Created by the Graduate Student Organization (GSO)
Welcome to NYU Steinhardt! As your Graduate Student Organization (GSO), we’re here to help you navigate life as a graduate student in NYC. We know that moving to a new city (or just adjusting to grad school) can be overwhelming, so we put together this guide filled with our best tips and recommendations. Whether you’re looking for affordable eats, the best study spots, or fun ways to explore the city and beyond, we’ve got you covered. We can’t wait to welcome you to campus—see you soon!
Where to Eat on a Budget
Finding affordable food in NYC can be a challenge, but these spots near campus are our favorites:
- Artistic Pizza (123 W. 3rd St) – Great for a quick, delicious slice.
- Matto Espresso (293 Mercer St and 44 W. 4th St - NYU Stern Building) – $3 drinks through their app and frequent specials.
- Sidewalk Tacos Food Truck and halal carts (near 1 Washington Pl, SE corner of Washington Square Park) – Reliable, affordable street food.
- Mille-Feuille Bakery (552 LaGuardia Pl) – Authentic French pastries at reasonable prices.
- El Coco (multiple locations) – $5 margaritas!
- Food Apps and Discounts
- GrubHub+ Student – Free for NYU students, offering extra deals and $0 delivery fees.
- Too Good to Go – Purchase surprise bags of discounted surplus food from local restaurants.
Also check out NYU’s Neighborhood Gems: Restaurant Guide – Covers dining options in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Best Study Spots Beyond Bobst Library
Prefer a quieter space or need a change of scenery? Try these study spots:
- Pless Hall (Steinhardt), 82 Washington Square E, 1st and 3rd floor lounges, 2nd floor (open space) and 7th floor (adjacent to elevator)
- Education Building (Steinhardt), 35 W 4th St, 2nd floor lounge
- Kimball Hall, 246 Greene Street at Washington Place, 1st floor lounge and 2nd floor
- Tisch Hall (Stern), 40 W 4th St, 3rd floor
- Kimmel Center for University Life, 60 Washington Square S, 2nd floor commuter lounge and open space
- Laguardia Student Technology Center, 541 Laguardia Pl
- Third North Student Technology Center, 75 Third Ave
- Paulson Center, 181 Mercer St, 2nd floor Commons and open lounges
- Palladium Athletic Facility Lounge, 140 East 14th St, C-1 Level
For more locations, check out NYU’s Guide to Student Centers and Spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
And a stunning study space off campus: the NYPL Rose Main Reading Room (Fifth Ave and 42nd St).
Staying Active: Gyms, Fitness Studios, and Outdoor Spaces
- Free athletics memberships and fitness and wellbeing activities at NYU Athletics Facilities
- Free yoga and meditation through MindfulNYU
- Blink Fitness (multiple locations, budget-friendly)
- Free Kayaking (Piers 26 & 96, seasonal)
- Central Park – Great for cycling, jogging, or exploring the North Woods.
- Battery Park and Hudson River Piers – Scenic walking.
- Dancer-Friendly Studios:
Getting Around NYC
- OMNY Contactless Payment – Tap to pay for subways and buses.
- NYU Shuttle Buses – Free for students with seven routes across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Use the Passio GO app to track buses in real time.
- Google Maps and CityMapper – Best transit apps for navigation.
- Citi Bike – Convenient bike rentals with plenty of docking stations.
Budget-Friendly Tips and Life Hacks
- Use your NYU ID for discounts at stores, restaurants, and more, especially around Washington Square.
- Library Perks – Free subscriptions to The New York Times and Wall Street Journal via NYU Libraries.
- NYCforFree – Discover free events and activities.
- UNiDAYS – Exclusive student discounts on fashion, beauty, and tech.
- $6 movie tickets on Tuesdays at AMC Theatres, and discounted movie passes that can be exchanged for tickets at participating movie theaters through ScholasTix.
- Discounted Metrocards with the FairFares NYC program. Even international students studying in NYC are eligible to apply.
- Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value brand – Affordable grocery options.
- Prime Student offers a six-month trial.
- Get special student pricing on Hulu.
- StoopingNYC and Facebook Marketplace – Find free or inexpensive furniture.
- Explore NYC’s outer boroughs for the price of a subway ride.
Arts, Culture, and Live Performances
Explore NYC’s rich cultural scene:
- Café Wha? – Live jazz.
- Carnegie Hall – $10 student tickets.
- New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre – reduced-price tickets for students, available in advance and day-of.
- Apollo Theater – 50% off select student tickets.
- NY Transit Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Free for NYU students.
- Whitney Museum of American Art and Brooklyn Museum – Free for NYU students. See the NYU Museum Gateway for more free museums.
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – Experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture.
- The New York Earth Room – a permanent installation in Soho.
- Thirsty Gallerina – Free gallery openings.
- Baby's All Right and the Bell House – concert venues in Brooklyn.
- 1iota – Free tickets to TV show tapings.
- The United Nations – Screenings and cultural celebrations.
- NYC Parks Department – Free concerts, theater, and outdoor movies.
- NYC.gov – a citywide list of events.
Find more deals through NYU ScholasTix.
Best Places to Unwind
Looking to relax after class? These student-favorite spots are perfect for downtime:
- The White Oak Tavern and Josie Woods Pub (Waverly Pl) – Great for happy hour.
- Little Island and Google’s Rooftop Park (Pier 57) – Scenic and peaceful hangout spots.
- Riverside Park & Pier 17 – Beautiful waterfront views.
Weekend and Day Trips
Get out of the city for a quick escape:
- Untermyer Gardens Conservancy – 30 minutes (Metro North).
- Coney Island (summer fun!) – 1 hour (subway).
- Westchester County – Ideal for fall festivals and apple picking – 1 hour (Metro North).
- Philadelphia – 1.5 hours (Amtrak).
- Princeton, NJ – Beautiful town, lectures and cheap opera performances at the university – 1.5 hours (NJ Transit).
- Grounds for Sculpture – 1.5 hours (NJ Transit).
- Woodbury Common Premium Outlets – 1.5 hours (Metro North or bus).
- Boston, Washington DC, Hartford, CT, or Ithaca, NY – 3-4 hours (Amtrak).
Weather Prep and Seasonal Tips
- Winter:
Uniqlo HeatTech for layering, fleece-lined jeans for warmth, and thrifted jackets for affordability. - Summer:
Carry an oversized shirt to stay comfortable in air-conditioned spaces. - Packing Hack:
Buy vacuum bags so you can bring enough clothes with you from home. - Shopping Hack:
Winter coats go on sale in January (50%-70% off).
Other Useful NYC Tips
- Get an NYC Identification Card for access to city resources.
- Spotting celebrities? Keep your eyes open—NYC is full of famous faces!
We hope this guide makes your transition to NYU Steinhardt and NYC a little easier! As you settle in, explore the city, meet new people, and take advantage of all that NYU has to offer. Welcome to the Steinhardt community!
Current students, have an idea to add? Let us know!