Cheap-and less cheap-places to stay in NYC

Manhattan is one of the costliest cities in the world to visit, and I get a lot of people asking me for tips on inexpensive places to stay in NYC. Yes, they’re hard to find. But if you're willing to make concessions on amenities, they do exist. And a cheap hotel in NYC can be a better choice than staying in a New Jersey or airport hotel. Though staying off-the-grid in NJ or by the airport is definitely an option, you need to consider that you'll likely spend all day in Manhattan, since the commute could be an hour or more. This makes going back to the hotel for a rest mid-day, or to regroup for an evening out, very difficult.

And, of course, there is the added thrill of staying in Manhattan itself, where you have a plethora of entertainment options right outside your door. Manhattan is more compact than any other city its size; pretty much anything is reachable by a subway ride of under a half hour. You can go from Battery Park (downtown NYC/ Wall Street) to the Upper West Side (Central Park) in 30 minutes or less! Subways are frequent, run 24 hours, and are the most efficient way to travel in NYC (though unfailingly gross and grubby--but remember they were built over 100 years ago, so cut us some slack!).  

So below are TWO recommendations for VERY inexpensive (by NYC standards) but SAFE accommodations in great Manhattan neighborhoods (I am partial to the 63rd St. Y location and casual, young and budget- European vibe, myself, but have visited the POD Hotel on 51st and liked it very much):

Cheap ballet tickets! NYCB and ABT $29 tickets on the upper tiers are a bargain

I love ballet! I confess I didn’t understand it for many years, and only went now and then when invited because I didn’t want to seem un-cool. But after many years of “not getting it”, I finally “got it” after an evening with friends who invited me to see Diana Vishneva in “Giselle” at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Then decided that, living in a small apartment building with some of the most recognizable members of the New York City Ballet (NYCB), it was pretty ridiculous to not make the effort to understand what these highly respected artists –and athletes—did for a living.

New York City Pass

I always rely on out-of-towners to introduce me to new things in NYC; my friend Pam is not exception. She unearthed the New York City Pass, which offers free admittance to over 50 attractions in NYC including the costly museums such as Met. Museum and the Guggenheim, and very worthwhile attractions such ac the Circle Line, Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, Madam Tussaud's etc. It definitely is only worth it if you plan to do a lot on one day. But I think the freedom-factor also helps tremendously. Not having to think about how much something costs tends to free you up to try new things without worrying if they are "worth it"--and for that factor alone this sounds like a good deal for a couple of days in NYC.

Reviews of the pass are good also.

Happily revisiting Cloister Cafe-- and other East Village institutions

The Cloister Cafe at 9th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues is one of those few East Village institutions (like Gem Spa and Cafe Orlin) that has survived the past couple of decades intact and carries a lot of memories for those (like me) who arrived in the early 80's to a post-Lou Reed, pre-Madonna St. Mark's Place. When I revisited it about 13 years ago I had a nostalgically pleasant experience, but at one point it turned into an expensive restaurant and had lost is appeal as a place to hang and feel a part of the East Village crowd. Luckily we revisited it this weekend and I'm happy to announce it has an extremely affordable menu (eggplant parmigiana 6.99, salads around 5.99, pastas at around 9.99, fish and meat more expensive) and its outdoor charm is intact. It's a great place to take the family if they are in town and you want to impress them with an East Village experience without the craziness. They do offer hookah pipes also, for what it's worth.

Also recommended for that "East Village" vibe:

Cafe 7A --&th Street and A...budget prices, always cool vibe

Cafe Orlin - 41 St. Marks (bet. 1st and 2nd)-outdoor and indoor cafe...cool vibe also
Veselka Second Avenue and 9th Street -Ukranian, usually packed, slightly more expensive

Yaffa Cafe bet. 1st and Ave A --97 St. Marks Place

Cozy Cafe (middle eastern hookah lounge)- $$$ 43 E. 1st St. Haven't been here but looks interesting for an "event" type dinner
Ferrara Bakery and Cafe (more old Italian, for desserts-- not really funky but still an institution)

ChickALicious- dessert bar, highly rated-10th between 2nd and 1st

Khyber Pass- 34 St. Marks. Another EV institution. Afghan food.

Lucky Chengs - First Ave. bet. 1st and 2nd St. Drag queens and Chinese food! What more could you ask for??

Momofuku Milk Bar 2nd Ave and 13th St. - famously crazy goodies... like "Crack Pie" and "Cereal Milk" soft serve

Moustache- 10th bet, 1st and Ave A- Middle Eastern pizza and other dishes, inexpensive

Odessa -Ave. A between 7th and 8th - famous diner with pirogies and other Ukrainian specialites, where you can chose between the 1950s lounge or the the more modern diner next to it. I've had Thanksgiving dinner here in the ancient lounge--which was truly frightening. In a good way.

Phebe's Tavern and Grill-Bowery and 4th. yes, Phebe's is still here!

Pommes Frites- 2nd bet 7th and 8th. That's what they serve--deliciously greasy Belgian french fires.

Two Boots- Ave A and 3rt St. Still, I think, the best pizza ever. Can be noisy when kids are here.