Who doesn’t love free stuff? I, for one, am a huge fan of free stuff. Especially when you’re in a city where everything else costs an arm, a leg, a lock of hair from a centaur and your first-born child.
New York City’s not as budget-friendly as a lot of other places, but there are plenty of ways to get your kicks without dropping a DIME–so long as you know where to look and are willing to do a liiiiittle bit of walking.
Read more on New York City:
12 Free Things to Do in New York City in the Summer
1. Catch a movie night at Bryant Park
Movies play every Monday evening at 5 pm at Bryant Park in Midtown as part of HBO’s Summer Film Festival; it begins in June and runs through August.
2. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
This bridge is definitely worth admiring in person–it’s a gorgeous piece of engineering with equally impressive views. 
3. Catch a free concert at Gantry Plaza in Long Island City
Their summer concert series, known as Live at the Gantries, features local musicians on Tuesday nights in the summer. The setting is stunning with a view of the East River and Manhattan behind the stage, and of course there’s the free part.
4. Do some people watching at Washington Square Park
Protests, musical performances, theatrical performances, vendors, pigeon man–Washington Square Park has it all. And of course, the gorgeous Washington Arch.
5. Visit the 9/11 Memorial
The memorial fountains are open to the public daily from 7:30 am to 9 pm. Visit the website for more info.
6. Rub some bull testicles
See Wall Street and give the ol’ Charging Bull (or the Wall Street Bull) some love. It’s for good luck, I swear!
7. Spend an afternoon in Central Park
A day spent in Central Park is never a day wasted. Enjoy a picnic, play some frisbee, lounge on the grass with a few beers, enjoy some live music or do some people watching. You really can’t go wrong!
8. Learn to Salsa on the Hudson
Hudson River Park holds events all year long, many of them free! Click here for a schedule of current and future events.
9. Marvel at the impressive architecture around Madison Square Park
The Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building, Metlife Tower, and more! Architecture aside, there’s always plenty to do and see in this park, too. My last visit included a Pakistani Independence Day concert and celebration!
10. Visit the city’s museums on free admission days
Admission to the MoMA is free on Fridays from 4-8 pm, and lots of other New York City museums offer similar deals. Here’s a full list of museums with free admission days.
11. Take a stroll on the Chelsea High Line
This historic freight line turned public park is a beautiful (and traffic-free) way to wander from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking district all the way up to West 34th Street while admiring Manhattan from a new vantage point.
12. Hit Long Island City’s Saturday flea market
Even if you don’t buy anything, there’s bound to be plenty to see (and lots of good food to eat).
A Few Not-So-Free Things
Sip a beer on a rooftop
Admire the city from above while drinking una birra–sounds like the perfect afternoon if you ask me. While there is an absolute plethora of these to choose from around the city, Eataly recently opened their rooftop birreria and their beer selection is astonishing!
Party at MoMA PS1
I’ve already mentioned Warm Up but I’m going to mention it again. If you needed a reason to go to Queens, here it is–Warm Up, a daytime dance party held at the modern exhibition space known as MoMA PS1, may be one of the best ways you’ll ever spend a Saturday in NYC. Tickets are $18 in advance or $22 at the door. Student and member discounts available.
Take in the view from Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center, while not the tallest or most historically important building in the city, has one of the best observation deck you can find in New York. The 360º views let you take in Central Park to the north, the Chrysler Building to the east, the Empire State Building and lower Manhattan to the south, and the Hudson to the west. If you have limited time in NYC, you MUST do this. Entry is $29 for adults.
Looking for a place to stay in the Big Apple? Check out my review of The Local NY for a budget-friendly option or The Marcel at Gramercy for luxe digs in Manhattan.
NYC is one of my favorite cities of all time. Have you been? Do you know of more free things to do in New York City? Add them in the comments section below!
