Buy a MetroCard with unlimited rides. A 7-day pass costs about $33 and covers all subway and bus travel, making it cheaper than daily fares for frequent travelers.

Book tickets online in advance and visit early morning on weekdays. Consider visiting during shoulder seasons like April-May or September-October for shorter waits.

Visit Brooklyn neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Park Slope, Greenwich Village for history, or the Lower East Side for culture. Each offers unique food, art, and local character away from tourist crowds.