Panicking about New York spends!!

[VielBier]

I'm taking my daughter to New York in January for 5 nights. I've saved up and I have 1800 dollars and have bought an attraction pass that will get us in to all the attractions we want to go to. Will this be enough? I was hoping to have around 3000 dollars but unexpected costs have hit this year. I don't have credit cards as I was stupid with them as a teenager. I'm terrified about running out of money while I'm there or having to really scrimp (think I get money anxiety!). Plus when speaking to people they reckoned they'd spent nearly £1000 a day... is it really that expensive there?

Oh and am i the first to call stealth boast?!

Its shopping. Shopping is good there. Everything else is normal priced - like London. You’d be mad to spend $1000 in a day on consumables.

Does DD like to scooter and have one that folds down OP?

I take DS's in the suitcase and we go scooting in Central Park.

I think the food court was called Hudson Eats, oh and if you need a wee stop, look for a WholeFoods as they normally have free (unlocked) loos in the food courts upstairs. Or Time Warner building has them too. Or Macy’s, obvs

I've always been fine in NYC with just a debit card BUT tell your bank you're going or they have a nasty habit of blocking your accounts and then you have to call them to unblock it.

CURSE YOU LLOYDS BANK WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO DROP CASH IN BLOOMINGDALES!!!!!!!!!

Noting down the tips furiously! I've messaged the hotel and the card is fine to use for deposit yay. Thanks to poster calling me ridiculous - I'm travelling alone with my daughter and I get anxiety about running out of money. I've never been to the US more and just wanted reassurance I wasn't underestimating the cost. The security deposit for the hotel being a good example. Plenty have given me reassurance, so thanks to all who have. @RuffleCrow is that aimed at me? If so, I'm honestly lost as to how on earth this could in any way be a stealth boast??

@TSSDNCOP yes, thank you for a reminder! I'm with Barclays and they tend to block my card if I dare go outside the county

No problem OP. Regarding food, I enjoy a good diner. Steamy windows, vinyl seat booths and a crazy long menu. To me that’s real NYC. You tend to find them in the streets rather than avenues in Midtown. Heaps down below SoHo.

Have a lovely time. NYC is fabulous. DS was 8 the first time he went and loved the whole hanging out in coffee shops thing.

My other top tip is the Big Bus tour. Great fun. Go round once, then go round again and hop off/on.

If you can possibly book tickets to Mathilda that’s fabulous on Broadway.

The more you spend for your raviolis, the fewer raviolis you get.

Thanks that’s up there with the sayings of Buddha

We went to a southern US food restaurant caler Daisy Mays. Think pulled meat, ribs, corn etc. It appears in a Jamie Oliver book but is cheap and very basic (think plastic food trays and cutlery). But the food was excellent when we went.

This was a couple of years ago but maybe worth checking out on trip advisor. It is near the USS Intrepid.

The staff had never heard of Jamie Oliver

Enjoy you are going to have an amazing time.

Daisy Mays closed its doors for good back in October 2017.

You no longer have to advise Barclays if you are travelling abroad.

If you do take money out of a cash machine try to use the Bank of America ones (they are numerous in NYC and also tend to be inside buildings so are more secure). This is because there are no additional charges for withdrawals added apart from the usual non sterling transaction fee.

Virgils near Times Square does great BBQ if you like this sort of food and is both child friendly and reasonably priced.

Also Walgreens sell decent food if you want to eat a salad, sandwich or other type of snack.

Oh yes and Home Town BBQ in Brooklyn was hands down the best bbq restaurant we’ve ever been to! The chipotle mac n cheese was outrageous!

Opps should have checked TripAdvisor - thanks for the info Attila

I’ve been 7 times last time in March. I’m going back in May next year to shop. I’m planning on taking £2k just for spending on food and clothes and travel for 7 days. Plus I’ll take a cc too just in case. I eat and travel like a local and have brought home some amazing bargains and never run out of money. I don’t find New York any more expensive than London , Manchester or Leeds. Just just need to be smart. To me food is not important but getting a deal on a designer Handbag is. Watch some YouTube videos such as herebebarr or Sarah funky.