City Guides,  New York,  The Archives,  Travel Tips

Fun and Free in NYC

October 31, 2024 /

If you know anything about traveling to Manhattan, you KNOW it’s expensive. It’s like $35 just to walk in and look at a menu. But did you know that there are some amazing, fun and free things to do on NYC? Sure, a coffee may cost you $8 but you’ll enjoy drinking it in one of these fantastic places!

1. The NY Public Library

Fun and free in NYC! Image of the exterior of the NY public library showing marble columns in the background and a marble folder in the foreground.
Image of a marble bust on an ornate ledge.
Image of a room interior with wood paneling, an ornate ceiling and golden chandelier.

This library feels more like a museum than a place to check out books but you’ll still have to keep your voice down!

2. The Staten Island Ferry

Fun and free in NYC. Image of the Staten Island Ferry sailing past the Statue of Liberty.
Photo Credit: Catholic News Service

If you want some great views of Lady Liberty, Liberty Island ISN’T the way to do it. Instead head just past the dock for the paid tour and take the ferry for free.

3. Central Park

Fun and Free in NYC - Central Park. Image of a length of stone steps surrounded by trees.
Image of a stone castle surrounded by trees.

Not only is it an amazing respite from all the concrete and congested streets, it has room for SO MANY activities. We’ve been there 5 times and we still haven’t seen everything.

4. The Brooklyn Bridge

Fun and free in NYC - walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Image of people walking across the bridge. On either side of the walk way are the cables and wires that make up the sides of the bridge.

You can walk the bridge from the Financial District over to some excellent craft breweries in Brooklyn. If you don’t feel like walking back, you can catch the subway for less than $3!

5. The Highline

Fun and free in NYC - walk the Highline. Image of a large golden apple, surrounded by bushes and trees.
Image of a statue of the word Amor surrounded by trees.
Image of a mural on the side of a building that shows multiple hearts in multiple colors and patterns.
Image of a statue of the word love surrounded by trees.

Once an elevated train track, the Highline is now a lovely walkable park. Since it’s really popular, try to hit it in the evening or on a rainy day!

6. Trinity Church

Fun and free in NYC - visiting Trinity Church. Image of a grave yard surrounded by trees and ground cover.
Image of a large marble tomb that has a large pyramid and smaller columns and pillars.
Image of a large number of pennies collected next to grave stone.
Image of a renaissance style brown stone church.

You can pretend you’re Nick Cage looking for the National Treasure or you can leave a penny at Alexander Hamilton’s grave.

7. Grand Central Terminal

Fun and free in NYC - visit Grand Central Terminal. Image of a large marble hall with vaulted windows and a green arched roof with constellations painted on it.

Last but not least, visit Grand Central Terminal, even if you don’t need to grab a train. You can take a few moments to gaze at the constellations on the grand hall’s ceiling or whisper some secrets in the adjacent hallway. With all the money you saved by visiting these fun and free sites in NYC, go down a floor and spend a few dollars at the affordable shops and places to eat.

Want to hear about the secret bar you can check out at Grand Central Station? Subscribe for free today to get this bonus content! And you can follow our adventures in real time by following us on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle.

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