There’s no arguing that NYC is on the pricer side, but trust us when we tell you there are plenty of cool free things to do in NYC that are worthy of your attention.
Whether it’s exploring new exhibits on free museum admission days, having a look at outdoor installations, or joining reading clubs at your local New York Public Library branch, offerings abound.
Sure, these perks might not be so easy to uncover, but that’s why we’re here. We’ve got your back! What catches your eye on our list of free things to do in NYC?
1. Enjoy free museum days
New York is full of the most prestigious art and history museums, but sometimes their entrance fees don’t feel quite so accessible. 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 media.
- 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. Watch cherry blossoms bloom across NYC
Now that warmer weather is on the horizon, New Yorkers are ready to embrace all-things floral, including the adorable blush-pink cherry blossoms. Once these babies are in peak bloom, head to locations like Central Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, or Randall’s Island for an Instagram-worthy experience that are must as we usher in spring.
3. Attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade – and other seasonal gatherings
Celebrate the luck o’ the Irish at the world’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, right in the heart of NYC. From Fifth Ave at 44th Street to at 79th Street, 150,000 marchers will enjoy a sea of green and orange as bagpipers play and New Yorkers celebrate their roots. The fun gets underway on March 17th at 11am.
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. 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!
6. Hit up 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.
7. Visit 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.
8. Take advantage of NYC Parks
Not only do the best parks in NYC offer great scenery and fun places to kick back on a sunny afternoon, but there are also plenty of event offerings to enjoy, free of charge. Whether it’s a complimentary yoga class in Brooklyn Bridge Park or a writing group meeting in Bryant Park, NYC’s green spaces go above and beyond. Check out the NYC Parks website for a full list of offerings near you.
9. Enjoy the New York Public Library’s free books, classes, and events
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.
10. Cash in on free birthday perks
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!
11. Join a walking tour
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.
12. Stop by the High Line
This walkway sits atop an old railroad line running from the Meatpacking District to W 34th Street.
13. Walk (or bike) the Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge…and think about all of the hidden fun facts while you’re doing it.
14. Make a trip to 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!
15. Snag tickets to 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!
16. Have a rest on the 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!
17. Enjoy free admission to the 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.
18. …and 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.
19. Honor those we lost with a visit to the 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 the first Sunday of the month from 4pm onward.
20. Check out the Vessel
To ring in 2025, the Vessel will allow New Yorkers to walk around the attraction for free on Thursdays. It’s simple: tickets will be made available online every last Friday of the month for the next month ahead. With a valid i.d., upon check-out locals can explore the space free of charge. Should you miss out on the window of opportunity, do note that there will be a select number of free, day-of tickets available on Thursdays,