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30 Free Things to Do in New York City
30
items I've been to NYC a couple of times for short weekend trips, but there's so much to see and do! Next time, I want to visit some, if not all, of these 30 free activities that I'm sharing for inspiration. If you're interested, here's a sample trip you c...Vacation Packages to NYC (trips include flights, hotels, & excursions). Disclaimer: I've included links for inspiration via Viator (affiliate link). Remember to save and follow for more travel inspiration and recommendations!
Sections
7
Parks & Gardens
Museums & Galleries
Best Views & Photo Ops
Streets for Strolling & Shopping
Foodie Finds
Landmarks
Parks & Gardens
Parks & Gardens in NYC Inspirations to include Things To Do via Viator (affiliate links)
Experience NYC Washington Square Park via Viator
Washington Square Park, New York City | Book Now Tickets & Tours Online
Popular among tourists and locals, the High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated park built on an abandoned railway. Ideal for a leisurely stroll, the park provides perfect vantage points of the city below.
The High Line
This public park in Midtown Manhattan is an ideal oasis in the bustling city. Popular among the lunch crowd from nearby businesses, the park regularly hosts free movies and events, as well as a holiday market in the winter.
Bryant Park
Located on the northeastern edge of Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is free Friday mornings from March to November and winter weekends from December to February. Plan your visit during late spring to see the blossoming pink cherry trees.
Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo Walking Tour - Small Group
Museums & Galleries
Museums & Galleries Must-See in NYC (Viator links)
This museum in lower Manhattan, part of the Smithsonian, holds one of the world's most expansive collections of Native artifacts. And it's always free!
National Museum of the American Indian
NYC's artiest neighborhood is chock full of free galleries to explore. Head to West Chelsea between Tenth and Eleventh avenues and 18th and 28th and pop into galleries that catch your eye.
Chelsea Market and High Line Guided Food Tour
The museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a fashion lover's paradise. The always-free museum holds several exhibitions throughout the year that invite the visitor to gain an understanding of fashion culture.
The Museum at FIT
Plan a visit to the Brooklyn Museum on the first Saturday of the month and enjoy free admission. The museum holds an impressive collection of contemporary works by artists like Mark Rothko and Edward Hopper.
Brooklyn Museum
Located in an elegant Upper East Side mansion, the Frick Collection offers free admission every first Friday evening of the month (except September and January), from 6pm to 9pm.
The Frick Collection
Best Views & Photo Ops
Best Views & Photo Ops Inspirations
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. For excellent views of this impressive bridge, head to the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Head to the waterside WNYC Transmitter Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for stellar views of downtown Manhattan's skyline. The park also hosts free movies in the summer, so check the calendar beforehand.
WNYC Transmitter Park
Troutman Street in Bushwick is a mecca for local and international street artists. Keep your camera ready to snap photos of colorful murals that put this eclectic neighborhood on the map.
Bushwick Street Art Tour and Williamsburg Lifestyle Tour
Streets for Strolling & Shopping
Prepare to do a lot of walking here for a shopping spree.
When you think of 5th Avenue, you probably think of shopping. You'll find every store under the sun on this major thoroughfare that stretches from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to West 143rd Street in Harlem.
Fifth Avenue NYC
Arthur Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx is considered the borough's "Little Italy." Find delectable Italian goodies like fresh mozzarella, cured meats and gelato at shops up and down this old-school avenue.
Arthur Avenue
Foodie Finds
Foodie Finds Inspirations and an invitation to explore Viator (affiliate links)
Once home to the National Biscuit Company, Chelsea Market is an indoor food hall offering everything from vegan sushi to whole steamed lobster, as well as shops including a bookstore, cooking supply store and artisan's market.
Chelsea Market and High Line Guided Food Tour
Held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the farmer's market at Union Square bursts with fresh produce and local treats all year round. Even if you just come to sample, it's still worth a visit.
Union Square Greenmarket
Take a free tour of the Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg! Tours are held every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm and occur every 30 minutes. Get there early as tours are limited to 40 people.
Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour
Modeled after the food hall in Turin, Italy, Eataly was opened in 2010 in the Flatiron district and is a treasure trove of imported Italian products. Peruse the fish, meat bread and cheese stalls and don't be afraid to ask for samples.
New York City Mafia and Local Food Tour led by NYPD Guides
Landmarks
Landmarks - NYC Must See Recs
Grand Central is so much more than a commuter train station. Built in a stunning Beaux-Arts design, the station is listed as a U.S. National Historic Landmark and is home to a Nordic-inspired food hall, oyster bar, shops and more. Don't miss the Whis...
Grand Central Terminal
The main branch of the New York Public Library near Bryant Park is an architectural marvel. The second largest public library in the United States after the Library of Congress, it was opened in 1911 as a place for New Yorkers to check out a book or ...
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial below One World Trade Center. Two square reflecting pools in the center mark where the Twin Towers stood and are inscribed with the names of the 2,977 people killed during the 9/11 attacks.
911 Ground Zero Tour & Museum Preferred Access
The 7,000-pound bronze Charging Bull sculpture on Wall Street has become an NYC landmark since it was first installed in 1989. A symbol of financial success, many visitors have taken to photographing the bull's, um, virility.
History of the Charging Bull (and How To See It)
If you can't score tickets to Hamilton on Broadway, a visit to Hamilton Grange is the second best thing! Take a free tour of Alexander Hamilton's estate on W. 141st St. in Harlem, renovated in 2011.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
Everything else
Everything Else Recommendations
Hop on the free Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and enjoy the 25-minute ride offering superb views of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline.
Staten Island Ferry
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, New York City opens its public beaches for all to enjoy. While Coney Island is certainly the most well-known, you can also dig your toes into the sand at Brighton Beach, Rockaway Beach and Fort Tilden.
Brighton Beach (2026) - All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Reviews)
Held at Central Park's Delacorte Theater, Shakespeare in the Park is an NYC institution. Each summer the Public Theater presents two shows, with free tickets distributed in the park and other locations around the city. For a good chance at winning ti...
Free Shakespeare in the Park