20 Free Things to Do in New York City to Keep Your Wallet Happy!

The Brooklyn Bridge is an instantly-recognizable landmark, and everyday more than 116,000 vehicles, 3,000 bikers and 30,000 pedestrians use it to cross the East River. You should join them. The 150+ year-old giant spans a mile and a half, and walking its length only takes about 30 minutes. Taking the time to stroll the length of it is one of the best free things to do in New York City, the view is priceless.

Bird watching at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is an underrated, free activity in NYC. The refuge is home to over 330 bird species, serving as a crucial migratory stopover. The diversity is astounding – birds like ospreys and snowy egrets call it home and will leave even the most stubborn city-slicker wide-eyed.

Managed by the National Park Service, it’s public land and one of the best things to do in New York City for free. Witnessing this bustling wildlife refuge, just miles from the city, brings a profound connection to nature, making it an enriching and cost-free escape for any nature enthusiast or curious explorer.

The New York City skyline is world-famous, but let’s be honest – tickets to the city’s five observation decks aren’t for the faint of heart. If you’re visiting NYC on a budget you can instead visit free viewpoints, where you can take in the glory of the monolithic skyscrapers without breaking the bank.

Pier 57 is my local favorite, it’s a new, welcomed addition to Chelsea. It’s a small food-hall on the ground level, and you can climb to a free, open-air viewpoint for striking views of the New York City skyline.

Chelsea is chock-full of free art galleries, in fact you could easily spend an afternoon pin-balling around the New York City neighborhood. The main concentration of galleries can be found between 18 & 28 Streets and 10th & 11th Avenues, a lively section of Chelsea that makes gallery hopping one of the best free things to do in NYC.

To make things easier, these are some of my favorite free exhibits to check out in NYC:

• Pace Gallery 540 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001
• Sundaram Tagore 542 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
• Lehmann Maurine 501 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011
• David Zwirner 525 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011
• 303 Gallery 555 W 21st St, New York, NY 10011

Window shopping in SoHo (New York City’s shopping district) isn’t just a free peek at luxury goods, it can be an all out experience. The artful window displays stop you in your tracks and you can’t help but be inspired by the broad range of vintage stores, boutiques, and luxury designers.

But the real reason window shopping in SoHo is among the best things to do in NYC for free is due to the people watching opportunities, the locals take fashion to new heights. I can’t help but feel under-dressed anytime I’m in the neighborhood because everyone looks like they’re hot off the runway.

Ulysses S. Grant was a General and the 18th President of the United States, and his mausoleum in the Upper West Side is the largest tomb in North America. Today, visitors can pay their respects to President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia Grant, by visiting his tomb in New York City for free. You can get free tours of the mausoleum through the National Park Service.

Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village and New York University, Washington Square Park is a crossroads of culture that is never void of some form of entertainment. The greenery and the Washington Square Arch are the perfect backdrop for the street performers, chess-enthusiasts and marijuana smokers (just being honest). Stopping by for even just an hour can provide some of the best free entertainment in New York City.

Beyond its historic amusement parks, the Coney Island boardwalk beckons with free spectacles. The Atlantic Ocean’s waves, colorful costumed characters, and the allure of a sun-soaked beach are all free hidden-gems in New York City. If weather allows pack some beach towels and your family, and claim a plot of sand, hanging out at the beach is one of the best free things do in New York City with kids.

The Oculus Center is a striking transportation hub and shopping complex completed in 2016, replacing the original World Trade Center Mall that was destroyed during 9/11. Its futuristic, wing-like structure has made it one of the most sought-after, free tourist attractions in NYC.

And just behind the Oculus is the moving 9/11 Memorial, a solemn tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks. It features twin reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, surrounded by names of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives. The design evokes contemplation, and swinging by to pay your respects is one of the most moving things to do in NYC (and it’s also free).

No, I’m not telling you to work out. 😉

Nestled in the heart of the fashion capital, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) stands as a treasure trove, and the best part? It’s free! Unveiling the evolution of style through its exhibitions, FIT showcases everything from vintage couture to cutting-edge designs.

With a collection spanning centuries it’s a fashionista’s dream, offering insights into the industry’s rich history. Explore iconic garments, witness the craftsmanship, and immerse yourself in the ever-evolving world of fashion with one of New York City’s best free things to do.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the most beautiful church in New York City. Located right off 5th Avenue, this Neo-Gothic style cathedral has been stopping people in their tracks since its completion in 1879. And it’s one of the most popular, free attractions in NYC, welcoming more than 5 million visitors annually. Touring the inside is a no-brainer, and you’re welcome to visit so long as the front doors are open.

The Bushwick Collective Street Art is an open-air gallery that’s surprisingly still a hidden, local-gem. Colorful murals and captivating street art transform the neighborhood’s blocks into an urban canvas each mural tells a unique story (most are along Troutman Street, between Irving and Cypress Avenues).

Founded by Joseph Ficalora, the project has evolved into a dynamic showcase featuring works by local and international artists. From larger-than-life murals to hidden gems on warehouse doors, taking the time to admire the talent is one of the best things to do in New York City for free.

Only a 10 minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan, Governor’s Island is a relaxing reprieve from the nonstop pace of New York City. Although technically getting there will cost you a ferry ride ($2 round-trip for adults) there’s an abundance of free things to do once you get there.

You will find history dating back to the Revolutionary War making it a great spot for history buffs. You can walk around Fort Jay and Castle Williams which are both run by the National Park Service.

We spent four hours exploring Governors Island and I was quite impressed. The island is full of public green spaces and we saw a lot of folks picnicking and napping on the lawns. Even if the plan is to just come here to tan on a summer day, its among the best free things to do in NYC.

The High Line is a free, captivating park built over a former elevated railway track that stretches through the Chelsea. Lined with lush greenery, public art installations, and scenic views of the cityscape it welcomes more than 8 million visitors annually! Although it’s a mile and a half long, the best stretch is from the Chelsea Market to Hudson Yards, which is only about a mile.

The New York Public Library is well worth the pit-stop during your visit to NYC. Designed in a Beaux-Arts style, this building stands in stark contrast to the glass and iron it surrounds. Being as it’s a public library spending time exploring it is one of the best free things to do in NYC.

When it opened to the public in 1911, the library was officially the largest marble building ever built in the country. No small task, considering it took 16 years to construct this epic structure. Today it still opens its doors to both tourists and locals alike, and has had its time on the big-screen too.

The Staten Island Ferry departs from lower Manhattan and offers striking views of New York and the Statue of Liberty! It’s one of the most popular free things to do in NYC, so expect crowds. The ferry takes approximately 22 million people a year (about 70,000 passengers a day) between Manhattan and Staten Island. Just know that you must disembark the ferry when it reaches Staten Island, and line back up to board toward Manhattan. Be quick, otherwise you’ll have to wait for the next ferry to arrive.

There are a lot of great parks in New York City, and more than one deserve a shout-out. Having said that, Little Island is a redesigned pier that sits over the Hudson River on bulbous, cement pillars so how could I not give it a shout-out? Standing at a mere 2.4 acres, there’s a small hike up to a viewpoint that offers a priceless view of the Manhattan skyline, but you’ll get to snap your photos for free!

Visiting Central Park is a quintessential New York City experience that everyone should have on their itinerary, regardless of budgets. Spanning 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan, the park offers some of the most memorable free activities in New York City, like leisurely strolls along iconic pathways to picnics on the Great Lawn. It even hosts free events, including concerts and Shakespearean performances that are the cherry-on-top to an impressive array of fun things to do in Central Park.