Discover the best of New York in this guide and find the best free things to do in NYC
New York City is a playground for tourists to indulge in a whirlwind of activities! I say this because – there are world-famous attractions all over the city. You won’t be able to either find time to visit all of them or give enough time for exploration.
You could spend a few months exploring New York City, from the city’s soaring skylines to NYC’s incredible food scene. Since there’s so much to see & do – I am covering this article that will guide you in exploring the top 20 free things to do in NYC. Especially for first-timers visiting NYC, this is a convenient guide to discovering some famous places in New York.
Interestingly, New York is a city filled with attractions that you could stumble upon! Even if it’s not included in your travel plan, you ought to come across it as a surprise.
So whatever it is you’re into, you’ll find there’s more to do in New York than you’ll have time.
Top 20 Free Things to Do in NYC
The High Line
One of the known tourist places in New York – the High Lane, is NYC’s elevated park that runs from Hudson Yards to the northern edge of Chelsea. Earlier, it was used as a railway trackback in 1980 – later, it got stripped and transformed into one of the unique parks in NYC.
The High Line provides some killer views of New York’s skylines. You could take a stroll from one end to the other and explore wildflowers, greenery, and outdoor art installations in addition to the views.
Pro Tip: If it’s a sunny day in NYC, you could expect many crowds on the High Line. To avoid them, you could visit the place in the early morning!
Location – 509-599 West 23rd Street
Staten Island Ferry
Free transportation in the city of New York! Yes, you heard it right. Sounds amazing? The Staten Island Ferry is free, meaning you could travel back & forth anytime at no cost! You might ask why even take a free ferry ride? Well, that’s because this is the closest you could get to the Statue of Liberty, one of the most famous places in New York.
Since the Staten Island Ferry runs 24 hours a day, the flexibility of opting to travel anytime between the days has become much more feasible. Especially during the evening, when the rides are even more beautiful!
The Staten Island Ferry leaves from the Whitehall Terminal and reaches the other point, i.e., St. George Terminal. It takes approx. 25-minutes for each way ride.
Pro Tip: Usually, the Staten Island Ferry is crowded with tourists during the peak afternoon hours. Plus, Wednesdays are the busiest of all days. Take the ferry ride between 9.30 am – 11.30 am or after 7 pm if you take my tip. This way you could avoid crowds & your ride will be pleasant!
Chelsea Art Gallery
If you’re an art-lover or get enticed by unique museum displays, then New York City is home to tens of hundreds of galleries. Some of these museums are free for a particular duration, but you have to club these visits with some other attractions. The best museum that I could suggest you visit right now for free – is the Chelsea Art Gallery.
It’s worth a visit to Chelsea that displays exhibits of museum-quality artwork! The best part about this place – is that it changes its look after a certain duration. You could expect new themes every time you visit. David Zwirner Gallery and Gagosian Gallery are the must-visit ones in Chelsea. They are famous in New York (ask any local New Yorker).
Enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and free bites during opening nights – all for free. So note down this place in your New York bucket list right now!
Bronx Zoo
If you’re visiting with families & children, then why not take a trip to the Bronx Zoo? It’s one of the best free things to do in NYC all time!
The largest in the country – Bronx Zoo in NYC, boasts a wide array of species with around 7,000 resident animals living across 265 acres of land.
General admission is accessible only on Wednesdays so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Bronx Zoo is also known for hosting popular seasonal activities to give fresh new experiences to all tourists. Some popular activities you could do here include – feeding penguins & sea lions, taking a treetop adventure, experiencing wild encounters, and taking a ride on a zoo shuttle.
Free hours may change depending on the operational activity of the zoo, so do check the official website here for more details.
Central Park
Central Park is the landmark of NYC and one of the most-known tourist places in New York. Central Park is loaded with attractions that boast picturesque beauty, from lush green meadows and sprawling waters to walking pathways and gardens. The best part about the park is – that you can visit it at any point of the day. On top of that, it’s a year-round destination. So you could experience summers, winters, and cherry blossom spring seasons within Central Park.
Some of my favorites include – visiting the Wagner Cove, a favorite wedding destination among local New Yorkers. It’s an ideal place for a quick picnic lunch or date. Then Taven on the Green – which is a New York City icon. Heckscher Playground is – the oldest and largest playground in Central Park.
It would be best to visit other prominent places – Morningside Park, Sheep Meadow, and North Meadow. Oh, and yes, there are five artificial waterfalls in Central Park!
Central Park in NYC spans 843 acres of land in total, meaning there’s so much to do & learn while you’re visiting! Apart from the free things you do at the park, I’d also recommend some guided walking tours to learn more about the history & hidden gems. Check the official website here for more things to do at Central Park.
St Patrick’s Cathedral
The beauty of St Patrick’s Cathedral cannot be described in just words! It’s one of the most recognizable cathedrals in New York – boasting the grand architecture and visual display. In the pre-covid-19 era, St Patrick Cathedral used to drive more than 5 million tourists every year. That’s a lot!
You can only justify your visit to the cathedral by exploring & admiring the cathedral’s spectacular architectural sights. It has a seating capacity of 2,400 with numerous altars and worship centers.
A must-visit place for all worship-lovers, or for those who simply want to enjoy a place of pure beauty.
Timings for the cathedral are from 6.30 am to 8 pm. Visits can get busier during the afternoon period. You can opt to explore the cathedral on Saturday evenings, with relatively lesser crowds
Times Square
Has anyone ever visited NYC and not walked through Times Square? This is easily one of the most-visited places in the US. Known for New Year’s Eve celebration – Times Square is a super affordable, fun, and kid-friendly place. Of course, if you visit the site during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the hotel prices shoot up to unimaginable prices! But apart from the primary season, you could book Airbnb accommodation and stay around. Not only it’s a delightful place to be, but also a visual treat to witness.
The streets are illuminated with giant billboards, Broadway theatres, fantastic coffee shops, and a large chain of restaurants. For first-time visitors, it could be overwhelming at some point – but that’s how Times Square is. Get a map of Manhattan, and you’ll be good on your way.
Hanging around Times Square is one of the best free things to do in NYC. However, if you are not tight on budget & you want the touristy feel – I’d recommend you hop on a city sightseeing tour of Times Square. The city tours will take you around Uptown, Downtown, and Brooklyn.
New York Public Library
The Beaux-Arts style marble structure of the New York Public Library is home to 1 million+ book. It’s one of the famous places in New York that boasts an incredible display of an educational center. As soon as you enter, you’ll come across a grand open space – Astor Hall. This was the first public library in New York. Later, it got merged with the New York Public Library.
The main reading room inside the library is called ‘the Rose Main Reading Room.’ The space is so ample that it could fit two city blocks within. It has around 42 oak tables that can accommodate approx—600 readers at a time. With over 40,000 reference books, you could be in awe of the library.
You can opt for the free guided tours here at the library. It’s conducted every day except for Sundays.
Grand Central Terminal
Loaded with sights, markets, history, and architecture – Grand Central Terminal is one of the best place to visit in New York. Who knew a subway station could be one roof for all of NYC’s must-do things.
Some of the notable attractions to visit at Grand Central Terminal include – stopping by at Information Booth Clock (landmark of the Grand Central), Whispering Gallery, Grand Central Market, and the Campbell Bar.
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
For all art lovers, here’s another museum for you that houses a magnificent collection of over 200,000 items. MOMA is a perfect place for you to interact & visually see the contemporary artwork. Once you’re inside, you could connect to MoMA’s free Wi-Fi and access digital content right on your phone. You get a good selection of audio guides which totally elevates your visiting experience.
Although there is an entry fee to visit, you could explore the museum for free every Friday between 4 pm – 8 pm.
Washington Square Park
Located at the heart of the Greenwich Village, Washington Park is a 10- acre space that has been host to numerous American art, culture, and community events. Ideal for families, friends & couples – the park is one of the fun places to go in New York City.
People simply catch up during lunch breaks or after work, sit, chat and share some gossips! You could find NYU students chilling, musicians sitting on benches playing instruments, and a lot more. It’s a pleasant place to be at – especially if you’ve had a long day/ need to catch a break post traveling.
They also host free events during summer, which you could check out!
The Oculus
If you’ve been to New York, then you’d have probably seen a large white building with a wing-styled shape near the 9/11 Memorial. Well, that’s the Oculus – a shopping mall and transportation hub. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Oculus is one of NYC’s architectural gems.
While you’re there, you could go around and visit the 9/11 museum for free on Tuesdays (5 pm – 8 pm)
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
And if New York was all about attractions & man-made architecture, then here’s something for you! Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in NYC boasts 14,000 kinds of varied plants and collections. These plants have been brought in from all over the world to Brooklyn Botanical.
Many of these gardens have been renovated over some time. Today, this botanical garden acts up as an educational experience for many of the youths around the city. So if you’re interested in understanding more about horticulture and environmental studies, then head to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
Admission is free on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge needs no introduction, as we all know it’s one of the iconic tourist places in New York. The amount of tourists it drives over the year is crazy! One of the free things to do at Brooklyn Bridge is to take a walk across. Ideally, the bridge is crowded with tourists with selfie-sticks hanging around – but you could still take a memorable walk and explore some of the NYC views from the top.
In the earlier days, when the bridge was newly built – it used to cost a penny to cross over. Luckily, that’s not the case anymore!
Crazy Fact – Around 4,000-10,000 people walk the Brooklyn Bridge every day!
The Flatiron Building
There’s no chance you haven’t seen this building in a movie or series. Well, if you haven’t – then explore this place when you’re in NYC.
Interestingly, the Flatiron is one of NYC’s most photographed buildings for its uniquely triangular-shaped design. I still don’t get how this building would’ve been designed but literally, this fascinates every architecture-lover.
Battery Park
Situated at the lower tip of Manhattan, Battery Park is a green recreational space that houses soaring apartment towers and buildings. It’s an ideal place to grab the best views in NYC for free! From the sights of the Manhattan coastline to the nearby Statue of Liberty – you could just relax and spend some quality time out here.
Chrysler Building
Chrysler is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in NYC that provides terrific views from the top. While most tourists only take pictures of its beautiful art deco, not many are aware of the fact that you visit the lobby from inside. As soon as you enter, you’ll notice the dim lights with 4 elevator banks at each side. What will grab your attention is a giant, mural painted on the ceiling. It’s called the Transport and Human Endeavor.
Sadly, the observation deck at Chrysler was closed back in 1979. But there’s a way around to witness gorgeous views of the city. You’ll find several dentist offices on the 69th floor (just google them). Perhaps, if you need teeth cleaning – you could always go for a dental check-up here. This way you could get to witness the gorgeous views of New York City.
Rockefeller Center
Visiting the Rockefeller Center in NYC during Christmas is one of the favorite things amongst locals. Alongside the center, you’ll find restaurants, shows and shopping malls in plenty.
If you visit during Christmas, then go skating at the rink (things typical New Yorkers do). Only 150 people are allowed to skate at one time – so expect a bit of a long queue for your turn. Other than that, you can take a stroll at 5th Avenue to soak in holiday season vibes.
Also known for luxury brand stores and shops, there’s plenty of opportunity for shopping-lovers. If you’re interested in visiting the best observation deck of NYC – then head to ‘Top of the Rock’. It’s not free but you can always opt to explore the deck.
Bryant Park
Just like other green parks in NYC, you could go and check out Bryant Park. The best thing about the park is – it regularly hosts summer events and movie screenings! It’s a go-to spot for many locals & tourists during Christmas to indulge in a festive season at the park.
Chinatown
Looking for a happening place? Head straight to the neighborhood of Chinatown and wander off on the streets to explore a vibrant culture. The street stalls, quirky shops, and special local delicacies will let you have a wonderful visiting experience!
Popular Guided Tours of New York City
I’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to showcase relevant guided tours and excursions that will complement your NYC travel plan
Here’s a few of them and you can always browse for more selection –
City Pass for NYC
Apart from all the free things to do in NYC, there are plenty of other tourist places to visit in NYC. One of the best ways to explore is to take guided tours – which will take you around the city. The most affordable way is to book a City Pass, which will give you access to most of the famous places in New York.
I’d highly recommend you take this up – as it’ll be beneficial for you in terms of affordability. You can budget travel around NYC, plus get the most out of your travel plans!
Wrapping Up
I hope you guys liked our list of free things to do in NYC! I’ll be updating the blog post frequently, though– so that you can stay updated with the latest trend happening around NYC.
It gives me a great joy to share impressive facts & tips with you! Do hit me up with comments, feedback, or any suggestions you want to share. It’ll brighten up my day!
