There are plenty of free things to do when visiting New York on a budget.
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Take some selfies in Times Square.
Stroll under the tall trees of Central Park.
Walking the streets of Williamsburg trying not to walk into all the inspiring little shops and bars you pass…
But there are also dozens of other free things that are true classics or great experiences allowing you to soak up the inimitable atmosphere of the Big Apple. Here are a few!
Here are 13 free things to do in New York (after going to Times Square and Central Park):
1. Visit the “floating” park Little Island and its concrete tulips.
Inaugurated in 2021, this New York green space is built above the Hudson River in western Manhattan. From a distance, you can see that it rests on 132 giant “concrete tulips”. You will walk among 350 species of flowers, trees and shrubs, and can attend, in summer, cultural events and free shows in its large amphitheater or on its small secondary stage.
2. Take the ferry the Staten Island to see the Statue of Liberty.
No need to pay to admire Lady Liberty close. The free ferry that connects Manhattan to Staten Island runs alongside it and offers you superb views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. There are departures every day and every evening, all year round. (Please note that this ferry does not stop at Ellis Island where the statue is located. To set foot there, you must take another boatpaying for that one, with Statue City Cruises.)
3. Go to plage Rockaway in Queens.
Surf, food trucks and soft sand… You wouldn’t know it, but there are some awesome beaches in New York. Take the subway and spread your blanket in Rockaway Beach, Queens. Stroll along the 9km promenade along the Atlantic and keep your eyes peeled: sometimes you see dolphins!
4. Discover magic Morgan Art Library on Madison Avenue.
This library with a “harry-potteresque” atmosphere, built between 1902 and 1906, contains precious books and works of art amassed by its creator Pierpont Morgan. Its tablets hide ancient papyri as well as Mozart scores and Gutenberg bibles. Entrance is free one evening a week, Fridays between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (reservations required). The café and boutique are also accessible free of charge at all times.
5. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
This iconic New York bridge, a feat of engineering inaugurated in 1883, is a perfect location for a photo shoot. Its pedestrian walkway offers splendid views on both sides of the Hudson. Don’t forget to extend your waterfront walk at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
6. Take advantage of the many free museums.
In New York, there are plenty of museums that are either free all the time or free at certain times. THE Bronx Museum of Arts and the Socrates Sculpture Park (outdoors) are always free of charge, for example. For his part, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum opens its doors to families free of charge every Thursday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The list of museums is long! The tourist office lists them on his website, but it is possible that the information is not 100% up to date at the time of your visit. Check.
7. Stroll around High Line Park.
This West Side park built high on a former railway line, the last portion of which was inaugurated in 2019, has quickly become a New York classic. Lush plants, passages, relaxation areas and contemporary works of art line the 2.3km route, which allows you to take the pulse of the neighborhood. Want to know more about its history? Free tours are offered by doctoral students several days a week, at a fixed time, all year round. The information is online.
8. Take a detour to 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The site of Ground Zero includes a museum (free Monday evenings between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and a vast park (always free) with architectural works in memory of the approximately 3,000 victims of September 11, including immense “waterfalls” which turn out to be particularly moving. If you haven’t seen them yet, don’t hesitate to take this detour.
9. Go to outdoor cinema in the heart of Manhattan.
If you’re visiting New York in the summer, look out for weekly outdoor movie nights offered free of charge in select city parks. In the bustling Midtown district, Bryant Park has been offering its films under the stars for no less than 30 years! Another option? Saturday evening “Movie Nights” in the (impressive) sector Hudson Yards on the New West Side.
10. Take advantage ofa free guided walking tour.
To discover a particular district of New York, nothing better than a short guided walking tour. The volunteer association Big Apple Greeters offers several free ones, in several languages and under several themes. You have to book early. THE Flatiron – Nomad District offers free tours every Sunday at 11 a.m. to discover the famous flattened building and its surroundings.
11. Find a favorite art gallery in Chelsea.
The Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan has long been known for its artistic side. The concentration of art galleries there is impressive: there are more than 400 of them. And they are free. From must to put on your itinerary: the David Zwirnerthe She’s Chelsea or even the Marianne Boesky.
12. Treat yourself to a kitsch moment Coney Island.
Coney Island is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, but above all it’s a retro amusement park and a long promenade along the water’s edge as well as beaches where you can hang out, like in the “good old days” of the fair festivities. Although the park’s rides and attractions require a fee, it costs nothing to stroll through this iconic tourist area. The New York Aquarium located there is also free on Wednesday afternoons at 3 p.m.
13. Eat a free pizza or bagel (yes!).
You have to find them, but there are New York bars that offer free food with the purchase of a drink. At the Irish pub Brazen Head Brooklyn, we’re talking a bagel with cream cheese with the purchase of a cocktail on Sunday. At Alligator Lounge Brooklyn, there is free pizza every day with the purchase of a drink. The New York tourist office lists a few other places like this on son site (but double-check before moving).
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2023-10-29 11:55:00
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