Have an incredible trip to New York City with our round-up of the best things to do for every budget. From fun free activites to luxury indulgences, we’ve collected a whole heap of fabulous things you can do in this iconic city, no matter what your budget.
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The Best Free Things To Do in New York
New York is one expensive city, but there are things you can do for zero dollars that will free up your budget and put a smile on your face. It’s impossible to have a bad time for free right?!
Stroll along the High Line
The High Line is a free public park that was once a freight railway line. There’s some amazing greenery and planting – at certain points it’s easy forget you’re still in a city – plus they also do events and performances up here too!
It’s over on the west side of Manhattan and runs from the Meatpacking district through Chelsea to Hudson Yards. It’s about one and a half miles long – and you can walk it all or just do a section. Its elevated position makes it great for getting a new viewpoint, and is a nice little escape from the bustle below.
Visit paying museums when they're free
One of my favourite things about New York is that loads of museums that you normally pay a fair whack for have specific times when you can visit for free OR a nominal contribution, generally known as pay-what-you-wish.
Sometimes there’ll be a minimum donation or the insititution will guide you by stating a fee it thinks is appropriate.
Some of my top picks for a free visit include:
The Morgan Library
Free Friday nights, 5-8pm
The Morgan Library is an incredible library collection in a stunning building in Midtown Manhattan. You’ll need to reserve your free ticket a week in advance.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Pay what you wish Monday & Saturday, 4-5.30pm
You might recognise this iconic modern art museum and its distinctive spiral ramp from movies like Men In Black and Manhattan. It’s the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on the Upper East Side. It’s best to get ‘pay what you wish’ tickets online the same morning, as only a limited number are available at the museum during the designated hours.
American Museum of Natural History
Free daily during the last hour of opening
See exhibits and fossils from the natural world at the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side – there’s some epic stuff in here, from an enormous blue whale to dinosaur skeletons. You’ll need a reservation, check the ‘Corporate Members and IDNYC’ option on the ticketing page.
There are also a bunch of free museums in the city that will never charge you to go in. These include The National Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan and Hamilton Grange (his former home – one for Hamilton musical fans) in Hamilton Heights.
Ride the Staten Island ferry
The Staten Island ferry runs between Manhattan and Staten Island, and is a free service run by the City of New York.
It’s a great way to see the iconic Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and get those must-have photos.
Depending on the time of year, wrap warm and hold onto your hat, as it gets breezy out in the harbour!
Capture the Manhattan Skyline at North 5th Street Pier
Get even more ‘grammable photos with the Manhattan skyline as your backdrop at North 5th Street Pier and Park.
This spot in Brooklyn has wooden loungers so you can linger a moment and admire the views. It’s a great spot for a sunset pic.
Other spots for killer photos are Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO (which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). If you’re a morning person (it could never be me!) then why not pop along at sunrise to get some perfect shots without the crowds?
Jam with street performers in the park
So many films set in New York city – especially the romantic ones – contain a scene featuring street musicians or performers in the park. On my visit it was really amazing to see the sheer talent on display from performing New Yorkers, who create such great vibes for everyone to enjoy.
Some of the best spots for catching street performers are Washington Square Park and Central Park – head to Bethesda Terrace. And whilst it’s tecnically free, if you can show your appreciation with a tip, so much the better!
Listen to some jazz in Harlem
African-American music really thrived in 1920s New York, as there was a focus on the celebration of Black art, music and culture during that time.
Harlem was the centre of this movement and you can still visit the bars where it was first born. Try classic spots Bill’s Place and Minton’s Playhouse, which even puts on late night jam sessions for free.
Looking for New York hotel inspo?
Browse our round up of the best affordable and stylish hotels in New York
The Best Cheap Things To Do in New York
Give your wallet a rest with these cheap things to do that let you savour some local flavours and a dash of culture too.
Watch some stand-up comedy
Head to an intimate comedy gig for a belly-full of laughs without a big price tag.
There’ll usually be a ticket price or cover charge to pay. And sometimes you’ll be expected to buy a minimum number of items like drinks or food while you’re there too. When you’re budgeting, remember the food and drink prices you see displayed on menus across the city will get city tax and a gratuity added to them, so don’t be caught out.
Our top picks include Comedy Cellar, which runs at various locations and has shows from $15 (with a 2 item minimum order per person), New York Comedy Club which runs shows from $19 (plus admin fee and minimum spend) and The Stand, which runs a free show called Frantic on Monday evenings – you just pay a service fee of $3.09.
- Comedy nights from $3.09 / £2.45
Looking for ways to save money on your trip to The Big Apple?
Check out our 10 Ways to Save Money On Your New York Trip
Eat at a food market
New York city is chock-full of food markets, so if you’re ready for a meal but don’t want to pay restaurant prices, then head on over for a munch!
Popular spots include Chelsea Market in the Meatapacking district (open Mon-Sat, 11am-9pm and Sun 8am-8pm), one of the OG food halls where you can get lobster rolls, tacos and gelato.
Canal Street (open Mon-Sun, 11am-8pm), which is on the edge of Soho and Chinatown – try the Cantonese rice rolls or grab a sundae.
There’s also Lexington Market in Midtown (open Mon-Fri, 7am-9pm), where you can try award-winning burgers, Taiwanese bao buns and Greek gyros.
- Tacos from $4.75 / £3.75
Tuck into a New York bagel
You can’t visit New York without getting your chops around a classic New York bagel. Head for a deli and try the classic salt beef with mustard and pickles, or go for lox – smoked salmon and cream cheese with a garnish or two. Try local institutions Russ & Daughters or Barney Greengrass.
If you’re coeliac or gluten free, don’t despair – hit up Modern Bread and Bagel for ‘the absolute best gluten free bagels on the planet’.
- Bagel from $13.50 / £10.75
The Best Affordable Things To Do in New York
We’re super keen to help you enjoy New York on a budget, so read on for our suggestions of affordable activities in the city.
Watch a Broadway show
See world-class talent and enjoy the electric atmosphere of a Broadway show. And if you think London’s West End is expensive, prepare to reconsider!
This is definitely a treat activity, but you can also find ways to get a cheaper ticket. Like in London, there are a couple of TKTS booths in the city that sell cut-price tickets for matinees and evening performances on the same day. Plus you can use the discount ticket platform TodayTix here too!
- Discounted theatre tickets from $23 / £18
Visit Color Factory
Promising 14 interactive art exhibits, and – let’s face it – a shedload of photo opportunities, Color Factory is a cool and unserious spot that’ll give your dopamine levels a boost. Local and international artists have been commissioned to create vibrant installations that ‘celebrate the many shades of the city’.
- Color Factory ticket from $29 / £23
Do a workout class
If you’re a Peloton fan, then you might know that you can sign up for live rides at their New York studios, PSNY. So you’re actually taking the class in the studio alongside the instructor.
These spots are hugely popular, and they do get snapped up super fast, but there is a waitlist so why not try your luck? You can book a class 6 weeks in advance, and they cost $35 – you don’t have to be a member to go.
- PSNY class from $35 / £28
Take a carriage ride in Central Park
Fully embrace the tourist within you and hop on a guided horse and carriage ride around Central Park. You’ll hear all about famous locations from your knowledgable guide. Plus you can even choose tours with scheduled photo stops so there’s plenty of opportunity for pics!
- Horse and carriage ride from $39.20 / £31.10pp
The Best Luxury Things To Do in New York
Spoil yourself with a splurge on a spendy activity – we’ve picked some of the best.
Take a helicopter ride
New York’s famous cityscape makes it the perfect candidate for a helicopter ride. You’ll get an amazing fresh perspective on iconic sights like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Plus it’s a great way to see all of this huge city in a short space of time!
- Helicopter ride from $200 / £158.50pp
Stay in an iconic hotel for the night
There are some seriously swanky hotels in this city where you could play out some of your wildest tv- or movie-star dreams. So why not splash out on a night’s stay? Save it for the end of your trip as a special way to savour your final moments in New York.
If you can’t stretch to a night, you could always visit the bar for a drink or take afternoon tea in the lounge.
- Room at The Plaza from $1,117 / £886 per night
Swim on a rooftop
What better way to soak up the city views that from a luxurious cabana beside a rooftop pool?
Get yourself a day pass for Virgin Hotels New York City, and you can enjoy a day of leisure chilling out by the pool. This is actually one of my favourite hacks for getting to use the facilities of a nice hotel without having to cough up to stay there.
This one is a great activity if you’re visiting in summer, when New York can get hot and muggy – and be aware the pool will open seasonally. There’s a per head minimum spend for food and beverages, although they do throw in a few drinks for free.
- Cabana (for up to 5 people) from $200 / £159
Plan Your Trip With Our Best Things To Do in New York for Every Budget
As the city that never sleeps, New York has so much going on that it’s hard to know where to start. Our pick of the best things to do in New York for every budget can help you get the most out of your trip, and even leave you some cash for a souvenir or two!
