Manhattan

While it sometimes seems as though everything in NYC costs an arm and a leg, there are ways of getting things for free. For example, you can get into museums for free, if you know when to go. Friday nights from 4:30-8:15, there is free entrance to MOMA (11 W 53rd Street). Since its Friday, you’ll have the place to yourself. If you’re more into film than avante-guard art, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria is also free Fridays from 4-8, film screenings not included (35th Avenue and 36th Street, Astoria). On Tuesdays the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1000 Washington Avenue) is pay as you wish all day. For the fashionistas, admission to the museum at FIT is always free (7th Avenue at 27th Street). And of course, the Met is always pay as you wish, so if you literally only have two pennies to rub together, you can donate them at the Met, and enjoy a full day of sculptures, paintings and Egyptian relics. The walk you take in Central Park afterwards is completely free. Oh, and if you should find yourself in Paris with little money and nothing to do on a Friday night, the Louvre is free from 6 until closing for people between the ages of 18 and 26. C’est super bon, non?

Looking for some good outdoor grub that’s a step (or two) up from a hot dog stand, but still wallet friendly? Sashay on over to the Shake Shack! As the name implies, they serve milkshakes and icecream with your choice of toppings. They also serve hot dogs, which you can have plain or dressed to the nines, hamburgers (with or without cheese/single or double), ‘shroom burgers (as in a giant portobello), french fries, soda, wine and beer. You can get a single hamburger, fries, single dipped cone, and a soda for just $10.25–you’ll pay more at a place like Junior’s, even if you don’t get cheesecake. Plus, you can bring your dog, and thus save on that spendy dogsitter! Shake Shack, Madison Avenue and 23rd Street, Madison Square Park, Southeast Corner.