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Free & Cheap Things to Do in NYC This Fall and Holiday Season
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items Free and cheap things to do in NYC this fall and holiday season, for when you want a cute day out without spending the bank. Parks, views, markets and the classic NYC moments that cost little or nothing. Hours and dates change, so check before you go...
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Free Classic NYC Moments
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Free & Pay-What-You-Wish Culture
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Cheap Thrills & Holiday Markets
Free Classic NYC Moments
The classic NYC experiences that cost nothing: bridge walks, free ferry rides, park strolls and skyline views. Perfect for a date, visiting family, or a solo day out.
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Free. Walk the elevated park from Hudson Yards down toward the Meatpacking District. Fall plantings, river views and a great backdrop for a cozy-coat outfit pic.
The High Line
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Free Staten Island Ferry. Ride past the Statue of Liberty and the downtown skyline, then hop right back. Go at golden hour for the prettiest views and photos.
Whitehall Terminal
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Free to stroll. The holiday shops, rink and twinkle lights make it one of the prettiest free holiday walks in Midtown. Window-shop, grab a cocoa, snap a pic.
Bryant Park Winter Village
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Free to walk in. The marble halls and the famous Rose Main Reading Room feel like a movie set. Go mid-morning when it's calm, and bring a book or your laptop.
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
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Free to visit. The tree lighting is set for Wednesday, December 2, and the tree stays lit through the holidays. Go on a weeknight after dinner to beat the crowds.
Rockefeller Center
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Free. Look up at the constellation ceiling, try the whispering gallery near the Oyster Bar, and browse the holiday fair in Vanderbilt Hall from mid-November.
Grand Central Terminal
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Admission is always free. Contemporary art on the Grand Concourse, an easy subway ride uptown. Check the museum's site for current shows and hours before you go.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
Free & Pay-What-You-Wish Culture
World-class art and culture without the full ticket price. New York residents can pay what they wish at some museums, so bring your ID and always check the official site first.
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Pay-what-you-wish general admission for New York State residents, so you choose the price. Bring ID with your address. The Temple of Dendur is a must-see.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Pay-what-you-wish, and kids 12 and under get in free. Don't miss the giant scale model of all five boroughs, then walk out to the Unisphere for a photo.
Queens Museum
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Always free, no tickets needed, inside the gorgeous Beaux-Arts Custom House at Bowling Green. Look up at the rotunda ceiling, then walk to Battery Park after.
National Museum of the American Indian
Cheap Thrills & Holiday Markets
Big NYC fun for a few dollars: a tram ride with skyline views, holiday market browsing and weekend flea finds. Bring cash and an appetite.
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An aerial ride over the East River for the price of a subway fare. Go at sunset for skyline views, then walk the island's waterfront promenade before riding back.
Roosevelt Island Tramway
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Free to browse rows of red-and-white holiday stalls with local makers, gifts and snacks. A great spot to find unique stocking stuffers. Check the market's site for this year's dates.
Union Square Holiday Market
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Weekend vintage and maker market under the Manhattan Bridge archway in Dumbo. Free to browse, and the best place to find a one-of-a-kind vintage bag or jewelry piece for less.
Brooklyn Flea