# Visiting NYC 11/15 & 16. What can I do for cheap? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286 "2003-09-12T21:25:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/1 "2003-09-12T21:25:32Z")
My wife and I are taking a getaway to NYC the weekend of Nov 15 & 16. Tentative plans have us doing touristy stuff on Saturday, and then on Sunday, her mom and sister are coming in and the three of them are going Christmas shopping, leaving me free to continue being a tourist. I’ve been to NYC numerous times, but not since August 2001. I definately want to see Ground Zero and the Sphere, and possibly take a Circle Line tour (haven’t done that in 20 years). Any suggestions for my wife and I, and especially for my solo adventure Sunday? Money is a consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/2 "2003-09-13T12:57:20Z")
My constant response to the what to do as a New York City tourist is to refer to posts by my distinguished colleauge **stuyguy** , particularly this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29170). A more recent thread on the subject is [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=209359). As for things to do for cheap, I’d suggest the Staten Island Ferry, which is free. Also the Metropolitan Museum (along with many others) has only a “suggested donation” rather than a fixed charge. I’d encourage you to pay as much as you can to support their fine programs, but you can economize there. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/3 "2003-09-13T14:21:12Z")
What “sphere?” ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/4 "2003-09-13T14:36:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LolaCocaCola \* > \*\*What “sphere?” \*\* [This one.](http://www.nyc-photo-gallery.com/HiRES_WTC_eternalFlame-sphere.htm)(second photo). It was originally in the commons of the WTC, and was found in the rubble days after the attack, badly damaged, but still recognizable. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/5 "2003-09-13T14:48:37Z")
Oooohhhhh…yes - I have seen that sphere. Sunday in Central Park is a feast for the eyes - and very easy on the pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/6 "2003-09-13T14:52:46Z")
[Wayne Newton] I recall Central Park in fall How you tore your dress What a mess I confess… [/Wayne Newton] ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/7 "2003-09-13T17:01:07Z")
If you have a good library, or some money to invest, check out The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to New York City. I was in New York for a week and spend maybe a hundred and fifty dollars, all thanks to the cheap bastard. I ended up very well fed, entertained and with a free $60.00 haircut to top it all off. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/8 "2003-09-13T20:07:11Z")
Meet **Billdo** at a bar, then announce that your ATM card has [expired](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=209298). He’ll cheerfully stand you and your wife to drinks all evening. Make sure you order food, too; he loves to watch folks havin’ a good time. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/9 "2003-09-14T03:56:20Z")
As long as he doesn’t limit me to Genny drafts and french fries. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/10 "2003-09-14T11:23:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\*Meet **Billdo** at a bar, then announce that your ATM card has [expired](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=209298). > > He’ll cheerfully stand you and your wife to drinks all evening. Make sure you order food, too; he loves to watch folks havin’ a good time. \*\* Haw! ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/11 "2003-09-14T13:53:17Z")
Oh come on, **Ike** , you’re just pissed off I recommended **stuyguy** ’s travel advice rather than yours. You really gotta get over that over the fact that he knows more trivia about New York stiffs than you do, even with your Permanent New Yorkers book. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/12 "2003-09-14T15:22:05Z")
Gentlemen, gentlemen, you can _both_ sponsor my drinks, if it will make you feel better. Out of curiosity, are bars open on Sundays in NYC? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/13 "2003-09-14T17:51:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Billdo \* > **You really gotta get over that over the fact that he knows more trivia about New York stiffs than you do** Well, his depth of knowledge isn’t too shabby, as far as it goes, but he knoes FAR less about [Stranahan](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=144003&highlight=Stranahan) than I do. Yes, the bars are open on Sunday. Just don’t try to smoke in them. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/14 "2003-09-14T20:41:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > Yes, the bars are open on Sunday. Just don’t try to smoke in them. Bloomberg or Rudy? ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/15 "2003-09-15T10:57:32Z")
Bloomy. ---
**Author:** ![Hazel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/16 "2003-09-15T11:15:37Z")
Battery Park (location of sphere) is right across the street from the old U.S. Customs House. It’s an interesting old historic building facing stright up Broadway. On its first two floors is the Indian (Native American) museum. It has free admission and is open seven days a week. If you go, don’t miss the large depression-era murals on the second floor. ---
**Author:** ![Hazel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/17 "2003-09-15T11:22:40Z")
Just followed the link to the sphere photos. In the second photo, the side of the Customs House can be seen right behind the sphere, and extending a bit to it’s left. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/18 "2003-09-15T12:46:10Z")
Last January, three friends and I wandered Central Park, then window-shopped all over Times Square. Touristy; CHEAP. Between the four of us we spent a total of less than $50, and that was because we had appetizers and drinks at Appleby’s. It was worth the money to me because they had clean bathrooms and I had a bladder infection. 😃 :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-nyc-11-15-16-what-can-i-do-for-cheap/201286/19 "2003-09-15T15:50:41Z")
Now, now boys, settle down. And Uke, let’s not drag Mr. Stranahan into this, okay?