For travelers seeking a bargain, New York City is probably not at the top of their list: The Big Apple is notoriously and often prohibitively expensive to visit. The high rents businesses have to pay usually translate to expensive food and lodging for travelers, and it can be difficult for visitors with little knowledge of the city to find cheap New York City activities and meals.
So if you're planning on visiting New York City on a limited budget, check out the best New York City apps we found:
Time Out New York (Free)
download As a magazine, Time Out covers what's hot in the world's biggest cities. Not surprisingly, its cheap New York City app is a good one, showcasing constantly updated information on the city's best nightlife, art, music, and restaurants. Although not all the listings are inexpensive, you can easily sort the information by "Free and Cheap" to find budget-friendly options.
NYTimes The Scoop NYC (Free)
downloadThe New York Times is a trusted source for news of the Big Apple, and its app is no different. With restaurant reviews from a staff restaurant critic, as well as a curated list of coffee shops, bars rated by dining editors and writers, and a directory of the staffs' favorite outings and activities, this app can save you money by helping you selectively enjoy the best of the city rather than wasting your dime on lesser fare.
New York City Essential Guide ($4.99)
download Written by a New York City tour guide, this New York City app has listings for more than 100 free things to do. There are 300-plus hand-picked listings in all - and more than 2000 photos to help you visualize your vacation. The New York City Essential Guide has an excellent mapping function, and you won't need an Internet connection to use it since all the info gets downloaded and stored on your phone. This app also offers a comments option, so you can relay your own experiences to the author.
New York City on the Cheap ($2.99)
download The name of this app says it all: a New York City app that guides you to cheap and free museums, restaurants, attractions, and even shops. Download the almost 200 listings, plus photos, and you won't have to pay for data to access it on the go.
NYC Pizza ($3.99)
download Pizza! Who doesn't love it? New York City is famous for its slices, which are also incredibly cheap. So why not try skipping the pricier restaurants in town and enjoying the best simple fare the city has to offer? The author of this app -- a pizza tour guide -- also includes pizza facts, tips, recipes, and historical descriptions of pizza joints.