20 Free (Yes, Actually Free) Things To Do In New York City

See the city without spending a cent.

There's no beating around the bush: New York City is expensive. But there are plenty of free activities you can take advantage of in the Big Apple. Here: 20 totally free ways to spend a day in the city.

1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

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There are plenty of tourist attractions you should avoid in NYC, but walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is totally worth the hype. The best part: It's totally outdoors and doesn't cost a cent. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds.

2. Explore the food stalls at Smorgasburg or any of the city's market places.

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You'll have to pay for food, of course, but just walking around Smorgasburg food market and taking in the ramen burgers, lobster rolls, and decadent ice cream cones can be a feast for the senses. There are similar food halls all over the city like Dekalb Market, Cannal Street Market, and the relatively new Time Out Market.

3. Get lost in the New York Public Library.

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Located between Grand Central Station and Times Square, the New York Public Library (aka the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) is a stunning place to walk through and admire. Check the schedules for free tours and exhibits.

4. Go gallery-hopping in Chelsea.

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As you walk between Chelsea and the Meatpacking District you'll find blocks teeming with exciting art galleries. On any given day you'll find amazing works by artists from around the world. Some of our favorites are 303 Gallery, Gagosian Gallery, Bryce Wolkowitz, and Yossi Milo Gallery.

5. Explore the sites and statues around Central Park.

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Central Park is one of Manhattan's most iconic sites, and it's full of beautiful lawns, historic statues, and interesting structures to explore. Don't miss Sheep Meadow, Belvedere Castle, Loeb Boathouse, Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, and so much more.

6. Take a free tour of the Brooklyn Brewery.

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Beer enthusiasts, you're in luck. Every Saturday, Brooklyn Brewery offers free tours of the facility with no reservations required. You'll have to pay for the drinks, but entrance is totally free.

7. Or wander around one of the city's many farmer's markets.

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During spring, summer, and fall, you'll find numerous farmer's markets popping up around the city. Union Square, Grand Army Plaza, and Fort Greene Park Greenmarkets are three of our favorites. Even if you're not shopping for produce, it's fun walking around, browsing the different farmstands, and people watching.

8. Spend an afternoon on the High Line.

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Built on an old, elevated freight rail trail, the High Line is one of Manhattan's most unique parks. As you walk the length of the trail — which stretches from the Whitney Museum to the newly opened Hudson yards — you'll pass great city views, green space lined with trees and flowers, colorful street art, and glimpses of the Hudson River.

9. Take a scenic cruise on the Staten Island ferry.

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You could pay to take in the views from the Freedom Tower observatory or the Empire State Building, or you could just hop on the free Staten Island Ferry. The 25 minute ride takes you past the Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island, and offers some of the best views of the lower Manhattan skyline.

10. Picnic in a park.

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You don't have to spend a lot to eat extremely well in NYC. Pick up a Katz's pastrami sandwich, a slice of Joe's pizza, or an Ess-a-Bagel and head to the closest park for a good old fashioned picnic, no reservation required.

11. Watch a street performance.

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The best thing about NYC is that you don't have to look too hard for entertainment. Walk past Washington Square Park, Times Square, or your closest subway station and chances are, you'll find street performers break dancing, strumming on a ukulele, or playing jazz. Stop and watch for a while — it won't cost you a thing.

12. Take advantage of free Museum hours.

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Most museums such as the Brooklyn Museum, New Museum, Museum of Jewish Heritage, and MoMA offer free or pay-what-you-wish museum hours. The times and dates vary, but each museum website should give you the details of when you can check out the respective exhibits free of charge.

13. Take a free walking tour of a new neighborhood.

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There are endless pay-what-you-wish walking tours offered by Free Tours By Foot that focus on different themes or neighborhoods around the city like Bushwick graffiti, Chinatown food, and ghosts of Greenwich Village. Check the schedule online and join the one that fits your interests.

14. Hit the beach.

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If you visit the city during the summertime, escape the heat of the concrete jungle by taking the subway to one of New York's beaches: Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, or the Rockaways.

15. Find an outdoor movie night.

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In the summer months, you'll find outdoor movie nights under the stars in parks and playgrounds across the city. Check NYC Parks' website for a full schedule.

16. Take in the views from Brooklyn Bridge Park

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Set in the trendy neighborhood of DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of our absolute favorite places to relax on a sunny day and take in the Manhattan vistas. There are fitness areas, playgrounds for kids, soccer fields and basketball courts, and even a sandy beach.

17. Join a free yoga class.

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Looking for a way to get some exercise? There are a handful of great yoga classes around the city, and they're completely free. In the warmer months, you'll find outdoor sessions in Bryant Park and Battery Park. Check out Do NYC for a comprehensive list of free yoga classes.

18. Stop and smell the roses at the Botanical Gardens.

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From March through November, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden offers free admission on Friday mornings until noon so you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and get back to nature. Admission to the Bronx Botanical Garden is free all day on Wednesdays and from 9-10 am on Saturdays.

19. Catch a free comedy show.

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A quick Google search will reveal that there are free comedy shows in the five boroughs just about every night of the week. Some of our go-to venues are Upright Citizens Brigade in Hell's Kitchen, The Knitting Factory in Williamsburg, and The Cobra Club in Bushwick.

20. Or listen to live music.

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On any given night you can find free live music in just about any neighborhood. While some bars might charge you a small cover, others are totally free. We love Mona's and 11th Street Bar in Alphabet City, Fat Cat in Greenwich Village, Skinny Dennis in Williamsburg, Clover Club in Cobble Hill just to name a few.