10 Best Free Things to Do in NYC in 2018
New York is one of the world’s most popular cities to visit, but also one of the most expensive ones.
Most of the main attractions and things to do in NYC that you saw in movies so many times are mostly very expensive (and sometimes, disappointing).
But, there is no need of spending a fortune on your vacations in the NYC, because my list of 10 Best Free Things to Do in NYC will save you lots of money! Continue reading!
Highline Park
Highline park is not one of the most well-known attractions in NYC, which is good for you, because it is one of a few interesting places to visit in the city with not many tourists. It is a great architectonic solution that transformed former metro rails into a park on the height of the 3rd floor with trees, streams, and benches. It has a length of almost 2 kilometers. You will find it along the 10th Avenue between the 30th and Gansevoort streets.
Learn about the best things to do in NYC in 3 days
China Town
China town is another great place in NYC that you can visit for free. Dive into Asia in the center of New York Downtown. Here, you can try some Chinese food that you will not find in regular supermarkets, exotic fruits, bubble tea, and other goodies. It is also the best place to buy souvenirs, as they have the lowest prices in the NYC.
Check backpacking guide to New York
Central Park
New York is not New York without the famous Central Park. I tried to cross it all, but it is impossible, the park is too long. Relax near one of the park’s lakes and organize a picnic being in the city center, but isolated from its hustle and bustle. A must free thing to do in NYC.
New York is a big city, so I suggest you booking a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Wall Street
People that know me, also know that I love reading and talking about money. That is why NYC is the best place to visit for me. I enjoyed being on Wall Street with expensive cars, stockbrokers walking in their custom-made suits, and the Museum of American Finance, which was free for students when I was there. It is a small museum but was incredibly interesting for me.
Surprisingly, a side street from Wall Street was the place, where I found the best Subway deal (breakfast menu for $3).
NYC Public Library
American libraries are something great. If you are not from the US, the public library is a place you definitely should visit in America, but if you’re American, you will also be surprised by the size of NYC Public Library. With nearly 53 million items, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States and the fourth largest in the world. It is located on 476 5th Avenue.
Learn about off-the-beaten-track places in NYC
Governor’s Island
Another great and free way to rest from the city hustle is to go to the Governor’s Island, the ferry to it is free. The island was opened for people only in 2003. It is a place, where you can ride a bike, play mini golf, make a picnic or just walk in the park. Free ferries leave from Battery Maritime building.
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The building of one of the most beautiful churches in NYC, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, started in 1892, after that the cathedral was radically changed during the years, it was finished in the Gothic Revival style. After a large fire in 2001, it was closed until 2008 but is still unfinished. It is located on Amsterdam Avenue between West 110th Street and 113th Street in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood.
Little Italy
Another great place to spend time diving into a different country’s culture in the Big Apple is Little Italy. It borders China Town, which slowly occupies more and more area of the Italian quarter. Little Italy is not located in the historical place, where the first Italians in NYC used to live, but not far from it. Also, free to visit and a great experience for you.
9/11 Memorial
A must place to visit in NYC, which is also free, is the 9/11 memorial. It is located in the place of the World Trade Center buildings. The memorial consists of a museum and two large pools in the place where the twin towers stood before the terroristic attack, which killed 3000 people on September 11, 2001.
This one and some other attractions are located in the financial district of the NYC. Check this ultimate guide to FiDi!
Times Square
List of free things to do in NYC is not full without the Times Square. One of the most popular places to show in the movies, the brightest place in New York at night, and a huge advertising area with several-story shops of the most well-known American chains.
It was a list of 10 free things to do in NYC. These places are not only free, but also very interesting, and I definitely recommend visiting them. Read also about Spanish Valencia on a budget, where you can stay for 2 days for just 18 Euros, or read 50 tips on how to travel the world cheap. Travel more!
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I love to travel in the USA, New York is my favorite location to visit in the USA. Thank you for sharing this blog post.
Glad it was helpful