Features

MU Students’ Tips and Tricks for Enjoying Free Time Without Breaking The Bank

Van Cortlandt Park, November 2025. BARBARA VASQUEZ / THE QUADRANGLE

Barbara Vasquez, Production / Web Editor

College students typically carry around the stereotype of being “broke” and living as cheaply as possible to save money. Though students might take offense at being called broke, most would agree that having budget-friendly options for various food and activities is appreciated. While it may seem hard to imagine many low-cost options around Manhattan University, especially due to its location in New York City, some students shared their personal local gems with The Quadrangle that don’t break the bank.

Enjoying nature around the university does not have to be expensive. In fact, sometimes it doesn’t have to cost anything. Ty Jackson, junior communication major, spoke about Van Cortlandt Park being a good no-cost option for students to spend their free time.

“I mean, taking a walk through Van Cortlandt’s free, and I feel like that’s something that a lot of students should take advantage of,” Jackson said. “It’s a giant park and you can do basically whatever you want there. It’s great.”

Van Cortlandt Park, located right next to campus, is the third largest park in NYC, hosting over one thousand acres of land. The park offers athletic facilities such as tennis courts, golf courses, skating rinks and more for the public to use for small fees. They also have barbecuing areas, hiking and running trails, play areas and even historical sites for visitors to utilize at no cost. 

An entrance to Van Cortlandt Park, located at Van Cortlandt Park street and Broadway. BARBARA VASQUEZ / THE QUADRANGLE

Jayden Peters, freshman video game design and production major and a member of the women’s golf team at MU, spends most of her free time using the park’s vast golf course.

“I mostly go to the golf course and back,” Peters said. “Van Cortlandt Park is very nice. The golf course is cheap. It’s public. They have most tee times open quite often, and the rest of the park’s free, so it’s nice.”

Outside of Van Cortlandt Park, MU’s bordering neighborhoods can provide scenic routes for students to walk along and enjoy. The weekly wellness walks held at MU, hosted by the kinesiology and health department, typically pass through these neighborhoods and give students an easy and budget-friendly way to enjoy their free time. Senior psychology major Fiona Dunkel spoke to The Quadrangle about her appreciation for these walks.

“I’ve started doing the wellness walks on campus that I really enjoy,” Dunkel said. “We get to go up to this little pond in the neighborhoods adjoining. Even just walking around Riverdale, it’s enjoyable and I don’t spend money doing it!”

Even though it can be fairly easy to find ways to enjoy time outside for little to no cost in NYC, the same usually can’t be said for finding cheap food. Like most college students however, Dunkel has a budget-friendly favorite that she finds herself returning to.

“There is one place I found near Times Square called Ledo Pizza, where you can get a whole personal pie with a bunch of toppings for maybe $12,” Dunkel said. “It’s delicious, I just love going there. I haven’t been back in a while but I hope I can get there soon to get myself a little personal pie.”

Ledo Pizza, a favorite of student Fiona Dunkel. LEDOPIZZA.COM/ COURTESY

Jackson shared some recommendations that were a little closer to campus.

“Last semester, I was living in a house with a few other guys on Irwin Avenue, and I’d say about every other week I would venture out to Teriyaki One right around the 237 Street plaza,” Jackson said. “They have a deal where you can get a chicken teriyaki combo with rice and a drink for something like $10. I loved it.”

By traveling further along Broadway, you can find Punto de Sabor Express, another restaurant that Jackson enjoys. He first found the spot using an app called TooGoodToGo, which allows restaurants to sell leftover food at a discounted price. TooGoodToGo was created with the initiative of reducing food waste, and has helped save over 400 million meals.

“I’d like to shout out my old astronomy professor because he introduced me to the app,” Jackson said. “The closest meal you can get around here is on 231 and Broadway, right by the one train. You get like $15 worth of food for $5.”

Whether spending time at Van Cortlandt Park or finding good meal deals around the city, MU students prove that it’s possible to enjoy time at college without overspending.