15 FREE Things To Do in New York City
New York City is not exactly a budget-friendly place but here are 15 FREE things you can do! Make sure to pack comfy shoes for these activities, they involve a lot of walking!
#1 – Brooklyn Bridge
It doesn’t feel right to go to NYC and not walk across the gorgeous Brooklyn Bridge! The views walking FROM Brooklyn TO Manhattan are better so if you don’t want to walk the bridge twice, take the subway over to the Dumbo neighborhood and then walk from there to Manhattan. And if your schedule allows, I suggest walking the bridge at sunset!
#2 – Manhattan Bridge View
Located in Brooklyn, add this stop when you walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s just a few blocks away from the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. Get there around sunrise/after sunset if you want the place to yourself. It’s definitely a hot spot for Instagram pics!
#3 – Domino Park
Not nearly as popular as Central Park but I LOVED this park. Located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, it had the greatest views of Manhattan. Grab some food and hang out for a bit while you rest your feet from all the NYC walking!
#4 – williamsburg murals
Do a walking tour to see some of the amazing murals in Williamsburg! Here’s a list and directions of ones to check out!
#5 – Washington Square Park
One of the famous parks you see in lots of movies and so worth it to check out. You can watch artists paint, musicians perform, buy a souvenir, or just relax by the fountain!
#6 – Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment
If you’re a Sex and the City fan, this is a quick stop in the West Village. If you could care less about Sex and the City, this is something you should skip!
#7 – West Village
The West Village neighborhood was one of my favorites. Grab a coffee from The Elk (best coffee I had in NYC) and walk around admiring the cute streets/shops!
#8 – Little Island
Little Island is a super unique public park! Located in Hudson River Park, you can experience nature, enjoy some activities, have a picnic, maybe catch a performance on the stage and more!
#9 – Chelsea Market
Walk around this adorable indoor market. If you want to do some shopping you’ll find lots of unique spots and there’s also some great food. Los Tacos #1 has great tacos but be prepared to wait in line!
#10 – High Line
The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park. It’s basically a long walking path that is raised above the streets. You can start it near Little Island/Chelsea Market and end by The Vessel, or vice versa! There are tons of great views of the city along the way and beautiful landscaping.
#11 – The Vessel
The Vessel is a newer spot in NYC. It’s a beautiful centerpiece in Hudson Yards. There’s a spiral staircase you can walk up but unfortunately it’s been closed for a while so you might just have to admire it from the ground level.
#12 – Central Park
Central Park is beautiful and huge! My suggestion is to rent bikes and get the full tour that way instead of walking. Favorite spots were: The Loeb Boathouse, The Arcade at Bethesda Terrace, Bethesda Fountain, Sheep Meadow, Belvedere Castle, The Mall, walk around “The Pond”, & Alice in Wonderland. We went to the “North Woods” area as well and that wasn’t too exciting if you ask me. If you’re on limited time, stay towards the South end of Central Park.
#13 – Times Square
Some people say you can’t go to NYC without going to Times Square, but I would say you could. Definitely my least favorite thing to do, however I still think it can make this list because it is free to go check out. Just be prepared for crowds, people not knowing where they’re going, and a not so great smell…
#14 – Grand Central Station
Another quick stop that I wouldn’t go out of the way to see. If you’re taking the subway somewhere and it’s along the way, definitely get off and check it out, but I wouldn’t put it on the top of your list.
#15 – 9/11 Memorial
Unfortunately we did not have time to make it to the 9/11 Memorial but I’ve heard great things about it. Be prepared to get emotional.
