Best Free Things to Do in New York City
New York City Tours
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Nature & Parks
Central Park
132,861 reviews
"You can rent a bike, row a boat, ride in a horse drawn carriage, visit the zoo, stop for ice cream or lunch, or just wander and take in the various sculptures like Alice in Wonderland, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Le...""New York's ultimate green space from 59th St to 110th St. Encompassing treasured classics like the Children's Zoo, Boat House & Pond, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Bethesda Fountain, John Lennon's Strawber..."
Sights & Landmarks
Brooklyn Bridge
25,187 reviews
"Great walk across the epic/iconic bridge great views of the sky line also Ellis island n Statue of Liberty about 30 minute walk each way dress warmly as the wind can be very “biting”""This is one of the most amazing bridges in New York and are definitely in the sea in New York City You can get amazing photographs from the bridge with the architecture in the background this is an amazing day out..."
Sights & Landmarks
Manhattan Skyline
21,254 reviews
"You can get an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn or if you jump on the free Staten Island ferry the view is brilliant, it will also go past the Statue of Liberty so you can get some great photos.""The best way I think to see lower Manhattan at it's best is from The Staten Island Ferry and it is Free a great opportunity to take some great photos you also get great views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island..."
Nature & Parks
The High Line
62,310 reviews
"A unique experience walking through NY via a disused railway Very nice walk through skyscrapers Very cool and a great way to walk of the best brunch ever at Bubbys which is opposite the start of the Highline""Even in Winter it is a lovely walk you can stop in many places and visit for example la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Chelsea Market, Withney Museum (new), See a sunset in New Jersey, Hudson Yards....."
Sights & Landmarks
Grand Central Terminal
44,255 reviews
"... a true NYC gem, offering up over twenty varieties of fresh oysters, a large menu of fresh, grilled and fried seafood choices, and an ambience and history that makes The Oyster Bar a very fun dining experience! ""whispering gallery is a MUST!!! the ceilings is a must!! and please if you happen to go there go to one of the stores there P!Q super fun, excelente service and great prices!!!"
Sights & Landmarks
Rockefeller Center
25,299 reviews
"This is always a favorite place to visit, right by 5th Avenue, St. Patricks Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, the Tower, the ice skating rink, many shops and restaurants, and of course the beautiful Christmas tree...""Rockefeller center has great architecture, great shops, restaurants, ice skating, movie scenes from Home Alone, murals on the ceilings and an underground passageways to help you get back and forth and stay warm!"
Nature & Parks
Bryant Park
23,462 reviews
"I try to visit each holiday season for the Christmas Market, which has something for everyone - great food options, lots of affordable merchandise that is perfect for gift-giving, and ice-skating that is more affo...""Lovely cafes and restaurants but, for me, the range of free activities on offer is very impressive : juggling, table tennis, an open air library from which you can borrow books, boules, yoga, dance, 'learn a langu..."
Transportation
Staten Island Ferry
22,620 reviews
"A must of course for a fantastic free view of NYC...but do homework before you plan your time of travel....some ferries are closed decks and some are open....which is much better for photos and experience so check...""The Staten Island Ferry is the best free activity in NYC! From the ferry you will have stunning views of NYC, beautiful photo ops and the best view of the Statue of Liberty in context (with the city behind)."
Museums
New York Public Library
14,360 reviews
"... free exhibitions (Salinger and made at the NY Public Library) we easily spent 4 hours here, a definite recommend if you're into books, literature and civic history - they have the original Winnie the Pooh too!""The library has some fabulous reading rooms most of which are accessible to the public and they are free to enter..! The library backs onto Bryant Park which is a perfect spot to relax with a drink or coffee"
Sights & Landmarks
The Oculus
2,530 reviews
"The Oculus is very well designed and integrated into the area, connecting with both transportation venues (the PATH station and the Fulton Center) and while there are the usual standard high end shops for visitors...""This is a magnificent piece of modern architecture, a huge atrium set atop a massive floor space surrounded by shops and restaurants set on two floors with train access and viewing platforms at either end, a must..."
Sights & Landmarks
St. Patrick's Cathedral
14,930 reviews
"Lots of beautiful catholic icons to see inside and opportunities to light a candle, sit quietly and pray, learn more about the history of the building and Catholicism in New York or just reflect on the amazing des...""We always like to attend Mass whenever we travel and we came upon St. Patrick's during our first walking tour of 5th Avenue and the surrounding area."
Sights & Landmarks
Broadway
30,571 reviews
"The NYC Times Square Hilton is a beautiful, clean and very modern facility with great access to all of the principal activities of NYC, including Broadway, Lincoln Center and the poignant sights of the 9/11 Memori...""Broadway is the absolute best part about NYC! Our favorite thing to do in New York is experience Broadway and see all the top shows out like Phantom, Wicked, Cats, Lion King, Aladdin, Beautiful, etc."
Other
Times Square
55,978 reviews
"Amazing place to visit and so different from everything I am used to, great to see in the day as well as at night, with lots of street performers to make the experience even more enjoyable!""We stayed at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Times Sq; very central; great buzz; you can get discounted tickets to shows at TKT booth on Times Sq. Lots of bright neon lights in Times Sq; and watch out for the Naked Cowboy!"
Other
Greenwich Village
3,792 reviews
"I did a geeky Dylan walking tour checking out all the spots associated with my hero (best being Jones Street), then walked up by Stonewall to see the legendary Village Vanguard.""Great cafes and unusual little stores, Christopher St, “Alphabet City” to the East, NYU’s campus buildings, Washington Square Park and the grand archway, outstanding comedy clubs, great restaurants, nice boutiques..."
Shopping
Chelsea Market
9,562 reviews
"We LOVED the Chelsea Market from the history of the building (old Nabisco factory), art at every turn, delicious food stalls and artisan market we could have spent hours here easily!""A great market with so many different types of restaurants inside : I really enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of this place."
Sights & Landmarks
The Vessel
1,209 reviews
"A brilliant structure designed by Thomas Heatherwick, located at the Hudson Yards, if like me you are a photographer you must pay a visit and take some great photographs.""This was a good workout walking up it's a really cool piece of Architecture with great views once you get to the top, Highly recommend and exploring the Hudson Yards community as well."
Other
SoHo
3,833 reviews
"SoHo (an acronym for South of Houston Street) So you can grab coffee and a pastry from one of the many Instagrammable cafes and eateries .Walk back in time, along the cobblestone streets.""High-end boutiques, chain stores and art galleries make trendy SoHo a hip shopping destination, especially for tourists as well a locals."
Sights & Landmarks
Chrysler Building
3,045 reviews
"... spire.The grand lobby can be visited and features multicoloured marble and granite,a beautifully painted ceiling with scenes of 1920’s transportation,wonderfully decorative elevator doors and art deco metalwork.""There is something so fantastic about the Art Deco era in New York which provided us with some of the worlds iconic building and the Chrysler Building is definitely one of them, a must see."
Sights & Landmarks
Fifth Avenue
8,538 reviews
"Join the hustle and bustle of NYC whilst experiencing the Designer shops at the Central park end of the Avenue.""a Stroll even down 5th avenue is a must; window shopping; even if some stores look to be off limits, go into just the first floors, such as saks, Bergdorff's a must is Henri Bendel; Christmas or springtime windows..."
Nature & Parks
Washington Square Park
3,585 reviews
"You can have a picnic at the square, play chess on the stone tables, talk to your friends, hang around the large circular fountain located in the center of the square, enjoy the different types of plants, flowers...""We stopped on a very hot, Friday afternoon and it was the perfect place to sit, sip our drinks, people watch and cool off by the fountain."
Shopping
Macy's Herald Square
4,793 reviews
"While there are many floors of merchandise where you can find unique treasures the gem is located at the center of the building with the original wooden escalators.""Each level is cleverly themed to make the shopping experience fun - DJ as we walked in to the ground floor to the giant piano and kids play ground and bar and cafes on the upper floors."
Nature & Parks
SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery
2,485 reviews
"If you visiting NY come down to Battery Park is wonderful I love it flowers trees building all together just amazing I highly recommended people there is very kind just a great time!!!""It is lovely - winding paths around lovely perennial gardens and trees, beautiful views of the harbour, the ferries and the Statue of Liberty and the coolest carousel I have ever seen - floating fish in a fish bow..."
Other
Harlem
1,175 reviews
"Here lies popular landmarks: area's main thoroughfare (Broadway), 125th Street, Apollo Theater, Frederick Douglass Circle, Hamilton Heights, Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, Harlem Hospital Center, Har...""Strangers on the street said hi! Sylvia's is the place for soul food and great service and swing by the famous Apollo Theatre which spawned MoTown and has a Hall of Fame and a star studded pavement to boot!"
Sights & Landmarks
St. Paul's Chapel
3,434 reviews
"This small, beautiful chapel is grounded in America's founding history (it was founded in the 18th century and George Washington worshipped here), as well as in more recent history - given it's geographic location...""It's a great, quick stop to show appreciation to our forefathers and to our first responders."
