Tourist Office
New York & Company is New York's official tourism marketing organization. NYC & Company operates four visitor information offices in Manhattan.
The flagship office is located at 810 Seventh Ave., between 52nd and 53rd streets. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Holiday hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. You can reach them by telephone at +1-212-484-1222.
NYC & Company also operates three smaller information offices and kiosks.
The NYC Heritage Tourism Center is located on the very southern tip of City Hall Park, on Park Row in far lower Manhattan. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
A Chinatown Visitor Information Kiosk is located at the triangle between Canal, Walker, and Baxter streets. It is open Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Harlem Visitor Information Kiosk is located in the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building Plaza at 253 W. 125th St. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
New York & Company can be reached by telephone at +1-212-484-1200 and online.
Museums
Following are entrance costs for admission to some major New York City museums.
Metropolitan Museum of Art: technically free, it encourages donations of $20 (adults)/$10 (reduced); visitors can give any amount
Museum of Modern Art: $20 (adults)/$16 (senior)/$12 (student)/free (aged 16 and under)
P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center: technically free, it encourages contributions of $5 (adults)/$2 (reduced)
The Frick Collection: $15 (adults)/$10 (seniors)/$5 (students)/pay what you wish (Sundays)
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: $18 (adults)/$15 (reduced)/free (12 and under)
Whitney Museum: $15 (adults)/$10 (reduced)/free (12 and under)
American Museum of Natural History: $15 (adults)/ $11 (reduced)/$8.50 (child)
Brooklyn Art Museum: suggested donation of $8 (adults)/$4 (reduced)
Free (or very nearly!) Sights
New York is expensive, no doubt about it. While there's no way to avoid this basic fact of existence, there are all sorts of ways to wring every last cent out of the city.
Bridge Views. Brooklyn Bridge during the day offers some of the best, most iconic views of Manhattan.
Ferry. Riding the Staten Island Ferry is free. From the ferry deck, views of Lower Manhattan are absolutely amazing.
Bryant Park:. Bryant Park holds a free movie series, as well as other free services and events, during the summer. It's also a free wireless Internet hotspot.
Food. Stock up on cheap food at delis, grocery stores, pizzerias, and street vendors. Yes, dear Cheapos: street vendors. You should never fear a street hot dog. Many a struggling actor has survived on street hot dogs, and the three to seven of them that you scarf while visiting will only make you stronger.
The Met. Admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is technically free.
Music in the Park. From May through Labor Day, Central Park holds a fabulous Music In the Park series, which is completely free. Be prepared to queue up for admission.
Parks. New York's parks are public and free. Central Park, among others, is a true urban masterpiece. Other great New York City parks include Riverside Park, Tompkins Square Park, Washington Square Park, Battery Park, Prospect Park (in Brooklyn), Madison Square Park,and Union Square.
Police Ride-Alongs. Admit it. You've watched a ton of American cop dramas, some of them set in New York City. Haven't you always wondered what it would be like to ride along in a police car? Well, take advantage of the underpublicized Civilian Ride-Along Program. Stop by New York City Police Headquarters at 1 Police Plaza by City Hall in Manhattan. You'll be asked to provide photo identification and complete an application clarifying where you are staying (or where you live) in New York. Specify a precinct and you'll be able to ride along for a full (eight-hour) or half (four-hour) shift. New York City residents are not permitted to ride along in the precinct where they live.
Times Square. Times Square at night is pretty remarkable. Battle gawking visitors for sidewalk space and snap away. Caution: while going camera crazy, keep your bags zipped up and valuables tucked away.
Senior Discounts
Members of the AARP can obtain discounts on hotels, museums, airfares, and car rentals. They can be reached in the United States by telephone at +1-800-424-3410 and online at the AARP Web site. Be sure to ask about a discount if you do not see one listed, as some discounts are not advertised.
Student Discounts
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the most widely accepted form of student ID and provides discounts on sights, accommodations, food, and transportation. Applicants must be working toward a degree at a secondary or post-secondary school and must be at least 12 years of age. The card costs $22 and is valid until the end of the year issued. All cardholders have access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. In the United States call 1-800-223-7986 or click onto the ISIC site.
For non-students 25 years and younger, the International Youth Travel Card, IYTC, also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC. The card costs $22 and is valid for one year. Find out more information about the IYTC here.
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