Morning: Arrive at JFK or Newark, take the AirTrain plus subway (≈ ₹1,200) to your budget hotel in Midtown. Settle in and enjoy a quick walk to Times Square to soak up the neon vibe.
Afternoon: Grab a slice of New York pizza (≈ ₹250) and stroll to Rockefeller Center for free outdoor views; consider the free “Top of the Rock” observation deck from the public plaza.
Evening: Dine at a halal food truck near Madison Square Garden (≈ ₹400) and return to the hotel via subway (₹120).
Find HotelsMorning: Walk through Central Park, exploring the Bethesda Terrace and the Great Lawn; the park is free and perfect for a picnic.
Afternoon: Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (pay‑what‑you‑wish, suggest ₹600) and then head to the nearby American Museum of Natural History (suggested donation ₹500).
Evening: Enjoy a budget-friendly dinner at a nearby Upper West Side diner (≈ ₹500) and relax with a nighttime stroll around the park’s lantern-lit paths.
Find HotelsMorning: Take the Staten Island Ferry (free) for close-up views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from the water.
Afternoon: Walk the Battery Park promenade, then explore the historic Wall Street and the Charging Bull sculpture.
Evening: Sample affordable Asian street food at the nearby South Street Seaport (≈ ₹400) and watch the sunset over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Find HotelsMorning: Cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, stopping for photo ops of the Manhattan skyline.
Afternoon: Discover the vibrant neighborhood of DUMBO, visit the free Brooklyn Bridge Park, and enjoy a cheap lunch at a local deli (≈ ₹300).
Evening: Take the subway back to Manhattan and unwind at a low‑cost rooftop bar in Williamsburg (drink≈ ₹350).
Find HotelsMorning: Ride the subway to Flushing Meadows‑Corona Park and explore the iconic Unisphere (free).
Afternoon: Visit the affordable Queens Museum (₹400) and taste authentic Indian street snacks at Jackson Heights (≈ ₹250).
Evening: Return to Manhattan, catch a free live music session at a local park or café, and dine on a budget‑friendly pasta place (≈ ₹450).
Find HotelsMorning: Wander the historic Lower East Side Tenement Museum (self‑guided walk, free).
Afternoon: Explore Greenwich Village, stop by Washington Square Park, and enjoy a budget brunch at a local café (≈ ₹350).
Evening: Experience free comedy open‑mic at a venue in the Village, then grab a late‑night bite from a food cart (≈ ₹200).
Find HotelsMorning: Browse affordable souvenirs at Chelsea Market and the nearby High Line park (free entry).
Afternoon: Take a quick visit to the free New York Public Library and Bryant Park, then enjoy a light lunch at a nearby deli (≈ ₹300).
Evening: Retrieve luggage, ride the subway to the airport (₹1,200) and depart.
Find HotelsTotal Estimated Cost: ₹35,200
To stretch the budget, consider staying in a hostel or a shared Airbnb in Queens, which can reduce accommodation to around ₹12,000 for the week. If you need more time, add a day to explore the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden (entry ₹300) and the Yankee Stadium tour (₹800). Conversely, you can cut two days by skipping Queens and the Brooklyn rooftop drink, saving roughly ₹5,000 while still seeing the city’s major highlights.