January 2001

Spotlight: New York City

On Foot: Touring New York City Free
by Jodi Jill

Touring Italy Through New York City
by Kenny Klein

Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple
by Catherine Skrzypinski

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January 2001—Spotlight: New York City

Touring New York City Free
by Jodi Jill

Touring in big cities can be expensive. There is no way around the basic necessities of hotel and transportation, but you can enjoy touring a big city for free. Twice a year I visit the Big Apple to enjoy the culture and outside of basic food expenses, I refuse to pay money. Why? I guess you could say I am a bit thrifty with a limited budget—making it hard for me to spend the extra cash.

Having a great time on your trip to New York City is very important. I can't stress this enough. I want to see as much as possible and I jam pack my days to make it the best trip. But I am getting ahead of myself. Before I get on a plane to New York City, I do my research online. After compiling a list of activities I am interested in doing, I set out to find perfect matches in the New York City area.

For example I love museums and I really like viewing art. Using the Internet I am able to find out the free days at the different museums. Going to museums on a Friday afternoon is a great money-saver--most are practically free, including the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim and the Frick. If you have a student ID, that saves money, too. Gallery websites provide hours of operation and they have open houses where you can call ahead to be put on the guest list of the event.

Entertainment is another important part of my list. With so much going on in the City you will find free activites to see. My last trip to NYC netted me a pair of tickets to the David Letterman Show and I also saw a show at the ABC studios. There are two ways you can get tickets for shows. The first would be contacting the show directly by following the directions on their websites for tickets. Usually they need 4 to 6 weeks advance notice. Or, if you find yourself on a last minute trip, check for information about the standby studio lines. Also you can be on morning news shows like Today or Good Morning America for free by getting up early and standing near the studio window. Shows like NYPD Blue, Law and Order, and Sex in the City are also taped on location. You can find out an exact location by contacting the mayors office, as each production must have a permit to tape on the street.

The world culture in New York is another reason I love visiting. Chinatown is a fascinating exploration of Asia. Getting to browse the vendors and listening to their native tongue is like standing in a foreign land. Never have I seen the beautiful paintings of their native land or nifty gadgets outside these streets. Little Italy, Korea Town, the Greek sections of New York (Astoria, Queens), Harlem, and other communities are just as available to discover for free. It doesn't stop there either. Street fairs give a taste of the culture and provides a view of the customs. From the well known Chinese New Year starting at the end of January to the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy you are able to explore and all the details can be found on the Internet.

History of the city can be found in all five burrows. There are many small institutions that provide tours at no cost rich in information. Don't just look in Manhattan though. In Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island you can find out of the reach places. Tours of houses, cemeteries, buildings, museums, institutions and even the government are at your request. And a perfect place to start might be the weekend tours at the Snug Harbour Cultural Centre on Staten Island.

With so much to do you need to consider your transportation around New York City. Personally I prefer the subway. It goes almost anywhere and the trains run day and night. The best part is the price. A single ride is $1.50, or $4 for an unlimited day pass. If a week is your timeframe get a seven-day pass for $17. You can get on any train and go to your destination. When you get your pass, pick up a pocket map of the subway system. Mark your hotel stop so if you get lost you can easily return.

Finally, I have to think about the cheap methods of staying in New York. Since I don't know anyone, I had to find a place in my price range. In Greenpoint (Brooklyn) the YMCA rents rooms. This hotel is right across from the police station and only a block from the subway. The best part is the price. A week stay is less than two nights in Manhattan and they throw in a friendly Polish neighborhood to explore free.

New York is a great place, but don't believe me! Go see for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

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