chloedickensonLast Updated on 4th January 2026
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Are you planning a trip to New York City and looking for some inspiration on the best New York free sightseeing activities and attractions? This huge guides includes some of the best free things to do in New York City!
Many people think that a trip to New York will cost them a small fortune, and while I’d agree that it’s not the cheapest city in the world to visit, I am a firm believer that it can be done on a relatively small budget.
If you are wanting to visit NYC on a budget, you’re in luck as I’ve compiled a list of my top recommendations of the best free things to do in NYC.
Below, you’ll find the best things to do in New York City for free, in both Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond!
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Best free things to do in NYC
If you’re looking for the best free things to do in NYC today, check out my guide below which covers everything you need to know about visiting New York on a tight budget, without missing out on all the best sights and attractions!
Looking for affordable places to eat and drink in New York? Check out my guide to the best cheap eats in NYC and m guide to the best cheap bars and happy hour deals in New York!
1. Spend the day in Central Park
Central Park is one of the most iconic attractions in Manhattan and it’s also one of the best things to do in NYC on a budget!
If you’re wondering what can you do in Central Park for free, the answer is pretty much everything! There are so many awesome things to enjoy for free in Central Park, including:
- Bethesda Terrace
- The Mall and Literary Walk
- Belvedere Castle
- Turtle Pond (next to Belvedere Castle)
- Strawberry Fields
- Shakespeare in the Park
- Bow Bridge
- Turtle Rock (next to Bow Bridge)
- The Lake
Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay to visit the Central Park Zoo ($22.95 for adults 13+ and $16.95 for children 3-12), but there are still so many other wonderful things to do in Central Park for free, that you could easily miss out on the zoo and still have an incredible time inside this urban oasis.
2. Admire Times Square
Times Square is unquestionably one of the most emblematic places in New York City and best of all? It’s totally free to visit!
While of course there are plenty of things to do in Times Square that will cost you money (such as watching a Broadway show, eating at all the many touristy restaurants, and visiting all the stores), see Times Square is one of the very best free things to do in NYC at night.
3. Be a movie star in Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is yet another one of New York’s best budget attractions in that you don’t need to spend a single penny to visit it.
Famed for playing host to many of New York’s most iconic films and TV shows over the years, Grand Central Terminal is a beacon of New York culture and history and it’s truly one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
Top tip: be sure to check out the whispering gallery for added fun while you’re there!
4. Take the free Staten Island Ferry
There are numerous ways to see the famous Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (most notably with Statue City Cruises to actually go onto the islands), but these will all cost you money to go on them.
The Staten Island Ferry, however, is completely free of charge and while it won’t drop you off on the actual island of the Statue of Liberty, it will take you on a “tour” between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in Lower Manhattan where you’ll see the Statue of Liberty as you cruise, as well as the spectacular Manhattan skyline.
The main purpose of the Staten Island Ferry is to transport workers to and from Manhattan and Staten Island, but if you’re not bothered about going to Liberty Island and you just want to get a better view of Lady Liberty from the water, be sure to hop on the free ferry for one of the best free things to do in NYC with kids!
5. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan to Brooklyn on the other side of the East River and it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and undoubtedly one of the best things to do in New York on a budget
As a pedestrian or cyclist, it’s totally free to walk across and it’s undeniably one of the greatest things to do in NYC, regardless of the time of year.
In summer, you’ll find it positively teeming with tourists, especially at sunset and in the winter, the icy wind chills will be almost unbearable, but it’s so worth it for the views of lower Manhattan and even all the way to the Empire State Building in the distance on one side and the Statue of Liberty to the other.
6. Admire the Manhattan skyline from Squibb Park Bridge
New York certainly isn’t short of magnificent viewpoints and one of the lesser-known hotspots for enjoying the breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan is Squibb Park Bridge in Brooklyn.
Squibb Park Bridge is one of the top free things to do in Brooklyn, so it should definitely be on your list of free things to do in NYC!
7. Check out the Vessel in Hudson Yards
Unfortunately, it’s not free to actually go up the steps inside the Vessel, but it is completely free to check it out from the ground at Hudson Yards.
This iconic beehive-shaped attraction makes for awesome photo opportunities and you’ll also be within arm’s reach of one of the many entrances to The High Line (yet another one of the best free things to do in NYC), so it’s a total win-win!
8. Pay your respects at the Ground Zero Memorial
The Ground Zero Memorial pays tribute to the lives lost during the fateful 9/11 terrorist attacks and even though it’s a very sombre and harrowing place, it’s also utterly beautiful and peaceful and such a touching tribute to the lives lost.
It’s not the most kid-friendly place, so I wouldn’t personally recommend visiting with young children, but it is one of the best free things to do in NYC for adults looking to pay their respects.
9. Browse the stalls inside Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is one of my favourite places to eat in NYC, but naturally, eating food in New York costs money! However, it’s possible to visit Chelsea Market without spending a penny as it’s completely free to walk around the indoor market and peruse the many food and drink stalls.
10 . Enjoy a picnic at Little Island
Located just steps from the High Line and Chelsea Market, Little Island is the perfect spot for a picnic or to enjoy an iced coffee while soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the views of the city.
It’s completely free to visit, but there are occasionally paid/ticketed events throughout the summer months.
11. Visit the New York Public Library
The New York Public Library system actually has a whopping 92 locations across New York City, including all the way in Staten Island and the Bronx, but its iconic flagship resides in midtown Manhattan on Fifth Avenue, right next to Bryant Park.
This glorious building is free to visit and is home to collections of classic tales and research exhibitions. Inside the Rose Main Reading Room, you can grab a book and sit in peace inside this stunning library, but if reading doesn’t take your fancy, it’s still well worth a peak both outside and inside the NYPL as it’s such a stunning place.
12. Gaze up at the city’s many iconic skyscrapers
One of the easiest and best free things to do in New York City is to simply wander around the many blocks of the city and gaze up in admiration at all the spectacular skyscrapers.
Of course, if you want to actually go inside Manhattan’s tallest buildings and observation decks, you’ll have to pay for entry tickets, but it’s completely free to gaze up at them from the ground below.
You can’t miss the likes of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Edge, One World Trade Center, and the Top of the Rock which are all free to admire from the outside, but it’s also worth paying to go up to their incredible observation decks too if that takes your fancy!
13. Admire St Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral, located on Fifth Avenue just opposite the Rockefeller Center, is one of the most stunning churches in New York City.
Whether you’re a religious believer or not, you’re more than welcome to go inside and check out the stunning architecture of this 140-year-old church, right in the heart of Manhattan. The last time I visited St Patrick’s, there was a proposal outside which made the whole experience even more beautiful and while you’re not guaranteed to see this every time you go, I promise it’s still one of the top free sights in NYC.
14. Watch the sunset from Brookfield Place
I’m obsessed with watching the sunset at any opportunity I get and the sunset from Brookfield Place is always one worth enjoying!
From just outside Brookfield Place, right next to where PJ Clarke’s on the Hudson is, you can see the most tremendous sunsets across the Hudson River and even all the way out to the Statue of Liberty.
If you’re looking for something utterly magical to see/do that’s also totally free, be sure to check out a sunset while you’re in New York.
15. Walk the High Line
The High Line is a fun and unique attraction in New York that can be enjoyed all year round. Set upon an old abandoned railway line, this 1.45-mile long route takes you on a journey along the west side of Manhattan, from Chelsea to Hudson Yards (or vice versa), offering wonderful views of the city as you walk.
It’s one of the best free things to do in NYC and for that reason, it gets incredibly crowded during the warmer months, so be prepared for a lot of people if you’re visiting in the summer! The High Line is open during the winter, but you will likely experience very cold weather, so be sure to wrap up warm for your walk!
16. Check out the views from DUMBO
Once you’ve walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, head into the neighbourhood of DUMBO to check out the awe-inspiring view of the Empire State Building through the arches on the Manhattan Bridge.
The area of DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) itself is also well worth checking out as it’s home to plenty of cool restaurants and trendy bars and it’s just such a lovely neighbourhood to explore that you can enjoy on a budget in NYC!
17. Wander around Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan are two of the most famous shopping places in New York City.
Of course, if you want to actually purchase anything from these places, then that’s certainly not going to be free, but it’s totally fine to wander around Macy’s and Saks without buying anything and just browsing the many fabulous designer items will be an experience in itself.
18. People-watch in Washington Square Park
New York is an absolute haven if you’re an avid people-watcher as there are so many places around the city where you can just sit and watch all the vibrant characters go about their day.
One of my favourite places in New York for people-watching is Washington Square Park, which also happens to be one of the best free attractions in NYC. The park is a great place to hang out all year round; in the summer it’s full of street performers and buskers, and in the winter it’s the perfect place to build a snowman or have a snowball fight if it snows.
19. Watch a live TV show taping
New York City is the home of many TV shows such as Jimmy Fallon, SNL, and many more and it’s possible to watch a live TV taping of many of these shows, completely free of charge!
While you don’t have to purchase tickets to attend these live TV recordings, you do have to enter into a lottery in order to obtain the tickets and as demand is so high, it’s very difficult to obtain free tickets to many of the TV shows!
Find out more about the live tapings of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon here!
20. Check out the many film and TV locations around the city
It’s no secret that New York City is home to the sets of many movies and TV shows and if you’re in the city looking for something free to do that will also allow you to see as much of NYC as possible, you can go and visit some of the top filming locations from hit TV shows and movies!
Some of the best locations to see in New York if you’re a movie or TV buff are the Friends Building, Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City, the Ghostbusters fire station (Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8), The Plaza Hotel (featured in the likes of Home Alone 2) and so many more.
21. Watch a movie in Bryant Park
Also in the summer months, Bryant Park plays host to movie nights that are free to attend on a first-come, first-served basis and you’re invited to bring along a blanket and a picnic, too!
Watching a movie at sunset in one of the best parks in the greatest city in the world is undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in NYC for couples!
22. Pay a visit to the American Folk Art Museum
The American Folk Art Museum is one of the few museums in NYC that offers free admission every day, all year round, so if you’re looking to enjoy some culture during your trip to New York, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune on tickets, the American Folk Art Museum might be a good option for you!
The collections and exhibitions at the museum include more than 7,000 works of art from four centuries and include pieces from almost every continent on the planet! You’ll find everything from sculptures to paintings to statues to portraits and many more at this incredible free museum!
23. Visit the National September 11 Memorial Museum
The 9/11 Museum is a paid-for attraction, but on Monday mornings, they release a limited amount of tickets for later that day for free.
If you can get up early on a Monday morning and secure your spot online, you can wander around the museum completely for free. It’s definitely one of the saddest museums I’ve ever been to, but it’s such an important part of recent US history and the stories that you’ll read about that dreadful day on the 11th of September 2001 will remain with you forever.
24. Free admission Wednesdays at the NY Aquarium
Tickets for the New York Aquarium usually cost between $29.95 and $32.95 for adults and between $25.95 and $27.95 for children aged 3-12 (depending on whether it’s peak or off-peak ticketing).
However, if you happen to be visiting New York on a Wednesday, then you might be able to take advantage of the NY Aquarium’s free admission slots on Wednesdays after 3 PM. In order to enjoy the free admission tickets, you must reserve an advanced ticket.
The ticket store for the Wednesday afternoon free admission sessions opens on Mondays at 3 PM for that Wednesday’s reservations. You can get more information about the free Wednesday tickets on the NY Aquarium website.
25. Free admission Wednesdays at the Bronx Zoo
Another NY attraction that offers free admission on certain days is the Bronx Zoo, which is definitely one of the best free activities to do in NYC with kids!
Similarly to the New York Aquarium, the Bronx Zoo also offers free admission Wednesdays, but entry to the zoo is actually free all day, not just in the afternoon! There are only limited free admission tickets available, however, so you will need to reserve advance timed tickets when the Wednesday Ticket Store opens on Mondays at 5 PM for that Wednesday’s reservations.
You must have a timed entry reserved ticket to visit the Bronx Zoo on free admission Wednesdays; find out more on the Bronx Zoo website.
Best free things to do in NYC at Christmas
New York is a truly fantastic place all year round, but some of the best free things to do in the city are only available during particular seasons, so I wanted to make sure I included some of the best free things to do in NYC during Christmas and in the summer, too!
26. Check out the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
If you’re visiting NY over the holiday season, checking out the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is an absolute must! It’s undoubtedly the most magical Christmas tree I’ve ever seen and I’d put good money on you agreeing once you see it yourself!
27. Go and see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Seeing the remarkable Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn is another must-do if you’re in New York at Christmas.
There are dedicated tours you can take around Dyker Heights, but you’re honestly better off just walking around the whole neighbourhood yourself so that you can wander around on your own schedule and see as much as possible, all for free!
28. Explore all the city’s Christmas markets
One of the best free things to do in NYC in November, and over the Christmas period in New York City, is to check out the city’s best Christmas markets, all of which are free to visit.
Of course, you can definitely choose to spend money while you’re there and purchase some goodies, but just visiting New York’s Christmas markets is totally free.
Some of my personal favourites are Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, and Union Square.
Best free things to do in NYC – conclusion
I hope you found this guide to the best free things to do in NYC useful, and I hope it’s helped you realise that there are so many amazing places to visit in Manhattan and beyond that don’t cost a penny!
Do you have any other recommendations for the best free things to do in New York City? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group!
