Enjoy Live Theatre For Free
A beloved New York City tradition for more than 60 years, Free Shakespeare in the Park has provided free performances of world-class theater to more than five million people. Located at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, Free Shakespeare in the Park is the manifestation of founder Joe Papps vision of a theater that is of, by, and for all people. Getting tickets for this spectacular event can be tricky. My best advice is to arrive very early so you can get the free tickets they distribute on the day of the performances. For more details on how to do that, visit their site.
More Free Things To Do In Nyc Every Day
Besides many free events listed in our Free Events Calendar in NYC above, here are some more on-going Free NYC Events every day :
Visit Grand Central TerminalThis iconic hub is a U.S. National Historic Landmark that welcomes more than 20 million visitors annually. 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan – grandcentralterminal.com/Grand Central Terminal is a great first stop on any visit to New York City due to its stunning architecture and picture-worthy features. This is a great spot to do an amateur photo shoot in the city. The dining concourse at Grand Central offers a perfect taste of eclectic NYC.
See a Taping of Your Favorite Late-Night ShowA free taping of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon at Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center – nbc.com/the-tonight-show/blog/how-to-get-tickets-to-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/113111People who plan a month in advance can score complimentary tickets to attend a live taping of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon at NBCs studio at Rockefeller Center. Each taping lasts for about 90 minutes. Nobody below the age of 16 is permitted to attend a taping.
Visit the Bronx ZooThe zoo offers no-cost admission on Wednesdays. 2300 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, New York – https://bronxzoo.com/This world-class zoo offer no-cost admission on Wednesdays. Attractions include a children’s zoo, a gorilla forest, a baboon reserve, an aquatic bird house and so much more. The zoo also features rides and a 4-D theater.
Interact With The Art At Socrates Sculpture Park
Overlooking Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side on the East River, the site of a former landfill now hosts Socrates Sculpture Park, a playful and free outdoor museum and public park with large-scale interactive sculptures and multimedia art installations. On Wednesdays in the summer, free movie screenings take place, with an emphasis on foreign films, preceded by corresponding music and cultural performances.
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Beware Of Buses Cabs And The Bike Path
Add buses, Cabs, and bikes to your growing list of New York City travel tips! When I say beware of buses, taxis, or even bikes it might not be what you think!
These people are like drunk drivers swerving down the street! I cant even count how many times Ive almost seen accidents with their crazy driving! And you best watch out for that bike path because they will run you over!
Dont Rule Out An Nyc Sightseeing Or City Pass
If you are planning on seeing a lot of NYCs attractions, Id consider looking into the NYC Sightseeing or NYC City Pass. If you didnt already know, NYC is extremely expensive! By getting one of these passes, you should be able to save some considerable dough!
Deciding on which pass really depends on what you want to see and how long you plan to stay. Each pass offers different attractions so you can pick the one that checks most of your boxes! NYC Sightseeing Pass Here | NYC City Pass Here
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Hang Out At Domino Park
Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is a great way to have a nice day with great views of Manhattan across the East River. The park offers 5 acres and was designed by James Corner Field Operations who also designed The Highline!
Enjoy an elevated walk, lawn areas, dog run, volleyball, a playground, and more! It is a great non-touristy and free thing to do in NYC! During the summer, you can also head over to Smorgasburg in Williamsburg! Located by Charlotte Beach, you will find dozens of amazing food vendors!
Address: 15 River St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Live Beats & More Downtown
Downtown has one destination for eclectic, compelling music. The programming at the East Villages Drom runs from jazz, rock, electronic, soul, and funk to international music. The weeks ahead bring high-energy ensemble work from The Silver Arrow Band and DJ TM.8s Temptation Saturday 80s Dance Party.
To celebrate its 15th anniversary season, Drom is introducing a monthly residency from Grammy-nominated Cuban bandleader Pedrito Martinez. Martinez will bring his signature, high-energy Afro-Cuban sound next on August 11th.
JoAnna Ross and Dan Goodman, photo by Paul Park.
Drom is also your local choice for comedy and pole dancing. Schtick A Pole In It has for the past 9 years been NYC’s best comedy and pole dancing show. Comics tell jokes and pole dancers pole dance. Laugh lines alternate with death-defying tricks. If you don’t see shows like this, why are you even paying NYC rents? The show has just expanded to four dates a month as part of an open-ended run. Tickets and more information are here.
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Watch Your Favorite Musical Artists Live
If youve always dreamed of seeing big-name performers, such as Katy Perry, Adriana Grande, the Backstreet Boys, and more then you cant miss this free thing to do in NYC. At the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series, you can see your favorite performers completely for free. The only catch is that you need to wake up very early to do it. The series takes place in Central Park during the summer and each years new schedule is announced in the Spring .
Join Movie Nights At Bryant Park
A fun summer nightly activity in New York City are the movies at the park, hosted by Bryant Park. These showings begin around sunset anywhere from 6:30 to 7:30pm and movie nights are free with events being posted regularly on the Bryant Park website. Typically occurring on Monday and Tuesday nights, these movie nights are a great way to spend your evening while enjoying the company of the local community. Just remember you cannot bring pets, chairs, tables, or tarps to the Lawn, and it opens at 5pm, so you should definitely arrive early to get a good spot for the films.
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Stroll Through Battery Park
Located in Lower Manhattan right by the Staten Island Ferry is Battery Park. This 25-acre public park is a great place to wander around, explore, hang out on a park bench or even have a picnic. You may even recognize the park from the SeaGlass Carousel.
During the summer, you can enjoy the free 195 sq foot garden of perennials or even cool off by the Bosque Fountains 35 jets to run and jump through.
Moreover, similar to Bryant Park and Washington Square Park, Battery Park also holds free events including Yoga in the Park. Learn about the free events at Battery Park here.
The Best Things To Do In Nyc This Weekend
The best things to do in NYC this weekend include Summer Streets, the Rock the Bells concert and Seltzerland!
Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether youre the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend: Summer Streets returns, New York Restaurant Week dining, Rock the Bells with LL Cool J, The Little Shakespeare Festival, a silent disco at Lincoln Center, outdoor movie screenings and more. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend!
RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYC
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See Shakespeare In The Park
You don’t have to fork over a ton of money to see a great theater performance. Each year, the Public Theater hosts free Shakespeare in the Park, a summer series at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The series draws celebrity names and offers the chance to score free tickets for each day’s performance through an in-person distribution, an in-person standby line in Central Park, and both digital and in-person lotteries.
Consider Getting One Of The New York City Passes
Since this 4 day itinerary is full of NYC activities, Id consider getting the Sightseeing Pass or the NYC Pass. They offer a list of top NYC attractions including The Edge at Hudson Yards, the Empire State Building, The Top of the Rock, Museums, and more.
I find the Sightseeing Pass offers more things to see and do than the NYC Pass, but it all depends on what you plan on seeing. The Hop on Hop Off bus can also be a great idea too!
You will have to do the math on it, but depending on how many of these attractions you plan on seeing, these passes can save you a lot of money if you plan to see a lot! Learn more about the City Pass here | Sightseeing Pass | Hop on Hop off Bus
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American Folk Art Museum
For a museum visit thats free every day of the year , dive straight into the American Folk Art Museum -which is a great way to learn more about folk art and its place in the USA.
Admission is always free here, rather than at certain hours on certain days so take your time getting there and really enjoy the beautiful art inside just remember that weekends can get especially busy.
Admire Lady Liberty From The Staten Island Ferry
The Statue of Liberty is a must-see, but ferry tours to Liberty Island start at $18 for adults. Enter the Staten Island Ferry, which plies New York Harbor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering a stellar view of this iconic monument at no cost at all. Having been in service since 1905, the ferry shuttles some 19 million visitors and commuters back and forth across the harbor each year.
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New For Your Bucket List
Congratulations to the Empire State Building, just named the #1 attraction in the U.S. on Tripadvisor. On Saturday mornings through the end of October, visitors can take advantage of the limited-edition Sunrise Experience, which comes with the thrill of being the first in the city to catch the new day dawning from the perspective of the 86th Floor Observatory.
Days In New York Itinerary: Perfect For Nyc First Time Visitors
As a local New Yorker, Id have to say, I am thrilled to be putting this NYC travel guide together for you! With 4 days in New York, this itinerary will be covering EVERYTHING you will need to know for your NYC vacation.
So, is 4 days enough in New York City? The short answer is yes. Id say 4 days is the minimum amount of time you need in NYC. With 4 days in NYC, you will be able to see the main attractions, but it will definitely have you wanting to come back for more. The city has so much to offer, especially as the seasons are changing.
Therefore, this 4 day New York itinerary includes all the best things to do in NYC , NYC travel tips, navigating New York transit, where to eat in NY, where to stay in NYC, photo-worthy places, and so much more!
Moreover, you will find tons of New York travel guides throughout this site, since I truly love writing about New York.
So, if this is your first time in New York, this massive travel guide will have you prepared for everything the city has to offer!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
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Check Out The Queens County Farm Museum
Embrace the farmer within as you enjoy one of the best free things to do in New York City in Queens.
See, this unique oasis of agriculture is actually spread out across 47-acres of land and is known for being the longest continually farmed area in NYC.
And that makes sense since the Queens County Farm Museum has been in operation since ye olde 1697 and features a whole wealth of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.
So, stop by and say hi to the resident sheep, horses, and goats before going on a picturesque hayride and picking up some farm fresh produce from their on-site store.
Also, be sure to come back in the fall for their epic fall fest, which features a full on corn maze and some dujour pumpkin picking too.
Pro Tip: Admission is always free except for special events. It also takes around an hour and a half to get here from Midtown so be prepared.
Address: 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens, NY 11004
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
How to Get there: Take the QM5 bus to the stop at 260 St/Little Neck Pkwy and walk from there.
This Week’s Behind The Experience Video
The tallest building in the hemisphere. The largest screen. A ride that goes straight up at 23 miles per hour. Behind The Experience learns the secrets of One World Observatory, as well as tips like the best time for a visit. The video joins our recent visits to New York icons the Museum of the City of New York, Madame Tussauds, SPYSCAPE, and Benjamin Steakhouse. CHECK THEM OUTits fun!
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Get A Culture Fix In The Boogie Down At The Bronx Museum Of The Arts
A scrappy and vibrant institution on historic Grand Concourse, the Bronx Museum of the Arts mission is to promote cross-cultural dialogue and make art accessible for diverse urban audiences. Founded in 1971 in the New Yorks northernmost borough, the museum collects and exhibits pieces of contemporary and 20th-century art span all mediums. A universal free-admission policy was implemented to celebrate the museums 40th anniversary in 2012.
Free Admissions For Students In Nyc
Besides many free events listed in our Free Events Calendar in NYC above, here are Free Things To Do for Students in NYC:
MoMa Free AdmissionStudents currently enrolled full-time at the following schools receive one free admission per MoMA visit with valid college ID at the information desk. Free admission is not available to part-time students, continuing education students, alumni, or staff. The following students receive one free admission: Columbia University in the City of New York, Cooper Union, CUNY/SUNY Schools, The New School, Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts, The Juilliard School, The New School, New York University. https://www.moma.org/visit/discounts#free-admission
Bronx Zoo Complementary General AdmissionThe Bronx Zoo offers complementary General Admission to NYC undergraduate college students. Eligible students must either be: a) attending a NYC college NYC resident, attending non-NYC college . https://bronxzoo.com/visitor-info/faqs
El Museo del Barrio – Free AdmissionFree Admissions affiliates: New York University, City University of New York, Columbia University. http://www.elmuseo.org/directions/
NY Hall of Science – Free general admissionGet free general admission to the NY Hall of Science on Fridays, 2 5 pm and Sundays, 10 11 am. https://nysci.org/visit/admission/
If you find incorrect information, please contact us.
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Sidewalks Have Their Own Traffic Rules
So as I just mentioned before, New Yorkers tend to be in a rush and the city is crowded, therefore, sidewalks need to run optimally!
Firstly, never, never, ever just stop walking if you are on a busy sidewalk! You would basically be like a car, blocking all the traffic for no reason. If you must stop, find a place off to the side or up against a wall.
Also, you will realize the sidewalks will have 2 lanes of people traffic. Make sure you stay on your right side, and if you are not walking fast, make that all the way to the right!
If you are in a big group, do not take up the whole sidewalk by lining up next to each other.
When walking the streets of NYC, just strut confidently down the sidewalk and you will blend right in!
Stranger Things: The Experience
Ever wanted to be the protagonist of a Stranger Things adventure? Stranger Things: The Experience, open now in Brooklyn, throws you headfirst into your favorite showjoin Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Max, and Will for a very special episode starringyou! Venture inside Hawkins Lab for a 1-hour immersive experience featuring a brand-new Stranger Things storyline, then explore an 80s-themed Mix-Tape medley with food and drinks, special merch, photo ops, and more.
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+ Amazing Free Things To Do In Nyc
- Pin
I know. Its probably beyond difficult to believe that there are actually free things to do in NYC.
But I assure you as a 20+ year local NYC resident that this beyond bold statement is 100% true.
And if Im being totally honest, there are actually way more than 30 free things to do in New York City.
I just dont want to turn this post into something that all too closely resembles War and Peace ., in terms of length since aint nobody got time for that.
Plus, my handy Google Analytics informs me that most of you only spend a few minutes on my site at most. So yeah, no need to make this post ridiculously long, even though you are visiting one of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA and that is hella awesome in and of itself.
Besides, if I took the time to introduce you to all of the best parks in NYC, you would fall asleep faster than a tenth grader in an algebra class .
So while I know you guys need your beauty sleep, I would prefer if my posts didnt become an instantaneous cure for insomnia.
Therefore, I have done my best to narrow this list down to just 30 free things to do in NYC.
Yes, some of the offerings on this list are pretty obvious . However, I hope there are some pleasant surprises here too attractions that you might not have considered before.
But enough chit chat. Onwards and upwards, to the epic awesomeness that is this list of the 30 best free things to do in New York City .
