When you visit a city as huge and vibrant as New York City, you are expecting to pull out your wallet frequently. The costs of your trip can increase quickly, so throwing in some free activities is a great way to make your travel funds go further. New York City is home to countless free activities that the whole family will love. Here are the top free things you can do right here in New York City during most times of the year:
Explore the Local Parks
New York City is a concrete jungle, but hidden inside the endless rows of buildings you will find massive parks that are gems to the locals. A visit to any of these parks is a great way to enjoy a free activity during days of great weather. Of course, we cannot continue any further without discussing the icon itself, Central Park. Whenever you ask someone to name a landmark in New York City that is not a building, they are sure to say Central Park. You will find this massive park in the heart of Manhattan, taking up 843 acres of space. The park is so huge that many visitors often get lost inside if they do not know where they are going. Some free ways to enjoy the park include taking a scenic walk, visiting the tranquil lakes, or finding popular locations inside such as Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace. There are plenty of events held in the park all year long along with guided tours. Another park designed by the same people as Central Park is Prospect Park. This slightly smaller 526-acre park is found between Crown Heights and Park Slope. You can attend their SummerStage free events in the summer or explore the Oak Path. The Brooklyn Bridge Park is found at the waterfront space of the iconic bridge. You will find a variety of free activities hosted here throughout the year, including sunset yoga and free movie nights. You will find that the views at sunset here at Brooklyn Bridge Park are unrivaled within the city.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge or High Line
When it comes to seeing incredible views of New York City, you simply cannot get better than walking the Brooklyn Bridge or High Line. The Brooklyn Bridge itself is one of the most memorable aspects of New York City, especially when you walk the bridge at sunrise or sunset. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn and provides you with panoramic skyline views. You can see the Statue of Liberty in the background too. The High Line is an elevated park that stretches out over an old railway in Chelsea. This 1.45-mile stretch features beautiful gardens, street art, and quiet areas next to the Hudson River that will elevate your experience. These are simply some of the best spots to see the skyline and are absolutely free to explore.
Take the Staten Island Ferry
If you are looking to explore New York City, you simply cannot pass up on the opportunity to ride the Staten Island Ferry. This is a completely free ferry to take that runs 24/7. It is only a 25-minute ride that will take you to Staten Island. Along the way you will see incredible views of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan’s southern skyline, and Ellis Island. It is easy to hop on, explore Staten Island, and head back.
Free Museum Days
New York City is home to some of the most popular and expansive museums in the country. Seeing the museums will give you a new perspective on both the country and area. You will find the National Museum of the American Indian and Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) to both be free to enter all days of the week. The 9/11 Memorial found in Lower Manhattan is a must see to understand the impact the infamous day had on our country and is free to visit at any time. You can also visit the adjacent museum for free on the first Mondays of the month along with any Monday evenings. Smaller, local museums also offer free days for admission. Make sure to visit the Cooper Hewitt, Jewish Museum, and more. If you prefer art galleries, you can find plenty of those in Chelsea that host free openings on Thursday evenings. This is a great way to mingle with local artists and see their incredible work.
New York City Is Waiting
As you can see, there are quite a few different ways to enjoy free activities right here in New York City. Our vacation rentals keep you close to the fun and make it easy to navigate the big city.