Can anyone direct me to a website or tell me of any freebies in NYC. I know about the Staten Island Ferry.
We will be staying in the theater district and I would like to find a few free things for myself and my 17 year old to do. She's not really into art, if that helps narrow it down.
Thanks!

The number one answer is WALK. It's a world of entertainment in itself.
But also go to www.nytix.com and click on the "under $10" list. It lists lots of activities for free then a bunch that are $10 or less. Not full information is given about them, but each lists a phone number you can call to get more specific info if you want.
This is also a site for TV tickets.

You're awesome Patrick!
Yep... we always walk, and gawk the entire time we are there. I would really like to take her to this tenement museum, I can't recall the name. She's into history and that might be cool. Not sure where or how much it costs.
Thanks so much!

The Central Park Conservancy conducts free tours of the park. Think of it as a combination of history and walking. They have a website.

You are probably referring to the Tenement Building on Orchard Street on the Lower East Side. And, yes, it is interesting.

Ooops, I mean the Tenement Museum!

Here's a website that lists some Free events arount NYC, http://www.clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp. Also, most art galleries are free and the Forbes gallery (5th Av and 13th St). I'm sure many of the other smaller museums are free, also just looking in some of the older buildings in NY (Woolworth, Federal Hall, etc.). Walking across the brooklyn bridge is free. Wander down to Washington Square, the nicer the weather the more entertainment in the park. Just walk around the village area (St. Marks Place, Bleecker St., etc.) and soho, that could be very entertaining. ALso pick up a new york magazine when you get to NYC, in the cue section it has listings for all kinds of things. Some are free and some aren't.

More great suggestions!
Thanks so much. Now if the weather will cooperate. We are flying up on Saturday, which is spring break here!
Any other suggestions are appreciated.

Here are a few ideas as well. The downtown area is a great place to walk around and explore for FREE. First you have the South Street Seaport area, not too mention the Brooklyn Bridge which is FREE to walk on as well... Another area downtown is the Battery Park/Financial Center which has been restored since 9/11 and is better than ever!!!! Of course there is the WTC memorial area as well. And if you want to shop head to CENTURY 21 (across the street from the WTC memorial) a department store that is full of great bargins!!!! Another FREE service is from the Big Apple Greeters where a native NY will tour with you the group size needs to be 2-6 so I think you qualify. Here is the website http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/ If this interests you call soon as I am not sure if you can do this last minute...

My 17-year-old son and I visited the Lower East Side Tenement Museum at 90 Orchard Street about three weeks ago, and we both agreed that it was really fascinating.You take a guided tour, which lasts about an hour - there are several tours to choose from, each concentrating on a different aspect of the immigrant experience and tenement life. We took the one that deals with the garment industry - our tour guide was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable, and we learned a great deal. The tour was $9, $7 for students. You go to the visitor's center across the street from the tenement building to buy your tickets; if you have to wait awhile for your scheduled tour there is a movie to watch that gives a lot of background information, also a shop with interesting stuff to browse around in while you wait. I highly recommend this museum. You can get more information about the tours, hours of operation, etc. at their web site, www.tenement.org. I see that they also have a walking tour of the lower East Side during warmer months, but it doesn't resume until April 7th - I don't know when you will be there.

Cheap or free

1. Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island
2. Shopping on Canal St.
3. The Metropolitian Museum only asks for donations (there are free hour long tours once inside-check their web site for details
4. Subway ride
5. Central Park
6. Walk the city (Times Square, etc
7. NYSE (free)
8. Across the street is the museum holding the bible George Washington used on his inaguration (free)
9. Show (Conan O'brien, Letterman, Regis, etc.) (free)

Thanks so much, Sara. I am sure we will visit this museum now. We are both into history and we went to Ellis Island on our last trip. This seems like a great follow-up. And Pumpy, the NYSE might be a great idea, too.
Shopping is a given... we can wait to get to Canal street!

NYSE security is tighter than Fort Knox ever since 9/11/01. No tours or unauthorized access.

I like this post!

Years ago when I was very budget conscience and single, I used to go to after work, happy hours at various bars and restaurants which frequently served all kinds of complementary food. Not just pretzels and nuts, but all kinds of food (meats, salads, pizza, etc.). I don't know if good deals like this are still to be had, but I had many a free meal back then.

The Village Voice is a free weekly paper in NYC with a center section of weekly arts & entertainment events. That section has a "Free and Cheap Events" category and is updated weekly. The print versio comes out on Wednesdays and is available at street boxes throughout the city but most predominately below midtown and in residential neighborhoods. The same info may possibly be available at their website www.villagevoice.com

Free: Grand Central Terminal (not "Station"!) and of course the nearby Library, on 42nd.