Five Cheap Things to do in New York This Spring by Sara Hamilton

The best thing about attending the Fashion Institute of Technology is getting to live in the city that never sleeps. As the days begin to last longer and the weather gets warmer-and a two year stand still begins to revert to semi-normalcy-chances are you’ll want to go out more often.

As we’ve all probably figured out by now-New York is not for the faint of heart when it comes to budgeting. But here’s the good news: not having a lot to spend doesn’t need to stop you from having fun. Here’s five things to do in New York this Spring, that won’t break the bank.

Take a Trip to DUMBO, Brooklyn

Only a fifteen-minute train ride from Penn Station, DUMBO- which stands for, “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” is a beautiful neighborhood to visit. It features a stunning view of Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park, as well as the infamous Manhattan bridge-located between two red brick buildings. With its lively scene of art galleries, entertainment, and beautiful greenery, DUMBO will keep you entertained for hours without costing a dime.

Looking for a bite to eat? DUMBO’s Time Out Market is the perfect mix of traditional and trendy. With over 20 different restaurants in one building, entrée options range from sushi to southern chicken. The best part? Most meals cost under fifteen dollars!

Visit The Met Cloisters

Often an overlooked branch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Met Cloisters at Fort Tyron Park feature over 5,000 works of art, and the building’s architecture mirrors a medieval European castle. Several themed galleries and chapels with vibrant stained glass make for a beautiful Spring trip.

Beyond the castle walls, decorative gardens and greenery create a peaceful landscape that looks directly over the Hudson River.

Tickets to the Cloisters are 25 dollars for adult visitors. However, student admission with a valid ID is only 12 dollars-and worth every penny. Only a few blocks away, be sure to stop at the Tryon Public House Pub for a unique selection of craft beers and their world-famous short rib grilled cheese!

Chill Out in Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is one of the best places for a college student to hang out in New York City, especially on a sunny day. Grab a group of friends and do your schoolwork there, hang around the fountain, or meet new people. It’s close to NYU-so there’s always young people hanging around, especially on a weekday.

If you get hungry, and don’t mind a bit of a line, go visit the Dosa Man! You can’t miss it- a tiny street cart with a line of people wrapped around the sidewalk. NY Dosas has won several awards and is known for having the best dosas in NYC.

Plus, the owner is super friendly and makes it his goal to have a conversation with every one of his customers. The dosas are also 100% vegan and gluten free!

At the end of the day, you can still have tons of fun without facing a hefty price tag. So go out, have a good time, and remind yourselves FIT students, while things may be difficult sometimes (and while I’m a little biased) we really do live in the greatest city on earth.

Rush To Broadway

Yeah- I know what you’re thinking… Broadway shows are expensive. But there are some great deals if you know where to look! Many theatres offer a “Student Rush,” policy that reduces the cost of Off-Broadway and Broadway tickets to just 20 dollars each.

The best time to get this deal is on a weekday. Take a trip to the box offices and ask if they have any discount student tickets available. Most of the time they will, just don’t forget to bring your student ID!

Bike Through Central Park

If you’re like me- and are a little nervous about biking through the city streets, Central Park is a great place to start.

If you don’t bring a bike, you can easily rent one there. Citi Bike daily rental prices run as low as twelve dollars and are a great option if you’re just starting out. Hop on right by Columbous Circle in Midtown and enjoy an over five-mile loop around the park.

Not only is this an affordable Spring activity, but it’s a great starting block if you want to learn more about NYC’s favorite green place. And don’t forget to hit the brakes a few times along the way- there’s a million hidden gems that you’ll want to stop and see!

illustration by Nava Saad