Awesome things that will cost you under $50
There are so many amazing sights and activities in the world, obviously – from the best places to enjoy a macaroon in Paris (Angelina near the Louvre is amazing, and although there are always queues to eat in, you can buy pieces from the side store!) to hiring a convertible mustang to drive the route 66 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles ($50 per person for one day hire). But for even the most cashed-up traveller, spending a lot of money on different activities can be a drag and so I’ve come up with a great list of cheap or free things to do and see in a few of my favourite cities!
- Walking tours. Sometimes these are free; sometimes they will cost around 10 euros. I went on one a year ago in Barcelona and paid a small fee. It was the best thing I did for the five days! I was there because we got a huge walking tour of the city at night (safety in numbers with locals!), went out for a paella and sangria dinner (delicious) and finished with a flamenco show! It was the best way to see the city and also meet people without feeling too much like a ‘tour’. They can easily be found at most hostels.
- Arc de Triomphe. This is my pick for Paris. It costs nine euros and six euros for people under 26. It hands down has the best views of Paris, with all of the streets like a spider leading away. It has awesome views of the Eiffel Tower and is a perfect way to finish walking down the Champs-Élysées as it’s on top of a roundabout. It also has an eternal flame and an abundance of history about France and the wars. Also, buying a weekend saver metro card for the weekend is around 2-6 euros for two days, instead of buying a per day nine euro ticket!
- For the best views of the Empire State Building, climb to the ‘Top of the Rock’ at the Rockefeller Center in New York City. People go to the Empire for views, but don’t actually get to see to see it from the outside! It’s also cheaper, at only $29 USD.
- Drinking beers in Cambodia. These start from 50c (where realistically a lot of things will!). Grab a few, sit by the pool, rent a motorbike, or enjoy with a bowl of cheap street food like glass noodle soup!
- Every day in Times Square they have discounted Broadway tickets on sale where you can queue for a different show, depending on the day of the week. Get in super early though to minimise your time lining up!
- Starbucks always have free wi-fi. Enjoy a coffee (because even though it’s not ‘roasted and dried in Algeria and cold dripped through a funnel of unicorn hairs’, it’s a consistent franchise to enjoy a quick cuppa and check your emails! And upload photos of yourself doing all of the cool things above!
Simple things like pre-purchasing tickets for things will always keep the costs down. The Eiffel Tower lines in peak season are three hours long and cost 14 euros, but there is an empty line next to the main line for people who pre-purchase it online for the same cost. Being prepared makes a world of difference!
Written by Madelin Baldwin, lemondeentier.net
