Bella's Log

Planning a trip can be daunting, and planning one to New York City can be particularly challenging. There is a lot to see in the city that never sleeps. Fitting it all in can be hard when you have limited time. This is even more challenging if you are traveling on a budget.

In this article, I will show you how to enjoy what Midtown Manhattan has to offer without breaking the bank. All you have to do is put on your walking shoes, wear some comfortable clothes, and grab your water bottle. 

Let’s go!

Washington Square Park

Your journey starts in Washington Square Park, a hub of activity in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. Multiple train stations lead to this area. This is true whether you are coming from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or The Bronx. Use this map to find a train line to take you there based on your hotel or stay’s location.

The park is the home of the Washington Square Arch, a monumental arch dedicated to George Washington, the United States’ first president. It is also known for its central fountain, dog and children’s playgrounds, chess-playing areas, and proximity to New York University (NYU), SoHo, and Astor Place.

The Park and the Arch are free and open to the public all year round.

Union Square Park

A 15-minute walk North of Washington Square Park will take you to Union Square Park. Visitors will encounter street vendors, musicians, and outdoor farmers or holiday markets (depending on the season). The streets surrounding the park house multiple shopping centers and fast-food restaurants.

My favorite location in the area is the Barnes & Noble bookstore on the park’s North side. I have fun memories of walking from the Flatiron District after a long workday to find solace among their wide selection of books.

Madison Square Park

Walking north on Broadway from Union Square will take you directly to Madison Square Park and the Flatiron District. I walked this route often during my time working in the area. The park is located right next to the two U.S. national historic landmarks: the Flatiron Building and the MetLife Tower.

Madison Square Park has multiple pathways with benches along those paths. Many choose to eat in one of the numerous restaurants on 23rd Street. Others purchase meals at the Shake Shack inside the park and sit on bench to enjoy their meal as they watch the current art installation or the dogs running in the dog park.

To learn more about the Madison Square Park art installation, visit the Madison Square Park Conservancy website.

The park is free and open to the public all year round.

Herald Square Park

Continue walking North on Broadway from Madison Square Park to find Herald Square Park. The park is small, but the area surrounding it is one of Manhattan’s main commercial centers. There, you will find stores such as Macy’s, H&M, Target, Old Navy, and ZARA.

Herald Square is also adjacent to the Empire State Building, a U.S. national historic landmark, and Koreatown, a business district on 32nd Street, where visitors can find Korean restaurants, beauty salons, supermarkets, and shops.

Bryant Park

Walk North from Herald Square via Fifth or Sixth Avenue to reach Bryant Park. This lesser-known area of New York’s iconic 42nd Street hosts several pop-up shops and eateries throughout the year. In December, it transforms into the Winter Village and Market.

This area is close to Times Square and two U.S. national historic landmarks: Grand Central Terminal and The New York Public Library’s main branch. All these areas offer free public access.

New York City has a lot to offer, but experiencing it all does not have to be overwhelming. Much of the city’s beauty involves places that are easily accessible and open to the public.

Although this guide can be done on foot, each park also has nearby train stations. You can stop and continue your exploration hop-on and hop-off style via the train. However, I do recommend the walks. They will offer a glimpse of the life and rush of New York City.

Before you go, take a look at more areas you can explore in New York City on a budget!