How to eat cheaply in NYC Manhattan!

How to eat cheaply in NYC, Manhattan! This is a great blog with lots of info. Check it out!
http://www.midtownlunch.com/

Central Park Website centralpark.com

http://www.centralpark.com/ Here is a very useful, great website about Central Park in New York City. Check it out!

Escalators

Note that when you ride the escalators it is customary to stand on the right side of the escalator as you ride up or down so that people in a hurry can climb the escaltor stairs. Something we never do where I come from and I would never have thought of it!

Metro-North Railroad Link

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr/

MetroCard for Subway and Buses

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard

Buy as many rides as you want from $4 to $80.

Put $10 or more on your card and receive a 20 percent bonus. For example, a $20 purchase gives you $24 on your card. 12 trips for the price of 10.

You get an automatic free transfer between subway and bus, or between buses.

or

1-Day Fun Pass
Cost: $7, reduced fare not available
Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides from first use until 3 a.m. the following day. Sold at MetroCard Vending Machines and at neighborhood stores. Not available at station booths.

7-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard
Cost: $24, reduced fare $12
Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight, 7 days from day of first use.

30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard
Cost: $76, reduced fare $38
Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight, 30 days from day of first use. This card is insured against loss when purchased at a vending machine with a credit or debit/ATM card.

7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard
Cost: $41, reduced fare not available
Good for unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides until midnight, 7 days from first use.

JFK-AirTrain 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard
Cost: $40
Good for unlimited JFK-AirTrain trips until midnight, 30 days from first use.

JFK-AirTrain 10-Trip MetroCard
Cost: $25
Good for 10 JFK Air-Train trips until midnight six months after first use. 1 trip is deducted for each use. Only accepted for AirTrain trips. On sale at AirTrain vending machines, JFK airport, and local merchants.

Grand Central Terminal Address

42nd Stree and Park Avenue

Train - MTA Metro-North Railroad
Subway - 4, 5, 6, 7, and S lines
Bus - M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M42, M98, M101, M102, M104, Q32

Western Union near Grand Central Terminal

EGI CHECK CASHING #3
117 EAST 41ST STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 661-9615

CLOSED
Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:00am - 2:30pm
• Send/Payout Money Transfer

10017 Grand Central Terminal Zip Code

Why is this so important? Well I use Grand Central Terminal as my hub for everything because it is in walking distance to Time Square and I generally know my way around there. If I'm lost, I'll make my way back there. Also, if you need money sent by Western Union, you'll need a zip code to look up where the nearest transfer post is. No one needs to be looking up zip codes in an emergency.

Taxi Cabs

Bring small bills for paying the taxi driver. We usually will walk a block to where the traffic is flowing in the direction we want to go and pick up a taxi there so that the driver won't have to make any turns, if possible. Then we just tell him the cross street.

It is instantly $2.50 upon entering the cab. Then it goes up by .40 cent increments very quickly. The cabs are pretty clean. Click here to find current New York City Taxi Fares: http://www.cosmicrat.com/linktaxi.htm

In the winter it is nearly impossible to grab a cab. They are constantly full. When you get to Grand Central Terminal, there are lines of 30 plus people waiting in the line for cabs. Better to learn the subway system for winter travel. Also, note that cabbies don't like leaving their business area. For instance, we were in Chelsea and wanted to get a cab to Grand Central. A cab stopped, asked where we were going and when I told him Grand Central, he said no and drove off! We ended up taking the subway which was much easier and cheaper.

Getting Money

Bank of America (BofA is on practically every street corner). McDonalds and other food chains do have ATM's you can use for $1.00 or so a transaction.

BRING SMALL BILLS - It's hard to find change. Bring small bills for paying for cabs, the bus, subway and tipping.

You'll have to cash travelers checks at banks. You have cashing limits at many restraunts, grocery stores, etc. They won't let you cash the check if it's, maybe, under half of your purchase.

Eating

Most important! There are food chains such as Wendy's, Subway, McDonalds and Burger King where you can get a burger for a buck. You don't have to spend a lot of money on food. Street vendors sell a hotdog for about $1.50. (Actually, I just got back from NYC yesterday and bought a hotdog for $1.00).

If you eat at more expensive places, check your bill. Some places are including the tip in the bill now. You'll just get double charged if you tip and just pay your bill.

If you want to eat in Time Square, The Olive Garden has a great soup and salad lunch special that isn't too expensive. Later than lunch, it is much more expensive. The view is nice for outta towners. Great windows look out onto Time Square traffic and lights. It's great air conditioning in summer and clean bathrooms.