New York City, the city that never sleeps!
If you’ve visited the big apple you’ll know you need to take a packed wallet to cover all the costs and feel like you’re getting the most from the city. With huge hotel costs, expensive cocktails, and a lot of shopping options that make it hard to resist spending, it would be nice to have a few options to keep you busy that also give your bank account a break.
Thankfully, New York has a lot of fun things to do that won’t leave you counting your pennies. Here’s a list of 15 free things to do in New York City.
Embrace the arts and culture.
New York City has an abundance of museums, some of which are free to visit. The ones in this list offer free options, there are also museums that offer a suggested price, you can make that $1 if you wish. For the purpose of this post, here are your free options.
Guggenheim – Free on Saturdays from 17.45 to 19.45
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as The Guggenheim, is one of the many iconic buildings in New York. It is an art museum located at 1071 Fifth Avenue on the corner of East 89th Street in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan.
Museum of Modern Art – Free on Fridays from 16.00 to 20.00
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. MOMA showcases works from Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock among many others.
9/11 Memorial & Museum – Free on Tuesdays from 17:00 to closing
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum commemorates the September 11, 2001 attacks, which killed 2,977 people, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which killed six. It is a highly moving experience.
Central Park
Explore the parks
Although famous for the endless skyscrapers, New York boasts some wonderful flat green spaces, including one of Hollywood’s favourite backdrops of Central park. Whether a morning stroll, picknick with a loved one in the spring sun, or to take a NYC minute and people watch, New York’s parks are worth a visit.
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a 9.603-acre privately managed public park located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. In the winter season, you can find a large skating rink in the park.
Central Park
Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan, located between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. Central Park is arguably the most famous park in the world, and a visit is an opportunity to escape the city without actually leaving.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park, as its name would suggest, is stationed under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side of the East River. It’s an 85-acre park with amazing views over Manhattan. This park is another great option to get away from the busy city.
Check out some major attractions
The city has no end to its list of attractions. Many require an entrance fee (and are worth it), but there are still some iconic locations to visit that won’t cost you a penny!
The High Line
The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues.
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is free and moves 22 million passengers a year between Whitehall in Manhattan and St. George in Staten Island. On the ride, you can see the Statue of Liberty up close.
Time Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. The lights will blow your mind!
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library Main Branch is the flagship building in the New York Public Library (NYPL) system and a prominent historic landmark in Midtown Manhattan.
Brooklyn Bridge
The beautiful Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest roadway bridges in the United States. It’s definitely in the conversation for greatest bridge in the world.
Grand Central Terminal
A world-famous landmark on 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, this terminal is not simply a transportation hub – it’s also a shopping, dining, and cultural destination.
Fun activities for the family
New York City is one of the fastest paced tourist destinations in the world, and this can put off some families. It doesn’t have to! There are many suggestions in this list that are great for families, here are some that are very popular to keep the younger visitors entertained.
Shakespeare in the Park – Free theatre from May – August in Delacorte Theater, Central Park
If you likes shows and the theatre, New York has you covered with broadway, but that’s not your only option. Shakespeare in the Park is an annual event where you can watch different plays in the open theatre for free.
Dancing in Bryant Park – Free dancing lessons in May and June
If dancing is something you like, you can take up the offer of free lessons in Bryant Park. Have some fun and learn some new skills at the same time.
Outdoor Swimming – Free at several locations throughout NYC from 27 June
New York offers some great options for you swimmers in the summer. There are a number of free outdoor pools to choose from. Pack your swim gear and bring a lock (for your locker).
So there you have it, 15 free things to do in New York City.
This list is by no means the only free things to do in New York City. It’s just a selection of the most popular, if you want to add your favorite things to do in the comments, please share with our readers.
One last bonus, if you want to visit some of the paid major attractions in the city (you should), take a look at the New York CityPASS. More helpful things like this on our travel resources page.
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