Are you looking for free things to do in New York City? These are all the best things to fill your time without breaking the bank!
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Are you planning a trip to New York City? New York is so amazing but it can be SO expensive!
Or maybe you even live there – and you just need something to do in your extra time that won’t totally break the bank.
Either way, the good thing is, there are actually a lot of free things you can do during your visit!
These will be perfect to do in any downtime you want to fill or to put into your vacation itinerary to help balance out the overall cost of the trip.
I can’t wait to share with you some of my favorite free things to do in New York City!
Best Free Things to Do in New York City
1.) Wander Around Central Park
The absolute most obvious answer! You have to hang out in Central Park during your stay – especially if the weather is nice. There are so many places to explore. You could spend your whole day there!
It’s also such a nice change of scenery. I love being in the city but every now and then you need a little breath of fresh air, and while in NYC, Centennial Park is the place to get it.
My recommendation: Bring a backpack or daypack to bring snacks, blankets, books, etc. so you can have a picnic or just relax in the sun and people-watch for a bit!
2.) Attend A Free TV Taping
There are so many TV shows that film in NYC, and the best part? They are usually free to go to!
Each show does it differently, but often times you can enter a lottery or even wait outside before taping to try to get a seat.
SNL, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show, and The View are a couple examples of shows that are completely free if you can get tickets! This website here I found gives great descriptions for each show and the best way to get your tickets.
A little tip: several do not allow bags or you may have to go through extra security if you bring one. I recommend getting something you can attach to the back of your phone to hold credit cards, IDs, hotel room keys, etc.
3.) Catch A Free Outdoor Concert or Movie Night
In months when the weather is nice, I always love to look for free outdoor concerts and movie nights. So many big cities offer several of these throughout the year in their parks. Between Central Park, Bryant Park, and Prospect Park you’ll find several throughout the summer months.
Some ones to be on the lookout for:
- Shakespeare in the Park (in Central Park)
- Paramount+ Movie Nights (in Bryant Park)
- Picnic Performances (in Bryant Park)
My biggest recommendation is to bring a lightweight foldable chair or a blanket you can lay on while watching the performances!
4.) Take in Views of the Statue of Liberty From the Staten Island Ferry
Fun fact, the Staten Island Ferry is completely free! The Staten Island Ferry is definitely a great way to transport from borough to borough in NYC, but it also offers insane views of some of the best spots in New York City.
You’ll be able to see an amazing view of the Manhattan Skyline, The Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. I highly recommend taking a ride of two to get to see the city from a different point of view!
I highly recommend going during sunset.
If you want, bring along some binoculars to try to see even more!
5.) Check Out Free Museum Days
A lot of New York City’s Museums will actually offer free admission on certain days! Museums like the Guggenheim also offer certain days an hours where you just “pay what you wish.”
Museums are GREAT for a rainy day activity. So if you find yourself having not the most ideal weather just grab your umbrella and check out a free museum!
6.) Walk the High Line
The Highline is such a cool experience in NYC! It once was an elevated railway, but now it has been turned into a public park.
The views are incredible, and there are stunning gardens throughout the park. You’ll find tons of art installations along your way!
I recommend wearing good walking shoes for this activity!
7.) Head to Dumbo For Some Great Photo Ops!
Dumbo has some of the best photo-taking opportunities! It’s right on the water with views of the Manhattan Bridge and the cobblestone streets make for the perfect vibe.
I always hate asking people to take photos for me, so I got this little tripod! It folds up pretty small but also (depending on the one you get) can be super tall! It’s perfect to get photo ops if you are alone or want to capture a picture with everyone in your group in it.
8.) Wander Around Times Square
Times Square can be sensory overload, but if you’ve never been to NYC it’s definitely one of those places you have to see at least once.
I actually really enjoy the hustle and bustle and you could spend hours just checking out the street performers. There’s a lot going on all for free if you can stand the crowds – I highly recommend it!
If you plan on venturing out to Times Square, take a power bank for phone charging! I always find that when there are tons of people around, it drains your phone so much faster – I guess just from your phone constantly having to search for a better signal.
9.) Take a Free Walking Tour
New York actually offers several different walking tours. If you’re feeling up for some walking, it’s a great way to do some exploring. The best I’ve found is Free Tours By Foot. They’ve got 40 different walking tours to choose from in various areas of NYC and many of them come with the option for audio or printable guides so you can learn more about the area you are exploring!
I know a lot of people get concerned in bigger cities about theft. If you are, check out this anti-theft crossbody bag, it’s perfect for making sure all your important belongings are secure!
10.) Visit Federal Hall
If you want to see the very spot where George Washington took his oath of office! This is it! And it’s right across from the New York Stock Exchange if you want to get views of that as well.
11.) Take A Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge
One of the best views you’ll get in NYC is taking a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Not only is the bridge itself beautiful, but the views you’ll get to see of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the East River are unmatched.
Protip: Check it out during sunset for the most stunning skyline views.
12.) Explore Grand Central Terminal
Yes, it’s a transportation hub – but trust me it is so much more than that! Just the architecture alone is BEAUTIFUL! The ceiling is covered in constellations.
There are tons of restaurants and shops as well. You could do a little window shopping – and although of course, the restaurants aren’t free, if you are looking to eat this is a great place to find many different options.
My personal favorite is the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant. The best seafood!
13.) Walk Around the New York Public Library
The New York Public Library has so much more than just books to check out. The architecture is beautiful and the murals are amazing. You can totally stop in to take a little stroll!
14.) Go To A Free Day At The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
If you know me at all you know that I love solo trips – and botanic gardens are great because you can easily do them with friends, family, kids, or completely by yourself.
I would definitely check out their website for free admission opportunities. Not only are there certain days that are free for everyone, but they also offer free admission to various people if you meet certain requirements.
I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated on your stroll! I love this one that folds up making it easy to pack and carry with you!
15.) Look for Events at Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park holds several events each year – check out their website to see if there’s anything that sparks your interest while you are there!
There are also a TON of street performers everywhere in the park. Even if there aren’t any events going on, it’s worth checking out to see if you stumble across any amazing talent along the way.
16.) Street Art in Bushwick
You can easily take a self-guided tour through Bushwick, Brooklyn. There is a ton of street art and all the murals change pretty frequently!
17.) Free Yoga
There are a ton of parks that actually offer free yoga classes.
I’ll be honest I’m not the girl who would probably go try free yoga while on vacation lol – but if that’s you…check it out! I found this list compiled by Do NYC which has an extensive list of all the best free yoga spots HERE. It’s definitely one of the best free things to do in New York City!
Whether you live in NYC or are just visiting – I hope you found some great tips for free things to do to have the best time without breaking the bank!
Have fun in New York City!!
This post was all about the best free things to do in New York City!
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