Hi Rodolfo,

If you're still considering a hotel, go for the marriott in Jersey City. It's about $125 per night and it's right next to the PATH station. The path is an underground train that will get you to New York City in 10 to 20 minutes, depending which station you want to go to.

If I were you, I would go for the hostel. Seems more fun. Just make sure that you can leave your things there during the day. Some hostels are for sleeping only and they'll kick you out at 8am and you will have to carry ALL your stuff all day long. Not fun. Also find out if they close their doors at night - some hostels won't let you in after a certain hour (it's called curfew).

OK, NY on a cheap traveler's budget:

Museums: They sometimes charge a VOLUNTARY amount of money to enter. Being voluntary, if you don't want or can't pay. You don't have to. They don't advertise this, but you can find out by asking or doing some research in advance.

Breakfast: Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds or any fast-food place (I prefer Dunkin). Another excellent alternative is any place that has "Bagel" as part of its name. Bagels are like sandwiches and they're cheap and very filling. You can have a bagel for lunch as well.

Lunch/Dinner: Stay away from fancy restaurants in NY. Food is REALLY CRAPPY. Our steakhouses will insult your brazillian palate at the first bite, and they're so expensive that it's almost a crime to eat there.

If you want good meat at a reasonable price, look for a chain called Tad's Steaks (steak + potato + salad + coke < $10), Japanese? Teriyaki Boy (meal under $8), Sandwich? Go to a deli. They're cheap and, as Tamar said, big sandwiches. Another option are self-service places improperly called "salad bars". You grab a container and put in it whatever you want to eat (salad, fruit, potato, rice, meat, chicken, anything) and then they weigh it and charge by the pound (I think it's around $6 per pound).

If you want to go to a cheap and picturesque place and are into arab food, visit the Olive Tree, which is in the village, open until very late, they play Chaplin movies non-stop and you can draw on the table with chalk (117 MacDougal St. - at MacDougal and Bleeker).

If you want to buy electronic stuff, stay AWAY from small stores ran by Israelis or Arabs. Go to "B & H Photo", "J & R Music World", "Best Buy" or any large, reputable place, where they won't tell you "this phone is only $15, but you must buy the cable, which is $45".

The city is extremely safe by Brazilian standards, so don't be afraid of walking around at 2am.

If you're with friends, taxis might be less expensive than the subway and much faster and pleasurable.

The statue of liberty isn't very interesting, but Ellis Island (part of the same complex) is.

If you're into science, consider visiting the Liberty Science Center (lsc.org) in NJ, a short ferry ride from lower manhattan, which has the largest dome imax theater in the world. VERY good.

If art's your thing, you must go to Moma, the Metropolitan museum of art, and the gugenheim.

The UN is just another building. Going into it is probably like visiting the museum of failure and world bs.

The boat ride suggested by tamar is very good.

There's also an aircraft carrier turned into museum (right next to where the catch Tamar's boat) that seems interesting (I've never been to it).

There's a sports complex called Chelsea Piers, with ice-skating rink and bowling, which should be fun to do.

Twin towers, see it only if it's on your way somewhere else. It's just a large hole on the ground. Nothing interesting at all. However, right next to it is a very good store for clothing called Century21. Brand names at very deep discounts.

And that's all I was able to write while I ran 5 select statements to extract some data from a client's database.

Have fun in your trip!!!

Alex


>Hi guys,
>
>I'm wondering to stay for a week in NYC next June. I haven't been there before, so I'm looking for tips like a place to stay, places to visit, etc...
>
>My budget for a week is about U$ 700,00, U$ 100 a day ...
>
>Like you can see in my country flag, I'm from Brazil, and I'd like to know different things.. I don't matter hotels five or four stars... I prefer a good location instead luxury.
>
>I appreciate any suggestion.
>
>TIA!