As much as I love to travel, adding my daughter, Mabel, into the fun has been an adventure. We’ve enjoyed numerous road trips and did our first plane ride as a family earlier this year.
We recently returned from our second “major” vacation. The destination? New York City for a week while attempting to stay on a budget. It’s no easy task but we certainly found ways to enjoy the Big Apple for less, and even free. From playgrounds and parks to simply just wandering, keep these tips handy if you find yourself planning a visit to New York.
New York CityPASS
I’ve written before that I’m a big fan of CityPASS. For a fraction of the cost, CityPASS offers access to some of the top attractions in a popular destination. The same goes for New York CityPASS. The pass includes the American Museum of Natural History and the Empire State Building.
Another great perk is that your Empire State Building CityPASS reservation can be used for one evening re-entry on the same day as the used ticket. This is excellent in case anyone in your group might be having a tantrum or getting hangry, yet you still want to soak in every view. In our case, we discovered we had lost Mabel’s eyeglasses as we took in the sights from the 86th floor. Good times!
From there, three more attractions can be picked out of five choices: Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Intrepid Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum. The options are excellent and save visitors a minimum of $110 per person by not purchasing tickets individually.
CityPASS child prices begin at age six. If your kiddos are younger, CityPASS recommends comparing the cost as several CityPASS attraction partners are free to young children.
The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is certainly worth the price of admission. Yet who doesn’t love free or a discount? Each Wednesday, the zoo is free for all with advanced reservations. Their flex pass, which gives unlimited access to additional exhibits and attractions, is as low as $9.99 to upgrade. We were in luck to be in town on a Wednesday and took advantage of this very generous deal.
The Bronx Zoo is home to over 10,000 animals, and 640 species, and covers 265 beautiful acres. The LA Zoo is half of that at 133 acres and VCMC favorite, the Santa Barbara Zoo, comes in at 30 acres. There were limited dining options (some cafes looked to be closed for the season) so I recommend packing any usual favorites to keep the human cubs happy.
Between travel time to and from Hoboken (where we stayed), prepare to devote the day to visiting the Bronx Zoo. Even if staying in the city, the Bronx is much further out. Some of our train ride was not underground which Mabel enjoyed as she watched the city whiz by out the window. It was such a fun outing and even better that it was free.
Central Park
Looking for the ultimate tourist attraction in New York that’s kid-friendly galore and completely free? Head to Central Park, of course. Everybody is welcome and there’s something everyone can enjoy. Pretend you’re a fairy princess at Belvedere Castle, listen to some Beatles as you walk by the Strawberry Fields memorial, see how many statues you can find within the park (don’t miss Alice in Wonderland or Balto), ride a bike, lay a blanket out for a picnic, or play at one of their impressive playgrounds.
We made ourselves at home at the 72nd Street Playground. This park completed a total renovation in 2015 of the play space and while Mabel wore herself out playing, I was in awe of the views. The skyscrapers, helicopters, hustle and bustle, and car horns honking made me truly know that I was in the Big Apple. The playground is ample with a unique maze-like design that includes a fortress-like water feature, a large pyramid that integrates slides and tunnels, and a net climber.
This is just one of 21 playgrounds inside Central Park. We saw some of the others and they appeared good but smaller. 72nd is large and certain to keep the family entertained for quite a while with incredible surroundings to boot.
The Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Jane’s Carousel
Another “must do” in New York that’s also free is walking the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a 45-minute trek at minimum but very well worth it. On a clear day, the views are beautiful and it feels exhilarating to walk such an iconic and busy bridge.
Once in Brooklyn, we explored DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and the trendy Time Out Market. The large food hall offers a vast variety of food and drink options. The best part for us was the ease of ordering. You simply find a spot in one of the large cafeterias, scan the barcode at your table, select from the restaurants, place the order, give your table number, and the the order is brought to you. Our plates were delicious and well portioned. Mabel and I went with the Rogue Panda for some vegan and gluten-free fried rice dishes.
Right outside Time Out Market is Jane’s Carousel at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Mabel is a “pro” at carousels. This was one of three we went on just on this NYC adventure. The full-length glass windows as we circled the indoor building made for some of my favorite views and moments we had on this trip. Another perk? The ride costs only three dollars. If a child is under 42 inches, an adult may share their ticket. Word to the wise: they are closed every Tuesday.
Staten Island Ferry Ride
Want to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty for free? You can “ooh” and “ahh” at Lady Liberty and get plenty of decent pictures for nothing by riding the Staten Island Ferry. The round trip is about an hour and certainly can be busy depending on the time. Avoid “rush hour” times if possible but we found ourselves on it late afternoon and it was not terribly crowded. Waiting in line to board I would have thought otherwise yet once on it was very spacious.
I Heart New York
No matter what a trip to New York includes, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. We certainly spent a good amount of moolah on this vacation but discovered the power of just wandering and exploring. We also didn’t mind not having every meal be “authentic” to the city. We found ourselves making beelines into familiar places like Whole Foods for a hot deli meal or Trader Joe’s for snacks.
Some parents have asked me about safety and transportation in the city. We relied almost entirely on the subways with no bad incidents. They ran on time and were easy to navigate. The only thing we weren’t prepared for was the common lack of accessibility for our stroller. We climbed up and down stairs many times with it in tow. The Metro phone app helps utilize the accessibility locations.
If there’s any city to just see where the path takes you, even with kids in tow, New York is it. Where would you recommend to go in New York on a budget?
