How to Hack Will & Kate's Trip to NYC on Any Budget

The royal couple outside the Carlyle Hotel in New York City on Dec. 7, 2014. (Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage)

Since we don’t have royalty here in the U.S., Americans get a little giddy when a real-life prince and princess come to town.

Yes, even the most jaded New Yorkers are watching Will and Kate’s every move through Gotham. While we may not have their budget (or their entourage), there are still plenty of ways that we can get our royal on in the Big Apple.

Here are a few small swaps to plan a Will and Kate style trip to NYC:

Royal: Will and Kate stay at the Carlyle in a $14,000 a night suite.

Baller: You’ll stay at the Carlyle in a $585 a night suite.

Budget: Have a drink at the Carlyle’s famous Bemelmans Bar.

The Carlyle hotel offers accommodations fit for a queen. (Rosewood Hotels)

Following in the footsteps of Princess Diana, Will and Kate opted to stay at the luxurious Carlyle on the Upper East Side. Their approximately $14,000 a night suite features sweeping views of Central Park, and we’re sure the butler and maid service will rival anything they’d get at Kensington Palace. If the rate is a little out of your budget, you can stay in one of the hotel’s standard rooms. But, it will still cost you about $585 a night.

If the price is still out of your range, just grab a cocktail in the timeless Bemelmans Bar, named for Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the Madeline children’s books.

Royal: Will and Kate sit courtside at the Nets game.

Baller: Snag your own tickets to the Barclays Center event on StubHub.

Budget: Watch the game at a Manhattan sports bar.

With the royal couple sitting courtside, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers led his team to a win at this week’s game against the Nets. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

While visiting high-level politicians won’t be on your to-do list when visiting New York, there are a few things you can experience much like the royals. Will and Kate sat courtside on Dec. 8 at the Brooklyn Nets game, where they met rap royalty Jay Z and Beyoncé after the third quarter. Courtside seats may not be an option for common folk, but you can easily purchase tickets to home games.

And if you don’t feel like hoofing it to Brooklyn (You don’t have a royal escort after all.), head down to the West Village to Kettle of Fish, one of the most unassuming but wonderful sports bars in New York City.

Royal: Take a VIP tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Baller: Take the regular tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Budget: Take the subway to the Memorial reflection pools and meditate.

The newly opened 9/11 Museum (Amy Dreher/9/11 Memorial and Museum)

On Tuesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will pay their respects at the 9/11 Memorial, which recently opened its powerful museum, complementing the already established Memorial reflection pools. Tickets to the memorial are free; they just have to be reserved in advance. Tickets to the museum are $24 for an adult.

Royal: Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a $50,000 dinner.

Baller: Pay the $25 entry fee for the Met.

Budget: Visit a museum for free.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to many famous works, such as this iconic painting by Emanuel Leutze. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Though their visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Tuesday night is to attend the very private University of St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner (think $50,000 per couple), you can check out the museum’s incredible collection daily for $25. First century antiquities, Johannes Vermeer, and Jackson Pollock works are all on display at this world-class art arena.

If $25 is still too steep, hit up a different museum on one of the designated “free” days. The Bronx Museum of the Arts is free all day on Wednesdays, and the Museum of Modern Art is free on Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Royal: Will and Kate visit advertising legend Sir Martin Sorrell’s apartment in Gramercy Park.

Baller: Splurge at ABC Kitchen.

Budget: Wander around Mario Batali’s fabulous Italian food court Eataly.

For a taste of the good life, dine at Gramercy Tavern. (Gramercy Tavern/Facebook)

With only three days in New York, Will and Kate will check out as many of the city’s distinct neighborhoods as possible. The couple is staying on the Upper East Side and will attend an event for their alma mater in the same area. But within an hour of arrival to their hotel, they headed out to a dinner at British advertising legend Sir Martin Sorrell’s apartment in Gramercy Park. You may not get the same invite, but there are plenty of restaurants like Gramercy Tavern and Pure Food and Wine to try during your own visit.

We love Michelin star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen almost as much as we adore Mario Batali’s Italian-inspired food court at Eataly, where you can shop, nibble, wine taste, or just grab yourself a cup of gelato.

Kate also headed north to Harlem with the first lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, to visit the Northside Center for Child Development. While volunteering would be a noble thing to do while on vacation, you can check out some of the hotspots nearby, including the world-renowned restaurant Red Rooster. Will and Kate will also make an appearance at an event at the Empire State Building.

Royal: Host a fancy party at the top of the Empire State Building.

Baller: Visit the Empire State Building’s main deck and top deck for $46 per adult.

Budget: Soak in the views of the NYC skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge (for free).

No NYC visit is complete without admiring the art deco treasure that is the Empire State Building. (Justin Brown/Flickr)

Though the view from their hotel suite is incredible, Prince William wanted to check out one of the skyline’s gems up close by heading to the Empire State Building. He will attend the Innovation is GREAT reception hosted by Shutterstock, but you can check out one of the tallest buildings in New York any day of the week. Take in million dollar views with a visit to the main deck and top deck for $46 per adult.

Some of the best views of New York City can also be had from the ground. Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge to capture all of the city’s buildings in one shot.

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