“Hey Steve my Red Hat group is thinking about a weekend getaway to New York City. Other than the well known touristy sights what else does New York have to offer? We’ve also heard that they are some great free attractions in NYC. Help us if you can!” was the message left on my voice mail.

I returned the call asking some direct questions that allowed me to form an idea of what this group was looking for. My response was “let me conduct some research and I’ll get back to you in a few days with some ideas.”

During my initial question and answer session we decided to compare a motor coach charter with an air and hotel package.

We needed a minimum of 10 travelers to qualify for group air rates so this option did not appear to be an issue. To make the bus practical and affordable, we’d need close to 30 participants to cover the costs of a 55 passenger bus charter.

My modest guesstimate was $1000 per day for a coach rental so with 30 heads I calculated the daily transportation costs at $33.00 per person with a rough cost of $100 per person for the weekend. And this amount did not account for additional expenses like a drivers room parking and other fees. These extras would bump the rate to about $125 per person.

Air fare quotes for the desired time frame were also out of this world-$200 plus!

Plus when we factored in drive time to a regional airport offering a reasonable price along with parking and the hassle of air travel today we agreed that the motor coach route was the acceptable transportation option.

There was still plenty of research to do on lodging but I first let me address the free stuff question.

The answer to the Big Apple free stuff question is “YES”! Some of New York City’s best attractions and landmarks are free to visit.

With the cost of transportation, lodging, restaurants and more impacting your costs why not visit some of New York City’s free attractions and landmarks. This will help you stretch your New York City travel budget plus get you to some great venues.

Here’s my short list of favorites. Please note that these are subject to change without notice so check before you go.

With 843 acres of gardens, open spaces, water and pathways, Central Park is a great place to escape from the tall buildings and chaos of New York City streets. The Central Park Conservancy’s free walking tours are a great way to get acquainted with Central Park.

First built in 1913, Grand Central Station was saved from destruction by New York’s landmark laws and vocal New Yorkers, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Brendan Gill, who wanted to see Grand Central restored. Extensive efforts to restore and revive this National Historic Landmark lead to its re-dedication on October 1, 1998 when Grand Central Terminal had been restored to its original glory.

Every Friday at 12:30, visitors gather to experience a free walking tour through Grand Central and the surrounding neighborhood.

Domestic and international visitors, as well as local New Yorkers looking to learn about the neighborhood, will enjoy this walking tour.

The Staten Island ferry, a commuter ferry that runs from Battery Park to Staten Island may not be fancy, but it offers riders a chance to experience amazing views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the New York Harbor for free.

Over 26 million people visit Times Square each year, some to attend the area’s many Broadway shows, some to dine, and all to experience the glowing lights and energy of this famed area.

The best Times Square experience is after sunset when the glowing lights and din are at their most impressive.

Built between 1928 and 1930, William Van Alen’s art deco Chrysler Building is truly a New York icon. There’s no observation deck, but the lobby of the Chrysler Building is worth a visit just to see the ceiling mural.

After over 20 years of construction, St. Patrick’s Cathedral first opened its doors in May 1879. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest decorated Gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States and seats 2200 people.

The largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, a visit to St. John the Divine is well worth the trip to Morningside Heights. Don’t forget to explore the grounds to see the Peace Fountain and the Biblical Garden.

Catching a show on the Great White Way aka Broadway doesn’t come cheap these days. But you can find nifty discounts if you’re willing to do a little leg work or typing.

Buying online before you sojourn to the Big Apple can literally save you hundreds of dollars or even a couple thousand dollars if you have a family of four wanting to see several shows.

Make a quick list of the top 4 shows you want to see. The Theatre Development Fund runs the famous TKTS booth in Times Square which gives discounts between 20% and 50%.

The only catch is that you have to see what is available that day and wait in line to purchase the tickets. If you pay the $30 membership fee ahead of time, you can purchase tickets via their website.

This is only a brief listing of free/inexpensive options in NYC. For more information contact your travel professional or the NYC Visitors Office (http://www.nycgo.com) at 212-484-1200.

Got travel? E-mail Steve Call at the travelprofessor@gmail.com or dial 740.550.9540.