Byline: MARGOT MAYNARD
It's no surprise that New York is one of those cities you visit and, after a couple of days, look around and think, 'I could live here.' After all, thanks to shows such as Sex and the City and Friends, we know what it would be like, don't we? No shortage of groovy bars and restaurants; cafes with comfy sofas where you can sit and chat with chums all afternoon for the price of a coffee; boutiques stuffed with enough delectables to keep a fashion victim in permanent seventh heaven.
Well, perhaps. But what's certainly true is that the best way to enjoy the Big Apple is to rent an apartment with a group of pals. It's far more relaxing and a whole lot friendlier than a hotel, and gives you a more authentic taste of Manhattan life.
Self-catering is usually cheaper, too. US travel specialist America As You Like It has hundreds of properties to rent in Manhattan, from studios to threebedroom flats, with prices from just [pounds sterling]75 per night.
We stayed in Oak apartment, a dramatic and eclectic space situated on Eighth Avenue, the funky end of the theatre district, close to Time Square. The attention to detail was impressive, right down to the goodies that had been thoughtfully left in the fridge.
And if you're self-catering because you'reona budget, you'll be pleased to learn that New York has lots of things to do that don't cost a bean. Here are our pound-stretching tips for an (almost) free NYC- Have a free guided tour from a Big Apple Greeter.
These experienced, local volunteers will happily give you the inside track on their favourite attractions. Make sure to book at least four weeks in advance, though. For more information call 001 212 669 8159, or visit www.bigapplegreeter.org.
Feeling artistic? Visit before October 15 and you'll see the Big Apple decorated with hundreds of, erm, big apples. The Big Apple Fest is an art campaign to raise money for two New York-based charities: City Harvest, which redistributes unused food from restaurants, and the Police Athletic League, which runs sports, educational and social programmes for disadvantaged children. Some 300, 4ft apple sculptures will be decorated by various artists and displayed in prominent spots around the city. Funds will be raised through sponsorship and NYC & Company, the city's official, non-profit-making tourist organisation will also get a share.
Visit www.bigapplefest.org.
Admire folk paintings plus furniture, pottery, quilts and other decorative arts from the 18th century to the present day at the American Folk Art Museum, which houses its collection in two locations. The Eva & Morris Feld Gallery on Columbus Avenue is free at all times, while the West 53rd Street gallery is free for children and on Fridays from 5.30pm to 7.30pm for all.
Otherwise it's $9 ([pounds sterling]5) for adults, $7 ([pounds sterling]3.80) for senior citizens and students. Call 001 212 265 1040 or visit www.folkartmuseum.org.
View historical and contemporary design at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. It's free on Tuesday evenings, from 5pm to 9pm. Call 001 212 514 3700 or visit www.ndm.si.edu.
Unique urban design can also be found at the Municipal Art Society's Urban Center Gallery, which is also free. 11am to 5pm (closed Sundays and Thursdays). Call 001 212 935 3960, or visit www.mas.org.
Discover Native American history at the National Museum of the American Indian, the largest collection if its kind in the world. It's free daily from 10am to 5pm, 8pm on Thursdays. Call 001 212 514 3700, or visit www.si.edu/nmai.
Be dazzled by the Art Deco masterpiece that is the Rockefeller Center on a free, self-guided tour. Pick up maps in the main lobby at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, from 10am to 6pm. Call 001 212 332 6868, or visit www.
rockefellercenter.com.
Be blinded by science at Queens's New York Hall of Science. Its free hours of admission (Friday, 2pm to 5pm) resume in September after the summer suspension. Regular prices are $9 ([pounds sterling]5) for adults and $6 ([pounds sterling]3.30) for seniors and children and $2.50 ([pounds sterling]1.40) for the under-fours. Call 001 718 699 0005 or visit www.nyhallsci.org.
If you're feeling starstruck, call well in advance and you could be lucky enough to get free tickets for TV shows such as Late Show With David Letterman (001 212 975 5853), Live with Regis and Kelly (001 212 456 3054), and The Montel Williams Show (001 212 830 0364).
Feeling peckish? Some of the vendors at Union Square's Greenmarket offer free samples of homemade breads, cheeses, cider and more - and you can pick up something for dinner, too. Call 001 212 788 7913, or visit www.cenyc.org.
For an evening's entertainment, enjoy free classical music, jazz, drama, opera and dance in the city's parks. Central Park covers 843 acres - a larger area than Monaco - and contains more than 500,000 plants. Call 001 212 310 6600, or visit www.centralparknyc.org For more greenery visit Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Washington Avenue.
It's free all day on Tuesdays and from 10am to noon on Saturdays. Regular admission is $5 ([pounds sterling]2.75) for adults and $3 ([pounds sterling]1.65) for students and seniors.
Children under 16 are free. Call 001 718 623 7200 or visit www.bbg.org.
Like Carrie Bradshawdo you adore fabulous clothes? Thousands of designer costumes, accessories, fabrics and shots fromrenowned fashion photographers are on display at the Fashion Institute of Technology's free museum, open Tuesday to Saturday. And as you can look but not touch, you won't be tempted into undoing your previous thriftiness.
Call 001 212 217 5800, or visit the website at www.fitnyc.suny.edu.
Having saved so much on your trip by going self-catering and taking advantage of free attractions, why not blow some cash on upgrading your flight? It's money well spent, particularly if you have to go straight to work from the airport.
British Airways Club World Sleeper Service is available on selected overnight flights from JFK(and from September 7, Newark Airport; see panel right for details), and it's a great way to arrive home fresh as a daisy. The idea is that you get a longer sleep onboard. So, you enjoy Pre-flight Supper in the Terraces Lounge, at JFK, before the flight.
Then, once on board, you can settle down with the Night Cap service and enjoy a bedtime snack of hot chocolate and warmed cookies.
Fully relaxed, you can snuggle down in the full-sized bed with extra large pillows and thick blankets, and sleep all the way home - bliss. The cabin crew dim the lights soon after take off, and disturbances are kept to a minimum.
Should you wake up feeling peckish, Midnight Munchies are available in the galley. And there's the option of breakfast in bed, served just before landing.
If you're going straight to work, revive yourself with a power shower, Molton Brown Travel Spa massage or mini-facial at BA's Heathrow arrivals lounge. There's a valet service so you can have your clothes pressed, and, if you chose to sleep through the in-flight breakfast, you can enjoy a hearty full English in the Dining Terrace.
It's all a very civilised way to fly - no redeye, no numb bum, no boredom - and, after all, you had the money. *
SIX OF THE BEST
BEST MONUMENT The Statue of Liberty has opened again after being closed since 9/11. Visitors can now enjoy 360- views from the observation deck on the top of the 16-storey pedestal. Call 001 866 782 8834, or visit www.nps.gov/stli.
BEST MUSEUM The Museum of Modern Art is due to reopen in Manhattan on November 20, with celebrations to commemorate its 75th anniversary. Call 001 212 708 9400, or visit www.moma.org.
BEST LAUGH The inaugural New York Comedy Festival will take place November 9-13 at various venues across the city.
BEST TOUR Signature Tours provides personalised tours. Call 001 212 517 4306.
BEST TIP Make sure your first stop is at the Official Visitor Information Center at Seventh Ave and 53rd Street. As well as information, staff can supply maps, and tickets for shows and major attractions.
BEST GUIDE Before you set off, send for a free copy of the Official NYC Guide, filled with information there are also lots of coupons for saving money on hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and shopping. Send an A5 SAE envelope to NYC & Company 33-34 Carnaby St, London W1F 7DW.
