You can't walk in front of any of the stores in New York City without doing some free window shopping.

More free attractions
There is no charge to take in...
Times Square
Herald Square
Rockefeller Center
Central Park
Staten Island Ferry (good view of the Statute of Liberty)
Grand Central Partnership Walking Tours
Grand Central Station
City Parks

This list barely scratches the surface of things to do that are cheap or free in New York City. There are many more that could be listed here. Have you been to this city? What is your favorite free or cheap thing about the town? Leave us a message in the comments below.