What To Do In Brooklyn On A Budget?
New York has a reputation for being a city where everything costs as much as a Boeing wing. But if you take a closer look, especially in Brooklyn, it turns out you can spend a day (or even a week) here without breaking the bank – and without feeling like an ascetic tourist. Brooklyn generally loves to break stereotypes: the former industrial district has been transformed into a space for street art, inexpensive museums, and culinary discoveries.
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Food: delicious, but not expensive
If Manhattan is associated with expensive cocktails, Brooklyn is associated with affordable and varied food. Here you can try everything from Mexican tacos for $3 to Vietnamese pho for $8. But the gastronomy here is not only fast food. The borough has dozens of establishments that make it onto Brooklyn best restaurants list from GetExperience, and they don’t necessarily break the bank.
For example:
- Di Fara Pizza is a legendary pizzeria where a slice costs around $5, but many consider it “the most authentic” in New York City.
- Peter Luger Steak House is worth a visit, even if it’s just for a business lunch: the prices are significantly lower than for dinner, and the classic New York atmosphere is guaranteed.
- Small family-run cafes in Bay Ridge or Sheepshead Bay are a great place to try Greek, Russian, or Turkish cuisine without the tourist markup.
Take free walks
Brooklyn Bridge and Waterfront
Even if you’re not an architecture buff, you should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at least once. The view of Manhattan from there is a free “postcard shot”. And after descending to Brooklyn Bridge Park, you can have a picnic overlooking the skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty.
Williamsburg and Graffiti
Brooklyn is called the street art capital of the United States, and for good reason. Williamsburg is a neighborhood where there’s a new painting on every corner. Admission is free, and the experience is sometimes more vivid than in galleries. Incidentally, this is where you can see works by the legendary Banksy.
Affordable culture
If you’re looking to explore Brooklyn culture without breaking the bank, there are several excellent options. The Brooklyn Library, New York City’s largest public library, regularly hosts unique exhibitions and free lectures to broaden your horizons. Equally impressive is a visit to the Brooklyn Museum: admission is free every first Saturday evening of the month, and its collection includes works by Diego Rivera, George O’Keeffe, and African art. And in the summer, simply head to Prospect Park, where free outdoor concerts are often held, where the music and summer atmosphere create a unique sense of the city.
Secret itineraries for budget-friendly people
Coney Island off-season
When the tourist crowds are gone, Coney Island transforms into an atmospheric beachfront with vintage charm. You can skip the rides, but a stroll along the boardwalk and a hot dog at Nathan’s Famous are a treat for just a couple of dollars.
Green-Wood cemetery
An unusual location that often goes unnoticed. Famous 19th-century figures are buried here, and the park, with its hills and Gothic gates, is more like an open-air museum. Admission is free.
Why go to Brooklyn if you’re on a budget?
You might think, “Well, what’s wrong with Manhattan?” But Brooklyn offers a New York experience rarely found in guidebooks: multilingual conversations at street markets, impromptu concerts in subway stations, the smell of coffee and fresh bagels in the morning. It’s easy to spend a day here on just $20-30 and still feel like you’ve captured the city’s essence.
Bottom line
Brooklyn isn’t about the money, it’s about the experience. Its value lies in the fact that the best views, street art, waterfront walks, and delicious food are all available without breaking the bank. And if you want to experience the “real” New York, this is the place to start.
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