The beautiful city of New York, or the Big Apple as some would call it, is probably on most travelers’ bucket lists. After all, it’s a city that never sleeps, perfect for those who love exploring until late at night.
While New York is famous for a lot of things, especially its landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, and Brooklyn Bridge, it’s also well known as an expensive city to live in and travel to.
But you know what? You don’t have to spend much to experience the best of the Big Apple. We’re here to help you with that! From taking walks in the park to admiring the city’s skyline views, here are some free things to do in New York that you can add to your itinerary.
While New York is famous for a lot of things, especially its landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the Brooklyn Bridge, it’s also well known as an expensive city to live in and travel to.
But you know what? You don’t have to spend much to experience the best of the Big Apple. We’re here to help you with that! From taking walks in the park to admiring the city’s skyline views, here are some free things to do in New York that you can add to your itinerary.
1. Take a walk on the High Line
The High Line is the perfect spot for a walk with a view / Photo from Trey Ratcliff on Flickr
Also known as a “park in the sky,” the High Line Park in the city is one of the best free things to do in New York! This elevated park has various garden zones perfect for a scenic stroll with amazing city views: Donald Pels and Wendy Keys Gansevoort Woodland, Washington Grasslands & Woodland Edge, and Diller – von Furstenberg Sundeck & Water Feature.
You can also marvel at the art here, which changes from time to time. There’s even free events here, including an open-air theater where you can see live performances from Dominique Fung, JJJJJerome Ellis, Matty Davis, and Azikiwe Mohammed.
High Line
Address: The Diller – von Furstenberg Building, 820 Washington Street, New York, NY 10014
Opening Hours: 7:00am to 10:00pm (Daily)
2. Ride the Staten Island Ferry
Riding the Staten Island Ferry is a classic NYC experience / Photo from InSapphoWeTrust on Wikimedia Commons
Standing 305 feet tall, the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor is definitely a must-see if you’re visiting the city. A symbol of freedom and democracy, the copper statue was once brown but turned green throughout the years of exposure to the air and sea, giving it a unique look.
Though most Statue of Liberty cruises require paid tickets, you can also get an awesome view of this landmark for free by taking the Staten Island Ferry. Just hop on a ferry from Staten Island Ferry Terminal in southern Manhattan, which departs every 15 to 30 minutes. Riding the ferry is one of the most famous free things to do in New York, so make sure to catch at least one ride.
Klook tip: For the best views of the Statue of Liberty, stay on the right side on the ride from Manhattan to Staten Island. On the trip back to Manhattan, stay on the left side instead.
3. Explore Central Park
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Central Park
Central Park has got to be one of the most famous parks in New York City! There are just so many things to do here, perfect for your list of free things to do in New York. You can visit some landmarks and iconic attractions, take a stroll, have a picnic, and bike around at Central Park!
You can also catch some free events in New York right here, such as movies and concerts in the summertime. There are also some art installations that you can see for free as you explore the park, as well as some free attractions to visit, such as Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, and the Bethesda Fountain.
Klook tip: Want to learn more about the park’s history, as well as secret spots not known to tourists? Check out this pedicab tour of Central Park to get some cool tips from a local.
Central Park
Address: New York, NY, United States
Opening Hours: 6:00am to 1:00am (Daily)
4. Visit the New York Public Library
Step inside history and architecture at the New York Public Library / Photo from Vincent Desjardins on Flickr
Another one of the best free things to do in New York is to drop by the New York Public Library! Here, you can admire breathtaking architecture, see many different exhibits, and even take a free tour of the library.
You can start by visiting the Library’s Visitor Center, where you’ll see interactive exhibits about the Library’s legacy, as well as collection items. One thing not to miss is the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures, home to millions of preserved and collected books, important documents, and other materials that will inspire you to explore and learn new knowledge.
For architecture, an impressive sight is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, as well as the grand Rose Main Reading Room.
New York Public Library
Address: Fifth Avenue at 42nd St, New York, New York 10018-2788
Opening Hours: It depends on the area you’re visiting. See the full schedule on their official website.
5. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Visiting the Brooklyn Bridge is a must in New York / Photo from Andrew Mace on Flickr
Offering some of the best views of the city, it’s no surprise that the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most popular free places to go in NYC. This bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, allowing you to enjoy amazing views of both, along with other landmarks such as the East River and the Statue of Liberty. Remember to take lots of photos, as the view from here is postcard-perfect!
To avoid crowds, try to visit before 9:00am or after sunset, as the Brooklyn Bridge at night is one of the best locations to catch illuminated views of Manhattan. It also offers a more romantic vibe then, making it a perfect date location for couples.
Klook tip: If you can spare the time, try to tour the DUMBO neighborhood next to the Brooklyn Bridge to visit art galleries and get cool souvenirs from hip shops in the area.
Brooklyn Bridge
Address: New York, NY 10038, United States
Opening Hours: 24/7 (Daily)
See more of New York with Klook!
And there you have it! You now have some free things to do in New York to add to your itinerary. All that’s left to do is to start packing your luggage and booking all your travel essentials, such as your USA eSIM or the Klook Pass NYC for discounts to some of the city’s top attractions:
FAQs about finding free things to do in New York
1. What to do in New York without money?
There’s plenty of free things to do in New York, such as having a picnic or birdwatching at Central Park, biking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and visiting free museums like MoMA PS1.
2. Which museum in NY is free?
While most museums in New York require paid entry, some of them do offer free admission and pay-what-you-wish tickets throughout the year. This includes:
• Museum at FIT: A fashion museum at the FIT campus.
• The Bronx Museum: A contemporary arts museum in the Bronx.
• MoMA PS1: An art venue in Long Island City run by the Museum of Modern Art, offering free admission to everyone as of January 1, 2026!
Other museums in New York are free on certain days only or use a pay-as-you-wish scheme.
3. What NYC attractions are free?
Free attractions in NYC include Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, The High Line, Staten Island Ferry, Times Square, and museums like MoMA PS1.
4. What to do in Central Park for free?
If you’re looking for free things to do in New York, then Central Park is the place to be. Here you can enjoy a leisurely picnic at Sheep Meadow or the Great Lawn; visit iconic landmarks such as the Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge; and even go birdwatching throughout the year.
There are also plenty of free events at Central Park, especially in the summertime. This includes concerts, theater performances, and even music festivals.
5. What are some free things to do in NYC at night?
Popular free things to do in New York at night include walking across High Line Park and the Brooklyn Bridge for skyline views, taking the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, and taking photographs at Times Square.
6. What day is the zoo free in NYC?
The Bronx Zoo offers free admission on Wednesdays, but note that tickets must be reserved in advance online, with reservations for the week starting every Monday at 5:00 p.m. Other zoos and aquariums that offer free entry on Wednesdays include the Staten Island Zoo (from 2:00pm-4:45pm only) and the NY Aquarium (after 3:00 p.m.).
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
