27 Free Things to Do in New York City

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So, have you been wondering about the best free things to do in New York City? I honestly had no idea there were so many before my visit either! But I absolutely love that city, so I didn’t care! However, on reflection, there were a lot of things that I could’ve saved money on had I known all of this back then!

New York, New York. The City that Never Sleeps. The Big Apple. New York City is a place of many names and there are so many sides to this city. It’s one of my absolute favourite places in the world and judging by the number of songs written about the city, it’s clear others feel the same way!

However, New York is known for being notoriously expensive (one of the priciest cities in the USA) which is certainly not a great thing if you’re travelling to New York City on a budget.

The 27 Best Free things to do in New York City

There are so many incredible things to see and do in New York City. But a lot of people don’t know that there are actually plenty of free things to do in New York that will certainly help you to go easier on your credit card! Here are the 27 best free things to do in New York City.

1. Times Square 

No trip to New York would be complete without a trip to the infamous Times Square. This was one of my absolute favourite things to do in the city and I literally could not get enough (we had to go back twice!).

As well as shopping, people watching and being awe-struck by the vast number of billboards, you can also hug your favourite cartoon character, eat delicious street food and watch the Midnight Moment where from 11:57 until midnight all of the billboards synchronize in the world’s largest digital art show. Easily one of the best free things to do in New York City.

2. Brooklyn Bridge

Another absolute MUST when in New York, Brooklyn Bridge is another wonderful free New York attraction.

Spanning from Manhattan to Brooklyn, walking the bridge takes about an hour but you can also jog or cycle across if you’re the sporty type!

The bridge is also perfect for photographs of the New York City skyline and is even more wonderful at sunset or sunrise if you’re a bit of an early bird!

3. Central Park

Central Park was a wonderful shock for me on my first visit. It literally is a beautiful green space right in the middle of all of New York’s famous concrete jungle.

There is also loads to keep you entertained in Central Park and a whole lot of it won’t cost you a penny! From castles to lakes, zoos to carousels and beautiful meadows to statue treasure hunts, Central Park will easily keep you entertained for hours.

It was one of my favourite things to do in New York and another of the best free things to do in New York City.

4. Chrysler Building

Another of New York’s wonderful high-rise buildings, at the time the Chrysler Building was built, it was one of the tallest buildings in the world!

Standing at 925ft high, you can’t actually get inside the Chrysler Building, but it’s now an iconic New York landmark and a great building to photograph.

5. Staten Island Ferry

Fancy a free ferry? Well, you’re in luck!

The Staten Island ferry provides a free trip for commuters working in Staten Island, but the great thing is that tourists can use it too! It departs from the harbour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every 15-30 minutes.

You can actually get a pretty good view of the Statue of Liberty from the ferry too, which will save you the $18+ it’ll cost for an arranged tour.

6. The High Line

This wonderful New York public park is one of the most interesting in the world.

Built on an abandoned railway, it stretches above New York City and the walk will give you some truly incredible views. It’s also great for nature, art and design with some funky sculptures and plaques along the route.

7. New York Public Library

With well over 1 million books and 75 miles of shelving, the New York City Public Library is a bit of a masterpiece and a must-see for all those bookworms out there!

Located near Times Square and the Rockefeller Centre, the Library also houses many ancient novels such as a First Folio edition of Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies”, and the original print of the Gutenberg Bible.

8. Grand Central Terminal

A place that featured countless movie scenes, Grand Central Terminal is the bustling hub of New York City. However, there’s a lot more to do there than catch a train! With a bunch of restaurants and shops, you can spend hours exploring the station.

Plus, if you’re interested in learning more about the history of Grand Central, why not go on a free 90-minute walking tour and see the whispering galleries, the original Lincoln Memorial and much more? The tours are on Friday at 12:30.

9. Washington Square Park

Another of New York’s beautiful parks, Washington Square Park is located in Greenwich Village and is the perfect place to relax after a day’s exploring.

Chill out by the fountain and watch the countless entertainers perform everything from street art to magic to music. Washing Square Park is bound to entertain.

10. Bryant Park

If you’re a fan of street performers and free entertainment, then Bryant Park certainly won’t disappoint!

Located in Midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park hosts over 1000 free activities per year including dance shows, theatrical performances, birdwatching, juggling, outdoor movies in the summer, ice skating and much more! It’s certainly worth a visit if you’re looking to see New York City on a budget.

11. St Patrick’s Cathedral

The most recognisable Cathedral in New York City, St Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Roman Catholic Cathedral in America.

A must-visit for anyone who loves architecture, history and gorgeous stained-glass windows. The Cathedral is on 5^th Avenue directly, opposite the Rockefeller Centre.

You can also tour the Cathedral for free via this ‘pay what you wish’ Midtown Manhattan tour, which is another great way to see New York on a budget.

12. See a Free Comedy Show

New York is home to some of the best comedy talent in the world.

From people just starting out to famous comedians like Pete Davidson and Kevin Heart, watching a free comedy show is one of the best things to do in New York.

The best place is over at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg every Sunday night for a dose of the world’s best medicine – laughter! 

13. See Shakespeare in the Park 

If Broadway is too expensive for you, don’t worry! You can watch a theatre performance in New York without spending a penny.

The Public Theatre hosts Shakespeare in the Park every year at the open-air theatre in Central Park. The tickets are drawn via a lottery system so there’s no guarantee you’ll get to see a show, but it’s certainly worth a try! This is one of the absolute best free things you can do in New York City. 

14. Take a Free Walking Tour 

There are a surprising amount of free walking tours available in New York City.

From the City Hall walking tours on Wednesday to the Federal Reserve tours that teach you about the gold vaults of New York, there are some great tours of New York.

You could also go on the infamous Big Apple Greeter tour that’s run by volunteers, and learn absolutely LOADS about the history of this incredible city.

15. 9/11 Memorial  

The 9/11 Memorial is an essential part of New York City.

Dedicated to the victims of the tragic suicide attack of 2001, the scale of the memorial will blow you away.

You can also access the museum for free from 5pm to close every Tuesday. However, if you can’t visit at this time, I recommend paying an additional $20 to visit, as it’s worth every penny.  

16. Flatiron Building 

A wonderful New York City landmark that’s so worth seeing is the Flatiron Building.

There’s not a lot to do in it as it’s an office at the moment, but it’s such an iconic sight that it’s definitely worth seeing. Plus, it’s totally free so what more could you ask for?

17. Tour the Brooklyn Brewery

New York is home to several Craft Breweries and what better way to spend an afternoon than at the most famous of them all?

The Brooklyn Brewery offers a free tour and tasting session every Saturday at 12:30 and every Sunday at 1pm. Be sure to get there early, however, to skip the long lines!

18. Prospect Park 

Another wonderful green space in New York is Brooklyn’s version of Central Park. Just across from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the park is full of more fun things to do, walking trails, cycling routes and gorgeous scenery.

Find the beautiful boathouse, visit Prospect Zoo, and even watch some live music at one of the Park’s many shows.

19. Museum of Modern Art  

One of the best museums in New York and also known as MoMa, the Museum of Modern Art is free to enter 4pm-8pm on Fridays.

2 hours is plenty of time to see all the exhibitions and galleries, so I recommend arriving at 6 unless you want to be waiting around in queues!

20. Socrates Sculpture Park 

I love walking around sculpture parks and the Socrates Sculpture Park is certainly one of the best free things to do in New York City.

It’s pretty amazing that what was once an abandoned landfill site now supports local artists from around the city and is also a nationally acclaimed outdoor museum!

It’s open from 9am until dusk every day and it totally free to enter. 

21. Day trip to Governor’s Island 

This adorable little island is located between Brooklyn, Liberty State Park, and the south of Manhattan.

The best part is that you can take a free ferry Saturday and Sunday morning until 1:30am to the island and spend all day chilling and climbing to the top of the man-made hills that give breathtaking views of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

If you’re a bit of a daredevil, the Island also has a 300ft zip-line, the longest slide in New York and a Military fortress which you can take a free tour around. 

22. Bronx Zoo 

With over 7000 animals, the Bronx Zoo is the largest in the country. You can watch Sea Lion feeding, Penguin feeding, visit Monkey House and Gorilla Forest and attend a range of seasonal events depending on the time of year you visit.

The best part is the zoo is totally free for all guests on Wednesdays!

They operate a ‘pay what you wish’ policy where you choose how much of a donation to give. The New York Aquarium also offers free entry after 3pm on Wednesdays.  

23. Guggenheim Museum 

This museum is seriously impressive and, as one of the most significant architectural structures of the 20th century, you’d expect it to be so!

Specialising in impressionism and contemporary art, the museum is free to enter on Saturdays between 5:45pm and 7:15pm. The Guggenheim Museum is definitely one of the best free things to do in New York. 

24. Chinatown and Little Italy

I love that loads of major cities have a Chinatown and exploring New York is definitely one of the best free things to do.

From delicious street food and restaurants to sites like Columbus Park, the Nom Wah Tea Parlour and the Mott Street Market, you’ll have the best time exploring.

Little Italy is a region of New York City named after its extensive number of Italian restaurants and eateries and its Venice-like canals.

Wander along Canal Street, see the Church of the Most Precious Blood, Mulberry Street Cigars, the former NYPD Headquarters and countless delicious restaurants along the way. Exploring this district is one of the best free things to do in New York.

25. Brooklyn Botanical Garden  

Channel your inner flower power by taking a walk around the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. The garden is totally free to enter every Tuesday and Saturday.

It’s such a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. To find yourself surrounded by gorgeous roses and lilies is one of the perfect free ways to relax in New York. 

26. Chelsea Market Food Hall 

Chelsea Market is an absolute must-visit for foodies!

Packed full of everything you could possibly want to eat from cocktails to coffee, hot dogs and delicious plates of food. Even though going to the market is free, you may well end up buying yourself a snack! 

27. Brooklyn Heights Promenade 

Another wonderful place to visit in New York City for gorgeous Instagram-worthy views of the city skyline, Brooklyn Heights is one of my favourite spots.

As with all cityscapes, sunset once again brings the best views, but the Promenade is a great place to sit and chill day or night and watch the rush of Brooklyn Bridge and catch the city lights from a distance.  

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