Music, laughs and cheap beer: an intern's guide to Manhattan

NEW YORK – To some, the word “intern” is interchangeable with “broke.” That’s fine. I am an intern determined to sightsee, drink and be merry in Manhattan for cheap. Because I dislike trips with strict agendas, I set out to explore the underground culture of the East Village.

Rule #1: Paying more for a roundtrip bus ride is worth it when they drop you where you need to be.

Yes, the Chinatown buses from Washington are a novel experience. But, they drop you in Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, and I needed to get to Midtown, where my friend lives. So, a $40 roundtrip ticket on an air-conditioned bus that took me straight to Hell’s Kitchen, was worth it the extra $5 (http://www.vamoosebus.com). They even screened “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

Keep your eyes open – you can see New York’s staggering skyline from the highway near Newark Airport.

Cheap Traveler Tip: Make reservations because the buses fill up fast. Also, if you leave on a Friday, be ready for traffic. My holiday weekend trip took almost seven hours from D.C. to New York, but the return was a little over the scheduled four hours.

Rule #2: Sleeping on the floor or squished on a couch isn’t always a bad thing.

This time, sleeping on the floor in a friend’s small apartment, was different.

Instead of waking up with a sore back in Texas, I woke up with a sore back in New York. And a sore back was nothing, when, from an open window in the living room-dining room-study that also housed my friend’s roommate, New York City, in all her glory, was roaring outside.

Cheap Traveler Tip: If you aren’t used to city sounds, bring earplugs.
Cheap Traveler Tip No. 2: Hostels go for between $30 and $40 per night. Two possibilities are Jazz on the Park near Columbia University (http://www.jazzonthepark.com) and Big Apple Hostel near Times Square (http://www.bigapplehostel.com).

Rule #3: Hot dogs are an easy score when you’re broke and hungry as a beast.

After sightseeing, hunger hits hard. When it does, keep your eyes peeled for the word “papaya.”

Whether it is Papaya King, Papaya Dog or Gray’s Papaya, be ready for a quick and filling meal. You may have to eat standing up.

If you want a dog and a movie and a seat, try Crif Dogs, at 113 St. Marks Place. Crif Dogs offers inventive hot dog combinations and movie screenings at no extra charge. Try the Tsunami, a bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with teriyaki sauce, pineapple and onion, for $3.50. They have veggie dogs.

Cheap Traveler Tip: Papaya Dog sells two hot dogs and a drink for $2.75.

Rule #4: Punk-rock, comedy and cheap beer thrive in the East Village.

Tattoo shops and punk-rock boutiques, like the legendary Trash and Vaudeville at 4 St Mark's Place, are everywhere.

After buying an Iggy Pop shirt at Trash and Vaudeville for $20, I stepped down into the dimly lighted Grassroots Tavern at 20 St. Marks Place, where pitchers of beer go for $10 each.

For a night of laughter, I went to Under St. Marks, a performance space at 94 St. Marks Place. Improvisation groups book the venue, set a cheap entrance fee and perform. During my visit, I saw three improvisation troupes for $6. And it was BYOB night with free shots, making it even cheaper.

For future listings, visit http://www.nytheatre.com.

The neighborhood of Chelsea isn’t bad, either. At the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at 307 W. 26th Street, comedians like Horatio Sanz and Amy Poehler of “Saturday Night Live” hone their skills. A 7:30 p.m. show wasn’t free, so I window shopped until the free 9:30 p.m. show. Even better, Pabst Blue Ribbon was $2.

Cheap Traveler Tip: For your walk through the East Village, bring small bills and don’t be afraid to haggle. Vendors line the streets selling books, records and jewelry.

Rule #5: Pace yourself. You can’t see everything, so don’t try.

Visiting New York City on an intern’s budget is hard, but there are touristy things available for free.

The Washington Square Arch, located in Washington Square Park, was built in the late 1800s to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. In the park’s outer edges, groups of men played chess and bohemians sat or danced. In the center, a street magician traded magic tricks for money. Beware: I was informed that the park has a reputation as a drug-selling hotspot.

Later, I took the free Staten Island ferry and saw the Statue of Liberty. Afterward, my friend and I picnicked in Battery Park.

And, finally, no trip to New York would be complete without a picture in Times Square.

Cheap Traveler Tip: Don’t be afraid to explore. By walking, instead of taking a taxi or the subway, we stumbled on interesting places and saved a few dollars.