There are so many free and cheap things to do in NYC that it's possible to spend a few days and pay only for food and accommodation.
This is one of the best facts about New York City.
When looking into the cost of a trip to NYC, you can breathe easy knowing there is so much to do here for free!
This post lists hundreds of free things to do in NYC including a Top 10 list, free nighttime activities, free things to do with kids, and free activities, museums, and attractions.
My fellow local tour guides and I live on budgets.
Between us, we know just about everything there is to do in NYC without paying a cent!
Below I list hundreds of free things I've loved doing here in the city over the many years I have lived here.
Lastly, throughout this post, I've sprinkled videos of our local guides giving tours and providing helpful tips.
For example, in the video below, Katie, a guide with us, Tours by Foot, lays out a 1-day itinerary with only free activities.
1. Ride the Staten Island Ferry
Take a free ferry ride from Manhattan to Staten Island and back again.
Whenever I have a friend visit New York City for the first time, I take them on the ferry and they can't believe we didn't have to pay for such a wonderful experience!
Whether you ride it during the day or at night, you will get spectacular views of Lower Manhattan, New York Harbor, and the Statue of Liberty.
You might enjoy our free audio tour to accompany you on your journey.
For other ways to get out on the water, see our post about NYC's best boat tours.
Check out our post about where to go for other free views of the Statue of Liberty.
2. Explore New York City's Neighborhoods
An excellent way to spend your time in NYC is to visit its many neighborhoods.
It's the neighborhoods that give New York City its character and there are no entry tickets!
Walking around the city's neighborhoods is what made me fall in love with New York City.
There are so many, even a native New Yorker like myself would have to spend a few years to explore them all.
My favorite neighborhoods to hang out in are:
- Greenwich Village
- Brooklyn Heights
- Lower East Side
- SoHo
- Harlem
- Chinatown
- Lower Manhattan
- Midtown Manhattan
- Little Italy
We have even more profiles on our NYC neighborhoods explained post.
3. Frolic on Governors Island
This small recreational, vehicle-free island is just 7 minutes by ferry from Lower Manhattan.
From festivals to free cultural offerings, it's an awesome place to visit.
Have a picnic, swing in hammocks, and visit The Hills for amazing views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
The ferry is free on Saturdays and Sundays before 11 am, and at other times it is a very affordable and worthwhile $5 roundtrip.
It used to be open to the public only during the warm months which meant I waited eagerly for that time of the year to roll around.
Now it’s open year-round and each season brings a unique atmosphere to the island.
If you go on a weekday, you can get a free 1-hour cruiser bike rental between 9 am-12 pm on weekdays. If you have a bike like I do, you can bring it on the ferry.
Read our post on Governors Island for information on ferry hours, how to get there, and what activities are offered.
4. Say Hello to Dubliners through The Portal
Extend your trip to NYC across the Atlantic Ocean by connecting with Dubliners through The Portal, a continuous live video call between cameras positioned in both cities.
Through this incredible technological set-up, you can see folks on Dublin's famous O'Connell Street and they can see you at Flatiron South Public Plaza.
Wave to each other, come with written signs or just smile across the big pond!
I found this to be a very cool activity since I have never been to Dublin. Plus, it's one of the most unusual things to do in NYC.
The Portal is at Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street next to the iconic Flatiron Building. It will be there through the Fall of 2025.
5. Free Times Square Performances
From May through September 2025, TSQ Live will host 80 free, open-air events throughout Times Square.
Hear free DJ sets and concerts of all genres, participate in pop-up activities, workshops and more.
If you like live music like I do, you'll love this summer series.
Some of the city’s top performance troupes will be there including Carnegie Hall Citywide, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Ailey Extension.
See the schedule here.
6. See a TV Show Taping
It's free to see your favorite late-night comedians like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert when you are part of the studio audience!
Choose from daytime talk shows, late-night talk shows, comedy shows, news shows, and more.
Below, Katie explains how to request tickets from many shows that tape here and what to expect on the day of your visit.
I've been to several tapings over the years and it's a blast! Who doesn't love free comedy?
Read our post on how to get free tickets to TV show tapings and live broadcasts of popular shows in NYC.
7. Check Out Street Art
No need to head inside for great art! New York has some of the best street art in the world and it's free to enjoy.
I'm a big fan of murals and having seen works in many cities, I think the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn is one neighborhood where you can see a lot of world-renowned artists.
Find even more places to see street art in NYC.
8. Hear Gospel Music
Many churches, particularly in Harlem and Brooklyn, open their doors on Wednesdays and Sundays for religious services featuring gospel music.
One of the most famous churches known for its gospel service that welcomes visitors is the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
In this video, tour guide Derrick tells you about attending a gospel service. He knows the ins and outs and warns you to get there early!
There is no cost to attend, but donations are appreciated.
Read our post on where you can experience NYC gospel music.
I've seen gospel a few times at the Brooklyn Tabernacle and I recommend it if you want a slightly less crowded experience, though nothing beats hearing gospel in Harlem, followed by some soul food at Sylvia's or Amy Ruth's!
9. Head to Coney Island
Visit one of the most iconic places in NYC! Stroll along Coney Island's famed boardwalk. Dip your feet in the ocean.
There's an amusement park there, though going to Luna Park is not free.
At night, the lights from the rides give Coney Island an extra fun vibe.
I've been going to Coney Island since I was a child and have fond memories of getting Nathan's hot dogs and crinkle cut fries.
While it may not be a top attraction in NYC, if you have some extra time on your visit, I think it's a cool place to see.
10. Free Fun By Season
All four seasons in NYC bring with them all sorts of free activities.
In the summer, you can cool off in the water, watch free movies outdoors, and see dozens of free performances, like free Shakespeare in the Park and Summerstage, both in Central Park.
In the fall, the leaves in Central Park turn into beautiful shades of gold, red and orange.
The Halloween Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are tremendous fun.
In the winter you can find free ice skating, take a holiday lights tour, see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and the outlandish Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.
See the full section below on seasonal and monthly free things to do in NYC.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Stroll through Central Park
This pastoral escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets is everything you imagined it would be.
I can't imagine my life here in NYC without Central Park! Everyone needs to escape once in a while.
With wide-open spaces, rides, zoos, sculptures, shade trees, ponds, and lakes, there are so many things to do.
In this video, our tour guide Katie takes you on a virtual walking tour through the southern half of Central Park.
Our guide to Central Park has information about the activities in the park as well as a downloadable and free self-guided tour.
Other ways to explore the park are with our GPS-led audio tour (just $3.99).
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
No matter how many times I walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, it's never too many!
The views are amazing and the bridge itself is beautiful. Its history is fascinating too.
Best of all, there is no cost to cross the bridge and pedestrians have a walkway free of cars and bicycles.
Our guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge can help you to have the best experience possible.
If you would like a guided experience, check out our GPS-led audio tour.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial
Located in a spacious plaza in Lower Manhattan, this memorial to the lost lives of 9/11 is free to visit.
When I am in the immediate area, I always take a few minutes to pass by the breathtaking cascading fountains that stand in the footprint of the Twin Towers.
The National September 11th Museum, next to the memorial, is free to visit every Monday evening from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.
Additionally, New Yorkers may visit free of charge on the first Monday of each month.
The museum covers the tragic events of 9/11 through artifacts, documents, film, recordings, and more.
Going to the museum can be emotionally challenging, but as someone who witnessed the events of 9/11, I think it is worth considering a visit.
Walk the High Line
The High Line, a unique park, is built on an abandoned and repurposed elevated railroad.
I remember when weeds overrun the railroad. Now the High Line, with 110,000 plants and flowers of hundreds of varieties, is a much-welcomed improvement!
The views of the Hudson River and the surrounding streets of Chelsea and Midtown are unparalleled.
The story of how the park came to be is really interesting, as is the contrast between its charm and the modern buildings surrounding it.
Our guide to the High Line will help you plan your visit and get the most out of this interesting urban park.
At the northern end of the High Line, you'll be at Hudson Yards where you can see The Vessel, a one-of-a-kind feat of innovative architecture.
See the Splendor of Grand Central Station
From its massive celestial ceiling to its secret 'whispering gallery', there is no train station like it in the world.
I've passed through the station hundreds of times and am always dazzled by its features.
Grand Central also has an amazing history, architectural details and even quirks. Learn about them from our guide to Grand Central Terminal.
We also cover this information in our audio tour with GPS, and though not free, it is just $1.99 to download.
Visit Little Island
Opened in 2021, this whimsical park is unlike anything you've probably seen before!
Little Island, a 'floating' park built on concrete piles in the Hudson River, resembles tulip pots.
In this video, Kyle, a tour guide with Free Tours by Foot, takes you on a virtual walk of Little Island.
It's free to visit Little Island and explore all of its features. Tickets are required for some of the live performances at the Hatch bandshell.
When I go to Little Island, I walk over to Pier 57 just two blocks away. This is one of several NYC piers with incredible free skyline views.
Get an All-Inclusive Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
An all-inclusive tourist discount pass gets you free entry into most of NYC's most popular attractions and tours all for one low price.
While the passes themselves aren't free, if you plan your itineraries well, you will end up getting one or two attractions for free each day.
Even though I live here, I've purchased passes myself when friends are in town so we can save money seeing attractions together.
There are several different types of passes, so be sure to read our comparison post to learn how to maximize your savings on your trip.
FREE THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT
Several activities mentioned above, like riding the Staten Island Ferry, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and strolling along the High Line are free to do at night as well as during the day.
This section lists even more free nighttime activities.
Take a look at our post on things to do at night in NYC which has a section dedicated to free activities and attractions.
Take a Night Tour
Our downloadable PDFs of self-guided tours are free and can be used at night.
For under $3, you can take one of our GPS-led audio tours and enjoy them at night as well as during the day.
You can also take one of our free guided night tours, which are:
- Midtown Manhattan
- 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge
- High Line
- Central Park.
- Ghost Tours
Enjoy Free Skyline Views
You don't need to pay any money for spectacular nighttime skyline views of NYC.
There are many places to go for free skyline views, like the incredible Brooklyn Heights promenade.
As a former Brooklyn Heights resident, I was mesmerized by that view hundreds of times.
When I bring out-of-town visitors there, I love hearing their "oohs" and "aahs" when they first see the view.
But the promenade is not the only place for breathtaking city views.
Read our post on the best free skyline views to learn where else you and your camera should go!
Take the Roosevelt Island Aerial Tram
The Roosevelt Island Aerial Tram offers an almost-free, jaw-dropping 360-degree view of New York City and it runs past midnight every night.
While the tram isn't free, if you have an unlimited MetroCard, it's as if it were. I've never minded paying a few bucks for a thrilling 4-minute ride!
In the video, Katherine shows you how to take the Roosevelt Island Tram with some visitor tips for exploring Roosevelt Island.
As a NYC history buff, I think Roosevelt Island is a pretty cool place to visit during the day, but it's fun at night too because the spooky remnants of a smallpox hospital built in 1856 are extra eerie!
Use our free self-guided tour of Roosevelt Island to explore the area.
Take an Almost-Free Ferry Ride
Like the Roosevelt Island Tram, the NYC Ferry is a commuter ferry, but anyone can sit back and take in the nighttime (and daytime) views from the water.
I and some of my fellow local tour guides ride the ferry as commuters. No one has such a beautiful nighttime commute as we do!
Though the ferry is not free, it is just $4.50 and runs well past 9 pm (21:00) every night.
Read our post on the NYC Ferry for details and suggestions of what you can do in the neighborhoods the ferry goes to.
I also created a self-guided tour using the ferries.
Go to a Free Museum
As noted above, there are dozens of free museums in NYC and several stay open into the evening.
I like to follow up a dinner with a friend with a visit to the Whitney Museum which is free on Fridays from 5 pm to 10 pm.
That's because we can also take a stroll on the High Line which is located right next to the Whitney.
Just a few others are:
- National September 11th Museum - Mondays 5:30 pm to 7 pm
- Morgan Library & Museum - Fridays from 5 pm - 7 pm
- Japan Society - Fridays 7 pm - 9 pm
See a full listing here.
Enjoy a Free Party at a Museum
A few museums offer free nighttime events that are more like a party than a museum.
You can see their art exhibits, hear live music, dance to a DJ, or watch films.
Usually, refreshments including alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
- First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum
- K2 Friday Nights at the Rubin Museum
- Library After Hours at the New York Public Library
See the Bright Lights of Times Square
Times Square can be explored 24 hours a day. It is especially exhilarating at night as the neon lights and billboards are abuzz.
Be there just before 12:00 a.m. to take part in the Midnight Moment.
See our guide to Times Square which lists things to do in the area both at night and during the day.
People-Watch
Like many New Yorkers, I love to people-watch. In Times Square at night, you will see some real characters!
Just grab a seat on the big red stairs at the TKTS Booth and watch the world go by.
Other places and neighborhoods where you'll see some colorful characters at night are:
Explore Rockefeller Center
This complex of buildings centered around its iconic promenade is very lively at night.
Lots of people come for the Top of the Rock observation deck, but there is more to see.
I find it especially charming in the winter when the promenade is transformed into an ice-skating rink and the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree is put up.
Use our free self-guided tour of Rockefeller Center to locate the sights you can see at night.
Go Stargazing
From April to October, members of the Amateur Astronomers Association bring high-powered telescopes to various parks in NYC.
The public is invited for free to gaze at the stars, planets, and moon. Experts are there to answer questions.
Check the AAA website for dates and locations as they vary.
See a Free Comedy Show
New York is known for its comedy clubs, and while most require tickets, there are free comedy and improv shows around the city.
Here are a few I like:
- Bomb Shelter Comedy Club in Times Square
- Rodney's Comedy Club on the Upper East Side
- Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg
You can find free comedy at many other locations from Free Stand Up NYC and on Evite.
If you can spend a little money, read our post on affordable comedy clubs in NYC.
Seasonal Night Activities
After dark, you have many activities unique to each season. In the warmer months, especially summertime the choices are endless.
You have a long list of outdoor movies, free concerts of every genre of music, and theater performances, including Shakespeare in the Park and Broadway in Bryant Park to choose from.
In the fall, you can see the amazing Halloween Parade and take a Ghost Tour or see the leaves changing color in Central Park.
In winter and around the holidays, you can see the Holiday Lights, go ice-skating, and celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square.
Browse our list of monthly things-to-do posts for more ideas when you are in town.
And take a look at our post on things to do at night in NYC which has a section dedicated to free activities and attractions to enjoy in the evening.
FREE THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
Many free activities mentioned in other sections of this post are perfect for families with children.
This section lists even more free things to do with your kids to make their time in New York City memorable.
For other ideas, look at our master post on the top things to do with kids in NYC.
Visit Central Park
With the number of things to do for kids in Central Park year-round, you would think it was created just for them!
Here’s just a sampling of free activities in Central Park:
- Play on the many statues like Alice in Wonderland
- Hear a free story by the Hans Christian Andersen statue on Saturdays from June to September
- Become a scientist at Belvedere Castle, which houses the Henry Luce Nature Observatory
- Watch the model sailboats in the Conservatory Water Pond. You can rent one there to launch.
There are dozens more activities for kids and families in Central Park, so be sure to read our post about things to do in Central Park.
Go to a Kid-Friendly Museum
Many of the major museums in NYC are well-suited for kids and have free admission for children under certain ages.
Additionally, NYC has quite a few museums created just for children. Some are free all the time while others have free days/hours.
These are among the best:
- South Street Seaport Museum - always free at the ticket booth
- Queens County Farm Museum - always free
- American Museum of Natural History - always free for residents of the Tri-State area at the ticket booth
Some museums admit children for free, but adults must pay for admission. Still, this is a great way to save if you are traveling with several children.
Here are a few that children will enjoy, noting the age at which children are admitted free.
- Brooklyn Botanical Garden - free under 11
- Metropolitan Museum of Art - free under 12
- Museum of Modern Art - free under 16
For a full listing of children's museums, see our post on things to do with kids in NYC.
Check out our post on free museums in NYC for even more options.
Playgrounds and Parks
Though Central Park is the granddaddy of them all, there are many other awesome playgrounds and parks for kids throughout the city.
Here are three I highly recommend, not just because kids love them, but because adults do too!
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a huge park in DUMBO and is one of the most popular parks in the city to bring kids to romp.
Little ones can ride the historic Jane’s Carousel. Though the carousel does cost $2, it is worth it. It's one of the top 10 things to do with kids in Brooklyn.
Washington Square Park has separate playgrounds for toddlers and older children.
In summer the fountain is on and they can splash around and romp in the water. There’s lots of music for them to dance to!
Bryant Park has free kids’ programs like juggling lessons, puppet shows, and a kids’ reading room with StoryTime.
Play Indoors in and around Rockefeller Center
Too cold to play outdoors? Let the little ones run wild in the mega-stores in Rockefeller Center.
Check out the Lego Store, Nintendo World, and the famous toy store FAO Schwarz with the giant keyboard made famous in the movie Big.
There’s also M+M World and the Disney Store in Times Square.
See our map of 25 things to do with kids in Midtown Manhattan for both free and non-free activities.
Explore Grand Central Terminal
Another great indoor activity is visiting Grand Central.
Kids can learn about the zodiac lesson from the celestial ceiling and learn about acoustics from the secret “whispering gallery”.
Choo-choo lovers can watch trains depart from 44 platforms, more than any other train station in the world.
In the winter see the free holiday train show
See other ways you and your children can enjoy the station in our guide to Grand Central.
Free Music and Theatrical Productions
Though many free musical and theatrical performances for kids take place outdoors in the warmer months, you can find some that take place year-round.
- Theatreworks
- Washington Market Park
- CityParks PuppetMobile
- Madison Square Park
- Hip to Hip
- Harlem Meer Festival
You can also find excellent kids' shows that are inexpensive such as the Theater for Children with tickets for $10.
If you can spend a bit more, check out the New Victory Theater in Times Square with quality productions just for kids year-round.
Another show that is great for kids and adults is Blue Man Group. See our post on getting concession tickets for Blue Man Group.
Lastly, if you are here in February, you can catch Kids’ Night on Broadway, an annual event where children 18 years old and under can attend a Broadway show for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Ride the Subway
Chances are you will be taking the subway while you are here.
Take advantage of the free and engaging activities to be found on subways and in subway stations!
Hear live music, see magicians, and more. Read our post about the subway and street performers, to find out where to find the best performers.
The whole family can admire the unique art in the subway as some stations have tiled murals and art installations.
For example, the 81st Street Station by the American Museum of Natural History has large mosaics of fossilized bones and prehistoric creatures.
The 14th Street-8th Avenue station in Chelsea is filled with mischievous bronze creatures by sculptor Tom Otterness.
If you want to be led to the best subway art, we have a subway art tour.
TIP: Use our post on Navigating the Subway to learn the ins and outs of the subway system.
Seasonal Activities for Kids
Summer in NYC keeps the kids busy with water activities, outdoor movies, playgrounds, and theatrical performances.
Autumn has the Halloween Parade, Thanksgiving Parade, and pumpkin-related events galore, like the Great Pumpkin Flotilla in Central Park.
In winter they can ice skate and see the holiday lights, including the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
In spring, they can enjoy the Easter Parade and baby animals abound at the Bronx Zoo.
See the Seasonal/Monthly section below for more information.
Be sure to look at the monthly posts for the time you are visiting, as they have a section dedicated to things to do with kids, including some free events
MUST SEE ACTIVITIES, MUSEUMS, AND ATTRACTIONS
This section lists free attractions and includes items mentioned in the other sections.
We've broken this down into 3 sections.
- free museums (both art and historical)
- free attractions (memorials, historic buildings, etc.)
- free activities (sightseeing, music, tours, etc)
NOTE: Free sometimes means "pay-what-you-wish" or "by donation", though many places really are free.
FREE MUSEUMS
NYC has more museums than you can count and many of them are free to visit!
I confess I haven't been to all of them because there are so many! But then dozens I have been to, some more than once, are fabulous.
Here are just a few museums that are always free or have free days/hours.
- National September 11th Museum - free Mondays 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Brooklyn Museum - always free when you purchase tickets at the museum
- National Museum of the American Indian - always free
- American Folk Art Museum - always free
- Bronx Museum Of The Arts - always free
- Socrates Sculpture Park - always free
- Queens Museum - always free
- Museum of the City of New York - always free when you purchase tickets at the museum
- New York Public Library - always free
- Museum of Modern Art - free Fridays for NYC residents 4 pm-8 pm
- American Museum of Natural History - always free for residents of the Tri-State area
- Guggenheim Museum - free Monday and Saturday, from 4 to 5:30 pm
- Whitney Museum - free Fridays 5 pm-10:00 pm
- South Street Seaport Museum - always free when you purchase tickets at the museum
For a comprehensive list of museums and cultural institutions in NYC that are either always free or offer free days/hours, click here.
FREE ATTRACTIONS
We encourage you to read through all the sections of this post for other attractions to visit such as Grand Central Terminal, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the High Line.
You can also see our post on NYC Attractions which lists both free and paid sights to see and activities to do.
Historical Sights and Memorials
- 9/11 Memorial
- Federal Hall
- Castle Clinton
- Memorials in Battery Park
- Irish Hunger Memorial
- Belvedere Castle in Central Park
- John Lennon 'Imagine' in Strawberry Fields
- African Burial Ground National Museum
- City Hall Tours
- New York City AIDS Memorial
- General Ulysses S. Grant National Memorial (Grant’s Tomb)
- Soldiers and Sailors Monument
- Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace
- Alexander Hamilton Grange National Memorial
- Alice Austen House Museum
- BLDG 92 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Dyckman Farmhouse
- Harbor Defense Museum
- King Manor Museum
- Lefferts Historic House
- Wyckoff House
- The Old Stone House
Zoos and Aquariums
- Bronx Zoo - Wednesdays all day
- Staten Island Zoo Wednesdays 2 pm-4:45 pm
- New York Aquarium Wednesdays 3 pm-5 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day and 3 pm - 3:30 pm the rest of the year.
Botanical Gardens and Farms
- New York Botanical Garden Wednesdays all day
- Queens Botanical Gardens Wednesdays 3 pm-6 pm
- Wave Hill Cultural Center Tuesdays 9 am-12 pm
- Queens County Farm Museum is always free
Historic Houses of Worship
Historic Graveyards and Cemeteries
- Greenwood Cemetery
- Trinity Church
- St. Paul's Chapel in Lower Manhattan
- First Shearith Israel Graveyard in Chinatown
- St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery in the East Village
Libraries That Are Also Museums
- New York City Public Library
- Schomburg Center in Harlem
- New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
- New York Society Library
- Brooklyn Historical Society
Iconic Buildings to Photograph
- Statue of Liberty
- Chrysler Building
- One World Trade Center (the Freedom Tower)
- Flatiron Building
- Dakota Apartments
- The Friends Apartment
- New York Stock Exchange
- Woolworth Building
- Trump Tower
- United Nations
- The Stonewall Inn
FREE ACTIVITIES
Here are the best free activities in NYC you can enjoy for free year-round.
For more ideas, see our master post on things to do in New York City.
See Free Art
In addition to the many free art museums, there are also plenty of art galleries in Chelsea and Soho.
You can also see brilliant street art in Bushwick.
See our post on free museums in NYC for a long list of options.
Hear Free Music
Year-round you can hear performances of all sorts of music, from pop, classical, jazz, and more. Some venues are
- Trinity Church
- Library for Performing Arts
- American Folk Art Museum
- New York Public Library
- Schomburg Center
In the warmer months, from late May to early September, there are many free concert series.
See our Summer Guide to NYC for a long list.
Go to a Gospel Performance
For another free music experience, you can see free gospel performances in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
See our post on where to see the best free gospel performances in NYC.
Attend a Free TV Show Taping
There is no cost at all to see the taping of a TV show and there are many to choose from.
Tapings take place during the day, even for late-night talk shows like the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
See our post on how to get free tickets to a TV show taping.
See Free Breathtaking Views of NYC
There are many locations where you can find free skyline views.
One of the most impressive free views is from Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, located just across the East River from Lower Manhattan.
If you can spend a few bucks, you might like to go to a rooftop bar and order a soda or a drink. While not free, the view will be worth the reasonable amount you spend.
If you can splurge, we encourage you to go to one of the observatories for outstanding 360 views of NYC.
You can find prices and descriptions from our post comparing the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and One World Observatory, Edge and Summit.
Free Performances, Classes, Movies, and More!
These parks offer a wide range of programs that include free activities like music, dancing, movies, readings, nature exploration, boating, arts, theater, classes, fitness, and activities just for kids.
The list is endless!
Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan hosts over 1,000 free activities a year including theater, dance, movies, classes, games, birdwatching, fencing, juggling, chess, ice skating, and so much more!
Hudson River Park has many free activities throughout the year, including water activities, classes, music, dance, and movie series.
There are too many programs to list here, but you can find hundreds of free activities on the NYC Parks Department’s website.
Get Fit
You can participate all year in free fitness classes through the Shape Up Program.
In the warmer months, you can find free yoga classes at Brooklyn Bridge Park and do tai-chi or learn how to fence in Bryant Park.
See our Summer Guide to NYC for a full listing of sports and fitness activities.
Be Entertained by Street Performers
New York City has some of the best subway musicians, buskers, and performers.
Our post about where to find New York City Street Performers and Subway Music will lead you right to them!
Sun Gaze
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association on the High Line to safely look at the sun through telescopes designed to observe sunspots.
See their website for dates.
Go to a Rollerskating Dance Party
From mid-April to late October, on most Saturdays and Sundays, the Central Park Dance Skaters Association has a free “Skate Circle” party with a DJ in Central Park.
Commune with Nature in a Park
There are loads of parks in NYC, but these are our favorites:
- Central Park with expansive green spaces and statues and monuments
- Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village for great people-watching and a funky, fun vibe
- Prospect Park is a bit off the beaten track and located in the gorgeous Park Slope neighborhood
Get a Free Drink
New York City is home to several craft breweries, and a couple of them offer free tours of their facilities -- and sometimes even free samples of beer!
Our post on taking a free brewery tour tells you which breweries offer tours, how to get to them, and what else to do in the area.
If you prefer wine, check out a free wine tasting!
In the early evenings, wine shops all over the city have wine tastings where you can sample 3 to 6 different wines.
Here are wine shops that have tastings several times a week.
- Astor Wines in the East Village
- Union Square Wines in Union Square
- Chelsea Wine Vault in the Chelsea Market
Pair your wine with a free, self-guided tour of the neighborhoods! We also have audio tours. Find out about all of these tours here.
For other free drinks, you can take advantage of Happy Hours in many bars, pubs, and lounges in NYC. Happy Hours often have a “Buy one, Get one” deal.
So while not entirely free, it’s still a good deal. See our post on Happy Hours in NYC.
Watch a Free, Practically Professional Basketball Game
The West 4th Street Basketball Courts, known informally as “The Cage” is famous for its high-quality players.
NBA scouts regularly come by looking for the next Michael Jordan.
You can join the audience standing along the fence on 6th Avenue and West 4th Street in Greenwich Village. You can also join in a pick-up game...if you dare!
While in the Village, use our post about things to do in Greenwich Village.
See a Parade
NYC has some of the biggest and best parades in the world! Among the best are the Halloween Parade, the Mermaid Parade, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
See our Seasonal section below for a listing of more parades.
Festivals and Street Fairs
- San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy
- Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown
- 9th Avenue Food Festival in Hell’s Kitchen
- Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas on the Lower East Side
- Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn Heights
- Harlem Week Festival in Harlem
To get more information on these and other festivals throughout the year, see our monthly posts.
Free Seasonal Activities
The four seasons in NYC bring activities unique to that time of the year.
What is so great about NYC is that you can always find fantastic free things to do at any time of the year.
The highlights of free activities are:
Summer offers the chance to see dozens of free movies and concerts and attend a free performance of Shakespeare in Central Park.
In the fall, nothing could be more fun than watching (or even marching in) the Village Halloween Parade.
Seeing the leaves change color in Central Park is also very special.
Winter brings free, festive things to do, like seeing the Holiday lights around Midtown and other neighborhoods.
There is nothing like the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Spring is filled with flowers at the free Macy's Flower Show, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the buds sprouting in the High Line Park.
See our seasonal section below for more ideas.
In addition to the free activities we’ve listed so far, you can find more if you purchase an all-inclusive tourist concession pass.
Though the pass isn't free, you can plan your itinerary so that one or two attractions are free for each day you have the pass.
Here are the Top Ten attractions included in the big three tourist passes.
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- Hop-on-hop-off Bus Tour
- National September 11th Museum
- Circle Line River Cruise
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- Radio City Music Hall Stage Tour
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
- Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
- Museum of Modern Art
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This list is just a handful of the dozens of attractions, activities, and concessions included in tourist passes.
Our post comparing tourist passes can show you how to make the most of your trip budget.
FREE THINGS TO DO BY SEASON, MONTH, OR DAY
Free Monthly Activities
Our monthly posts include a section on free things to do that month. This includes special events, parades, and festivals that are held during that month.
We also created a post on when is the best time to visit NYC, which includes a section on the cheapest times.
Free Seasonal Activities
Winter Holiday Season
- Christmas Activities
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
- Ice Skating
- New York Holiday Lights Tour
- New Year's Eve in Times Square
Spring
- Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Cherry Blossoms in Parks and Botanical Gardens
- Fleet Week
Summer
- Shakespeare in the Park
- Governors Island
- Summerstage Concerts
- New York City Beaches
- See our Summer Guide to NYC for many more free activities
Fall
- Little Italy's San Gennaro Festival
- Village Halloween Parade
- Ghost Tours
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS
We hope this post provided you with more than enough free things to do to keep you busy and your wallet full!
When we asked the members of our New York Travel Tips Facebook group what their favorite free things to do in NYC were, we got a lot of great responses which we share below.
By the way, you don't need to be a member to read the posts, comments, and suggestions.
So check the group out when you are finished reading this post.
Perhaps the best free thing to do in New York is to explore the city on foot. We locals love to do this and our group members do too.
Here are some of their recommendations. You can look back through this post to find information on these places.
Along those lines, here’s another one of our favorite free things to do, and group member Patricia’s as well.
You can do this anywhere in the city! So walk, sit and watch, then walk some more!
We suggest Times Square and Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village as the most fascinating places to people-watch.
As you may know, there are five observation decks in NYC, they are expensive (though we think going to one is worth it).
Here are some ways to get free views of NYC. Though they aren't from 1200 feet in the sky, the views are breathtaking. Have your camera ready to go!
Though not free, the Roosevelt Tram is the cost of a subway ride -- which is a great price to get an awesome sky-high view of New York City.
New York City has some of the finest museums in the world and the art scene is unparalleled.
Here are some group members' favorite free museums and galleries.
Going to these two museums gives you a chance to explore two neighborhoods you might not otherwise visit. The Neue is on the Upper East Side and the Folk Museum on the Upper West Side.
Here in December? You are in luck. The holidays in New York City are something special - and it’s all free to enjoy.
These are just a small sampling of the amazing things you can do in NYC for free! Enjoy!
