Let’s face it, New York City is expensive. Anyone who has ever been knows this and even if you haven’t been, you’ve probably heard it. I have been to New York City multiple times and have put together a list of things to do that are completely free! Yes, free. It doesn’t get better than that!
Brooklyn Brewery Tours
Even if you don’t like beer, going on a brewery tour is actually really fun! Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn Brewery offers free tours on Saturday and Sunday and small batch tours during the week. The small batch tours are not not free, but only cost $15.00, which is still a very reasonably priced way to spend an afternoon in NYC.
The High Line
Located on the southwestern side of Manhattan, The High Line is a great way to spend an afternoon in NYC. It’s a 1.45 mile linear park, greenway, and rail trail located on top of an abandoned railway. It is NYC’s only elevated park and a really unique addition to Manhattan.
Juilliard Performances
If you like theatre, orchestra, or dance then I highly recommend checking out a Juilliard performance while in NYC. The school’s website has a calendar with all upcoming shows and some of them are free! It’s a great way to spend an afternoon or evening and support all of the students who work hard throughout the year.
Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park
A great place to spend a few hours, especially if you have kids. Pier 6 is located in Brooklyn and has playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and a dog run. There are also some pretty amazing views of downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. I would also recommend taking some time to walk around Brooklyn once you’re done. I personally love Brooklyn and think it’s so underrated. Stop for some pizza at Juliana’s while you’re at it. You won’t regret it, trust me.
Kayaking at the Downtown Boathouse
For all you outdoor lovers, I would suggest taking advantage of the free kayak program at the Downtown Boathouse. It’s open to the public (from May-October) and includes a sit-on-top kayak and all safety equipment. The boathouse also offers lockers (with locks) and changing rooms. This is an awesome way to enjoy Manhattan from a different viewpoint and see first hand how far cleaning up the Hudson River has come.
I hope you enjoyed my list. What are some of your favorite free things to do in New York City? I would love to hear all your recommendations.
