10 things to see and do in NYC on a budget

The city that never sleeps… Well, this is one of my favorite cities in the world. This city is quite sprawling and exciting. It offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for nightlife, history, art, or food, you will not be disappointed.

New York City fills your camera with stunning pictures of the city’s colorful skyline. NYC does come with a hefty price tag. But thankfully there are tons of budget-friendly activities. If you know exactly where to look, then it is totally possible to visit some of the attractions, devour street food, and have a fabulous time without going into debt of credit card.

Are you also looking for free things to do in NYC that is actually worth it? I shall cover that too. You have landed on the right page! You can get to do dozens of amazing things for free.

In this guide, I am going to help you plan your trip by telling you about 10 things to see and do in NYC on a budget:

Ride the Staten Island Ferry

Staten Island Ferry is a complimentary ferry that runs between Staten Island and Manhattan. The 25-minute trip offers you a view of the Statue of Liberty. This is one of the most scenic ferry rides in the U.S. It is a good option to get close to the Statue of Liberty without paying the expensive ticket, thus making it one of the best free things to do in New York City.

You can grab a good viewing spot and admire the skyline of NYC from the water when the boat heads away from Battery Park. You can also check out the Empire Outlets, which has been opened two years back.

Stroll through the Central Park

Central Park spans around 863 acres. You can explore the lush nooks and crannies. While admiring nature, you can spot the romantic and picturesque Bow Bridge, a cast-iron bridge that serves as the backdrop for many TV shows and film scenes.

Do you enjoy birdwatching? If yes, then this fact will fascinate you… There are around 230 different species of birds found in Central Park? If you are a bird-watching novice, you can borrow a kid-friendly discovery kit for free consisting of binoculars, maps, a guidebook, and sketching materials from the Conservancy Visitor Center.

Conservancy also offers tours of different areas within the park. If you do not want any guided tour, then you can enjoy a self-guided virtual tour. From the late spring to the early fall, free guided walks are run by the parks service on Saturdays around 11 AM.

Venture along the High Line

A hidden gem in NYC, it is built above the Manhattan streets atop an old railroad line. This location is perfect for an afternoon stroll while sipping coffee. Opened in 2009, it features seasonally shifting works of food vendors, gardens, art, and performances.

Stretching from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street, it is open all year round, making it an excellent way to have a unique perspective on the Chelsea streets and the Hudson River beyond.

You can also join the Amateur Astronomers Association to look through high-powered telescopes. Stargazing is completely free and does not require a reservation. You just need to show up on the High Line at 14th Street every Tuesday at dusk between April and October.

Take a tour of Brooklyn Brewery

If you are interested in learning the art of beer making, then you can go for Brooklyn Brewery’s free weekend tours. It is conducted every half hour from 1 PM-6 PM. While you wait, you can sample the beers in the Williamsburg tasting room.

These free tours run on Saturday and Sunday.

Connect with Nature at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This 52-acre garden is located in the borough of Brooklyn, NYC. For nature lovers, a quick fact-it holds over 14,000 taxa of plants. This stunning garden has nearly a million visitors each year.

It is located very close to Prospect Park. Depending on the season, it offers free admission on certain days. You can visit it for free on weekdays from December through February.

There is an annual highlight, Sakura Matsuri Cherry-Blossom Festival that is conducted each spring. It is free for Brooklyn Botanic Garden members and $30 for non-members.

Walk across Brooklyn Bridge

One of the most iconic sights in New York City, walking through it is one of the best ways to enjoy it. When this was finished constructed in 1883, it was known to be the longest suspension bridge. It is 1.13 miles long and there is a shared elevated pathway for cyclists and pedestrians. On your 25-minute walk into Brooklyn and the waterfront park on another side of the bridge, you can also view Manhattan’s skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

It is now declared as the National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. If you want a view of the skyline of downtown, this is probably the best place to view that. It is advisable to go early as it tends to be crowded during the day.

For an unforgettable experience, do not skip the sunrise.

Wander under hundreds of lanterns at Chinatown

Hundreds of lanterns glow above Mott Street, between Bayard Streets and Canal. The ambience is such that you would feel very inviting. The lanterns were installed by Light Up Chinatown Project.

The effect is quite magical, I must say. It mimics a celebratory atmosphere.

The speciality about these nylon lanterns is that they are individually designed and personalized with Chinese calligraphy and names. It is altogether a different feeling to stand under so many lanterns.

Broadway Show

You definitely can’t miss seeing a Broadway show when you are in the theater capital of the world. Some of the shows that you may get to see are The Lion King, Aladdin, Hamilton, School of Rock, or The Phantom of the Opera.

You can find discounted tickets at the TKTS offices around the city (South Street Seaport, Times Square, and downtown Brooklyn) for shows that day. You can see it on their app too. You need to shell out around $100.

Times Square

Brightly lit by numerous billboards and ads, this is one of the most happening places in NYC. It is also referred to as the “Crossroads of the World”. No matter whenever you go, it is usually packed with people. You can shop around, or have mouthwatering street food, or plan to see a show.

It is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the world and is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District.

Step in St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Opened in 1879, this neo-gothic masterpiece is located between the 50th and 51st streets. It is close to another landmark, Rockefeller Center.

It shines with a cleaned exterior. The cathedral underwent restoration in 2016. The interior remains untouched. It is worth visiting and you can get to know about the history through a free tour.

Not just these 10 places, there is much more to explore in NYC:

• World Trade Center
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Wall Street
• Battery Park
• Grand Central Terminal
• Trinity Church
• The Guggenheim Museum
• City Hall
• Rockefeller Center
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The Frick Collection
• The Museum of the City of New York
• Empire State Building
• Whitney Museum
• Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
• Bronx Zoo
• See a TV Show
• Green-Wood Cemetery
• Grand Bazaar NYC
• Bryant Park Picnic Performances
• Van Cortlandt House Museum
• Kayak for free at the Downtown Boathouse
• Watch outdoor movies at Astoria Park Lawn in Queens
• Free Wine & Spirit Tastings
• Attend free NYC events & festivals
• New York Public Library
• Chelsea Market
• New York Public Library
• Ice Cream Museum

NYC has never-ending things to do. Now you know there is so much that doesn’t cost a dime. You would love to revisit this eclectic and diverse city.