40 Free Things to Do in NYC That Locals Might Not Even Know About

Central Park is—as a whole, of course—one of New York City's most beautiful free things to explore, but we'd like to specifically highlight all the statues there are to see. There's the angel at the top of Bethesda Fountain, Romeo and Juliet in front of the Delacorte Theater (more on that below), and all the authors on Poets Walk. But perhaps our favorite? That would have to be the utterly whimsical recreation of Alice in Wonderland and all of her friends, located at the northern end of Conservatory Water. And we can't forget to mention another must-see beauty: the majestic Belvedere Castle.

Located all the way up on the northeast corner of Central Park, many miss it (even locals). That's why we think it deserves its own spot on our list. Its six acres, which are formally designed, include tulips, lilacs, crabapple trees, summer perennials, and chrysanthemums. And it boasts one of the city's most ornate entrances: the Vanderbilt Gate, previously located at the Vanderbilt mansion on Fifth Avenue and 58th Street.

Yes, we're still in Central Park—but she's got so much to offer. Case in point: The Public's annual summer run of Shakespeare in the Park, performed by some of the finest actors (Al Pacino and Anne Hathaway are alums), in one of the most breathtaking settings. I mean, the Delacorte Theater overlooks Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond. While the tickets are quite coveted, if you rise and shine, you've got a good chance of scoring a ticket in person at either the Delacorte, The Public Theater, or at other various locations throughout the boroughs. You can also try the digital free ticket lottery via TodayTix.

Featuring a full calendar of free activities throughout the summer—including guided meditations, calligraphy lessons, painting classes, a book club with complimentary books, seashell crafts, dance parties, tastings, and more—the new Portside at Brookfield Place is an al fresco oasis.

Admiring works of art can get a little pricey—but luckily, several NYC museums offer free admission on select days. Take the Morgan Library & Museum, for example—which is free to the public on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m., with reservations required. The entire space is beautifully maintained, but we have a soft spot for its East Room. Just look at it. Not only are there floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, but there's also a fireplace that looks as though it belongs in the Beauty & the Beast castle. And while museums like the Met and MoMa, reserve admission perks for New York residents, others—like the Jewish Museum and the Brooklyn Museum—offer free days to the general public.

This summer marks the 30th season of movies in Bryant Park—and no wonder. It's quite the unique experience to watch a classic film against New York City's skyline. This year, Almost Famous, Mean Girls, Roman Holiday, and Good Burger are all on the lineup. And yes, it's all for the price of free. Just make sure to bring a blanket and a friend.

Free 60-minute tours of the NYPL's flagship location, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, are offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Monday through Saturday—all you have to do is reserve your spot when tickets are released on Sundays. And yes, that includes stepping inside the iconic Rose Main Reading Room (pictured here). That's not all: The NYPL also offers over 90,000 free classes for visitors of all ages, from computer assistance and Facebook basics to jewelry making and adult coloring.

Little Island is one of Manhattan's newest grown-up playgrounds—and it's free to enter. Built over the Hudson River on Pier 55, it's the perfect mix of art and nature—and it boasts no shortage of activities, like pop-up dance classes, teen nights, story times, and DJ sets. You only need to pay for tickets to performances in The Amph.

Surely, you've heard of Little Italy and Chinatown. Well, say hello to Manhattan's newest cultural mini-hub: Little Paris. Found on Centre Street in Soho, Little Paris (which was christened by—who else?—the cast of Emily in Paris in December 2022) features French language centers, restaurants, and bakeries (including the adorable Maman, pictured here).

Take the second star to the right—and go all the way up to the Upper East Side. There—specifically, on East End Avenue and 87th Street, right in the center of Carl Schurz Park—you'll find a lovely floral roundabout, and, right in the middle, a statue of the ever-ageless Peter Pan. He's surrounded by benches, making it the perfect place to read or simply rest.

Do you want to see the exterior of the Friends apartment? Head to the corner of Bedford and Grove in Greenwich Village, pictured here. (Pro tip: This red café is called The Little Owl, and it's just as delicious as it is adorable.) How about the iconic steps so often featured in Gossip Girl? Stop by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you're more of a Sex & The City fan, the exterior of Carrie's apartment was filmed in the West Village—not on the Upper East Side, where she lives in the show. And if you're traveling with kids who love Eloise, they'll of course be delighted to see The Plaza Hotel.

The Staten Island Ferry is one of the only free forms of public transportation in New York City, which is reason alone to celebrate it—but it also happens to be the closest you'll get to the Statue of Liberty without paying a dime.

Nearly every holiday celebrated in New York City comes with a parade—St. Patrick's Day, Pride, and Halloween, to name a few. But if you're traveling with kids, it's hard to top Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as it features more than a dozen giant balloons, countless performers, and, of course, Santa himself. All it will cost you to attend is an early wake-up time—and perhaps a few extra layers.

If you love walking tours and books, send your thanks to the Brooklyn Public Library. They've whipped up a walking tour featuring some of your favorite authors—including Ezra Jack Keats, Margaret Wise Brown, and Maurice Sendak—and uploaded it to the Otocast app, where you can listen to it at your own pace, free of charge.

Every summer, Capital One and the City Parks Foundation host SummerStage, a season-long festival featuring your favorite artists (like Taylor Swift, as you can see) performing at parks across all five boroughs. And it's not just pop—jazz players, indie artists, and opera singers are all known to perform. Check out the City Park Foundation's website for the full calendar.

At the time it was built, the 3,460-foot Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today? It's the perfect thing to walk to get your steps in. The magnificent views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the East River certainly don't hurt. Neither does the fact that, when you get to the Brooklyn side, you'll be presented with one of the best ice cream shops in the boroughs: the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

This one's for all of you out there with Love Actually on loop. NYC is chock-full of fabulous Christmas trees. Yes, there's Rockefeller Center's famed conifer, but there are also absolute stunners to see at the The Met, Washington Square Park, Bryant Park, the New York Stock Exchange, the South Street Seaport, Bloomberg Tower, on the facade of Radio City Music Hall, and our personal favorite, Lotte New York Palace (pictured here).

After a pandemic hiatus, Lincoln Center's Summer for the City has returned, complete with its bounty of free performances, silent discos, and dance classes. (There are also events specifically designed for families.) For the complete schedule, click here.

The High Line is, indeed, one of New York City's public parks, but it's certainly not your average park. Instead of being crafted out of the land, the High Line was actually built on one of NYC's historic, elevated train lines. If you walk its length, it'll take you all the way from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards, while showcasing nature, art, and design.

With seats offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, watch everything from the tennis Grand Slam championships, golf majors, basketball playoffs, hockey playoffs, Preakness Stakes, and cycling events on a 30-foot screen in Hudson Yards. See the upcoming schedule here.