15 Free (and Unique) Things To Do in New York City

Free stuff to do in New York City

1. Attend a Gospel Mass in Harlem

Are you in New York on a Sunday? If your answer is yes, one of the best free attractions in New York is to attend a gospel mass in Harlem. We think is a great way to get to know the culture of other neighborhoods in the city!

You should keep in mind that to be part of a gospel mass isn't like attending a show, it's a religious ceremony in which the reading of bible passages alternates with singing, music and dancing. They really feel it very much and it's something very important for the people who participate, so it's essential from your side to be as discreet as possible and respect as much as possible.

That said, most gospel masses take place on Sunday mornings and each congregation chooses the starting time, so you should check the time of the church you decide to attend (many have a website). It's also possible to attend gospel masses on weekdays, but it's really best to do it on Sunday, since it's the day when the celebration is bigger.

⛪Which churches to visit for a Gospel mass in New York? Among the most popular are the Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Antioch Baptist Church and the Bethel Gospel Assembly. In all of them tourists are well received and have their own place in the church, usually on the upper floor. We finally visited The Greater Refuge Temple, it's not as big as others but we liked the experience. If you're looking for a very local option, you can take a look at St. Joseph of the Holi Family.

🧐Although you can attend a gospel mass on your own, you can also do it with an organized tour. For us the best one is this Harlem Tour and Sunday Gospel Concert, it lasts 4 hours and you'll learn lots of interesting things about Harlem thanks to a knowledgeable guide.

2. Discover the Life Underground

Did you know that there is a subway stop in New York that is a museum? It's the station located at the junction of 14th Street and 8th Avenue, in the Chelsea neighborhood. The lines that stop here are A, C, E and L. It's true that it isn't a 100% free plan because you'll need to pay the subway ticket, but it's a very central stop and you're very likely to pass.

What you will find here? Several bronze sculptures of people and animals scattered along the platforms and corridors of the station representing different situations in a comical way. They were created by the American sculptor Tom Otterness with the aim of symbolizing the 'impossibility of understanding life in New York'.

Note that there're more than 100 sculptures, but among the most popular you can find:

• An alligator crawling out of a sewer trying to hunt a man with a head shaped like a money bag
• Workers picking up metro tokens from the ground
• Police officers chasing people jumping over subway barriers
• A homeless person sleeping in the subway
• Workers with tools used in subway construction
• People picking up coins from the ground
• An elephant in a dress and high heels

3. Visit one of the free museums in New York City

Another free thing to do in New York is to take advantage of the fact that the city has many free museums to visit. Some of them are always free and others only on certain days of the week (even in a specific interval of hours).

In order to make your selection easier, below you can find all of them. Always remember to check the official website to verify that all the information is still correct!

Museums always free in New York:

• Museum of Natural History (History, Upper Manhattan): free the last hour of the day (4:30pm to 5:30pm), every day of the week. In only one hour you'll be able to see very little, so we recommend you to buy here your ticket to the Museum of Natural History (at the same price) and spend several hours.
• Federal Hall (History, Lower Manhattan): free guided tours Monday through Friday at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
• The New York Public Library (Library, Midtown Manhattan)
• African Burial Ground (History, Lower Manhattan)
• National Museum of the American Indian (History, Lower Manhattan)
• American Folk Art Museum (Art, Upper Manhattan)
• Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace (Historic house, Midtown Manhattan): free guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.
• The Museum at FIT (Fashion, Midtown Manhattan)
• General Grant National Memorial (History, Upper Manhattan): free introductory talks at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
• Hamilton Grange (Historic house, Upper Manhattan-Harlem)
• The Hispanic Society Museum (Hispanic culture, Upper Manhattan-Harlem)
• Scandinavia House (Nordic culture, Midtown Manhattan)
• Harbor Defense Museum (Naval, Brooklyn)
• Building Navy Yard (History, Brooklyn)
• The Bronx Museum of the Arts (Art, Bronx)
• King Manor (Historic house, Queens)
• Nicholas Roerich Museum of Art (Art, Upper Manhattan)

Free museums in New York on certain days only:

There're museums in New York that are only free on certain days of the week. It may be free all day or only at a certain time slot. In addition, some of them require you to book your ticket online in advance.

There're also cases with a pay what you wish modality, sometimes they indicate the recommended price (usually $10), but in reality you can pay whatever you consider (with a minimum of $1).

We've lovingly made for you this table of all the free museums in New York only some days of the week ☺️. You'll find the name, the type of museum, the area where it's located plus the day and the hours when it's free or pay what you wish. Note that MoMA isn't listed because it's currently free on Friday afternoons for New York residents only.

⚠️If you're viewing on your phone, you must scroll the table to the right to see it in full.

FREE (OR PAY WHAT YOU WISH) MUSEUMS IN NEW YORK
	MUSEUM	TYPE	LOCATION	FREE OR PWYW TIME
MONDAY	9/11 Museum	History	Lower Manhattan	5:30pm to 7pm (book tickets on the website Mondays from 7am)
	Guggenheim	Art	Upper Manhattan	PWYW from 4pm to 5:30pm
	Museum at Elridge Street Synagogue	Religion	Lower Manhattan	PWYW all day
TUESDAY	-	-	-	-
WEDNESDAY	Museum of the City of New York	History	Upper Manhattan	All day
	The Frick Collection	Art	Upper Manhattan	PWYW from 1:30pm to 5:30pm (you can book online)
	New York Botanical Garden	Garden	Bronx	10am to 11am (access to the garden only, not to the buildings)
	Queens Botanical Garden	Garden	Queens	3pm to 6pm
THURSDAY	Museum of Jewish Heritage	History	Lower Manhattan	4pm to 8pm (online ticket required)
	Museum of the Moving Image	Cinema	Queens	2pm to 6pm
	Brooklyn Children's Museum	Children's activities	Brooklyn	2pm to 5pm
	Wave Hill	Garden	Bronx	All day
	Museum of Arts and Design	Art and Design	Midtown Manhattan	5pm to 8pm the 1st Thursday of each month (not all year round)
	New Museum	Arte	Lower Manhattan	PWYW from 5pm to 9pm
	China Institute and Gallery	Chinese art	Lower Manhattan	5pm to 8pm
FRIDAY	Museum at Elridge Street Synagogue	Religion	Lower Manhattan	PWYW all day
	Poster House Museum	Art	Midtown Manhattan	All day
	Whitney Museum	Art	Lower Manhattan	5pm to 10pm
	The New York Historical	History	Upper Manhattan	PWYW from 5pm to 8pm
	Morgan Library and Museum	Culture and art	Midtown Manhattan	5pm to 8pm (mandatory booking online)
	The New York Hall of Science	Science	Queens	2pm to 5pm
	New Gallery	German art	Upper Manhattan	5pm to 8pm the 1st Friday of each month
	The Noguchi Museum	Art	Queens	All day on the 1st Friday of each month
	China Institute and Gallery	Chinese art	Lower Manhattan	5pm to 8pm
	Japan Society	Japanese culture and art	Midtown Manhattan	5pm to 7pm on the 1st Friday of each month
SATURDAY	Guggenheim	Art	Upper Manhattan	PWYW from 4pm to 5:30pm
	The Jewish Museum	Culture and art	Upper Manhattan	All day
SUNDAY	Poster House Museum	Art	Midtown Manhattan	3rd Sunday of each month
	Whitney Museum	Art	Lower Manhattan	2nd Sunday of each month
	Queens Botanical Garden	Garden	Queens	9am to 11am
PWYW= Pay what you wish

4. See Little Island from Pier 53 and 57

Little Island is one of the latest constructions in New York and, without a doubt, one of the most original. This public park located at Pier 55 is supported by 132 tulip-shaped structures of different heights.

Although you can walk along it without any problem, it's best to see it from a distance to appreciate its characteristic shape. To do this we recommend you do it for free from any of the piers that surround it, either 53 or 57.

5. Book a free tour of New York

Okay, this activity isn't completely free because we all know that in free walking tours you must leave a tip at the end. But hey, a 2h30 guided tour of New York leaving a voluntary payment? Give me 2, please!

We recommend you to book this free walking tour of New York City, do it in advance because it sells out very quickly! You'll visit the best of The Big Apple, including the Financial District, Battery Park with its views of the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial. The guide will explain you history in a very funny way, as well as anecdotes that will make you know things about the city that you never imagined.

6. Take a guided tour of New York City Hall

Did you know that free guided tours of New York City Hall are offered every week? This building was built between 1803 and 1812 and is one of the oldest city halls still in use in the United States. During the tour you can visit the rotunda, the Council Chamber and the Governor's Room, with art collections and historic furnishings.

🕑The day and time of the free tours may vary depending on the week, so it's best to check on their website, where you'll also be able to make a reservation (which is mandatory in order to attend).

7. Enjoy the views from the ferry to Staten Island

One of our favorite free activities in New York! Having incredible views of the Statue of Liberty and the entire Manhattan skyline without paying a penny is totally possible.

ℹ️The public ferry that connects Lower Manhattan with Staten Island operates 365 days a year for 24 hours. The departure point is at Battery Park and the ride takes about 20 minutes. During the trip you'll see Ellis Island, Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty, also having views of Brooklyn and the buildings of Manhattan.

We recommend you to take the ferry both during the day and at night, as seeing the buildings illuminated is a spectacular experience!

8. Visit Governors Island

Located in front of Brooklyn and only 730 meters (0,45 miles) from Lower Manhattan you can find Governors Island. This island has many green spaces, offers incredible views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty in the distance and especially in summer several activities take place here. In addition, it preserves a part of military architecture, such as Fort Jay and Williams Castle.

ℹ️The ferry to Governors Island costs $5 round trip, but if you want it for free you must go on Saturdays and Sundays before 11:00 am. The ride takes only 7 minutes and you can go with bicycles for free, ideal for getting around the island faster. The ferry can also be taken from Battery Park and we recommend you check the schedules on their website.

9. Enter to the New York Public Library

Two large marble lions named Patience and Fortitude welcome you at the most famous library in the city, also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. What a beautiful building! It's well worth taking a walk inside and marveling at the various marble rooms, but the best thing to do is to join one of the free tours given by the library's own teachers.

📖There're different types of tours of the New York Public Library (always confirm the information on the official website):

• Tour of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building: Monday through Saturday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. It lasts 1 hour and takes you to learn about the history and architecture of the building, as well as the most important art collections inside. It also includes a visit to the beautiful Rose Main Reading Room. This tour is for 20 people only and online booking is required here.
• Rose Main Reading Room Tour: if you don't have time to take the full tour or have run out of space, you can also join the 15-minute tour that takes you to see only this spectacular reading room. It takes place from Monday to Saturday at 11:20 am, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm. In this case it's not necessary to make a reservation, you just have to go 30 minutes before to the McGraw Rotunda and register (only 25 people per group are accepted).
• Self-guided tour: if you haven't had luck in any of the previous tours, you can also take a self-guided tour. On the website you'll find the link to download the app and the audio.

10. Visit the Morgan Library

One of the best-kept secrets in New York is the Morgan Library. Yes, another library, but very different from the previous one. Although this place already appears in the table of free museums in New York that we showed you earlier, its beauty deserves its own spot on this list 😊.

This hidden gem in the heart of Manhattan houses a collection of more than 350,000 objects that belonged to banker J.P. Morgan, including manuscripts, sheet music, maps and antique books. All of this is displayed in historic wooden furniture, under a stunning ceiling adorned with paintings and prints.

💸Although admission costs $25, you can join Free Fridays, as admission is completely free every Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Tickets are available a week in advance, and reservations through their website are required for entry. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to visit other parts of the complex, as in addition to the historic library there is a garden and a lovely cafe.

11. Do some workout kayaking on the Hudson River

One of the most original free things to do in New York is undoubtedly kayaking on the Hudson River. This activity is usually available between May and October on specific days of the week and we think it's a great plan, especially if the weather is nice!

🛶There're several places from which this activity can be started:

• Pier 96 at Hudson River Park (Midtown, Manhattan): operated by Manhattan Community Boathouse. No advance reservations are required and kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check their website for schedules, but they're available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from mid-May to mid-October (from June to August also on Mondays and Tuesdays).
• Pier 26 at Hudson River Park (Lower Manhattan): operated by Downtown Boathouse. With them you don't need to book in advance and kayaks are first-come, first-served. Check their website for schedules, but they're available Saturdays and Sundays all day from mid-May to early October.
• Pier 4 Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn): operated by Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse. In this case it sails on the East River Estuary and it's necessary to make a reservation in advance through their website. Here you can also check the schedules, but they usually operate during the summer on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

12. Buy fresh products in Union Square Greenmarket

If you're a fan of markets (we are!), Union Square offers the chance to stroll among stalls of local producers on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m. Everything here is seasonal: fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, cheeses, wines, plants… It's worth a visit even if you don't intend to buy anything!

The history of this market dates back to 1976, when a few farmers set up their stalls in Union Square. Today, up to 140 businesses line the perimeter of this plaza in the heart of Manhattan.

13. Watch a movie at Bryant Park

If you visit New York in summer and want to practice your English, you can go to the Summer Movies Under the Stars that is organized in Bryant Park. A park that, by the way, we love!

🎥The movies are shown on Mondays at 8 pm, usually from early June to mid-August. You can check on their website the programme for the whole season, but they're usually classics like Pulp Fiction, Ghost, Interestellar, The Godfather....

If you're up for it, we recommend that you get a seat early (they open at 5 pm) and take something to sit on, something warm in case it cools off and food and drink (although you can buy it on the spot).

14. Be amazed by the New York parades

In New York, almost every month, take place several parades and celebrations. If your visit coincides with one of them, don't miss it! They're amazing! 🎊

There're many throughout the year, but here are the most impressive and important ones in chronological order, so please confirm the dates of those that change every year!

• Chinese Lunar New Year Parade: the Chinese New Year dresses up the Chinatown neighborhood, where a parade with traditional shows, dances, costumes and many dragons takes place.
• Macy's Flower Show: not a parade as such, but Macy's welcomes spring each year with spectacular floral decorations.
• St Patrick's Day Parade: every March 17th is the parade that honors the patron saint of Ireland. You'll find music, Irish food and lots of fun.
• Easter Parade & Bonner Festival: every Easter Sunday happens one of the most fun parades in New York, where people walk around with the most original hats you can imagine (usually made by themselves). Don't be shy and go with your own!
• Dance Parade: the third Saturday of May dance is honored as a form of expression, celebrating its diversity through traditional dances and lots of partying.
• Macy's 4th of July Fireworks: on Independence Day night, a brutal fireworks show takes place in the Brooklyn Bridge area. Go early to get your seat!
• Labor Day Parade: on the first Saturday in September, a parade goes down 5th Avenue to honor workers and their labor rights. On the same day, the West Indian Day Parade takes place in Brooklyn, celebrating Caribbean culture with music, costumes, floats and food.
• Columbus Day Parade: on the second Monday of every October, the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas is remembered by the city's Italian-American community.
• Village Halloween Parade: on October 31 this parade takes place in Greenwich Village. The costumes are awesome and you can go in your costume too!
• Día de Muertos: on November 1 and 2, New York hosts this beautiful Mexican celebration with altars and offerings in the cemetery of St Mark's Church in the Bowery. You can also find catrinas in Times Square.
• New York Marathon: every first Sunday of November takes place one of the most famous races in the world. Hundreds of runners on the streets plus a festive and motivating atmosphere.
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: takes place on Thanksgiving Day (late November) and the highlight is the parade with giant balloons.

15. Go for a walk in a secret garden in the heart of Manhattan

The last of our selection of free things to do in New York City is a hidden garden inside an office building at the bowels of Manhattan. It's the Ford Foundation Social Justice Center, a glass building with a public indoor garden spread across several levels.

Although not very large, it contains more than 40 plant species (trees, vines, herbs, etc.), a small reflection pool and a fountain. Here, the green color is guaranteed year-round, as a gardener dedicates a full day to its conservation.

ℹ️ This garden can be visited for free from Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Please note that you must register online beforehand, no later than 5:00 pm the day before your visit (if you go on a Monday, you must register on Friday).

FAQs About Free Things to Do in New York

Is it possible to visit New York without spending a lot of money?

Although New York is an expensive city, there are many free activities that will help you save money, such as strolling through Central Park, visiting free museums, enjoying scenic viewpoints, or exploring iconic neighborhoods.

Are there free museums in New York?

Yes, many museums offer free admission on certain days of the week or during specific hours. Some operate on a “pay what you wish” basis at certain times of the week, letting you decide how much to pay.

Are there any free observation decks in New York?

The most famous observation decks all require a fee, but you can enjoy beautiful views for free from the Staten Island Ferry, the Brooklyn Bridge, the High Line Park, Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island, Pier 53, and from some rooftops that require a food or drink purchase.

Is it worth buying a tourist card in New York?

You’ll need to know how many attractions you plan to visit and their costs, but in New York, it’s usually worth buying one of the available tourist cards even if you plan to do some free activities.

Are there free tours in New York?

In New York, there are various types of free tours that operate on a tip-based system. There are also many free tours of some city buildings, such as City Hall or the Public Library, for which advance reservations are required.

And you, do you know of any other free attractions in New York? Leave it in the comments!

Fotos Life Underground, Little Island y Governors Island: Wikimmedia Commons