New York City is a fantastic tourist destination, but it can also be expensive. Broadway tickets, dining, and hotels can be extremely expensive. In fact, even though there are several great ways to save money on hotels in NYC, it is still one of the most expensive cities for accommodation. Fortunately, New York also has many great attractions, sites and activities that travelers can take in without spending a penny.
Related: How To Save Money on NYC Hotels
Here is a list of the top 10 free things to do in New York City.
Central Park
Central Park is quintessential New York. Spend a few hours here strolling through the park, enjoying an ice cream, buskers, free events and people watching. Be sure to check out Strawberry Fields, a mosiaic dedicated to John Lennon.
The High Line
An old railway line was converted into a pedestrian walkway. Take a stroll 15 feet above the city along the High Line, a lush botanical oasis in the center of New York.
New York Public Library
Aside from the awesome architecture, there are some cool and historic artifacts to see here, include a copy of the original Declaration of Independence, a Gutenburg Bible other exhibits. There Library offers free tours daily (Monday to Saturday) at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
See the Statue of Liberty Via Staten Island Ferry
The ferry from the souther tip of Manhattan to Staten Island is completely free. It passes by the Statue of Liberty and offers a great alternative to seeing the statue at no cost. Hundreds of tourists every day simply hop on, ride to Staten Island, and immediately ride back.
Wednesdays at the Bronx Zoo
There is no admission to the Zoo on Wednesdays. They do ask, however, that you make a donation.
American Museum of Natural History
The museum is completely free the last hour it is open each day, from 4:45 to 5:45. The rest of the time, it is by a ‘suggested’ donation, so if you want more time or the free hour does not work for you, you can pay whatever you can afford.
Times Square
Visiting Times Square is a must. In fact, I recommend visiting it twice: once during the day and again later at night. Take in the lights, noise and crowds.
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
This is a lot of fun. I dragged my wife across (not literally) and she told me later is was the highlight of her trip. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge offers some amazing fews of Manhattan and provides some great photos ops.
Friday Night at the MOMA
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) offers free admission on Friday nights. Free admission starts at 4:00 p.m and the museum is open until 8:30. It is best to arrive before 4:30 when entrance lines begin to form. Be sure to check out The Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh.
NYC Iconic Buildings
New York has a handful of must-see skyscrapers and other iconic buildings of historic significance. Some should definitely be on your hit list, while others should be on your radar in case you find yourself within proximity. The list includes: New York Stock Exchange, the new World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Flatiron Building.
