With over 23,000 restaurants and 2000+ bars, it’s no wonder New York has the reputation as the city that never sleeps! Take your pick of Manhattan hot spots – from the bright lights of Broadway and Times Square to the hip enclaves of the Meat Packers District, Hell's Kitchen, Tribecca, Harlem and the Lower East Side. Or head over to the bustling boroughs of Queens or Brooklyn for an alternative view of New York living. Here are some of the top picks Mozo’s money savvy travellers recommend you check out in the Big Apple with only a ‘Jackson’ ($20) in your wallet. And if you're planning a holiday to NYC, don't forget to check out our USA travel insurance guide.
Generally, I’m not up for handing over cash just to get into a bar but when I stumbled upon Fat Cat – a basement games bar in the West Village, I happily handed over my $3 cover. In addition to the ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, and all-you-can-play scrabble, chess and backgammon games, Fat Cat also has live Jazz! They have a great range of US and imported beers at pretty decent prices for NYC. Fat Cat is a fantastic place for hanging out and channelling your inner Forest Gump on the table tennis tables.
Author: Ian Fielder
The BEST way to spend $20 in New York is to head to Zabars Deli on the Upper West Side. You’ll have to brace yourself as you go in since the place will be packed to the brim. But it’s totally worth going for the amazing selection of cheeses, meats, pastries and bagels. Also remember to grab one of the famous New York black and white cookies – yum. By the time you make it to the checkout, your tummy will be rumbling (long queues) so head directly to Riverside or Central park, find a patch of grass and tuck in!’
Author: Holly Nelson
The Martini Bar on the Roof of the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) is one of New York's best kept secrets. Get there just before sunset and enjoy the views over Central Park and the Manhattan skyline while sipping on a big appletini. The rooftop is also a sculpture garden so you can mingle with the art as well as hip New Yorkers. Since you have to pay an entrance fee to the museum to get to the roof garden (suggested donation $20) it's worth spending a whole afternoon (or day) at the Met first before heading upstairs for the sunset and view.
Author: Louise McCarth
I just LOVE the Kid Robot store in Soho. It’s full of really uber-cool toys, streetwear and collectables for both big and little kids. The T-shirt designs are awesome and the range of do-it-yourself munnyworld toys make really fun presents. There’s also the blindbox figures and keychains where, like a lucky dip prize you don’t know what you get until you’ve unwrapped the foil packaging. All designs are cool so you’re pretty much guaranteed a winner no matter what you pick.
Author: Danielle Eastwood
If you hate crowds and mazes, Century 21 department store probably isn’t for you. But if your idea of a great afternoon shopping is rack after rack after rack of discounted designer clothes and shoes, then Century 21 is paradise. I picked up a Diesel denim skirt here for $20 (retailed at $120) which was the best shopping buy of my US holiday. Just make sure you pile up the clothes before you head to the change rooms as the lines can get way long.
Author: Jasmine Turnbull
If the Yankees are playing when you’re in New York, you can’t get better value for your $20 than heading out to the Bronx and watching the game live at Yankee Stadium. You’ll need to cough up about $15 for sitting in the bleachers for a seat with an obstructed view but who needs to see A-Rod when you’ve got Yankee fans to keep you entertained’ A hot dog and beer will set you back around $10 (taking you over the budgeted $20) but it’s well worth it for the all-American ballpark experience.
Author: Roy Milligan
If you’re planning to have a white Christmas New York, you must put ice skating on your to-do list. Head to Wollman Rink in Central Park if it has just snowed because there's nothing quite like seeing Central Park blanketed in snow. Otherwise a night skate at the Rockerfeller Centre is hard to beat, especially if you're there just before Christmas and the huge Christmas tree is all lit up.
Author: Holly Nelson
One of my all time favourite bars in New York! Lucky Strike has the perfect location for grabbing a Cosmo or Martini with friends after a shopping escapade in SOHO. Those fresh, delicious cocktails will come for under $20 (minus the cost of shopping of course!)
Author: Sally Bennett
