30 Free Things To Do In NYC
We all know New York City as one of the most famous cities in the world, and many dream about visiting or living at some point in the Big Apple. Yet, one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about NYC is how expensive the city can be, especially when you start to look at rent and hotel prices, attractions, and restaurants.
Even as a seasoned local, we are always looking for new ways to try and save money here and there. After a few years of city life, I think I’ve learned a thing or two about doing just that! So today, I’m sharing with you the best free things to do in NYC, including the most popular attractions, so you can save a bit and spend your money on other things that will help you to have the trip of a lifetime!
Did you recently move to the city? Don’t go away! We are also sharing some super special places you might want to check out while you’re living here!
30 Free Things to do in New York City
Central Park
Central Park is such an iconic part of NYC, and honestly it’s probably my all time favorite place! There’s never a wrong time to visit Central Park. Spring is known for the beautiful flowers, summer is perfect for picnics and row boats ($10 an hour), Fall has its beautiful foliage, and winter is the perfect time to see the city covered in snow while ice-skating ( $25 an hour). So no matter when you visit, there will be something unique and beautiful to see in Central Park!
Some of the top free things to do in the park include having a picnic while watching the NYC skyline, and visiting some of my favorite places like the Bethesda Fountain and the Bow Bridge. Here, you can see couples and families rowing along the park in their boats!
Shakespeare in the Park
Another of my all time favorite free things to do in New York City and in Central Park is enjoying the Shakespearean plays. Free Shakespeare in the Park offers free theatrical performances every summer at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Getting tickets, however, can be a bit tricky. You can always try to enter the online lottery everyday if you are a local and have time to spare. For visitors, my advice is to arrive early to get the free tickets they give out on the day of the performances. It’s worth waiting a bit!
Once you’ve seen the park, you can head right next door to another of the great free NYC attractions: the Plaza Hotel. Stroll around the lobby to see the beautiful decor of this iconic destination. If you want to stay here, you’ll have a great location from which to explore the rest of the city!
Neue Galerie
The Neue Galerie is one of the most beautiful museums in the Upper East Side. The art gallery is found in a beautifully detail-oriented architectural masterpiece of a building, and the space focuses on Austrian and German art.
Along with many others, the gallery showcases dramatic and emblematic pieces like Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer and Carl Moll’s White Interior. And best of all, you can add it to your list of free things to do in New York, as the museum offers free visits on the 1st Friday of each month and also participates in the Museum Mile Festival.
The Museum Mile Festival is a celebration of art that happens every year in the month of June in the city, when visitors can access most of the major museums on 5th avenue free of charge. If you’re here during this time, definitely take advantage!
Did you know that New York City has the 2nd most museums in the world by square footage? That’s why it definitely won’t be difficult to find a museum that you love while visiting the city.
Not all museums, indoor art installations or galleries are free, of course, but many offer free tours or free museum days while others have suggested donation prices. This means that you can actually pay what you wish once you are at the counter, despite the listed price.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) was a “suggested donation” institution up until a few years ago. They changed their policy so the pay what you wish only applies for residents of New York and students of New Jersey and Connecticut. If this applies to you, definitely take advantage and pay whatever you feel is adequate.
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) also hosts a MOMA free Fridays for New York residents.
Rockefeller Center, Today Show, SNL
The Rockefeller Center Plaza and all of the attached buildings and entertainment centers are one of the most popular attractions in Midtown Manhattan. The complex goes all the way from 48th to 51st Street and offers many of the best free things to do in NYC, including the taping of the Today show and Saturday Night Life.
Travelers and locals can enter the ticket lottery program that these popular shows host for an opportunity to be included in the audience. Alternatively, standby tickets, although not guaranteed, are also offered on the morning of the day of the show at 30 Rockefeller Center.
During the Christmas season, a few of the free things you won’t want to miss are: the holiday shows, the ice skating rink, and the Christmas tree ceremonial lighting.
St Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral is located right in front of the Rockefeller Center, on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. The prominently impressive Neo-Gothic cathedral has a unique style and is something you won’t want to miss! The Cathedral construction was finished in 1878. It boasts beautiful stained glass windows and it is 332 feet long!
Juilliard Free Performances
Another one of the coolest free things to do in New York City is to go see a musical show. Juilliard's On Stage & Beyond program offers more than 700 artistic shows and performances every year in music, dance, drama and everything in between.
Most of the productions are hosted in the Lincoln Center and neighboring spaces, and many of the shows are free. The paid ones typically cost 40 dollars or less. It’s an incredible opportunity for travelers to truly immerse themselves in the New York City music and performance space!
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is located in the Lincoln Center. It offers free visits to those interested in researching or learning about theater, music and the performing arts. They also host public programs offering visitors free of charge movie screenings, music and play performances, lectures and talks, and more. Their programs are very popular among New Yorkers who love art!
Times Square
For first time travelers or visitors, there’s no place in NYC quite like Times Square. Visiting after sunset is a completely different experience than during the day, as the lights and skyscrapers are all the more visually impressive.
The area is always crowded, but the crowds definitely add a bit to the ambiance of the experience, especially if you have never seen such a place before. I think in a way it’s what makes Times Square special for tourists and first timers: the mix of crowds, skyscrapers, big screens and yellow cabs. It’s picturesque NYC in a nutshell!
Yes it’s touristy, but it’s something that everyone should experience for themselves!
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is one of the most popular public parks in New York City. It’s strategically located between Times Square, the New York City Library ,and Grand Central Station, so you’ll have plenty of free things to do in the area. The park itself also offers lots of free activities for visitors regardless of the season.
During the summer months the park hosts performances and movie screenings. During the winter, they have holiday related activities and entertainment, including a holiday market, a beautiful Christmas tree, and an ice-skating rink!
New York City Public Library
The New York Public Library is one of the most grand buildings in the entire city, with the dramatic marble lions in the entrance and its grand Rose main reading room, complete with adornments and ceiling murals. It’s the perfect location if you need some quiet time during your NYC visit.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Station is one of the most famous transportation stations around the world, but just the building itself is a marvel! Here you’ll find incredible architecture, trendy stores, and even world class bars and restaurants. My recommendation is to head to the main concourse and just wander around. And if you love technology, make a quick stop by the unique Apple store.
The Vessel
Another of the coolest free things to do in NYC, and one of the city’s newest attractions, is The Vessel! This architectural wonder is most beautiful in the sunset light, as the sun hits right on it and reflects beautifully. You can climb up the 154 flights of stairs of The Vessel for free, just make sure to reserve your spot/book your free ticket online ahead of time. For more information on Hudson Yards tickets, events and time slots head to the official website
Also worth a mention is Mercado Little Spain, located almost right next door in the same Hudson Yards shops and complex. The Spanish food and tapas are not free, although many offer very reasonable prices. But you can always go inside the market and see the different restaurants and food stands preparing the paellas or the croquettes.
Yum! Even if you’re not hungry, it’s a cool experience to walk through and see some different regional cuisines.
The High line
Right next to Hudson Yards you’ll find the High Line, another of the most popular free destinations to visit in NYC. This green space and park is converted from an old raised railway, and it passes through some of NYC's most popular areas as it runs between Gansevoort Street to Hudson Yards.
It’s a beautiful walk with lots of places to stop and sit, and you’ll find many cafes and food vendors along the way! Once in the area, locals love to head down to another of NYC favorite markets: the Chelsea Market! The Market offers souvenirs, a variety of shops, some delicious food, and many different vendors to explore!
If you are visiting NYC in 2022, head to the official High line website to get up to date information about the high line visitor pass and more.
Little Island
Little Island park is one the newest public green spaces park in the city, located right on Hudson River. The unique design was created to help locals and tourists alike escape the bustle and hustle of the city and wind down while surrounded by the park's lush greenery and the river relaxing breeze. Walk around some of the paths and enjoy the waterfront area. This is an amazing addition to NYC!
230 Fifth
Looking for a free rooftop to add to your list of free things to do in NYC this weekend?
This bar and rooftop is among the most popular in New York, and it is a year-round destination for both locals and tourists. Both the entrance to the bar and the views of the Empire State and the NY skyline views are free. Many people often just snap a picture or two on their way to another destination. Drinks are paid, of course, and reservations aren’t needed, although there could be a wait during key dates and popular months.
During the winter they set up cozy igloos, on a first come first served basis for paying customers, and in the summer months they often have live music and entertainment to enjoy!
Soho & Nolita
Soho has been NYC's main shopping area for years now. You’ll find almost everything from high-end boutiques to fast fashion and popular stores like H&M and Zara. Celebrity favored restaurants, cute cafes, and famous European brands can also be found all around the neighborhood. Go window-shopping for a while and explore some of the city’s most insta-famous streets.
Nolita is the younger, cooler, and trendier sister of Soho. The hot “North of Little Italy “ neighborhood is where you’ll find many New Yorkers’ favorite avant-garde stores, smaller slow-fashion, and local brands that are always bringing innovation and creation. Popping into one of the free entry art galleries of the area while strolling around is always a great idea… you never know when you’ll find your new favorite local artist!
Washington Square Park
Parks are New Yorkers’ best friends during the spring and summer, and spending an afternoon relaxing in one is among the favorite free things to do in NYC for students. The Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood is one of the most popular ones to do just that. The park plays an important part in the area, and it also works as a meeting spot for talented street artists, chess connoisseurs, locals with their kids and pets, and dreamers who might want to spend a summer in Paris.
9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial is one of the most symbolic free things to do in NYC. The Memorial serves to honor the victims of the 1993 and 2001 attacks, and it’s an incredibly emotional destination in New York. Please remember to always be very respectful when visiting this area, as it is a special place for city natives and all those who were affected by these tragedies.
As part of a larger complex in remembrance of all victims, the area also includes the 9/11 Museum and the One World Observatory. The museum offers free admission every Monday from 3:30pm to 5:00 pm.
The One World Observatory was built in the same area where the famous Twin Towers once stood. It is the tallest building in the city, and has some incredible views. The entrance fee varies depending on the experience.
The Oculus
The Oculus is another of the coolest and newest architectural projects in NYC. This unique building functions as both a shopping mall and a transportation hub. My advice is to visit the station on your way uptown or downtown, so you get to see the station without deviating from your commute!
Elevated Acre
The Elevated Acre is a secret oasis and green public space that’s camouflaged among the corporate buildings in the downtown Financial District area. It’s one of the coolest free things to do in NYC during the summer months, when the 40-feet above street level park hosts a seasonal garden and a wine and beer bar that provides a space for locals and visitors to relax while overlooking the river views, the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyscrapers all around. This is a super unique thing in NYC!
Kayaking
I have always found it fascinating to go on a boat tour when visiting big cosmopolitan cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Chicago... You can always find so much peace and beauty while doing so. Luckily, there are several ways to do it in New York City for free!
If you are visiting in the late spring and summer, a very fun activity to do during the day is to kayak while viewing the city from just offshore and enjoying the NY/NJ skyline. There are several free kayaking locations all through the city, including Pier 26, Governors Island, and Greenpoint, but the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse is always my favorite one. It offers free kayaking in 20-minute intervals, just make sure to reserve your spot in advance!
Ferry Ride
If this is your first time in NYC or if you are in the city on a short visit, a great way to see the downtown skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the many other popular New York City landmarks is to hop on the Staten Island Ferry, which is completely free! Make your way to the back or the front of the ferry to get the best views!
Local’s tip: Since we are on the subject of transportation, The NYC Ferry is a great and underused way to get from one area of the city into another. It’s not exactly one of the free things to do in New York City, but it’s the same price as the subway or the bus and you’ll get a comfortable fast ride without train traffic or subway crowds.
You’ll also have the option of buying a refreshing juice or wine. The breathtaking NYC views are on the house!
Governors Island
Governors island is an offshore Manhattan island open to the public all year-round. Ferries from different downtown stations offer daily rides to the island. Visitors who decide to explore the island can enjoy quadricycle rides, picnic areas and incredible Manhattan views, among many other things.
Brooklyn Bridge
There’s nothing more iconic and symbolic of New York than the Brooklyn bridge! Thousands of people walk it or cycle on it every day, from visitors and tourists to Brooklynites and Manhattanites. The best part… It's FREE! My advice is to walk across from Dumbo, Brooklyn to Manhattan during sunrise or around sunset, so you can beat the mid-day crowds and get a more epic skyline view.
Note: For more local Brooklyn guides, go here. We have specific guides for Williamsburg and Greenpoint in case you want to spend a day or two in Brooklyn!
DUMBO
DUMBO is among the most photographic neighborhoods in New York, and it’s the perfect area to start exploring some of Brooklyn. The area possesses quintessential views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge, which is why DUMBO is actually an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
The famed Jane’s Carousel in the Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of the most renowned parts of DUMBO. Grab a coffee in one of the local eateries in the neighborhood and enjoy the distinct vibes!
Movies in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Spending time in DUMBO and in and around Brooklyn Bridge Park is a go-to for many New Yorkers in the summer months. The area is always busy, especially during the late afternoons and evenings when the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation hosts free movie screenings in the park!
There are several locations that offer Free Summer Movies in NYC: Central Park and Bryant Park are among the most popular, but my favorite is definitely Brooklyn Bridge Park. The viewing screen is set up at the bottom of a hill, and you get to enjoy panoramic views of the Manhattan Skyline all while watching some great movies!
Local’s tip: Plan ahead and prepare a picnic so you can also enjoy some good food while watching!
Brooklyn Flea Market
The Brooklyn Flea Market actually has three locations in NYC. One is in Manhattan and the other two are in Brooklyn. Open year round at their Chelsea location and during the summer in Brooklyn, the Flea Market is one of the free things to do in NYC that you won’t want to miss!
The fair features vendors selling vintage clothes, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and art, and even has great food options. It’s actually known for being one of the best flea markets in the world!
Time Out Market
Time Out Market is a very busy and fun establishment near the Brooklyn Bridge Park. This water-front eatery and entertainment destination offers a great drink and food selection and hosts many enjoyable cultural events. The food court area hosts local vendors, selling everything from fresh pasta to delicious Mexican dishes.
Although the main focus of the space is the food and drinks, the organizers of Time Out Market also host free of charge concerts and musical performances featuring young artists up on the rooftop. All you have to do is register through eventbrite. The atmosphere is always lively and upbeat, which makes the experience definitely worth checking out!
San Gennaro Festival
The Feast of San Gennaro is an Italian-American celebration that takes place in September every year. For 5 days in the neighborhood of Little Italy, the festival honors the life of San Gennaro of Naples, a Bishop of Benevento, Italy who was martyred in 305 AD. There will be a festive atmosphere and some amazing Italian food!
Free Events in NYC
NYC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade: Every year there’s a big parade and Lunar New Year celebration that takes place in Chinatown. The entire neighborhood dresses in red and brings incredibly talented artists and dramatic visuals. Smaller scale events also take place through the city in other neighborhoods like Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens. They’re all amazing!
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the holiday season in New York every year. The large-scale celebration goes from 77th street to 34th, featuring both new and beloved old displays. It’s an incredible show of craftsmanship and artistry with all the balloons, floats, musicians, and performers.
Christmas Trees and Holiday Markets: Visiting NYC Christmas markets is another one of the best free things to do in NY during the holiday season. There are a few markets all throughout the city, but no fair has as much to offer as the famous Bryant Park Winter Village.
The market promoters organize tons of holiday related activities, including setting up the city’s only free ice-skating rink, ice-skating rink seats, holiday shops, and one of the most beautiful New York City Christmas trees. Other well-known New York Christmas markets are: the Columbus Circle Holiday Market (selling mostly holiday arts and crafts), and the Union Square Holiday Market (offering incredible artisanal products and food).
Christmas Light and Displays: During the Christmas and New Year celebrations, New York City's most prominent stores from Macy’s to Bloomingdales will showcase magnificent lights and window displays! The windows at Saks on Fifth are definitely the most beautifully decorated ones during Christmas. The store also presents the most incredible light show I have ever seen. Standing outside, visitors can look up at the magical projections on the wall that come accompanied by seasonal music and an enchanting atmosphere.
A Few Additional Tips on Free Things to do in NYC
That’s my list of the best free things to do in NYC, including what to do during some specific seasons of the year! If this is your first time in NYC, I hope you find something that makes you fall in love with the city as much as I did. If you already live in the city, hopefully you can add some cool things to your NYC to-do list!
Below, we are sharing a few extra tips and recommendations:
Languages
English is the most spoken language in the city (of course!), but the cosmopolitan nature of New York allows travelers of many other languages and cultures to find a way to communicate in the city. The Spanish, Chinese, and Italian communities are some of the largest in New York.
Transportation Tips
The most common way to get to NYC is by plane. The three closest airports to New York City in the Tri-state area are: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) , and Newark International Airport (EWR).
Going from the airport to the city center is easy but can be quite pricey, depending on your means of transportation: taxis and ubers cost anywhere from 50 to 100+ dollars depending on the season, the airport, and the final drop off location. Uber prices have recently been going up a lot in the New York area, so I recommend grabbing a yellow cab instead as they have a set flat rate for coming from the airport. Buses and subways offer more reasonable prices, although the commute can be longer.
New York City is one of the most walkable cities in the world. Walking or biking will easily get you everywhere you want to go. Alternatively, you can and should make use of the local transit: Buses and subway trains run frequently, and are quite reliable. While the subway system can seem confusing at first, your map apps are great at providing directions and there are always information booth inside the most popular terminals where you can stop and ask for help.
Best Time To Visit
There’s simply no bad time to visit New York City! Every season has its own particular charm. But, if I have to pick, I think the best time to visit New York City is either during the Spring or Fall.
Temperatures in the city are nice and agreeable, and there’s always a lot of fun things to do. The best part is that you’ll avoid the crowds that visit the city from June to August, as well as the unbearable heat and humidity that comes with the summer months when temperatures can easily reach 104 F in New York.
Winter months also come with their own set of challenges: heavy holiday crowds, snow storms affecting flights, and often below freezing temperatures. On the positive side, if you are visiting from the middle of January through the beginning of March you’ll get more reasonable hotel prices, as this is the city’s lowest season.
Hotel Recommendations
When it comes to hotels, New York has plenty of options for every kind of traveler. It all depends on which neighborhood you want to spend more time in and on your stay budget.
A few hotel options to consider are:
citizenM New York Times Square
The city also has plenty of apartment listings to choose from. Just keep in mind to book everything in advance, especially if you are visiting during peak summer season
General Travel tips
Travelers planning to visit more than one tourist attraction can find options like the New York Pass and the Explorer Pass, which offer discounts on admission fees to museums and places of interest like The Empire State Building, One World Observatory, the American Museum of Natural History, the Bronx Zoo, the Luna Park in Coney Island and The Statue of Liberty.
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I hope you enjoy your time in NYC, and if you find more fun free things to do in the city, definitely let us know in the comments below!
Besitos from the Upper West Side,
Laura
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