Looking for free activities in New York which are still fun? Check out my extensive list of the best free things to do in NYC.
Many people put off a trip to New York City as they believe it will be costly, however, it does not have to be. New York City on a budget is possible, having visited three times now I know where you can save the pennies but still have a great time. Which is why I have written various guides on how to visit New York on a budget and how much spending money you need for 4 days in New York.
This time I am bringing you the best of the free activities for tourists in New York City.
To know before you visit NYC from the UK
Although this post is more aimed at cutting costs one essential fee you will have before travelling to New York City (or anywhere in the United States) is the cost of an ESTA (which put simply is a simpler Visa).
The travel program was created by the Department of Homeland Security of the United States, permitting citizens of 39 nations, the freedom to travel to the United States of America without needing to apply for an official American visa. The ESTA application can be completed online within 20 minutes.
An approved ESTA allows you unlimited entry to the United States over the duration of 2 years as long as each visit is no longer than 90 days.
An easy way to obtain to your ESTA is via https://www.estaform.org/.
35 Free Activities to do in New York City
9/11 Memorial – Outside area
Located on eight acres of the 16-acre World Trade Centre complex, the 9/11 Memorial is a place of remembrance and contemplation within the bustle of lower Manhattan. The peaceful outdoor area features different features including the memorial pools and the Survivor Tree. This is a place to visit to pay your respects.
If you wish to learn more about the tragic event, you can visit the National September 11th Museum located in the same complex, however, there is a few for this.
Grand Central Terminal
Despite it being a very busy central hub for transportation in New York City, due to its many appearances in films such as a Friends With Benefits and Superman, Grand Central has also become a must-visit tourist attraction.
Although this station is very rarely quiet, avoid rush hour commuting times to get the best experience.
Rockefeller Plaza
The Rockefeller Center is a large complex consisting of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres between 48th Street and 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan. It is also better known for again being in a variety of films including Elf and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
While activities here such as The Top of the Rock and ice-skating are not free, there is no charge to take in the atmosphere of the plaza or see the huge Christmas tree during the holiday season.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Patrick, also called St. Patrick’s Cathedral, is a decorated neo-gothic Catholic cathedral on Manhattan in New York City, erected in 1879. A complete juxtaposition to the skyscrapers which surround it, visitors are welcome to take in it’s beauty for free.
It is worth noting all churches and cathedrals in NYC are free to visit, however some may ask for an optional donation to assist with maintenance costs.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City, spanning the East River between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
A brilliant feat of 19th-century engineering, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire, and during its construction explosives were used inside a pneumatic caisson for the first time. Today, it is a major landmark and tourist attraction for those visiting NYC
The Oculus
The Oculus is the World Trade Center Transportation Hub with train station, plaza and shopping mall located adjacent to the memorial site for the 9/11 tragedy. It is worth a visit to simply admire the wonderful architect.
Bushwick Collective, Brooklyn
A must for street art enthusiasts. It is an outdoor street gallery known as the Bushwick Collective, which begins on Jefferson Street and continues on Troutman Street towards Saint Nicholas Avenue.
Here you can explore the neighbourhood where you can learn about some of the local artists such as, Cost, Revs, Enx, Mast, Never, Nekst, 4 Burners plus many more international artists who have traveled across the globe to display their artwork on the walls of Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Houdini House
Fan of magic? While visiting New York City you can visit the home of the world’s greatest Magician and Illusionist Harry Houdini.
The five-level house (including a basement) was built in 1895 about three blocks from the uptown edge of Central Park. Houdini bought it in 1904 for $25,000 and lived in it with his wife, Bess, and various relatives until his death in 1926.
The Houdini Museum
The Houdini Museum of New York is a museum exhibiting memorabilia related to the escape artist, Harry Houdini. It is located at Fantasma Magic, a retail magic seller located at 213 West 35th Street and it is free to visit!
Irish Hunger Memorial
Almost tucked away in a quiet pocket of Manhattan, right on the Hudson River and in view of the New Jersey shore, this memorial is elegant, informative and dedicated to raising awareness to the Great Irish Hunger.
The Elevated Acre
Amid the bustle and noise of the Financial District hides a secluded garden oasis above the city streets. The secretive urban oasis features a lawn, a summer beer garden, winding paths of Brazilian hardwood and has spectacular views of the East River, Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
This elevated one-acre park is one of Manhattan’s most relaxing secrets.
City Hall Park
If you are looking for a quieter alternative to Central Park then City Hall Park is a public park surrounding New York City Hall in the Civic Center of Manhattan.
The beautiful, floral park offers a quieter change to some of the cities more popular outdoor destinations.
Staten Island ferry
If you want to see the Statue of Liberty but are not too fussed about visiting Liberty Island itself, you can save yourself a lot of money by riding the Staten Island Ferry for free.
From the Staten Island ferry you will get views of Lady Liberty which are perfect for taking photos without the expensive price tag of stopping on Liberty Island.
Federal Bank of New York’s Gold Vault
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York offers free guided tours to school groups and the general public. Visitors will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the Federal Reserve.
General public tours run Monday-Friday only (1 pm and 2 pm) and all visitors must bring valid Government ID with them for entry.
Alexander Hamilton House
Fan of American history or the incredible Broadway musical? When visiting New York you can visit the home of Alexander Hamilton.
When Hamilton retired from the government, he settled down quietly in what became Hamilton Heights in modern-day Harlem. He built a house—a country estate called The Grange at 141st Street. It was completed in 1802 and was the only home Hamilton ever owned.
Trinity Churchyard
Trinity Church Cemetery consists of three separate burial grounds associated with Trinity Church in New York City.
The first was established in the original Churchyard, located since 1698 at 74 Trinity Place at Wall Street and Broadway. It is the burial site of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
The Charging Bull
The Charging Bull, sometimes referred to as the Wall Street Bull or the Bowling Green Bull, is a bronze sculpture that stands on Broadway just north of Bowling Green in the Financial District of Manhattan.
Fearless Girl
Located near the Charging Bull, the Fearless Girl is a bronze sculpture by Kristen Visbal. The statue was installed on March 7, 2017, in anticipation of International Women’s Day the following day. It depicts a girl four foot high, promoting female empowerment.
The Highline
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City.
Here you can take in the hustle and bustle of the city below while also taking in green, natural surroundings.
The Vessel
There is a good chance you have seen The Vessel all over Instagram. The Vessel is a structure and visitor attraction built as part of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project in Manhattan and really does need to be seen.
The extraordinary centrepiece of Hudson Yards is its spiral staircase, a soaring new landmark meant to be climbed. Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs – almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings – the vertical climb offers remarkable views of the city, the river and beyond.
Central Park
Central Park is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, although vast in size the skyscraper borders make for the perfect contrast to this green escape.
If you are lucky enough to visit Central Park when there is snow, it is essential to recreate the Elf snowball fight scene.
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a beloved, year-round New York City destination. Known as Manhattan’s Town Square, the park is famous for its lush seasonal gardens, free activities, world class restrooms, and al fresco dining.
It is located adjacent to the New York Public Library and surrounded by iconic skyscrapers.
Times Square
Times Square is iconic and is actually pretty hard to avoid, it is also a different experience during the day than to at night, so go at various times on your trip. Ensure you visit the massive toy store complete with an indoor Ferris wheel, eat at Bubba Gump’s and buy reduced Broadway show tickets.
The Flatiron Building
Another Instagram favourite. The Flatiron Building, originally the Fuller Building, is a triangular 22-story, 285-foot-tall steel-framed landmarked building located at 175 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District neighbourhood of the borough of Manhattan.
The Friend’s Apartment
Despite the fact Friends was never actually filmed in New York City, you can still visit the building which served as the exterior of the main Friend’s apartment block.
The famous building is located at 90 Bedford Street at the corner of Grove Street.
Interested in seeing more classic film or TV show locations in New York?
The Ghostbuster’s Fire House
Fan of the classic Ghostbuster movies? The original Ghostbuster Firehouse is Hook & Ladder Company 8, a New York City Fire Department (FDNY) fire station, located at 14 North Moore Street at its intersection with Varick Street in the Tribeca neighbourhood of Manhattan.
All Firehouses in NYC are free to visit if they are open.
Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment (Sex In The City)
On the show, we are led to believe that Carrie lives at on the Upper East Side at 245 E. 73rd Street. However, there is no such building at that address.
In reality, every exterior scene filmed at Carrie’s home was either 64 or 66 Perry Street.
Dyker Heights – if visiting during the Christmas Season
Dyker Heights is a predominantly residential neighbourhood in the southwest corner of the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. However, during the Christmas season it comes alive.
It is home to the most over-the-top Christmas light decorations with life-size Santas, sleighs, snowmen and some houses even Christmas carols from loudspeakers. Crowds of all ages flock to wander down the multiple blocks and avenues and experience one of the top things to do in NYC in the winter.
Ample Hills Creamery – Red Hook Factory
The Red Hook Factory by Ample Hills Creamery is the largest ice cream production facility in New York City. Here you are invited to explore their interactive ice cream museum and learn all about the frozen dessert or just drop by for a scoop.
Brooklyn Brewery
Looking to view a real life working brewery and sample some free beer? Be sure to join one of the many free tours which run daily at the Brooklyn Brewery.
Another way to save money when visiting New York City as a tourist- Purchase a New York Pass
Getting the best value for money is my #1 factor when planning a trip and the New York Pass was rated the number 1 New York tourist pass by Trip Advisor. They’re also recommended by Expedia and the New York Pass currently has a TrustScore of 4.4/5 on Trust Pilot.
With the New York Pass, you can save time, money, and enjoy stress-free sightseeing to New Yorks’ top attractions.
The New York All-inclusive pass is a pre-paid sightseeing card which gives you FREE entry to the city’s top tourist attractions (over 100), including entrance to the Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial & Museum and a Marvel & DC Superheroes Walking Tour.
The pass also features skip-the-line access – which is fantastic during the busier periods and for those short on time in New York City.
How To Get A New York Pass And Save Money:
Choose which pass duration you want to buy (1 – 10 day). Click here to purchase your New York Pass in advance and access further discounts. Redeem your voucher and go sightseeing!