Things to do

Top 50 Free Things to Do in NYC

New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world, and there are plenty of things to do that won’t cost you a dime. From exploring iconic landmarks to discovering hidden gems, here are the top 50 free things to do in NYC:

Manhattan

  • Walk the High Line in Chelsea
  • Visit Central Park
  • Take a stroll through Times Square
  • See the 9/11 Memorial
  • Explore the New York Public Library
  • Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (pay what you wish)
  • Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
  • Visit the National Museum of the American Indian
  • See the Flatiron Building
  • Visit the Chelsea Market

Queens

  • Take in the art and get a nice view of Manhattan’s skyline in Socrates Sculpture Park
  • Visit the Museum of the Moving Image
  • Explore the Queens Botanical Garden
  • Visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum
  • Walk through Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Brooklyn

  • Walk through Prospect Park
  • Visit the Brooklyn Museum (free on the first Saturday of every month)
  • Walk through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (free on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 12pm)
  • Visit the Brooklyn Public Library
  • Walk through the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

The Bronx

  • Visit the Bronx Zoo (free on Wednesdays)
  • Walk through the New York Botanical Garden (free on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 10am)
  • Visit the Bronx Museum of the Arts
  • Walk through Van Cortlandt Park

Staten Island

  • Take the Staten Island Ferry
  • Visit the Staten Island Museum (free on Tuesdays after 12pm)
  • Walk through Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
  • Visit the Alice Austen House

Other Free Things to Do in NYC

  • See the Vessel at Hudson Yards
  • Visit the Grand Central Terminal Station
  • Walk through Washington Square Park
  • Visit the Oculus
  • See the Charging Bull on Wall Street
  • Walk through the Financial District
  • Visit the Coney Island Boardwalk
  • Take a free yoga class in Bryant Park
  • See a taping of a TV show

This is just a small sample of the many free things to do in NYC. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant city. So grab your Metrocard and start exploring!