New York City gets a bad rap for being really freakin’ expensive and with the seemingly ever-increasing cost of coffee, rent, and Ubers, maybe it deserves it. But don’t be fooled - there are still so many ways to enjoy the city on a budget. Here’s a list of 10 things that you can do in New York City without breaking the bank.

1. Grab a slice of pizza

Though dollar slices are becoming a thing of the past, you can still easily get a slice of pizza & a coke for under $10. Any pizza shop in NYC is likely to be yummy, but some of our favorites are Joe’s Pizza, Artichoke Pizza, Prince Street Pizza, and Bleeker Street Pizza.

2. Get a bagel

Bagels are a regular part of any New Yorker’s weekend routine. You can opt for a classic BEC (bacon, egg, & cheese) at your local bodega, or you can brave the lines at the popular spots like Liberty Bagels, Tompkins Square Bagels, Brooklyn Bagel Co, or Ess-A-Bagel.

3. Visit Little Island

One of Manhattan’s newest attractions is Little Island, a floating park on the Hudson River. You can bring your own food & drinks and enjoy the view of Manhattan on one side & the river on the other. I recommend going at night for a more peaceful, kid-free experience ;)

4. Hang out at the Dumbo lookout point

There’s a 99% chance you know the iconic Dumbo photo spot of the Manhattan Bridge, but did you know there’s another lookout point right down the road that’s almost guaranteed to be less crowded & more fun? Head towards the Timeout Market, grab a drink and snack, and go up the semi-outdoor stairs to a third-floor lookout with benches & awesome views of the Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges.

5. Chow down on a hot dog in Central Park

Central Park is arguably one of the most well-known destinations in New York City, and with good reason. Whether you want to ride a boat on the lake, see John Lennon’s “Imagine” tribute at Strawberry Fields, or people watch at the Bethesda Fountain, grab a hot dog or ice cream cone at a local stand & enjoy a piece of nature in the middle of this big ol’ city.

6. Pay as you wish at the Guggenheim

NYC is home to quite a few world-class museums, but each ticket can run you about $20-30. We have good news though! The Guggenheim is pay-as-you-wish on Saturdays from 6-8pm so end your Central Park stroll here & enjoy some amazing art.

7. Walk the High Line

The High Line was once an above-ground train track, but is now an elevated, walkable park filled with art, natural landscaping, and various food, drink & art vendors. Start in Hudson Yards (where you can also go up in the Vessel – it’s free but you should make a reservation ahead of time) and take a casual stroll down the High Line to Chelsea Market. Throughout your walk, you’ll have up-close views of some iconic residential buildings that are home to quite a few celebrities!

8. Peruse Chelsea Market

After you stroll from Hudson Yards down the High Line, you’ll end your journey right by Chelsea Market. This indoor market is home to amazing food and drink vendors, boutiques, and artisanal stands selling art, jewelry, clothes, cards, and so much more. This is also the perfect place to get souvenirs from you NYC trip!

*IMAGE BY DOVER STREET MARKET NYC. ITEMS DESIGNED BY REI KAWAKUBO AND ARTWORK BY ALISA YOFFE.*

9. Experience Dover Street Market

While there’s a very low chance you can actually buy something for under $10 (or even under $100 for that matter), if you’re into fashion, this spot can’t be missed. This eight-floor concept market features rotating high end, fashion-forward brands, who’s displays also feature large scale art, sculptures, and architectural details. This is no box store.

10. Enjoy free events across the city

Depending on the time of year that you’re visiting, there are many free events in parks across New York City! In the summer, you can check out Movies in the Park, Concerts in the Park, Smorgasburg, and Friday night fireworks at Coney Island. In the winter, you can stroll the Bryant Park Winter Village, explore Little Italy when it’s all jazzed up for Christmas, or browse the iconic holiday window displays near Rockefeller Center, from Bloomingdales to Macys.

11. Bonus!!

I love a good bonus as much as the next gal. So if these ten didn’t get you excited for your time in NYC, then here are a few extra gems. NYC has quite a good amount of iconic destinations that are totally free: Grand Central, The Vessel at Hudson Yards, Times Square, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Public Library. There are also year-round farmer’s markets that are a hit for locals and tourists alike, including the Union Square Greenmarket, the Tribeca Greenmarket, and the Down to Earth Chelsea Market. You can also checkout these pages for activities and events in different NYC neighborhoods: Downtown Alliance, NYC Official Guide, and NYC Parks.

10 Things To Do in NYC Under $10