This is the best list of free things to do in New York City, written by a local.

New York City has a reputation for being very expensive and it totally is. That said, it’s possible to enjoy a helluva lot of stuff for free if you know where to go and when.

Take it from me, a New York City native who has spent her whole life avoiding crowded tourist traps, expensive money sinkholes, and bloated events: there are plenty of free things to do in New York City, USA.

To help you out, I’ve put together a giant list of all the unexpected but charming free things to do in New York City.

In the following list, I am including the activities I have done and enjoyed. I don’t try to push things on others that I would never want to do myself. So as a result, you will not see Times Square here (as a native, I have to be honest in my deep loathing for this area of Manhattan. I won’t judge you for going, but don’t drag me there…).

You will not see a clichéd recommendation that you walk through Central Park, either. It’s Central Park, it’s great, blah blah blah you knew that. There are some crowded areas on this list, but they are fun and well worth going to despite the crowds.

Most of these free activities in New York City would be best done in the warmer months, but there is also a healthy number that can be done during winter and rainy days, too.

Without further ado, here are the best free things to do in NYC!

FREE THINGS TO DO IN MANHATTAN

Amazing Viewpoints on The Highline

What used to be an elevated subway line that serviced the Western side of Manhattan years ago was left as abandoned wreckage until 2006 when work on the park began. The Highline opened to the public in 2009 and has been a major success.

It’s totally free to walk on and takes the visitor from the Meatpacking District on 14^th street to the rapidly developing 34^th street. It offers beautiful views of the river and boasts plenty of places to take a sweet picture of New York.

I go there a lot with my students (I’m an English Language teacher) and we really enjoy the breeze off the Hudson on hot days. I wouldn’t go during the weekends if you can help it, the park gets really crowded, especially on beautiful days.

Gallery Hopping in Chelsea

Stretching out underneath the Highline you’ll find a plethora of art galleries. These galleries are funky and weird as hell. They’re free to enter and some are pretty big.

I think this is one of the most underrated things to do in New York City as most people will walk right past these galleries while on the Highline.

Here’s a list of galleries you can go see (there’s a lot, so pick ones that look fun while walking around otherwise you’ll burn out!).

The MoMa on Fridays

If you can stand the crowds, making a trip to see the MoMa for free on a Friday afternoon from 4-8 pm is high on the list of quintessential things to do in New York City for free! This is a world-class museum that houses some seriously famous works of art.

Don’t be too daunted by the size of the line getting in (it’ll likely be MASSIVE). The line moves quickly and you’ll be inside in no time. I’d recommend getting there around 6:30 to beat the rush of people who show up at 3:30 to get in line.

See Shakespeare in the Park During the Summer

I have waited in this line and I have not had the chance to actually get tickets. This is the premier, crème-de-la-crème of free stuff in New York City (info on how to score free tickets here). Unfortunately, the secret is totally out and everyone, their dog, their neighbor, and their mom is on this line to get tickets.

That said, you can turn the wait into a fun sleepover party in the middle of Central Park! If you do get tickets, you’ll receive 2 for free and get a chance to see a Broadway production of a Shakespearean play. Just do yourself a favor and don’t wait until the last minute to get in the line.

Go Visit the Cloisters

The Cloisters are part of the Met’s art around New York City. Although tickets to go inside the cloisters are not free, visiting the park and the grounds around the cloisters is and it is a beautiful place to go.

Fort Tyron Park is a gorgeous park with panoramic views of the Palisades and the Hudson River.

Tour Grand Central Terminal

An icon. A classic. Grand Central Terminal is a beautiful holdover from the Vanderbilt era of New York City: an era of rich railroad tycoons, oil barons, and bankers.

Although the area around the station has been built up and modernized, this grand building still boasts some of the richness of the turn of the last century and is a real beauty.

There are a ton of shops inside to go window shopping (they’re expensive!) as well as a saloon tucked in a far corner where you can learn about how what used to be an apartment got turned into a secret bar.

Walk along Hudson River Park

Starting at Battery Park, you can walk along the Hudson River and enjoy some beautiful views of the city while not being inundated with the noise and traffic. This is a beautiful, romantic walk with plenty of places to sit and watch the boats go by.

I like to come here when I have an afternoon free and relax. It’s not nearly as crowded as some of the other parks in the city and you’ll likely find plenty of places to be alone. More information here.

Visit the 9/11 Memorial

A beautiful homage to a terrible event. This is a great place to go and reflect on where you were that day and see, in person, the site of the most devastating attack on American soil in history. Please be respectful and don’t do a bunch of smiling selfies; it’s a sacred place.

The museum is not free, but the memorial is open to visitors.

Stroll through Chinatown

Chinatown in lower Manhattan is a really cool place to get lost. The grid disappears down here and this neighborhood, which has seen its share of different groups of immigrants over the centuries, is still resisting the rapid globalization and modernization that the rest of the island has been experiencing.

I like to wander into some of the grocery stores down there and look at the stuff they sell inside, and sometimes you can score some tasty treats to try; yay free stuff in New York City!

If you prefer, jump on a free tour of Chinatown, Little Italy, and SoHo and learn tonnes about the area.

Chinatown is totally different than the rest of the city and I love it. I’d also recommend getting a bite to eat at Great NY Noodle Town (this is not free, but it is a super cheap and delicious place to grab lunch or dinner).

Visit The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is one of the best free things to do in Manhattan. Located on 42nd Street next to Bryant Park, the Beaux-Arts building is gorgeous on the outside and the inside.

This Library is an active library where you will find people studying inside, browsing around the bookshelves, and more. But what makes it a place to visit for everyone is the stunning architecture and interior design. It’s one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

FREE THINGS TO DO IN QUEENS

Museum of the Moving Image

I cannot recommend this museum enough. I think this is one of my favorite museums in New York City. If you have ever watched a movie you’ll enjoy this place.

Not only does the permanent collection boast tons of weird props from very famous movies, but the temporary exhibits are also amazing. They’ll cover everything from internet memes to cat videos. I would highly recommend a stop out to Astoria, Queens to check this place out!

You can visit the museum for free and see some cool stuff between 2:00–6:00 pm every Thursday.

Explore the Queens County Farm Museum (Queens Farm)

The Queens County Farm Museum is one of the best free hidden gems in NYC. It is a 47-acre historic farm located in the neighborhoods of Floral Park and Glen Oaks in the Queens Borough.

As the largest working farm in NYC today, visitors can spend hours exploring the farm and learning about the different types of crops and livestock on the grounds.

This is especially an excellent activity to do with kids as you can visit the different animals such as sheep, alpacas, goats, and others that call Queens Farm their home.

Admission is free 354 days a year, except during special admission days when there are events. So make sure you check out the official site and see the calendar before planning your trip.

Socrates Sculpture Park

A weird “only in New York” type of park. This small pocket of trees sits right on the East River. It doesn’t get tourists and will fill up with free activities in New York City during the warmer months. You can come to see the strange delights that await you there (always some kind of funky statue).

You can even show up for some free yoga if you feel inclined.

Visit the Oldest Hindu Temple in the US

“The oldest temple in the USA” sounds like it should be super old, but it’s not; it opened in 1977 in Flushing, Queens! That said, The Ganesh Hindu Temple is a great place to go check out if you’d like to get a taste of local Hinduism and the Indian culture that thrives in New York City.

In the basement Canteen, you can get some delicious, cheap South Indian food and enjoy a number of free events they host throughout the month. The temple is free to see and well worth a visit.

Check Out the Street Art in Astoria

Welling Court in Astoria, Queens is a wonderful enclave of contemporary artists’ work. From the strange to the inspiring you can really see some of New York’s freshest stuff. Learn more about what they are doing here.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN THE BRONX

The Bronx Botanical Gardens and Zoo

I don’t think people give the Bronx enough credit. This borough is massive, varied, and still largely untouched by the rapid globalization that has hit the rest of New York City.

This means you are in luck. Go up to the Bronx and check out the Bronx Zoo, which is free on Wednesdays! This is one of the largest zoos in the US and it is OLD. It opened to the public in 1899, which means that some of that beautiful turn-of-the-century architecture is still there for you to gawk at.

The Bronx Botanical Gardens are also free on Wednesdays and they are so beautiful. The architecture is of the same era as the Zoo and the grounds are brimming with flowers, old trees, and vast lawns you can stretch out on.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN BROOKLYN

Walk Down Bedford Ave

As far as things to do in New York City for free, this is epic. I recommend this walk to everyone who comes to visit me. This is a no-holds-barred, can’t-get-this-anywhere-in-the-world walk.

Take a good pair of walking shoes and start in Williamsburg, follow Bedford Avenue, and walk South toward Prospect Park. This walk will take you through the hip, chic area of WillyB’s, into the highly religious and private Hasidic Jewish neighborhoods, then into Afro-Caribbean Bedford-Stuyvesant.

The walk is not touristy and these are real people living and working in the communities. You are a visitor and I would recommend that you don’t draw too much attention to yourself.

But, to just walk through these areas is real schooling on how different the neighborhoods of Brooklyn can be. I’ve done this walk about a half-dozen times and it never gets old. Set aside a couple of hours for this. I wrote in more detail about the walk here.

Visit the Coney Island Boardwalk

Coney Island has a long history. Over the decades it’s seen its share of ups and downs, but the real soul of the area is the Coney Island Boardwalk and the Cyclone rollercoaster, in my humble opinion.

This place can get really crowded in the summer, but on a pleasant fall or spring day, you can practically have the whole place to yourself. It’s a great chance to see a real beach, walk amongst Luna Park amusement park and watch people ride the Cyclone, one of the world’s oldest roller coasters.

In the summer you can come down here and take a swim—and join the more than 14 million people who are likely to do the same at some point this year.

Check Out the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, then head over to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Featuring a 52-acre garden, the establishment contains a total of 14,000 taxa of plants. Come enjoy the famed Japanese garden, which features a serene pond and a Japanese torii gate.

Though Brooklyn Botanical Garden is usually never free, there are certain times when you can visit for free. For example, from Tuesday to Friday in the winter months (December to February), admission is pay-what-you-can.

Go Kayaking For Free At Brooklyn Bridge Park

Many visitors simply know Brooklyn Bridge Park as a place to relax and admire the stunning views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan. While those things are free to do, the park has more to offer for those that are informed.

Between the months of June and September, regular free kayaking programs are offered at Pier 2 of Brooklyn Bridge Park. These free kayaking programs are a steal so make sure you reserve your spot as soon as they come out on the Brooklyn Bridge Park official site.

Marvel at Street Art in Brooklyn

Dumbo, Brooklyn

The neighborhood of Dumbo is a beautiful place to visit. It has cobbled streets and vintage brick buildings, sits under the Brooklyn bridge, and sports some sweet street art. Just walking around this area is a real treat and you’ll find some epic shots to take for Instagram.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

A quick stop off the L will land you in trendy Williamsburg. It’s easy to walk through this really hip area and check out the wild street art. I like to take my students here as a first soiree into Brooklyn. You can download walking tours for free here.

Bushwick, Brooklyn

Further out on the L train you’ll hit the Bushwick Collective’s art and graffiti sprinkled liberally throughout the neighborhood. This stuff is thrilling to see in person. It’s big, colorful, and thought-provoking. There are free walking tours offered online here.

OTHER FREE ACTIVITIES IN NEW YORK CITY

See the FDR Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island

I don’t think many people know this park even exists. That makes your visiting it a real treat because you’ll likely be only one of a handful of tourists there.

It’s free to see, takes you to the funky Roosevelt Island, and gives you sweeping views of New York Harbor. It’s just a really cool place. Oh! And it takes you past the super haunted-looking abandoned Smallpox hospital. Fun!

Ride the Staten Island Ferry

A classic. This massive piece of metal painted bright orange may not be a million-dollar yacht, but it will give you a chance to take a good look at lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty for the price of nothing.

The ride is 30 minutes and you’ll get a sweet opportunity to see the sights twice: to Staten Island and then back to Manhattan. The Ferry leaves quite frequently and runs 24 hours. I’d recommend going at sunset to catch that view over the New York harbor.

More info, including the timetable for the Ferry, here.

Watch a Summer Movie

Easily one of the best ways to join the ranks of things locals do. The summer movie series in New York City is a great way to get together with some friends, or join a meetup group if you are on your own, and go see a free movie!

The films are usually played in a park in different boroughs. Check out the website for more details about what is playing near you.

Listen to Free Live Music

Throughout the summer New York City hosts some of the world’s famous musicians to listen to and there are free things to do in New York City for everybody. Check out the events calendar to see if your favorite band is playing.

The events are usually pretty packed, but overall it’s a great time! Bring a picnic basket and prepare to enjoy the evening.

My favorite event is when the NY Philharmonic plays in Central Park. At the end of the show, they’ll shoot fireworks!

BEST CHEAP PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY

This is the ultimate list of the best cheap hotels in the New York City center. If you’re visiting NYC on a budget, these are the cheapest and best places to stay!

CitizenM New York Times Square Hotel

Location is everything with this sparkling clean and modern hotel, just a stone’s throw from Times Square. All rooms are stylishly designed with a modern feel. Although the rooms are small (but let’s be honest, all rooms in NYC are small), the setup makes them feel large and you’ll have all the necessities for a comfortable stay. The rooftop bar is absolutely stunning and offers incredible views of Manhattan. Everything you need is right at your fingertips for a price that’s more than reasonable!

Seton Hotel

You will feel like royalty staying in this moderately-priced boutique hotel! Park Avenue, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Grand Central Station are all within walking distance of this hotel. Rooms are clean, large and styled with 19th Century decor that adds an exclusive feel to your stay. Staff are present 24/7 and they offer free tea and coffee in the mornings.

LIC Plaza Hotel

Want privacy, comfort, and convenience without the hefty price tag of New York City? Then make sure you stay in this LIC Plaza Hotel! Located a few minutes away from the subway station, guests are within a short subway ride from midtown NYC, where most of the actions are happening. The hotel is modern and clean, and did I mention that breakfast is included? You simply cannot get a better price for what it is offering! Each room comes with a desk (perfect for those on a business trip), a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and of course, air-conditioning. If you are planning to visit NYC cheaply, then consider this hotel!

Now, Go Explore NYC!

So whether you’re familiar with NYC or it’s your first time here, this long list of awesome free things to in New York City will have you exploring every crack and crevice this multicultural city has to offer! So get outside and check out New York, New York.

READ: Weird & Unusual Things to do in New York City

NYC FREE THINGS TO DO FAQs

Keen to see more of New York City? Check out these awesome tours!

Pin for later!

Got more free things to do in New York City? Add them in the comments below!

WANT MORE FREE THINGS? Here Are Posts from All Over The World!

Share this so someone you know can save money too! ⬇