The 100 Best Free Things to Do in New York City

1. Window shopping at night in Soho when the stores are closed and the crowds are gone walking east to west and ending on 6th Ave. Turning right and walking up, the Empire State Building is staring back.

Central Park walking tours

http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageNavigator/programs_walkingtours

I'm with you on the Paris thoughts Katie. But here's my tow cents to your competition: people watching at Coney Island

Walking through the great neighborhoods: Battery, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy, Lower Broadway, SoHo, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, etc.

The night lights on Broadway

The street musicians in Central Park (gave them a tip so technically not free, I guess)

Samples at Zabars

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

My 16 & 24yr olds went to Long Island Beach on Saturday and enjoyed it. Not like the gulf, but fun.

Celebrity spotting

Market at Union Square

Walking the different neighborhoods

It's kind of hard to ignore seeing the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry.

But, travelbuff, people watching at Coney Island is never free for me. It always costs me the price of a Nathan's hot dog.

Browsing the hundreds of incredibly exotic spices, fruits, nuts, chutneys, hot sauces and wonderful things at Kalyustan's Market on Lexington and 28th Street .

But like a visit to Coney Island, it never turns out to be free . . . .

Shakespeare in the Park.

b_b

Grand Central Terminal tour.

Biking Central Park
Biking up the westside hwy & over the GW bridge
Bird watching in Central Park--especially Pale & Lola
Watching any dog park

The Halloween Parade up 6th Avenue. And just walking around the Village and Chelsea watching the locals kids (and Adults) trick or treating.

Walking or biking Central Park in the morning - spring, fall or winter (unless there's too much snow) early in the AM.

What and who you see is incredible - never mind the beauty of the Park itself.

(We live a block away - so do this a lot on weekends.)

And on warm summer evenings, after dinner we sometimes head downtown and take the Staten Island ferry back and forth at 11 or so - just to see the skyline all lit up.

The Olmstead designed Fort Tryon Park. You can walk up to the Cloisters. Incredible views as one walks up or down.

I noticed that the East Village wasn't mentioned yet in the neighborhoods. It is my favorite.

During school days, a walk on the UES at dismissal time is fascinating. Beautiful moms and dads walking home with variously uniformed and lovely children. If you haven't lived that life (I haven't) it is fascinating. And lots of famous parents are out walking their kids home from school.

Along nytraveler's thoughts, the Conservatory Garden on in Central Park on an early summer morning - the air and the colors just vibrate! (but bring allergy meds if you suffer from pollen . ..)

Movies on a midtown lawn in Bryant Park.

http://www.bryantpark.org/calendar/film-festival.php

Watching cricket and other sports in Flushing Meadow Park

Watching them bake bread through the window in Chelsea Market

Chinatown shopping on Sunday morning with various type of live and dead sea food and amphibians and produce

Art Galleries, especially the buildings in the West 20's where you start at the top and work your way down

Looking at the weekly Time Out NY which lists hundreds of free msuical, stage, and reading events

More in the future

The Staten Island ferry - free boat ride with great views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Then hike up Broadway, detour over to the WTC site, then hike through the Wall street area to South Street Seaport, then back track to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and down the Fulton Mall to Juniors for lunch (OK this last part is not free, but THE CHEESECAKE!). Best done on a weekend morning when the area is quiet and you can stop and gawk at the buildings.

Just about anywhere in Central Park. If you have kids, let them climb on all the rocks. Union Square for people watching and the Union Square market. Browse ABC carpet and home on Broadway nearby.

The Brooklyn Botanical garden (free on Thursdays). Hike through Prospect park and observe all my fellow Brooklynites living in our big communal back yard.

The art shows in the Village and Lincoln Center. Street fairs all over the city. The MOMA museum stores are quite fun.

Great thread - saving for many of the tips. Thanks to all.

Sandy

Standing outside of the Ed Sullivan's theatre stage door during taping of the Letterman show to see who might come out.

Forbes Gallery

TO Tuscanlifeedit - what is UES????

UES = Upper East Side

UWS = Upper West Side

For info on Free museums (all the time or at designated times) see:
http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html

There are many to choose from!

MFNYC gave a comprehensive list of free museums. One I would suggest visiting (because most tourists don't) is the Museum of the City of New York. Free on Sundays between 10 and noon.

During the summers, free visits and tours of Governors Island, and concerts.

Every Columbus Day Weekend, Open HouseNY, where many sites normally closed to the public, or open at a fee, are free of charge. It gets better every year.

Visit to a state or federal courthouse and see justice at work.

Some of my favorite walks are along the East River, Riverside Drive, and along the river behind the Winter Garden.

The Met in the Parks and the Philharmonic Concerts in the parks.

Afternoon rehearsals at Avery Fisher Hall.

And already mentioned, but agree with the SI Ferry and just walking all the neighborhoods - especially when the crowds are gone.

Now I'd add the Ikea ferry. Very interesting view of the skyline and Statue of Liberty from the pier there. Come for the view, stay for the Swedish Meatballs!

Dohlice---have you taken the ferry there yet?

The summer is such a great time for free NYC activities. One of my very favorite things to do is watch outdoor movies, and there are so many! I also enjoy outdoor dancing and concerts.

Here are a few resources for free summertime activities:

River to River festival:
http://www.rivertorivernyc.com/

Hudson River Park:
http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/events.asp

Central Park SummerStage:
http://www.summerstage.org/

Central Park is my saving grace

If I need a change of scenery and want to stay in the 'hood- then I head to Riverside Park.

On Sundays, there are free kayaking at 70th street in Riverside Park. There are other locations too.

Outdoor movie nights- Monday nights at Bryant Park, sundown in the summer.

Mid-summer Night Swing at Lincoln Center. If you want to dance on the stage they put up there is a fee, but you can boogie free or just enjoy the great music on the plaza. Even if you don't dance, great for people watching. I once saw a man swing dancing with his cat.

lp-- thanks for the heads up about the dancing at Lincoln Center.

For anyone who is interested:
http://www.lincolncenter.org/load_screen.asp?screen=Midsummer_Night_Swing

Through July 26th
Tuesdays- Swing music
Saturdays- Salsa

Adding one more, kid/family friendly option- The Science Barge.

http://nysunworks.org/?page_id=31

Looks interesting, haven't visited, only seen it while biking along the Hudson. It's parked at 70th street and the river for July and August.

There are lots of free walking tours.
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap/walkingtours/

Go to the auction houses during the viewing period to see great art, jewelry, furniture. Even more fun is going for an auction.

http://www.christies.com/

http://www.sothebys.com/

http://www.doylenewyork.com/default.htm

A visit to Katz's Deli and Lombardi's Pizza are a must! I also like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and sipping a cocktail on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel.

The reading room and kid's classic tuesdays in Bryant Park is fab.

I did the Ikea ferry last Friday. I had to wait in line for 40 minutes to get on... they only let 74 people on per ferry, and the 75th has to wait for the next one. I would NOT recommend this during rush hours, especially in the Manhattan-to-Brooklyn direction. Lots of commuters are using the free ferry as a free ride, rather than to go to Ikea.

But I will admit, it was a fun trip, and you can't argue with the Swedish Meatballs!

Could someone please explain what the Ikea ferry is (and what's up with the Swedish meatballs??!!) and where to get it? I'll be in NY for 2 days the first week of August and might like to give it a try! Thanks

It is a ferry from Manhattan that goes to the new Ikea store in Brooklyn, where you can eat meatballs.

where do you catch it?

Probably been said in this post, but I think that Prospect Park in Brooklyn is a great free location in NY. Also its big brother Central Park is nice as well of course. The same designer created both parks and always said he loved the Brooklyn park more.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Spend a day at the local beaches.

Here's the link to the Ikea ferry. Click the waiter taxi link.

http://info.ikea-usa.com/Brooklyn/StoreDirections.aspx

And a link to some trouble with the Ikea ferry:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07172008/news/regionalnews/hook_rocks_ikea_boat_120276.htm

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens - Free on Tuesdays. For seniors, Fridays are free too. Kids under 12 free. Saturdays are free from 10-12 noon.

bookmarking

If you like parades there is one just about every weekend from April to September.

If you like cheap socks, unuseable dental instruments, and over priced pop corn, there is a street fair every weekend somewhere in Manhattan from April to September.

Watch the elesphants come through the Midtown Tunnel at midnight the night before the circus comes to town.

Watch high quality street basketball at the "The Cage" on 6th Ave and West 4th.

Washington Square-spring through fall. Wannabe musicians playing to wannabe actors and real tourists. Exhibitonists, vouyers, chess hustlers and some some left over pot dealers. A good time can be had by all.

Katie, there is a thread on this forum that is a couple of years old that has a similar tone and is excellent.

I can't find it but could we add it to this one?

Adding a link with a list of free walking tours and free guided tours in New York City:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1&tid=35180832

The MET.

Most people dont realize while the recommended entry fee is $20 each, it is voluntary.

In this week's Time Out NY, there was a long list of readings for free, some for a fee, and others for charity.

book marking and printing for Oct. Been to NYC twice before, both time with kids. this time just the two of us, so really want to try some of the above. Keep em coming........

Bookmarking

The tour of the Public Library on 40th and fifth. When I went a few years back it took me around all the, normally off-limits, rooms which had books and furniture donated by famous new yorkers. A very memorable experience and absolutely free.

On the subject of libraries, go see the "real" Winnie the Pooh (and Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, and Tigger):

http://www.nypl.org/branch/central/dlc/dch/pooh/index.html

Going to the central Park Zoo to see and hear the Delacorte clock monkeys ring out the time.

In Central Park again, watching people get their portraits sketched.

Just watching the skaters at Wollman Rink.

Going to the Metropolitan Museum on Friday or Sat. night when the music is playing around that central balcony. Admission is what you feel like paying and this is a magical experience that I try to go to often - especially in the winter. Going tomorrow night.

Standing in Bergdorf's and finding a window with a park view and just looking.

Using the public bathrooms in the posh hotels when in need.

Sitting on the promenade in Riverside Park and watching the water, boats and people go by.

The Whitney or MOMA on Friday night.

it is just endless.....

Katie-H.
I just put a post up and wondering if you are going to publish any of your lists anywhere. It would be great to have that resource.

Hi Goldiept-- thanks for adding your picks.

I think I know what you are saying--do you mean create a list from these posts (including member names) and post it somewhere else on the site that it can be easily viewed?

Katie-H,

Yes, that would be nice too. But I was thinking that publishing these lists in a book that someone could actually buy and take on vacation with them. The whole idea of this list is such a great idea.

I don't remember ever seeing anything like that. What seems particularly attractive about that is I assume locals are the ones who know about these things so you would get an "insiders" perspective.

You could have lists for major cities. I suppose that would take a long time but...so what.

The down side from a purely selfish reason is that you would have to share your special places with too many other people. Oh well....

thanks for all the great tips for free stuff to do! We will be in NYC at the beginning of april and I want to see as much of the city for as little cash as possible!

To get to the various venues one usually has to take transportation. So while not absolutely free, once in the subway, subway art is free.

http://www.photoworks.com/members/slideShow.jsp?id=43019336&key=mksfca

Walking down the Mall in Central Park, especially during fall, up to the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. Make a point of doing this every trip I do to NYC

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

St Pauls on Broadway down near Ground Zero for the amazing and moving 9/11 display.

Brooklyn!!!!

Seriously, some of the best things to do and see are in "Kings County" for free. They include:

***Prospect Park, which was created and designed by the same person who worked on Central Park.

***Coney Island, although it is not what it used to be, taking a stroll along this historic boardwalk will definitely be like going back in time. Great forgotten locale.

***Brooklyn Bridge, one must walk across this amazing structure. Also check out the Brooklyn Bridge Park for amazing up close views of the bridge and downtown Manhattan.

I love my city, my hometown, my New York!

www.NomadicAndy.blogspot.com has a great article right now about the Brooklyn culinary explosion. Some of the tastiest places to eat at right now are in "the other borough."

I heard it on the radio tonight, and plan to attend, though I haven't yet.

The Brookly Tabernacle~and it's choir.

Take a FREE tour! Really, Apple Tours is absolutely the best way to tour sections of the city and the surrounding area. You need to make a request several months in advance, they have a native New Yorker take you on a 2-4 hour tour to wherever you want. They will meet you at your hotel, give you subway/bus passes for the day, if needed. All for free! It was one of our best trips to NYC.

bookmarking

There are a lot of free movies in parks in the summer - the Bryant Park weekly movie (which is a glorious experience) is just one. In Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, there are movies from different countries accompanied by some kind of other entertainment form that country (dancing, music) and food for sale from that country too.

All will be in Time Out.

The Ikea boat ride is also amazingly wonderful.

Open Artist Studio Tours -- The Tribeca TOAST artwalk starts 4/24-4/26

www.toastartwalk.com

Juilliard offers free concerts during its academic year. Don't know how the new Alice Tully affected this - I haven't attended one this year.

There are also student recitals in Juilliard's Sharp and Morse Halls. The NY Public Library Lincoln Center location has free concerts as well. There are many more, if you look out for them.

Need to check your e-mail free? Go to one of the Apple stores.

Want to see capitalism at work and get a gadget fix? Goto B&H on 34th.

For a great view of the East Side, take the Roosevelt Tram. Great night views.

If you go into some of the fancy food stores, sometimes they have free samples.

If you don't want to pay for the Met and deal with the ticket booth, go up the elevator in the gift shop.

While I was in the mall in Columbus Circle, there bookstore upstairs had a selection of NYC books. There is already a book of free things to do in NYC. *bummer.

My all-time favorite thing to do, well, that I stumbled upon one morning.....Sunday morning in Central Park....its like heaven in the mist...its a dog park.

Thank you all for these suggestions. I'm leaving for NYC and DC in the morning and I've made note of several.

Planning our first trip for October. Thanks everyone!

One of the great free events is about to happen - on June 21 - the Summer Solstice. Taking a cue from France where this has become a major event (especially in Paris) - we will be having our own Fete de Musique -- music all over town. Look for notices on where events will be taking place. One of our most memorable days in Paris was a couple of years ago with music all over the city - ranging from the Paris Symphony Orchestra to military bands, to Latin music, jazz, and on and on.

Thanks - valuable post.

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park is so beautiful and the people watching is great fun. Many weddings go there for photos. That's fun to watch as well.

Summerstage - some events are not free, but the sound is good enough just across the street for a free concert, without dealing with the crowds.

For nostalgia buffs:

Free one-hour tours of the Plaza by Francis Marrone on Tuesdays & Fridays at 3 p.m.
Reservations at: 212-588-8012

TTT

GREAT NEWS for those of you (myself included) who love the Neue Galerie but find the admission a bit steep. Beginning this Friday, it will start offereing Free Admission on First Friday evenings. From its website:

On December 4, Neue Galerie New York will initiate its First Fridays program, which will provide free admission to the museum on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. through 2010. A generous grant from Bloomberg has made this program possible. The Neue Galerie will join its neighbors on Museum Mile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, in offering extended Friday night hours.

nstevey (or someone else) -- is the Roosevelt Tram free? Or is it free with a Metro Pass?

NeoPatrick

The Roosevelt Island tram is consider part of the subway and bus transit system. It costs the same fare—$2.25—to ride as any city bus or subway. However, if you have an unlimited MetroCard, it is included. (Semantics, II know, but I don't want anyone recalling it is "free" when it isn't.)

Thanks, that's cool. I've never done it, and since I will have a MetroCard, it WILL be free to me. I just always guessed it cost a lot. I never thought of it as regular transportation, but I guess for many people it really is.

Mostly in the summer...
Broadway in Bryant Park in the summer
Outdoor concert series by GMA in Bryant Park and Times Square
Rockefeller concert series by NBC
Rooftop summer film series
Movies under the Brooklyn Bridge
Dumbo First Thursdays Gallery Walk
Street Festivals
River to River Festivals
Washington Square Music festival
The Belmont Stakes
Museum Mile Block Party
BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park
Yoga in Bryant Park
Summer in the Square (Union Square)
Hudson River Park (inclduing the Hudson River Flicks)
Bike the west side
Kayaking
Met Opera in the Park
Philharmonic Concerts in Central Park
Rumble on the River (boxing event)
Lincoln center outdoors
Harlem Meer Performance
Blues BBQ

I'm glad this thread was revived, but as someone who's going to be in NYC for a month and looking for free things to do, I'd love to see more INDOOR free events. Most of these aren't going to do me any good in Jan/Feb!

I think many museums have free days - this is the list I consult: http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html but you should always double-check the actual museum's website to be sure. Plus the Neue Galerie Free First Friday that I posted above already. (and don't forget the Bank of America offer for the first weekend of each month)

bookmarking

Patrick, there are also free guided tours of Grand Central Terminal, free guided tours of NY Public LIbrary (at Bryant Park), and you can enter the lobby of UN building for free - there's a beautiful stained glass window by Chagall, really worthwhile if you haven't seen it.

Hmm. Thanks. You know I have never been in the UN building.

Patrick, you can also take a tour of the UN which costs $8 I believe. However, if you don't want a tour, you can still enter the lobby to see the stained glass window (and there are other exhibits too in the lobby). You will have to go through security check in order to enter the lobby/building, but the line won't be long in Jan/Feb. Here's a thread about the Chagall Peace Window at the UN Lobby: http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/chagall-peace-window-at-the-un.cfm

And if the temperature isn't too low and it's sunny out, you can consider the free walking tour offered by the Central Park Conservancy. I took one last March and it was really enjoyable; but I dressed appropriately for that. I believe the tours do not operate if the temp is below a certain degree.

When you look at the ceiling at Grand Central, you will notice the stars are out durung the day. Such were the liberties of Beaux Arts.

Check out Dylan's Candy Store. Looking like a kid in a candy store.

You can walk around Bloomingdales. Don't buy anything though, that would change the topic from FREE to NOT FREE

You can use your subway pass to go over the water on a tram to an island....on the east side, sort of near Dylans. The tram is enclosed and the island has some restaurants (not FREE but CLOSE)

I enjoyed the Sunday Gospel Service up in Harlem...tho I don't remember the church name. I went this year before Easter though!! Good SoUl MOVing MuSiC...shake it Patrick, shake it...

Ride the subway for a day....near free....partially interesting. OK, not so much...

I'll keep thinking.

First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum is free (and indoors) it usually includes exhibits, films, performers and dancing until 11pm.

Staten Island Ferry at night can't be beat.

Any nice weather day will find all sorts of street performers in Central Park. Head for the Bethesda Fountain and look for the loin-clothed "Thoth" performing in the tunnel (follow the incense smell). Or check out all the folks roller blading to funky beats nearby.

Also, the week between Christmas and New Year's is the BEST time to checkout all the holiday decorations, without suffering from crowds.