NYC is expensive, and finding the most fun things to do can be difficult without spending a ton of money. But fear not, we’re here to prove there’s plenty of free and affordable activities to do that won’t break the bank! From art galleries to NYC’s parks, there’s plenty of cheap options to enjoy without completely emptying your wallet.
Whether you’re a local spending all of your money on rent (đ ) or visiting the city on a budget, we’ve got some ideas for you. Bookmark these cheap things to do in NYC right now:
Spend a day at an NYC museum
New York City’s museum scene is vast, and checking all of them off of your bucket list can get expensive quickly. However, if you plan accordingly, you can take advantage of many museum’s free admission days and pay-as-you-wish options. Programs like these are a lifesaver for art and museum lovers, which make seeing some of NYC’s cultural institutions much more accessible.
Some of our top-rated free museum days include:
- Free admission on the first Friday of the month at MoMA
- Free admission everyday at Bronx Museum of the Arts
- Pay-what-you-wish (NY residents) at The Met
- Free admissions on Monday (5:30 pm – 7 pm) at 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Free admission on Fridays (5 pm – 10 pm) at The Whitney
đźď¸ See the full list of free/pay-as-you-wish museums in NYC
Explore Central Park
Central Park offers a world of exploration for those on a budget; more than simply walking around the iconic park! Yes, the paths lined with American elms are a free beauty you must take in, but there’s so much more than that.
During the summer you can catch free Shakespeare performances at the Delacorte Theater, enjoy free concerts at SummerStage, and even stroll through the Conservatory Garden. Even if you want to spend a (little) money you can rent an iconic row boat or take a turn on the Central Park Carousel.
Meanwhile in the colder months, our favorite cheap activities include going ice skating at Wollman Rink ($15) and visiting the Central Park Zoo ($20).
Feast on cheap eats around the city
NYC’s food scene is elite, and you can find delicious meals without breaking the bank, if you know where to look.
From juicy hamburgers to affordable dumplings, there are plenty of spots to explore. A few of our favorite standouts are $3 Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou, $6.50 hamburgers at 7th Street Burger, $1.75 baked roast pork buns at Mei Lai Wah, and plenty more.
đ See our full list of best cheap eats
Score cheap Broadway tickets
Scoring cheap Broadway tickets in NYC is definitely possible with the right strategies. You can enter digital lotteries for shows like The Lion King or Aladdin, which offer tickets for $30 – $50. Additionally, checking rush policies or visiting TKTS booths can help you snag discounted day-of tickets. For students, special deals and memberships can further reduce costs.
Also try planning your Broadway plans around one of their annual promotions like Broadway Week and Off-Broadway Week which sees deals like 2-for-1 tickets plus more.
Book a free or cheap walking tour
Discover the hidden gems of New York City on one of many affordable walking tours. From the pay-as-you-wish system of Free Tours by Foot to the budget-friendly options offered by various tour operators, there’s something for everyone.
These tours cover a wide range of interests, including food, history, architecture, and even ghost stories. Whether you’re a local looking to explore your city or a tourist on a budget, these walking tours offer an excellent way to experience the Big Apple’s diverse neighborhoods and rich culture.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
One of NYC’s most famous landmarks is both FREE and walkable! The 1.1 mile Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and can be walked in a few hours.
We highly recommend starting from Manhattan and walking to the Brooklyn side, which leads to the lovely DUMBO neighborhood with lots of cute coffee shops, restaurants, and shops near the water. You can either sign up for a free walking tour over the bridge, or walk the route yourself and explore the area of affordable spots on your own.
Sip a cheap drink at happy hour
Looking for affordable ways to experience New York City’s vibrant food and drink scene? Happy hour is your best bet! From $1.50 East Coast oysters at The Mermaid Inn to $5 mac & cheese with truffle oil at A10 Kitchen, there’s a budget-friendly option for every taste. Many spots offer deals on drinks too, like $5 beers and $7 wines. Happy hours run throughout the week at various times, so it’s easy to find a great deal no matter your schedule.
đ¸ See our list of best happy hours in NYC
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
We’re putting you on to our little secret of how to get the best FREE views of NYC from the water. Ride the Staten Island Ferry! The free shuttle makes trips back and forth between Staten Island and Manhattan everyday, passing by great views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline.
Be sure to find a spot on the right side of the boat for prime views! It’s a cost-free alternative than booking a ticket on one of NYC’s boat cruises.
Get a slice of pizza
New York pizza is iconic in its own right, and it’s even better because it’s a cheap bite that fills you up! The city’s pizzerias offer a variety of quality slices that range from classic $1.50 slices to more souped-up flavors with extra toppings maxing out around $7/$8.
Some of our favorites include the pretty standardly priced $3.75 cheese slice at Scarr’s and the slightly-overpriced-but-so-worth-it $7 pepperoni square slice from Prince Street Pizza.
Grab a bite at Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a shopper’s dream, where plenty of market stalls and foodie outposts are waiting to be explored! The best part is many of the vendors are pretty affordable, including $5ish tacos from Los Tacos No. 1 and $6 half dozen donuts from Doughnuttery, to name a few.
There’s also plenty of cute shops to check out too like Artists & Fleas which welcomes local vendors, Heatonist (a hot sauce brand), Li-Lac Chocolates, and many more. Sure there maybe some expensive items in these stores but a majority of items are affordable to shop!
See all NYC attractions with New York: CityPASSÂŽ
NYC tourism attractions (even from a local) are always worth exploring, especially if you’re from out of town. To save money and see the city’s attractions at the most affordable price, we highly recommend the NYC CityPASS.
While the price of pass may be steep ($146 for adults), the access it provides will actually save you money in the long run by bundling everything together through the attraction pass.
You’ll gain access to a choice of 5 of the following attractions: Top of the RockÂŽ Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Intrepid Museum, Guggenheim Museumâat a price about $100 or more less than if purchasing tickets individually.
đ Learn more about the New York CityPASS
Marvel at Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is more than just an NYC transit hub, but also a spectacle that’s free to stop by and gaze at. The architectural landmark dates back decades at this point and still has a unique charm and elegance you have to see to believe.
Take time to admire the celestial-themed ceiling in the Main Concourse, and stroll through the terminal’s various floors to see what kind of stores and restaurants that are waiting to be discovered.
It’s 100% free to make a pitstop in the iconic station (although you may be battling huge crowds), and it’s also close to other free Midtown attractions like Bryant Park and the NYPL which you can walk to.
Walk The High Line
The High Line is a free elevated walkway and park on the west side of Manhattan that’s great all year round! The nearly mile and a half greenway is built over old railroad tracks, and offers New Yorkers and visitors a chance to stroll the city coast and take in beautiful gardens, outdoor art, and restaurants along the strip!
It runs from Gansevoort Street in the south to 34th Street in the north, and we recommend putting aside a few hours to walk the whole thing. It’s also very close to other great nearby attractions like Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards, and The Whitney Museum.