Top 10 Free Things to Do in New York City
New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world, with endless things to see and do. While some attractions like Broadway shows, major museums, and sightseeing tours can get pricey, there are also tons of free activities and events for budget-conscious travelers. Here are the top 10 free things to do in New York City:
1. Take a Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
The iconic Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Walking across its 1.1 miles of suspension cables high above the East River not only provides spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, it’s completely free! You can access the pedestrian walkway from either side of the bridge. Go at sunset for a particularly memorable experience.
2. Stroll Through Central Park
At 843 acres, Central Park offers endless opportunities for walking, people-watching, picnicking, and taking in monuments like the Bethesda Fountain. Rent a rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse for just $15/hour. Visit Sheep Meadow or the Conservatory Garden to see beautiful blooms. Don’t miss the literary walk with statues of famous authors.
3. Explore the High Line
This 1.5 mile long elevated park built on old railroad tracks has unique landscaping and art installations. Walk the entire length for views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. Look for special events like stargazing at night. The icing on the cake is the park has no admission fee!
4. Take in the Views from Top of the Rock
Skip the long lines and high prices of the Empire State Building and head to Top of the Rock observatory at Rockefeller Center instead. The 67th, 69th, and 70th floor observation decks offer unobstructed panoramic views of the city’s iconic skyline. Tickets are free if you go at 8-11am.
5. Visit Free Museums
Many of New York’s best museums have free entry or pay-what-you-wish admission certain evenings or days of the week. This includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Museum, MoMA, and more. Some museums are always free like the National Museum of the American Indian and the Museum of Chinese in America.
6. Take a Free Tour
Several organizations like Free Tours by Foot offer pay-what-you-wish walking tours of popular NYC neighborhoods and sights. Or go on your own self-guided tour using apps like Big Apple Greeter or Spotted by Locals which have free audio guides and maps. The tours provide interesting facts and context about the iconic city.
7. See the Statue of Liberty for Free
While the ferry ride to both Liberty and Ellis Islands costs money, you can see the Statue of Liberty for free! Take the Staten Island Ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan and you’ll get great views of Lady Liberty on the short round trip boat ride (just be sure to sit on the right side on your way there).
8. Visit Grand Central Terminal
This spectacular historic train terminal is a must-see. The cavernous Main Concourse with its 125-foot ceiling decorated in an astrological motif is jaw-dropping. Visit the food hall, whisper in the whispering gallery, admire the clock, and people watch in this busy transportation hub. There’s often free events and live music too.
9. Take in a Free Concert or Performance
In the summer, Central Park and city parks across the boroughs offer countless free concerts and performances. Or sit in the wooden chairs at the Delacorte Theater for free Shakespeare in the Park tickets. Other places for free performances are the New York Philharmonic rehearsals at Lincoln Center and opera rehearsals at the Metropolitan Opera House.
10. Go on a Free Brewery Tour
Microbreweries like Brooklyn Brewery, SingleCut Beersmiths, Bronx Brewery, and Flagship Brewing offer free tours on various days where you can sample their beers too. Or sip free samples any day of the week at craft beer bar Blind Tiger Ale House. Just be sure to tip your tour guide!
Getting Around for Free
The magic of New York City is exploring its distinct neighborhoods, but how do you get around without spending a fortune on subway, bus, taxi and Uber fares? Thankfully, there are some budget-friendly transportation options.
Firstly, the Staten Island Ferry is a completely free mode of transportation providing outstanding views of the Statue of Liberty on the short 5 mile boat ride across New York Harbor.
Secondly, walking is often the best way to experience the city’s hustle and bustle up close. Distances may seem far on a map, but can often be easily walkable thanks to the orderly grid system of streets and avenues. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
When you need to give your feet a rest, hop on a subway or city bus. Single ride MetroCards are $2.75, but 7-day unlimited passes offer a much better deal at just $33. Buy a pay-per-ride MetroCard to share among your group and you can save even more.
NYC also has a bike share program with hundreds of stations where you can rent bikes for $3-15 per 30 mins. Biking is an affordable and fun way to cover more ground. Use designated bike lanes to stay safe.
Lastly, ride share apps and yellow cabs should be used minimally to cut costs. But if you must take a taxi, use apps like Curb to hail one or split fares with others in your group.
Free New York City Events and Festivals
Beyond its iconic sights and attractions, New York City also hosts fun free events, parades, and festivals throughout the year. Here are some of the can’t-miss free happenings that capture the city’s diversity and spirit:
NYC Pride – Each June, NYC hosts one of the world’s biggest and most colorful Pride parades and events to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and history. Rainbow flags and glitter abound at this exciting street party!
Shakespeare in the Park – During summer at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater, the Public Theater presents free open-air performances of Shakespeare plays by accomplished actors. Get free tickets in advance online.
SummerStage – From June to September, Central Park hosts over 100 free concerts across genres from pop to jazz to indie rock. Bring a blanket and picnic to enjoy music under the stars.
Celebrate Brooklyn! – Prospect Park bandshell comes alive each summer with free outdoor concerts featuring national and global music acts. Food and craft vendors provide diverse eats.
Harlem Week – Spanning 10 days each August, this festival celebrates Harlem’s history and community with live jazz shows, food tastings, family events, street fairs, parades and more.
US Open – Catch free daytime tennis matches at the year’s final Grand Slam tournament held in Queens each August/September. See top-ranked players up close on the outer courts.
NYC Restaurant Week – Twice a year (January/February and July/August), over 300 restaurants offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus for just $26-$42, providing a great budget way to experience the city’s stellar dining scene.
NYC Broadway Week – For 2 weeks in September/October and January/February, customers can buy 2-for-1 tickets to popular Broadway shows, making the normally expensive theater experience more affordable.
Eating Well on a Budget in NYC
Dining out in New York can easily devour your vacation budget. However, you can still enjoy delicious and authentic NYC cuisine without breaking the bank by following these money-saving tips:
Food Carts and Trucks
Skip sit-down restaurants for quick, cheap eats from food carts and trucks clustered on busy corners and parks. You can get huge, filling sandwiches like chicken over rice from halal carts, hot dogs and pretzels from street vendors, and tacos, empanadas and quesadillas from trucks for just a few dollars.
Pizza by the Slice
Skip a whole pie for a quick slice on the go from ubiquitous NYC pizzerias. Huge slices can be found for just $1 from places like 2 Bros and 99 Cent Fresh Pizza. Or opt for a giant slice from iconic spots like Joe’s Pizza and Artichoke Basille’s for under $5.
Ethnic Eats
In NYC’s diverse neighborhoods, you can find amazing ethnic food for cheap, from steaming Chinese dumplings in Chinatown to South Indian dosas in Jackson Heights to savory empanadas in Spanish Harlem. Go for take-out and you can eat very well for under $10/person.
Food Halls
For a wide range of cuisines in one spot, head to food halls like Chelsea Market, Plaza Food Hall, and TurnStyle underground. Mix and match cheap tacos, ramen bowls, arepas and more. Many food stalls have samples so you can try before you buy.
Happy Hours and Specials
Times Square restaurants run happy hours with cheap eats like half priced appetizers, while many East Village spots have $1 oyster specials. Skip dessert for free treats at restaurants’ anniversaries or openings. Off the Menu and The Infatuation post cheat sheets.
Splitting Meals
Look for shareable small plates and appetizers at trendy restaurants to allow you to sample fine dining flavors while keeping costs down. Short rib sliders, flatbreads and charcuterie boards are all easily sharable options.
Free Attractions and Activities for Kids in New York City
New York City offers families many ways to have fun for free. From parks and playgrounds to hands-on museums, here are the top free things to do with kids in the city:
Staten Island Ferry
Let kids enjoy the breeze and views of the Statue of Liberty from this free 25-minute boat ride. Play I Spy along the way. Return at sunset for a special treat.
Central Park Zoo
Children can visit the sea lions, snow monkeys, and rainforest birds for free on Wednesdays from 3-5PM November to March at the small Central Park Zoo.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Kids can learn through interactive exhibits highlighting diverse cultures and arts at this inventive Brooklyn museum. Free admission on Thursdays from 2-6PM.
Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden
On Wednesdays, the Bronx Zoo and adjacent Botanical Garden offer free general admission. See wildlife from penguins to giraffes and explore garden trails.
New York Hall of Science
Queens’ science museum hosts free hours Fridays from 2-5PM and Sundays from 10-11AM. Kids can enjoy fun hands-on experiments and science demos.
Storytime and Puppet Shows
Most public libraries and bookstores in the five boroughs offer regular free storytime and puppet shows for toddlers and young children.
Public Swimming Pools
From July to September, NYC’s free outdoor pools become gathering places for families to beat the heat. Crotona Pool and McCarren Pool are top choices.
Kayaking the Hudson River
From May to October, free kayaking is offered Saturdays at Pier 26 in Manhattan. Kids ages 5 and up can paddle safely with supervision. Advance sign-up required.
Open Streets
On selected weekends, certain streets are closed to traffic and open for free activities like giant bubble making, jump rope contests and more. A great way to explore NYC neighborhoods!
Free Movie Screenings
From June to August, outdoor movie screenings take place for free in parks and waterfronts across the five boroughs as part of NYC’s SummerStage festival.