Headed to NYC. How much $$$?

It can be up to $1000 it just depends how long that you are staying how much that you are going to spend on other stuff that u want and more.

Use public transportation. Parking is VERY expensive in NYC, and it's not a fun place to drive. I think taking the subway is a lot of fun, and it's not difficult. Get a Metrocard, either a one-day Funpass or a card with a certain number of prepaid rides (10 maybe).

You could also take one of the hop on-hop off city tours on the double-decker bus (~$49).

If you go to Macy's be sure to stop at Customer Service to get your out-of-towner's discount pass.

Free/cheap stuff to do:

People watch

Window shop

Central Park

Christmas window displays

People watching anywhere

See the tree at Rockefeller Plaza

Skating at Rockefeller Plaza (there's a rental charge for skates and admission)

Ride the Staten Island Ferry

See a taping of a TV show. Tickets are usually free (but make arrangements ahead of time)

The Public Library

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Enjoy one of the observation decks on one of Manhattan's sky scrapers: Rockefeller Center ($17.50), Empire State Bldg ($19)

As for food on the cheap, try the little hole-in-the wall ethnic restaurants that line every street in the city. Get a slice of pizza--cheap and filling, or a bagel. Or get a Nathan's Hot Dog with everything from a street vendor. If you want to try a fancy restaurant, go for lunch rather than dinner--it's cheaper and the food is just as good.

Museums:

The American Museum of Natural History

The Metropolitan Art Museum

The Cloisters

The Guggenheim

Brooklyn Museum

The Museum of Modern Art

Some of the museums have "suggested" admissions, but you pay what you can afford. Some also have free days or free hours.

Check out the New York City pass. It might be worth it if you think you'd use it.

Just got back last week. Use the subways till about 11, then grab a cab, cars are pointless. We found great dining for around $20 a plate all over in Greenwich Village and Times Square. If there for only two nights I would recommend a play if you can find one you like, and Empire State Building at night. Statue of Liberty takes a very long time due to all the security, but taking the ferry out and seeing it is cool. Freebies include Central Park, Little Italy, and Chinatown all accessible by subway. We travel a lot and did not find anything priced too high, restaurants menus are posted so you can see before you sit down. Tons of delis and diner for affordable dining.

For transportation buy an unlimited Metro Card available by machine at any subway station and some stores,newspaper stands and the suburban train lines stations like Penn Station or Grand Central Station.

Taxis are for people in a biiiig hurry.The subway is easy to use. Every station and every car on every train has a color coded map of the city and the train that goes there.

Weather permitting go to the observation deck at Top of the Rock. The NBC building in Rockefeller center. Great view and a shot on being on the Today show. Its a two for one as you will also be at Rockefeller Center and St Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Av.

Take the big red double decker tourist bus. The best way to see the most on limited time.

Be warned there will not likely be much "on the street parking" especially in Manhattan. Park it and leave it in a parking garage or at the hotel garage.

Food on the street is a whole lot safer to eat than it looks. Vendors sell a wide variety of food from roasted chestnuts (a local favorite this time of year) and the hot dogs I like Sabrett brand myself,to big pretzles,Gyros,Curried you name it,Mediterannian etc. Good,fast,cheap and of course New York Pizza. Chicago,bah!

Get a copy of "New York" magazine. Youll know it by its fancy font. Not "New Yorker" unless you want to read amusing anecdotes from Truman Capotes biography and inscrutable cartoons. New York will tell you whats going on,where it going on,how much and reviews shows.

See:

Times Square at night (its much better then),

The Plaza Hotel, puts you right next to Tiffanys,FAO Schwarz Toy store and Central Park south.

Grand Central Station an architectural marvel saved from the wrecking ball and the source of "air rights"

the idea that created the skyscraper.

Miss:

Coney Island (we'll get it fixed,then come back)

Ground Zero, unless you knew somebody (wait for the memorial to be completed) sorry NY : (

Eat:

Katzs Deli :Pastrami and corned beef sandwiches to die for that might kill you if they fell on you.

Omonia : Astoria Queens, Junior Who ? Now thats cheesecake.

Last tip: New York is the safest big city anywhere. But it aint Kansas. Theres no "After dark sidewalk tax" in Central Park,but if 3 big teenages ask for it pay it.

Have a great time.

Use public transport. Each time you park, you have to pay approximately $10 for a private garage or spend 15-30 minutes looking for a metered space on the street, on a good day.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 will do. Just spend it wisely.

Good luck