Free Things to do in New York City That You Will all Love.

New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world for tourists, and believe it or not there are so many free things to do in New York. Like, being a part of a talk-show studio audience, walking tours of the city, riding the Staten Island ferry, and walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

The last time I was in New York was during winter, the weather was freezing but with bright sunny skies every day, it made for a great time to visit.

I absolutely love New York and also love that it can be enjoyed on any budget! Everything on my list is of course FREE and anyone visiting New York City could do them. 

11 FREE things to do in New York City. 

Studio Audience

I couldn’t believe that these tickets are actually free. The catch is there’s a bit of effort & luck involved, but it worked for me! Have a look at the 1iota website, here you can see what tapes in New York and if there are any shows that match the dates you’re in town. You’ll need to register online and they’ll notify you via email if you scored tickets.

A few years ago we did this and got tickets to Late Night with Seth Myers. We had a great time and something we hadn’t done before so really enjoyed it. Generally, you’re notified two weeks prior to the date you requested if you’re one of the lucky ones.

Then, during our last trip to New York in January, we decided to brave the cold at 6 am for the Today Show. The show’s recorded live at the Rockafella Centre and thankful we were only staying down the road. The earlier you arrive the better if you’re hoping to get the front row. And they’ll tell you earlier on which guests and celebrities will be appearing on the show that morning.

The Vessel at Hudson Yards

The Vessel only opened last year (2019) and is the centerpiece to Hudson Yards. This landmark is made for climbing, there are multiple staircases connected together making a large circular structure. (There are lifts available for visitors with special needs). This is something very artsy you can see without visiting a museum and up the top there are amazing views of the Hudson River.

Not all tickets are free to the Vessel so get in quick! You can get tickets online for the next day or same-day tickets may be available on site. And you’ll book the tickets for a specific time.

Free* Tours By Foot

Free Tours By Foot offers many different walking tours & food tours all over New York. Have a look at their website at all they offer and once you’ve made your selection you can register online. I’ve done two walking tours in New York, mid-town & Harlem, and loved them both. The guides are full of interesting stories and history about the area. It was great to learn how the city has transformed over the years and the stories behind some of the city’s most iconic buildings. 

You may have noticed the asterisk on free, we can’t forget this is America and tipping is expected in many cases. Free Tours By Foot are free but once the tour concludes it’s suggested you leave a tip. The amount should depend on how much you enjoyed the experience.

Times Square

I’m sure you’ll stumble across Times Square nearly every day while you’re in the city. It’s such a fun and unique place to spend time. I suggest really taking some time to just sit on the big steps and watch everything that is going on. With the ginormous, bright adverts, street performers & tourists posing for photos. There’s always something going on, day or night. Also, there are so many good stores in Times Square if you want to get some shopping done. 

Central Park

Don’t mistake this for just any park, this is Central Park! Apart from being beautiful, it’s a way to escape the cities hustle & bustle without having to travel far. 

When I first went to New York I was surprised at how massive central park actually is, it’s huge! You could spend a whole day just in the park checking out free places like Strawberry fields, (where you’ll see the ‘Imagine’ mosaic sign) & the Alice in Wonderland statue. There’s also a number of playgrounds for the kids. 

If you’re lucky enough to be in New York during winter and it snows, go straight to Central Park. We had one day when it full-on snowed and Central Park was like a winter wonderland. I felt like I was in the most beautiful place in the world, it really was incredible.

(I just have to quickly mention ice skating! Definitely not free, but if you’re visiting in winter you can’t miss this opportunity. It was amazing.)

Staten Island Ferry

Do you want a free boat ride in New York that will take you directly past the Statue of Liberty? Well, the Staten Island Ferry is your best option! The ferry runs 7 days a week and no matter the day or time it’s always free.

As the ferry crosses the harbor you get a great view of Lady Liberty and there’s heaps of space onboard for everyone to get their photos.

If you have no interest in staying on Staten Island, that’s fine. You do need to disembark but they start boarding again within 30 minutes.

Although, If you love shopping and sales then you should definitely check out Empire Outlets. This outlet mall is literally right next to the ferry terminal and has the most amazing view of the Manhattans skyline.

9/11 Memorial

They’ve done such an amazing job at creating a memorial for those lost on that horrible day. Great respect is shown for each individual who passed and on each of their birthdays, a white rose is placed on their name.

There is also a 9/11 museum you can visit, entry fees apply. 

Famous Sights / Landmarks used in T.V Shows & Movies.

If you’re into film and television a fun thing to do in New York is pass by all those landmarks and buildings that you have seen so many times before on your screens. It’s easy enough to google the addresses of places like Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment (Sex & The City), Monica and Rachels apartment, the Flatiron building (both from Friends) Tom’s Restaurant (Seinfeld), and of course Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, Bethesda Terrace & Fountain in Central Park, have been seen in a number of films. 

Make a list of the ones you’re interested in and map out a self-guided walking tour, with the help of google maps!

New York Public Library

Another landmark that has appeared in many T.V shows & movies in the New York public library, but it’s definitely much more than that. The library host many events, exhibits, and offers free tours. Click here for more information.

But I was most excited to see that the library is home to the original Winnie the Pooh (like literally the stuffed animal the characters originated from). When you arrive there is an entrance on W 42nd street but make sure you enter via the main entrance on 5th Ave, past the huge marble lions, this is the iconic entrance you would have seen before.

The High Line NYC

The High Line was an old railway track that has been made into a walking path. It runs along the West side of Manhattan & is only 2.3km so very doable for all ages. The High Line is approximately 30feet off the ground. There are some great views of the city and the Hudson River…. Oh and also views into some people’s apartments! It’s one of the few places in NYC you can walk without having to stop at traffic lights every 100 meters.

Brooklyn Bridge

I know it’s kind of obvious that this is free but I still wanted to mention it as the Brooklyn Bridge is so iconic and what I love doing every time I’m in New York. It’s more than just walking across a bridge, the details of the structure are definitely worth getting a closer look at! The Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge constructed and is one of the oldest bridges in the United States.

I’ve found mid-morning to be the quietest time to go, so perfect if you want to get photos with limited people in the background. Although, even though it’s very busy, the afternoon is a beautiful time to walk the bridge. The sun is starting to set and shining beautifully over the Manhattans skyline.