My sister was heading to Brooklyn for work and invited me to bunk up in her fancy hotel. I looked it up on Instagram, and it was a done deal. Having visited Manhattan twice before on a tight budget, I was eager to explore a different part of the city now that I had some financial freedom.
Pre-trip Costs
Flights: £297 (about $390)
Accommodation: Free (thanks, Hollie)
Total pre-trip spending: £297 / $390
On the Ground: A Weekend in Brooklyn
Friday
Total daily cost: $127.95
9am: The view over New York as I flew in left me awe-struck, compelling me to dive into exploration immediately. I took a cab ($53.90) from La Guardia directly to Public, checked in, stashed my bag, and ventured into the lively neighborhood.
11am: I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to Dumbo, where my sister Hollie was working for the week. We had a quick coffee at Brooklyn Roasting Company ($4.50) before she returned to the office, allowing me to wander the vibrant area.
1pm: We reunited for a quick lunch at Sweetgreen because of her tight schedule. I enjoyed a peach and burrata salad ($14.10).
3pm: To power through the afternoon, I indulged in two whoopie pies from One Girl Cookies ($5.50). I explored dozens of intriguing shops, spending about an hour at the POWERHOUSE ARENA, where I picked up “Year of the Monkey” by Patti Smith for ($24.95).
5pm: I returned to Public for a brief nap before indulging in free wine (complimentary for hotel guests) while reading my new book as I awaited Hollie’s end of work.
7pm: I strolled back over the bridge at sunset – a scene often romanticized but was bustling with tourists and commuters alike. Hollie and I enjoyed dinner at Tacombi, where we stuffed ourselves with tacos, corn, guacamole, and mushroom quesadillas ($25 for my share).
Saturday
Total daily cost: $73.73
9am: Hollie expressed a strong desire to visit Coney Island, and with the sunshine beckoning and her covering my lodging, we set off. The subway ride ($2.75) felt like a whirl through Brooklyn as we passed diverse neighborhoods.
10am: Breakfast was a Coney Island hot dog ($2.45) — an essential experience, typically suggested for hangovers, though we were surprisingly lively.
12pm: It might have been prudent to hold off on the hot dog until after tackling the 90-year-old wooden roller coaster ($10 for one ride) at Luna Park. Thankfully, I managed to keep my breakfast down.
4.30pm: With weather turning, we headed to Industry City, a vibrant venue in Sunset Park. I made a beeline for Avocaderia and opted for a hearty salmon-and-avocado salad ($12 including tip) after the hot dog indulgence. To satisfy my sweet tooth, a chocolate truffle from Li-Lac was my last treat ($1.58).
8pm: We waited for an hour to grab a couple of slices from Prince St Pizza ($2.95)—absolutely worth it.
9pm: As a token of appreciation for my stay, I treated us both to cocktails at Public’s rooftop bar ($42 including tip).
Sunday
Total daily cost: $109.75
10am: The Brooklyn Flea hosts an array of vintage and handmade crafts under the Manhattan Bridge in the summer. I snagged a pair of retro sunglasses for ($20) before leaving to avoid overspending.
12pm: With Hollie departing for her flight, I enjoyed my go-to lunch at the Time Out Market in Dumbo, where the views rival the food offerings. I savored a bowl of spicy tonkotsu ramen ($22) alongside a refreshing beer from Mr. Taka.
2pm: Misjudging the portion size, I took the metro ($2.75) to walk off the ramen in Prospect Park—it’s worth noting that Central Park is not the only oasis in the city.
5pm: Another excellent choice for solo dining: Public’s casual restaurant Louis offers an incredible $5 pizza-and-beer deal from 5pm to 7pm.
8pm: I decided to take a taxi to JFK ($60), justifying the expense due to my red-eye flight back to London.
The Final Tally
Overall spend: $701.43
Reflections
Thanks to my sister’s hospitality, I was able to be more relaxed with my budget. Nonetheless, I discovered several ways to save money without compromising on quality. If I lived in New York, I would keep the pizza and beer deal a secret. Although this weekend was not particularly frugal, I regret relying on cabs instead of using public transport.
