New York City has the distinguished honor of being one of the most expensive destinations in the world. But here’s the insider secret: You can go to New York without spending a dime on sightseeing. By seeking out Free Things To Do in NYC, you can plan a trip that doesn’t break the bank!
While many of the city’s most famous tourist attractions require high-dollar tickets, we can confirm that there is plenty to see and do for absolutely free.
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As budget-conscious travelers, our trips to NYC have always been highlighted by cheap and no-cost activities. The truth is, some of the free attractions in New York are must-see sights.
So, whether you are Visiting NYC on a Budget or just want to give your wallet a rest, our list of Big Apple freebies can help!
Best Free Things To Do in NYC
We love visiting New York and are no strangers to the exorbitant costs of a getaway to the city. Rather than letting it crush our budget (or our travel spirit), we have become quite savvy at seeking out free activities and cheap sightseeing.
Now, we are dishing the details of the best free things in NYC. For more money-saving suggestions, check out our New York City Budget Tips, too!
#1 See the Statue of Liberty via the Free Staten Island Ferry
Lady Liberty is one of New York’s most recognizable sights. We feel every visitor should get a good look at her.
Expensive Statue of Liberty Tours allow you to get up close and personal, but the cost can put a serious dent in your New York travel budget.
No worries – there is a zero-cost way to get a fabulous view: The Free Staten Island Ferry. In fact, we believe riding the Staten Island Ferry is one of the best things to do in New York City on a budget.
The route passes by Ellis Island and Liberty Island, providing a stunning view of the Statue of Liberty. The ride is completely free and gives you some pretty amazing NYC views, as well!
Riding the Staten Island Ferry for Free
To catch the ferry from Lower Manhattan, simply go to the Whitehall Terminal, stand in line, get on the ferry and grab an outdoor spot on the starboard (right) side.
When you arrive at Staten Island, you must disembark and circle around to the entrance to ride back. Again, secure a spot outside so that you can see the stunning NY skyline views.
Free Staten Island Ferries depart at least every half hour; get the full schedule on the official website.
#2 Walk the High Line
The High Line is an elevated-track-turned-park – and it ranks as one of our favorite spots in New York. Visiting is free of charge, so it won’t add a single cent to your New York trip cost.
The High Line Park, which is similar to the Promenade Plantee in Paris and Chicago’s Bloomindale Trail, hovers above the Meatpacking District in Chelsea.
From 1934 until the 1980s, trains ran along the tracks on Manhattan’s west side transporting goods from the industrial zone.
When they became obsolete, the tracks were set to be demolished, but residents took up the cause to turn them into usable green space.
The modern park is filled with artwork and amazing viewpoints. It also has benches and trees – and a few remaining railway tracks (some of which can be seen running through flowerbeds).
The northern end of The Highline is marked by The Vessel, a unique structure of intertwining staircases and viewing platforms. It once was one of the best Free NYC attractions, but tickets are now required.
Detour to Chelsea Market
When walking The Highline, you can make a quick detour to another free tourist attraction: Chelsea Market.
The upscale fare at the uber-hip Chelsea Market (which is essentially a fancy food court) is most likely over-priced for budget NYC travelers. However, the building itself is still one of the best free things to see in NYC.
If you are hungry, Los Tacos No. 1 offers good value and Berlin Currywurst is an excellent budget meal, as well.
Plus, you can check for free samples on the counter at Li-Lac Chocolates, which claims to be the oldest chocolate house in the city.
#3 Twirl around Times Square
Nicknamed “The Center of the Universe,” Times Square is the epicenter of the entertainment district in NYC.
It is probably the busiest, most congested area of the city (an estimated 330,000 people walk through Times Square each day).
Electronic billboards featuring advertisements light up the square – day and night – and brand name shops line the streets.
Interesting Fact: Times Square is not a ‘square’ at all, but two triangles created by the crisscrossing of 7th Avenue and Broadway.
What To Do in Times Square
Visiting Times Square is one of the top free things to do in NYC. Slow down and take it all in. Watch the street performers. Enjoy the view from the Red Steps near the TKTS Booth (where you can sometimes score cheap theater tickets).
Also pop into Hershey’s Chocolate World Store, where they hand out free mini-chocolate bars at the door.
As you twirl around the iconic space, be sure to set your eyes on One Times Square. On New Year’s Eve, it’s where the Times Square Ball drops at midnight.
#4 Pay Tribute at the 9-11 Memorial
Located on the exact spot where the Twin Towers once stood, the 9-11 Memorial is not to be missed – and there is no cost to see it.
The site honors those who perished in the horrific 2001 terrorist attacks. It is comprised of two pools; the railing surrounding each pool is inscribed with the names of the victims.
What To Do at the September 11th Memorial
While the poignant pools are the centerpiece of the commemorative space, there is more to see in the area.
Seek out The Survivor Tree, which managed to live and grow despite the destruction. To the south, find the Sphere that sits in Liberty Park; it was recovered from the rubble of Ground Zero.
St. Paul’s Chapel – now monikered The Little Chapel that Stood – provides a quiet shelter, just as it did for fire fighters in the days and weeks after the attacks.
The 9-11 Memorial Museum and One World Trade Center are also on site, but you will need to purchase a ticket to enter either. However, the stunning Oculus is free to enter.
#5 Strut across Brooklyn Bridge
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best free activities in NYC! The pedestrian promenade is routed through the center of the 1-mile-long bridge.
The walkway can be accessed from either Manhattan or Brooklyn – and there are things to see for free near both access points.
On the Manhattan side, the bridge spills right into City Hall Park. The leafy green space surrounds the historic New York City Hall (where they offer free tours of the interior).
In Brooklyn, the bridge ends at the spacious Cadman Plaza Park. We also recommend walking to Brooklyn Bridge Park to take in the sumptuous views that extend across the East River to Manhattan.
Note that it’s possible to cross in either direction. If you only opt to walk one way, we suggest making the stroll from Brooklyn to Manhattan, as it offers the better views. Convenient subway stations are located near both ends.
About the Brooklyn Bridge
The famous span opened in 1883 to connect Manhattan to Brooklyn over the East River. It took 14 years to complete.
While the total bridge length just exceeds 1 mile, the part that is actually over the water is only 1,595 feet.
At the time of completion, it ranked as the longest suspension bridge in the world and became an instant icon of NYC.
Often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, the bridge is crossed by an estimated 150,000 vehicles and 4,000 pedestrians every day.
#6 Step inside NYC’s Best Churches
Unlike Europe, America is not particularly known for having beautiful churches. In New York, however, these structures are architectural gems. Best of all, visiting the historic churches is one of the free, fun things to do in NYC.
Four Free NYC Churches
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located in the heart of Midtown, is a dazzling Neo-Gothic church that dates to the mid-1800s. The intricate spires soar to 330 feet and colorful stained-glass windows decorate the interior.
Just a couple blocks north is the lesser known (but no less beautiful) St. Thomas Church. Built in 1913 in the Gothic style, St. Thomas is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. It features exceptionally rich decoration, both inside and out.
In Little Italy, seek out the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. The Candlelight Catacombs Tours are rather pricey, but it’s free to explore the interior (which some might recognize from scenes in The Godfather).
Trinity Church near Wall Street in Lower Manhattan is another free place to visit in NYC. A church has stood on the site since 1698, but the current one was built in 1846. With its 281-foot-tall spire, it once ranked as the tallest building in the USA.
#7 Explore Famous Parks in NYC for Free
For a city as condensed and crowded as New York is, there are a surprising number of green spaces. Exploring these lush urban landscapes is a fabulous thing to do in New York City for free.
Central Park is absolutely massive; it encompasses 843 acres of land right in the heart of Manhattan.
You could easily spend an entire day exploring its landmark sights and hidden gems. Our Central Park Walking Tour showcases the best places to see from top to bottom.
More NYC City Parks
While Central Park is an obvious place to start exploring nature in NYC, there are a few other free outdoor spaces that are worth checking out.
The Hudson River Greenway is part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway that follows almost the entire shoreline of the island. It offers a fantastic view of the river and Lower Manhattan skyline.
Battery Park is another prime outdoor space to discover. Highlights include the free Castle Clinton National Monument and riverside views of the distant Statue of Liberty.
Prospect Park in Brooklyn was designed by the same duo who laid out Central Park. The space features open fields, ample paths, a zoo, an amphitheater and several lakes.
Bryant Park is located right behind the New York Public Library in Midtown. The oasis boasts an incredible number of trees and flowers and is dotted with monuments. Plus, it’s said to have the nicest public restrooms and is home to one of the best NYC Christmas Markets!
With mature trees, a central fountain and grandiose arch, Washington Square Park has served as a retreat from the bustling city streets since 1950. Today, it’s a good place to listen to musicians, play chess and people watch.
#8 Cash In on Free NYC Museums
Finding free museums in NYC can be a bit of a struggle. Most institutions charge hefty fees to enter. That said, there are a few that welcome guests without charging.
The American Folk Art Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian are two top-rated venues that are always free.
The Bronx Museum and Queens Museum are both art galleries that offer free admission (although donations are appreciated).
Select spots also offer limited free entry. The 9-11 Museum offers gratis entry on Mondays from 5:30pm to 7pm (but you still need to book the free tickets online).
The Whitney Museum has Free Fridays in the evening (again, reserve your free entry in advance). Guests can also book Pay-What-You-Wish tickets to the Guggenheim on select days.
Free Museum Entry with NYC Sightseeing Passes
If museums and other top attractions (like The Edge Observation Deck) are a must for your trip, then consider purchasing an all-inclusive attractions pass.
Note that not all tourist cards work the same or cover the same experiences. Be sure to review the specifics before making a purchase.
Furthermore, in order to make the most of your pass, plan an itinerary that will maximize your savings.
The New York Sightseeing Pass and the New York CityPass are two of the most popular money-saving passes for NYC.
#9 See Fabulous Street Art in Manhattan
In New York City, you don’t have to go to a museum to see art. Throughout the metropolis there are enclaves of street art that can be both evocative and impressive.
Even the most famous street artist of all, Banksy, left his mark for all to see on the West Side with his Hammer Boy Mural.
Intrigued visitors can explore the free-to-see Museum of Street Art (MoSA) in The Bowery (best to make prior reservation).
The Graffiti Hall of Fame in East Harlem is an every-changing outdoor art gallery located on the walls of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex Playground.
East Harlem is actually a hotbed of graffiti artworks. A few of our favorite murals are Tito Puente Oye Como Va at 110th and 3rd Avenue; Angel Wings under the tracks at Park Avenue and 111th; and a sketch by local artist James De La Vega at 111th and Lexington Avenue.
Best Brooklyn Street Art
Bushwick in Brooklyn might be a gritty industrial neighborhood, but the buildings’ exterior walls are perfect for street art murals.
In what is now known as The Bushwick Collective, artists have livened up the district with colorful and contemplative art.
One of the unique things to do in NYC on a budget is to peruse the area in search of the latest and greatest street art. Use this article complete with a helpful map.
#10 Go on a Self-Guided NYC Walk
In our opinion, the absolute best way to experience New York for free is to explore the vibrant neighborhoods on foot. The two most enthralling districts for tourists are Lower Manhattan and Midtown.
Our easy-to-follow free, self-guided Walking Tour of Lower Manhattan covers historic sights and modern marvels.
We have also created a simple self-guided Midtown Walking Tour for free. With it, you can discover the dazzling district at your own pace.
More Must-See Manhattan Neighborhoods
Greenwich Village is known as the artsy, bohemian district in Manhattan. The Village is home to NYU and Washington Square Park. It’s also where to find cheap eats, like Percy’s Pizza, Mamoun’s Falafel and Saigon Shack.
Soho is flush with top-end retailers, swanky bakeries and posh art galleries, but there is more to do here than shop and eat. History buffs and architecture aficionados can enjoy a stroll without ever stepping foot in a store.
The Cast Iron is a sub-district of Soho, which consists of more than 200 buildings featuring cast iron design. The area is great for wandering and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
New York Little Italy, which has dwindled to just 3 blocks on Mulberry Street, might not be the flourishing district it once way, but it’s still worth visiting. Follow this useful self-guided tour what on see.
Chinatown is a feast for the senses! Navigate your way down Pell Street, where neon signs display Chinese symbols and dried fish products overflow from markets. If you work up a hunger, grab a cheap bite to eat at Fried Dumpling or Mei Li Wah Bakery.
Start planning your USA Trip! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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