View of the New York City skyline with the Freedom Tower in shot, from the perspective of being in the pedestrian area of the Brooklyn Bridge. Graffiti overlay featuring a quote from the article: "The view looking at the bridge is equally impressive"

New York City's Best Free Attractions

Here You’ll Find:

 

New York City

New York City is a huge city with plenty of attractions to keep tourists busy. This article will outline some of the best free attractions in New York City, that are definitely worth checking out! You can enjoy these things without spending any money at all, and you may even be able to see some of them from your hotel room or apartment! So if you’re planning on visiting NYC this summer, read our list below for ideas about what to do when you get there:

 

 

Looking up, amongst the Rockefeller Center buildings

Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 high-rise buildings in New York City, the construction of the initial 14 buildings was overseen by the Rockefeller family in the 1930s. The Center now covers a large area and includes shops, restaurants, offices, theatres, cinemas, museums, art galleries, hotels and more. There are also two underground malls which connect several parts of the complex together. In the Winter, people from far and wide flock to the Rockefeller Center to enjoy its world-famous ice rink and Christmas tree. The Rockefeller is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening enjoying the architecture at any time of the year. It's often busy with tourists, shoppers and businesspeople who come there for work as well as pleasure. One of the most notable workplaces located in a Rockefeller building is NBC Studios, where popular US breakfast show ‘Today’ is filmed daily.

 

 

Manhattan's Central Park

Central Park

Central Park is a massive public park in the heart of New York City. The park is 843 acres, making it the largest in Manhattan by a long stretch, but only the fifth largest park of the city’s five boroughs. Central Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy its various attractions, which include: Strawberry Fields - a tribute to John Lennon, Belvedere Castle, the breathtaking 100+ year old Carousel and much more. The best part about Central Park? It's all free to enjoy! Central Park is one of the most popular attractions in New York City. It's home to lakes, ponds, bridges, and plenty of green space. There are many things to do there besides just walking around or relaxing on a bench; you can play any number of sports. You can even rent kayaks at some locations within the park if you want to get out into the water.

 

 

The Brooklyn Bridge with the New York City skyline, at twilight

The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest bridges of its kind in the United States. The views from the Brooklyn Bridge are some of the most iconic in New York City. The view from the city looking at the Brooklyn Bridge itself are equally impressive. The Brooklyn Bridge was first opened in 1883 and has been a major landmark in New York City ever since. The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge was an incredible feat of engineering for the 19th century and was completed in the space of 14 years. The pedestrian footpath on the Brooklyn Bridge is an incredibly popular destination for tourists in New York City. The Brooklyn Bridge is truly a historic landmark of North America, which offers great views of the Manhattan Island city skyline and won’t cost you a penny to visit.

 

 

Staten Island Ferry sailing in front of the lower Manhattan skyline

The Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is a cost-free trip that takes passengers from the south of Manhattan to Staten Island, the least populated borough of NYC. Take this ferry ride across the harbor from Lower Manhattan to see some beautiful waterfront scenery on your way to Staten Island. The ferry offers a great view of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. The route has been in operation since 1817 and is one of the busiest ferry services in the world. Staten Island is the most suburban borough in New York City, and it has a reputation for being a quiet and peaceful area. The island was once an agricultural community, but it has since become a popular residential area. The Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see some of New York City's most famous landmarks at no cost.

 

 

High Line Park in New York

The High Line

The High Line is an innovative public park located in Chelsea and the Meatpacking District of New York City. Built on a section of the elevated West Side Line of the New York Central Railroad. Originally constructed in the 1930s to avoid traffic congestion and accidents, the former freight rail line was decommissioned in 1980 and the tracks were removed. In 2009, after years of planning and construction, the first phase of the High Line Park opened to the public. The park features lush gardens, art installations, and stunning views of the city. Visitors can walk, bike, or run on the elevated pathway, which is 1.45 miles long. The High Line draws more than 5 million visitors a year and you can expect to see unique vantage points of the Hudson River and other iconic New York City landmarks. Depending upon which street you join The High Line at, it can be accessed by stairs, elevator or even a wheelchair friendly ramp. 

There are plenty of free attractions in New York City for tourists and locals alike. If you’re not afraid to break out your walking shoes and you’ve got a few days to explore, there is something for everyone in all the corners of the city. Soaking in the NYC architecture doesn’t have to cost the world and many of these wallet friendly options are the perfect way to see the sights! So if you're looking to save some money on your next trip to the Big Apple, be sure to check out these great free options. Have you already visited any of these free attractions in New York City? Which is your favorite and why? Let us know on our Socials!