Even though it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world, there are loads of completely FREE things to do in NYC in 2025. During the week and on weekends, there’s tons of free-pop ups, events, and deals to take advantage of. If you’re paying the rent to live in a city this fantastic, you must take advantage of all there is to do and see.
1. Free museum days
New York is full of the most prestigious art and history museums, but sometimes their entrance fees don’t feel quite accessible enough to the everyday New Yorker. Luckily, most have special “free” admission days when entrance fees are waived completely. Take a look at some below and even more here:
- The Museum of Modern Art (First Friday of every month): Thanks to clothing store UNIQLO, museum admission to the Museum of Modern Art is free for New Yorkers from 4 pm – 8 pm on the first Friday of every month!
- Brooklyn Museum (First Saturday of the Month, 5-11 pm): Head to the outer boroughs to experience this historic museum whose roots trace all the way back to 1823.
- Guggenheim Museum (Pay What You Wish on Saturdays 6 pm–8 pm): Step into a world of modern and contemporary art at the Guggenheim Museum on the Upper East Side. The museum is typically $25 for adults, but hosts a “pay what you wish” program on Saturdays from 6 pm – 8 pm.
- Bronx Museum of the Arts (Free everyday!): This uptown museum known for its innovative contemporary art exhibitions houses over 2,000 pieces of artwork in a variety of mediums.
- Whitney Museum (Multiple free days): The Whitney Museum is welcoming free guests at different times throughout the week, including free admission everyday for 25 and younger ages, and free Friday nights and free second Sundays of each month for all ages.
2. Go ice skating around NYC
Ice skating in NYC is a quintessential winter activity, and you can even do it for free at multiple places around NYC!
⛸️ Bryant Park Winter Village: New Yorkers and tourists alike can skate on the famous rink for free if you supply your own skates! The ice skating rink is open daily (8 am – 10 pm) through March 2nd, 2025 and reservations are kindly requested!
⛸️ Roebling Rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park: Brooklyn’s scenic rink is offering FREE admission on Sundays (10 – 11 am) and Mondays (5 – 6 pm) to local residents with a valid Brooklyn address on ID. The rink is open through February 2nd.
3. Check out The Seaport’s MoonGARDEN installation
Stop by The Seaport right now to check out a brand new internationally acclaimed art installation on display for FREE through February! moonGARDEN is inspired by set theory, and the mesmerizing light show it presents blends art, mathematics, and memory. The several self-inflated spheres ranging from 6 to 30 feet in diameter cast intricate shadow designs into a one-of-a-kind show. The best part? Some of them you can peek inside and see how it’s done!
Where: The Seaport (next to Tin Building)
4. Walk through STARSCAPE at Genesis House
Genesis House is hosting one of the coolest immersive light installations we’ve seen all year here in NYC. STARSCAPE is inspired by the celestial beauty of the night sky, and invites guests for free to step into a multi-sensory wonderland of glowing constellations and bursting stars.
The experience of shimmering lights and LED projections is designed by award-winning creative director and production designer Ethan Tobman, and is open through January 12th, 2025. It’s so worth a visit.
- Tuesday – Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
Where: 40A 10th Avenue
🌟 Learn more about STARSCAPE here!
5. Check out New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Train Show
The New York Transit Museum’s 20th annual Holiday Train Show is happening now at Grand Central Terminal through February 2025! The free train show is right in the heart of the transportation hub, boasting all kinds of locomotives, miniature NYC landmarks, and festive model trains.
It’s open to view 7 days a week and can be found in the shuttle passage on 42nd Street and Park Avenue, near the New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store. Check out the full hours below:
- Monday – Friday: 10 am – 7:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
- Major holidays: Closed
6. See the massive pigeon sculpture on The High Line
Walking The High Line is one of our favorite free activities anyway, but now there’s something even cooler to check out! A huge hyper-realistic pigeon sculpture called “Dinosaur” has landed at the NYC walking path, and New Yorkers can go snap pictures of it and take in one of the coolest NYC-themed outdoor art pieces in the city. Learn more about the pigeon sculpture here!
7. The Polonsky Exhibition at the NYPL
The New York Public Library in itself is a great free activity, but go the extra mile and check out the free permanent Polonsky Exhibition while you’re at it! It consists over some of the library’s most extraordinary archives that span over 4,000 years of history. We’re talking everything from a letter from Christoper Columbus announcing his “discovery” of the Americas to King Ferdinand’s court to the first Gutenberg Bible brought over to the Americas.
It’s actually incredible what kind of manuscripts, artworks, letters, still and moving images, recordings, and more are on display. There’s also free 45-minute tours of the exhibit from Monday-Saturday at 12:30 – 3:30 pm.
Where: Gottesman Hall in NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
8. Outdoor street fairs
Even in the colder days of winter, NYC’s various street fairs and cultural festivals are still happening all year long. Plenty of vendors offer up food, music, and entertainment that can make for some perfect free strolling time! See a full list of NYC’s upcoming street fairs here.
9. Check out the holiday window displays around NYC
Why yes, there’s plenty of fancy shops along 5th Avenue during Christmastime, there’s also the beauty of free window shopping! Plenty of iconic NYC stores including the likes of Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and more have unveiled special holiday windows…complete with festive themes and jolly fun! See all of this year’s holiday windows here.
10. Governors Island
Hop on the ferry ride over to Governors Island and partake in their free summer programming, which includes all kinds of free events like the 23rd annual River To River Festival, the Porch Stomp folk music festival, Governors Island Arts’ THIRD Saturdays, and so much more! See the full listing of upcoming happenings on Governors Island here.
11. Explore NYC’s outdoor public art
Tap into New York City’s artsy side and check out the numerous options of public art that awaits you! These mind-bending open-air installations are free to visit and are pretty cool photo opps too! Check out our favorite public art installations in NYC right here.
12. New York Public Library
The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is one of the coolest libraries in all of NYC, and is a great place to admire with a book in hand. Acquiring a library card is free for all New York residents, and rummaging the shelves for your next good read is such a great way to spend your time.
13. Free birthday perks around NYC
If it’s your birthday (or it’s coming up soon), you’ve got to take advantage of the freebies around NYC! Some of our favorite businesses offer up sweet promotions for the celebration with some of our favorites including:
- QCNY Spa: At QCNY Spa on Governors Island, you can enjoy free admission (on your birthday or within 7 days after your birthday) with a paying guest. This special birthday offer applies Monday through Friday.
- SUGARFISH: Eat a free “trust me box” of sushi for your birthday if you’ve dined at SUGARFISH at least twice during the year!
14. Walking tours
Tours in NYC are known to be pricey, but there are actually a variety of walking tours given by volunteers that are completely free. Join free walking tours offered by different organizations, which pairs visitors with local volunteers for personalized tours of the city. See some our favorites below and the full list here:
- Flatiron District: If you’re interested in learning more about NYC’s most iconic triangle-shaped building, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership sponsors free 90-minute walking tours around the neighborhood on Sundays at 11am. Meet on the southwest corner of Madison Square Park.
- Free Tours By Foot.com: Though not completely free, these walking tours are unique in the fact that you pay-as-you-wish. There is no upfront cost and after the tour, you decide how much to give the guide based on the quality of the tour/what you think it was worth.
- Central Park Conservancy: The Central Park Conservancy offers a few free tours. They are: The Southern Welcome Tour, which highlights the noteworthy aspects in the southern part of the park, admiring the Pond, Gapstow Bridge, and the Dairy Visitor Center which used to serve children fresh milk in 1871; the Memorial Tour, which showcases monuments and statues in the park honoring veterans; and the Discovery Walks for Families, which is perfect for children of all ages. Plus they have a few virtual tours to choose from, all which have a suggested donation of $5. See more on their website here.
15. The High Line
This walkway sits atop an old railroad line running from the Meatpacking District to W 34th Street.
16. Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge…and think about all of the hidden fun facts while you’re doing it.
17. Little Island
This floating island is one of our favorite spots to relax, and the views of downtown Manhattan are killer too. Bring a friend, a blanket and stay awhile!
18. TV show tapings
NYC is home to tons of big-name TV shows including Jimmy Fallon, Trevor Noah, and of courseSaturday Night Live. Tickets for these shows are free and are done through a lottery, so try throwing your name in the hat!
19. Pier 35 Swings
Tap into your innner childhood fun and ride on these giant swings at Pier 35 on the Lower East Side. It’s completely free and one of the best waterfront views in all of the city!
20. Bronx Zoo
Stop by and see some of your furry friends at The Bronx Zoo, which offers free admission on Wednesdays. Check out all of NYC’s zoos here.
21. Green-Wood Cemetery
Another rich piece of history, the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn was founded in 1838 and is 478 acres! This gorgeous cemetery offers all kinds of other free happenings too like bird watching sessions, trolley tours, live performances, and much more! See what’s on at Green-Wood Cemetery here.
22. The Vessel
While you can no longer climb the wacky Vessel at Hudson Yards, access to the ground-level base is open to the public. There are rumors of The Vessel reopening soon though…so stay tuned.
23. 9/11 Memorial
Learn about the events of 9/11 at the Memorial Pools and 9/11 Museum. The pools are open to the public and the museum offers free admission on Mondays (need to reserve tickets online).