Top 20 Free Things to Do in New York City

New York City is a dream destination for many people all over the world, especially since it’s featured in many movies and books. Here are the top 20 free things to do in New York City to help you plan your trip.

1. Staten Island Ferry

No trip to NYC is complete without seeing the Statue of Liberty. You can get a great view of it and the city’s skyline from the Staten Island Ferry, which runs for free year round.

2. Chrysler Building

It’s an iconic building in NYC, so you can’t miss the Chrysler Building on your visit here.

3. Central Park

Image via Flickr by nancyesmith

Central Park is famous worldwide, and for many, it’s the first stop in the city. This is definitely one of the best free things to do in NYC.

4. Brooklyn Bridge

Image via Flickr by Enrique Gonzales-ibarra

Linking Manhattan and Brooklyn, this bridge is a great way to take a long walk and get a great view of the city. Choose a hotel near the Brooklyn Bridge and make the most of your stay in the city.

5. New York Public Library

Everyone who’s been to the main reading room on the third floor of the New York Public Library says it’s mesmerizing, so you should read a book here. Plus, Patience and Fortitude, the marble lions that guard the main entrance, are also beautiful.

6. Federal Reserve Bank

You have to book your visit here in advance, up to a month before your trip. A tour of this building is a must.

7. Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building is an important part of New York’s history, and it’s a beautiful Beaux-Arts edifice worth seeing. Definitely one of the cool free things to see in New York City.

8. Chelsea Galleries

If you’re into art but don’t want to buy anything, you can admire some interesting exhibits at the galleries in Chelsea. Make sure to check in advance what’s available so you know where to go.

9. Chelsea Brewing Company

Every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Chelsea Brewing Company offers free tours. Cool, right?

10. The Museum at FIT

The permanent and temporary exhibits at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology are free to visit all year round.

11. Museum of Modern Art

You can visit one of the greatest museums in New York for free every Friday evening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during UNIQLO Free Friday Nights.

12. Battery Park

This area was once designed to protect New York. Now, it’s a great park. Don’t miss it.

13. Bronx Museum of the Arts

The Bronx Museum of the Arts is a contemporary museum with a great permanent collection and vibrant education programs. It offers free admission all year round.

14. City Hall

New York City Hall offers free guided tours.

15. Federal Hall National Memorial NYC

Get a free guided tour of this building, a memorial to the events that took place in the original building.

16. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Image via Flickr by Chun’s Pictures

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park is a big park and one of the best places to go in Queens. It’s home to the iconic steel globe created for the 1964 World’s Fair.

17. Walter de Maria’s “The New York Earth Room”

This is a room in a loft that was filled with 127,300 kilograms of dirt in 1977. Go see it.

18. Grand Central Terminal

Image via Flickr by flickr4jazz

A New York landmark, Grand Central Terminal is one you can’t miss even if you’re only stopping by to admire the space. The ceiling is famous!

19. Comedy and Improv Shows

In Chelsea, you’ll find some great comedy and improv shows.

20. Free Museums

Check out the official websites of the museums you want to visit, as some have free admission on certain dates or during specific hours.

These are the top 20 free things to do in New York City that you should include on your travel itinerary!

pin made using this photo from Pixabay

pin made using this photo from Pixabay

photo for this pin from Pixabay