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Are you planning a trip to New York City? If you’re trying to stick to a budget, you may want to check out some of the free attractions and activities the city has to offer. Take a look at this list then make your plans to enjoy the Big Apple regardless of the size of your budget.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Check out the attractions at Brooklyn Bridge Park — an 85-acre recreation site that has a number of unique features and attractions. One that is especially memorable is a 1920s era carousel that has been fully restored. When you visit, be sure to check out Pier 5 for sporting events.
Central Park
Central Park offers New York City visitors and residents a like a touch of nature right in the midst of the urban sprawl. This park is a piece of the wild nestled right in the middle of the bustling city. If you visit NYC, take the time for a stroll through Central Park to enjoy everything it has to offer — whether you want to go hiking, bike riding, or some other outdoor activity.
Times Square
You can watch video footage of the throngs and crowds around Times Square, but until you experience it for yourself you can’t quite comprehend it. Visiting this tourist attraction in New York City is a must — whether you like the night life, you want to do some shopping, or you’re just interested in people watching.
Museums
Several museums around New York City — including the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the New York Hall of Science, and the Museum of the Moving Image — offer free admissions on certain days and at certain times. Check out the specifics for each one so you can plan around the free days and take advantage of them.
Plants and Wildlife
Museums aren’t the only attractions around New York City that offer freebie days. The Bronx Zoo and the Staten Island Zoo both offer freebie specials on Wednesdays and the Queens Botanical Garden offers visitors specific days, dates and times that are free admission.
Other Free Entertainment
For other types of free entertainment — from theater, to film screenings, to author talks, to concerts, and much more, New York City has it all. Public libraries in the city as well as theaters and bookstores offer everything from ping pong to story times for all ages.
Your trip to New York City doesn’t have to be a budget buster. If you’re wanting to enjoy this fantastic city without breaking the bank, do your homework and check out what’s available. There are plenty of free activities and attractions to appeal to everyone in your whole family.
What are some of your favorite things to do in New York City that cost NOTHING?
I totally want to head to these places. We drive through them in our travels but never stop.
I would love to visit NYC one day, these are some great ideas.
the bronx zoo is the DEVIL on free wendsdays- it might be free, but it will also claim your sanity. LOL. also- parking- remember to factor in parking costs or bus/taxi/subway etc fees and TIME. 1 mile can take quite a bit of time to travel in NYC.
I live very close to NYC and used to go down there all the time. If you time your visit you might want to experience some of the street fairs–or go and take a walk around Greenwich Village–there is so much to see down there.
There is tons to do for free in NYC. Just walking along the Hudson is a day in itself and the views are great.
I never thought of NYC as a city of freebies. I’m so glad to hear of these wonderful activities.
This is an awesome list of free things to do in New York. I hope to go to New York this summer if things work out and this list will come in handy indeed. Thanks for sharing.
NYC is my favorite place EVER. And as you point out, there are “freebies” (and as someone else pointed out it’s wise to keep in mind public transit fare, the inevitable cost of, for example, bottled water when it’s hot, etc.). I love Roosevelt Island. You do have to get there via tram or subway but once you do the views are awesome! And there’s come cool history there!! // You can also enjoy Coney Island – the sights and sounds – for free but it’s probably a challenging place to visit with kids unless you are going to shell out for the rides, etc.!
I have always wanted to go to New York. One day when go I would like to do as many things I can Free! Thanks!