Despite being one of the most expensive cities to live in, New York City offers many free activities, events, and attractions all year round, letting you pinch pennies when the rent check is due. From free lectures at the Met to free group meditation classes, there are tons of activities that don’t cost a dime. To help New York visitors and natives alike, we’ve put together a guide of the 100 best wallet-friendly things to do in the Big Apple.
Museums & Monuments
Whether it’s your first time in New York, or you have lived here all of your life, exploring one of the many museums is a must. However, it’s not cheap to visit these incredible institutions, with admission costing upwards of $25 at many of them. Thankfully, a lot of museums offer discounted or completely free days once per week or month. And, even better, some offer free admission every day.
1. African Burial Ground National Monument 290 Broadway between Duane and Elk Street, Lower Manhattan The monument, which is the first of its kind dedicated to Africans of early New York, contains the remains of more than 419 Africans buried during the late 17th and 18th centuries in NYC. The indoor center and outdoor memorial are always free Tuesday-Saturday.
2. General Ulysses S Grant National Memorial Riverside Drive at 122nd Street, Morningside Heights, Manhattan Known as Grant’s Tomb, the memorial is the final resting place of the 18th President of the U.S. and his wife Julia Dent Grant. The visitor center and memorial are free every day it’s open–Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
3. Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Sunset Park, Brooklyn The 478-acre park is a Revolutionary War historic site and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. Admission to the cemetery, which operates seasonally seven days a week, is free at all times.
4. The New Museum 235 Bowery, Lower East Side, Manhattan A home for contemporary art and ideas, the New Museum offers pay-what-you-wish admission on Thursday nights between 7-9 p.m.
5. National Museum of the American Indian One Bowling Green, Bowling Green, Manhattan A part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum aims to advance the knowledge and understanding of Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere. Admission is always free, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and Thursdays to 8 p.m.
6. Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn The Brooklyn Museum is the city’s third-largest at 560,000 square feet and contains over 1.5 million pieces of art. Free on the first Saturday of the month only from 5-11 p.m. with a 5-7 p.m. happy hour.
7. Bronx Museum of the Arts 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx The Bronx Museum of the Arts is an internationally recognized contemporary art museum that connects diverse audiences to the urban experience. It is always free, with operating hours 11 am- 6 pm, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and to 8 pm on Thursday.
8. Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53rd Street, Midtown West, Manhattan At one of the world’s preeminent modern art museums, admission is free every Friday from 4-8 p.m.
9. Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35 Avenue, Astoria, Queens This Queens museum remains the only in the U.S. dedicated to the art, history, and technology of the moving image. Admission is free from 4-8 p.m. every Friday.
10. Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens Dating back to 1697, the farm museum occupies New York City’s largest remaining piece of undisturbed farmland. The farm grounds are open daily, year-round from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and are always free, except during public events.
11. Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art 26 Wooster Street, Soho, Manhattan The museum is the first dedicated LGBTQ art museum in the world. It’s open 12-6 p.m. Wednesday- Sunday and 12-8 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is free, but there’s a suggested donation of $9 per person.
12. BRIC House 647 Fulton Street, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Daily admission BRIC House, Brooklyn’s leading presenter of free cultural programming, is free.
13. Museum of Jewish Heritage Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place, Battery Park City, Manhattan In memorial of those who died in the Holocaust, the museum features more than 25,000 items related to Jewish history. Admission to the museum is free on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-8 p.m.
14. Federal Hall National Memorial 26 Wall Street, Financial District, Manhattan At this spot on Wall Street, George Washington took the oath of office and was the site of the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. The memorial is open all year from Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm and admission is free.
15. Onassis Cultural Center Olympic Tower, 645 Fifth Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan The cultural center promotes Greek culture through art exhibitions and events. Its operating hours vary for events, but the Olympic Tower Atrium remains open daily and admission is free.
16. Tibet House US Cultural Center 22 West 15th Street, Union Square, Manhattan Created at the request of the Dalai Lama, the cultural center aims to preserve the unique culture of Tibet. Admission to the cultural center is free, with a suggested donation of $5, and open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
17. New York Aquarium Surf Avenue & West 8th Street, Coney Island, Brooklyn What better location for an aquarium than beachfront in Brooklyn? The Coney Island icon, the oldest continually operating aquarium in the U.S., offers pay-what-you-wish on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to closing.
18. Castle Clinton 26 Wall Street, Financial District, Manhattan As the country’s first immigration station before Ellis Island, Castle Clinton welcomed more than 8 million people between 1855 and 1890. It also was formerly a beer garden, a theater and home to the New York Aquarium. The free national monument is open every day, from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art Installation & Galleries
Catching up with the city’s ever-changing art scene is made easy thanks to the abundance of free artwork on display throughout NYC. While digging into the many classic art galleries of Chelsea is always recommended, the outer boroughs also offer their fair share of inspiring installations. Head to the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens or Brooklyn’s Williamsburg Art & Historical Center for free art every day.
19. David Zwirner Gallery 519, 525 and 533 West 19th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan At this acclaimed Chelsea gallery, which opened in 2002, visitors can explore the works of many European and American contemporary artists. The exhibition space is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to explore.
20. The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Seventh Avenue and 27th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan The museum’s permanent collection includes about 50,000 garments and accessories ranging from the 18th century to the present day. Admission is free to the public Tuesday through Friday from noon to 8 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
21. Japan Society Gallery 333 East 47th Street, Midtown, Manhattan Since 1971, the Japan Society Gallery has been a premier institution for Japanese art, ranging from classical Buddhist sculpture to paintings from the 21st century. It’s free on Fridays, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
22. New York Earth Room 141 Wooster Street, Soho, Manhattan The spacious Soho gallery features a 22-inch deep pile of soil, weighing 280,000 pounds. See the “interior earth sculpture installation” for free Wednesday through Sunday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
23. Socrates Sculpture Park 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens Once an abandoned landfill and dumpsite, the waterfront sculpture park supports local artists and is an internationally acclaimed outdoor museum. The park is open and free every day, from 9 a.m. to sunset.
24. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, Harlem, Manhattan Current exhibits at the center, one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to the black experience, include Black Power! and Power in Print, both exploring the art of the Black Power movement. It’s open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and closed on Sunday.
25. Brooklyn Central Library galleries 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Sitting right next to Prospect Park, the sprawling library presents local and international artists and their work, usually with exhibitions relating to cultural themes and books. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
26. AIA New York Chapter Center for Architecture 536 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village, Manhattan As the oldest and largest chapter of the American Insitute of Architects, the center hosts hundreds of free, public programs that focus on architecture, planning, and design. Gallery hours are Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
27. Pierogi 2000 155 Suffolk Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan Known for its eclectic and thought-provoking pieces, Pierogi 2000 features the work of both new and mid-career artists. Check out the gallery Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
28. Williamsburg Art & Historical Center 135 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn This multifaceted art center aims to create a bridge between artists on a local and international scale. The gallery in the WAH Center [“WAH” in Japanese means “peace” or harmony”] is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 pm.
Food & Drink Deals
As most New Yorkers know, the best things in life are free…food. If you’re scrimping on cents until payday, try heading to one of the bars below. From complimentary-with-a-beverage pizza and Murry’s Cheese to bagels and cream cheese spread, you’ll end the month with both wallet and stomach happily full.
29. Ryan Maguire’s Restaurant & Bar 28 Cliff Street, Financial District, Manhattan This classic Irish pub offers a free buffet from Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m.
30. Croxley’s Ale House 63 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Calling itself Brooklyn’s “original craft beer, sport’s bar and restaurant,” Croxley’s offers up classic [and cheap] pub food and lots of beers on tap. It’s known for its complimentary boneless wing buffet on Fridays, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
31. Alligator Lounge 600 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn At this Brooklyn bar, a free personal pizza comes with every drink purchase every day until 3:30 a.m.
32. Brazen Head 228 Atlantic Avenue, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Complimentary food ranges from free wings on Monday to free plates of cheese and wine discounts on Wednesday. Deals happen almost every night but vary.
33. Blind Tiger Ale House 281 Bleecker Street, West Village, Manhattan With nearly 28 beers on tap and free cheese, you can’t go wrong at this alehouse. Complimentary cheese from Murray’s Cheese, Wednesday at 6 p.m.
34. The Levee 212 Berry Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn This old-fashioned bar provides life’s simple pleasures like beer, booze, and billiards. Oh, and free cheese puffs daily.
35. Matt Torrey’s 46 Bushwick Avenue, East Williamsburg, Brooklyn In addition to that $5 Bloody Mary, enjoy a free spread of bagels and all the fixings at Matt Torrey’s during brunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon.
36. Rudy’s 627 9th Avenue, Midtown West, Manhattan At one of the oldest dive bars in New York City, free hot dogs accompany every beverage. As Anthony Bourdain once put it, “When you sit down, I don’t know about a free hot dog. But after a few beers, it seems like a good idea.”
37. Astor Wine & Spirits 399 Lafayette Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan The spacious wine hub in the landmarked De Vinne Press Building provides weekly free wine tastings. Check the schedule for specific wines and other events.
38. Crocodile Lounge 325 East 14th Street, East Village, Manhattan Like its gator sister in Williamsburg, the Crocodile Lounge offers a free mini pizza with every drink purchase. Every day. Every hour. The East Village haunt also has skee ball, trivia nights and a daily happy hour.
Walking Tours
For lovers of beer, architecture, history and everything in between, a walking tour exists. New York City, one of the easiest cities to navigate by foot, is chock full of historic and unique spots. Although some can be expensive, a lot of organizations provide free tours, requiring only a reservation. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes and get a camera ready.
39. Brooklyn Brewery 79 North 11th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn A former matzo factory turned brewery, the famed Brooklyn Brewery offers free tours every Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
40. City Hall City Hall Park, Financial District, Manhattan Visit one of the oldest continuously used City Halls in the nation that still houses its original governmental function with a public tour run by the city’s Design Commission. No reservation is required for tours on Wednesday.
41. Federal Reserve Bank of New York 44 Maiden Lane, Wall Street, Manhattan At the Federal Reserve, tours teach visitors about the role of the New York Fed and the Federal Reserve System in setting monetary policy and let New Yorkers explore the gold vault, 80 feet below street level. Tours require a reservation of at least 30 days in advance.
42. Grand Central Partnership 120 Park Avenue [across Grand Central], Midtown, Manhattan Urban historians Peter Laskowich and Madeleine Levi walk visitors through the terminal’s whispering gallery, the “original” Lincoln Memorial and more. Free tours consist of 90-minute walking tours at 12:30 p.m. every Friday.
43. NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building 476 Fifth Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan As the flagship building of the New York Public Library, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building boasts Beaux-Arts architecture and world-renowned collections. The library offers free tours 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday- Saturday, 2 pm Sunday.
44. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets, Midtown, Manhattan Learn more about the famed cathedral’s deep-rooted history in the city and explore its architectural wonders with free tours Monday through Friday beginning at 10 am. There is a suggested $5 donation for admission.
45. Chelsea Craft Brewing 463 East 173rd Street, Claremont Village, The Bronx Chelsea Craft Brewing, which opened in 1995, can be credited for jumpstarting the city’s brewery craze. Free tours are available Saturday, 2-6 pm, and include a free beer sample.
46. Big Apple Greeter 1 Centre Street, Financial District, Manhattan Big Apple Greeter’s more than 300 volunteers bring roughly 7,000 visitors a year to over 100 neighborhoods throughout NYC. Reserve tours three to four weeks in advance.
47. Village Alliance 131 East 10th Street, East Village, Manhattan The walking tour stretches from St. Marks Place to Sixth Avenue, taking in sites like the residences of Lou Reed and Andy Warhol and the studios where Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan performed. Head to St. Mark’s Church at 11:30 every Saturday until October for the free walking tour.
48. Hamilton Grange 414 West 141st Street, Harlem, Manhattan Free and open year-round, the Hamilton Grange National Memorial is the preserved relocated Federalist style home of Alexander Hamilton. The home was moved twice, in 1889 and 2008. Get a ranger-led tour Wednesdays through Sundays, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
49. Gracie Mansion East End Avenue and 88th Street, Yorkville, Manhattan On Mondays only, visitors can explore the “people’s house,” the official house of the mayor of New York. Free tours are offered at 10 am, 11 am and 5 pm but require a reservation.
Outdoor Activities
As new construction and development projects continue to rise above us every day, it seems as if there’s nothing outside of this chaotic, concrete jungle. In reality, nature-filled, outdoor activities do exist in New York City that doesn’t include walking to your neighborhood’s deli. Plus, most of them are free all of the time, like the city’s public pools and parks.
50. The Downtown Boathouse Hudson River Park, Tribeca, Manhattan The all-volunteer organization is the largest free kayaking organization in the world. Find free kayaking at Pier 26 and Governors Island. At Pier 26, kayaking is offered on the weekend starting May 19 until October 8, from 9 am to 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from June 19 to September 13, free kayaking is open from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
51. Staten Island Ferry 4 South Street, South Ferry, Manhattan & 1 Bay Street, Staten Island Without costing a penny, ride the ferry for 25 minutes from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island for incredible views of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline. The fare-free ferry runs every day, making a total of 118 trips per weekday.
52. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 150 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn First founded and designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is now considered a premier garden in the heart of the borough. It is free Friday between 8 a.m. and noon and weekdays in winter.
53. Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx The impressive Zoo spans 265-acres free and includes more than 6,000 animals. Every Wednesday, admission is pay-what-you-wish. Open daily from April 1 to November 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the winter months, the zoo closes at 4:30 p.m.
54. New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx Visit one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world, as well as the largest in any city, for free all day Wednesday and from 9-10 am on Saturday.
55. The High Line From Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues, Manhattan Explore the High Line, an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park, for free every day. Open Dec. 1- Mar. 31, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; April 1 to May 31, from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; June 1 to Sept. 30, from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
56. Moonlight Ride through Central Park Columbus Circle [SW corner of Central Park], Manhattan At 10 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, take a fun, but relaxing, bike ride through Central Park at night. While the guided bike [or rollerblade] ride is free, participants should bring their own bike, helmet, and light. Moonlight Ride offers tours all year round, but riders must reserve a spot.
57. City Island’s Land Ferry 6 Park Place, Pelham, New York [No. 6 train station at Pelham Bay Park] City Island is a small, nautical island in the northeastern part of the Bronx. For those who want to learn more about the island can take a free”land ferry” or decorated minibus on the first Friday of the month from the train station to City Island. The land ferry picks up passengers from the No. 6 train on the first Friday of the month from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. every half-hour and provides free tours.
58. NYC pools Various locations in all boroughs To benefit from the city’s free public pools, all you need is a swimsuit. Free swim programs for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities are available. Pool hours are from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. during the summer only.
59. Free fishing Various locations in all boroughs The city boasts over 500 miles of shoreline, as well as lakes and rivers, so there’s plenty of opportunities to fish. While it’s free to fish in every borough, city regulations must be followed.
60. Long Island City Community Boathouse 46-01 5th Street, Long Island City, Queens On selected weekend afternoons, the boathouse, in partnership with the Socrates Sculpture Park, provides free walk-up paddling at Hallets Cove and at Anable Basin for people of all skill levels. While the free kayaking programs are seasonal, the boathouse also has programs that promote awareness about the environment and the New York harbor.
61. The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club 2nd Avenue near Bond Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn The canoe club, a totally volunteer-run organization, offers free canoe tours of the Gowanus Canal while providing a history lesson with it. In addition to canoe tours, visitors can partake in kayaking and boating in Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Long Island City, and Staten Island. The free self-guided canoe trips are first-come, first-served, but be sure to check the club’s schedule ahead of time.
62. The Elevated Acre 55 Water Street, Financial District, Manhattan Discreetly tucked between two office buildings, there is a secret, totally free, elevated plaza. The hidden meadow features gardens, plants, and peace from the chaotic streets below. While eating lunch is free every day, sometimes free programs, like yoga classes, also are available.
63. Brooklyn Heights Promenade Between Joralemon Street and Grace Court, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Just one-third of a mile long, this promenade has been called one of the most romantic spots in Brooklyn. With sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline and iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the spot is priceless. And right next door, the Brooklyn Bridge offers a ton of free events daily.
64. Fort Wadsworth 210 New York Avenue, Staten Island The 226-acre public park, one of the oldest military sites in the country, guarded New York City for over 200 years. The fort is open and free every day from dawn to dusk.
65. NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers programs Various locations in all boroughs Since 1979, the Urban Park Rangers program has helped New Yorkers connect with nature through public education, lectures, and outdoor adventures. Rangers run various free events all year, like canoeing, family camping, hiking, and fishing.
66. Ping Pong in Bryant Park Sixth Ave and West 42nd Street, Midtown, Manhattan Bryant Park features two state-of-the-art ping pong tables with paddles and balls, for free daily in the summer. Get your pong from 11 am to 7 pm through September 30.
Live Entertainment
In the “city that never sleeps,” live entertainment is never hard to find. And surprisingly, finding free events is easier than you think. There are hundreds of venues across all boroughs that offer discounted or free tickets. Watch talented performers every night of the week for free, whether it’s an improv show, an open-mic night or even a taping of Stephen Colbert’s show.
67. ASSSSCAT 3000 at UCBT in Hell’s Kitchen555 West 42nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan The iconic Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Chelsea closed after 14 years. But no need to worry. Free performances are still happening at UCB’s new Hell’s Kitchen location. Every Sunday, the 9:30 p.m. performance of ASSSSCAT 3000, a show of long-form improve, is free. Reservations are not accepted.
68. The Creek and the Cave 10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, Queens For good food and free comedy, go to LIC’s the Creek and the Cave. The venue’s schedule is jam-packed with great shows, stand up and screenings, so there’s always something. Every day, the restaurant and bar are open late.
69. The Sherry Vine Show at Industry 355 West 52nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan Experience one of the longest-running drag shows in New York, with a full hour of parodies and Broadway tunes. The door opens every Wednesday at 11 p.m. at Industry.
70. Lucky Jack’s 129 Orchard Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan Every Wednesday, Lucky Jack’s offers free comedy shows at 9 p.m., with no drink minimum required.
71. Otto’s Shrunken Head 538 East 14th St, East Village, Manhattan With its tropical drinks and tiki bar vibe, the nearly daily free music and comedy at Otto’s Shrunken Head is just an added bonus. Otto’s remains a favorite for punk rock fans and musicians alike.
72. Brooklyn Night Bazaar 150 Greenpoint Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn The massive club, with four bars, features three levels of live music, stand-up comedy, vendors, arcade games, and private karaoke lounges. Check out the Brooklyn Bazaar’s schedule for free or super cheap nightly events.
73. Knitting Factory 361 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Despite being known more for its eclectic live music, the Knitting Factory also has free comedy every Sunday at 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show is first come, first served.
74. Daytime or Late-Night talk show tickets Various studio locations For free, you can be a part of the studio audience for shows like the Daily Show, Good Morning America, Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver and more. It does take some planning, so be sure to reserve them online with plenty of time before the show.
75. Friends & Lovers 641 Classon Ave, Crown Heights, Brooklyn In increasingly-hipster Crown Heights, Friends & Lovers has indie and island funk music, political meet-ups and old-school dance parties, most of them free. Every Monday, there’s a free comedy show at 8 p.m.
76. Union Pool 484 Union Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Once a pool-supply outlet, Union Pool has multiple bars, outdoor space, a taco truck and free shows every Monday, 10 p.m.
77. Ear Inn 326 Spring Street, Soho, Manhattan At Ear Inn, one of the oldest bars in the city, you can attend poetry readings and screenings and listen to free jazz every Sunday, 8 p.m.-11 p.m.
78. Pete’s Candy Store 709 Lorimer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Pete’s Candy Store, which has always been a free venue, has booked many unknown and unsigned bands who later become famous [ie: Norah Jones]. In addition to live music, enjoy weekly open-mic nights, trivia and poetry readings.
79. Gorilla Rep Various outdoor locations As an environmental theater, the Gorilla Repertory Theater Company brings free plays to parks all over New York City. Most of the plays produced by Gorilla Rep consist of Shakespeare’s works, with their most famous being their long-running production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Fitness
New York City is a great place to get fit for free. In addition to the city’s own ‘Shape Up’ initiative, which provides free drop-in classes every week, a lot of places offer once a week or once a month class for nothing but a suggested donation. Whether you’re into running, dancing or de-stressing through group meditation, there’s a free class for you.
80. Shape Up NYC Various locations in every borough Shape Up NYC is a free, city-run drop-in fitness program that takes across all five boroughs. No registration is required, just show up. Free classes range from Afro-Carribean Cardio to Sit and Be Fit, for all levels of fitness.
81. Three Jewels Community Center 61 4th Avenue, East Village, Manhattan Founded by the first American-born Buddhist monk to be awarded the “Geshe” title in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, this community center provides free meditation classes offered every day, during the morning and at night.
82. Dharma Yoga Brooklyn 82 Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn At the Brooklyn Yoga School, classical yoga classes are offered for free, but do have a suggested donation of $10-20 per class.
83. Shambhala 118 West 22nd Street, Flatiron, Manhattan If in need of a relaxing retreat, head to Shambhala for silent, public meditation sessions. Public sittings classes are available for drop-ins every Thursday at 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 6 p.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
84. Lululemon 129 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn To set off the cost of items at the high-end athletic clothing chain, Lululemon’s new Williamsburg store offers various free events, like yoga, meditation, and cycling. RSVP for the store’s events like Workout Wednesdays and cycling tours through Brooklyn, Two Ambassadors, One Community.
85. Bootcamp at Bryant Park Bryant Park’s Fountain Terrace on Sixth Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan Rain or shine, every Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., join The Rise NYC, a community-driven pop-up fitness group, for thirty-minute rotations of crunches, planks, burpees, and mountain climbers.
86. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center 243 West 24th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan This Chelsea yoga center provides free group meditation and devotional chanting, known as Satsang, twice a week. The 90-minute free class is on Wednesday from 7:45 to 9:15 pm and Sunday from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
87. NYC Fun Run Club Meets at a different Manhattan bar weekly For runners looking for a less solitary experience, the NYC Fun Run club meets at a different bar in Manhattan every Wednesday at 7 pm, heads out for a run, and then meets back at the bar for a few beers. All paces welcomed, you just want to be able to make it back to the bar.
88. Meatpacking Sweat Sessions Hudson River Park between 14th and 15th Streets, Manhattan Get ready to sweat it out at Hudson River Park’s 14th Street Park in free 45-minute classes every Tuesday night during the summer. Classes include dance cardio, boxing, pilates and more. Sign up online to reserve a spot.
89. New York Road Runners 320 West 57th Street, Midtown, Manhattan The Road Runners group, the city’s premier racing club and organizer of the NYC Marathon, offers various free events. Be sure to check out their Eventbrite first to see which running-focused classes are available and open to the public.
Lectures and Seminars
If looking to learn something new or even sharpen a forgotten skill, you’ve come to the right place. Without spending a dime, you can listen to and engage with the brightest and most creative professionals in any field. While New York offers hundreds of readings, lectures and educational events daily, we’ve compiled some of the best that offer free or nearly free tickets frequently.
What attractions are free in New York City?
Best free things to do in NYC.
Free museum days. Museums. ... .
Tulip Festival at West Side Community Garden. Things to do. ... .
NYC's outdoor art. Art. ... .
Fridge Art Fair. Art. ... .
Field of Light. Art. ... .
The Ways of Langston Hughes exhibit. Art. ... .
The Met's 81st Street Studio. Art. ... .
The Polonsky Exhibition at the NYPL. Things to do..
What can you do with 100 dollars in NYC?
Tour one of the most famous New York attractions, taste the local cuisine on a food tour or wander through one of the many fascinating museums in NYC. You can even score tickets to some of the best Broadway shows, concerts and sports games without breaking the bank.
What to do in York for free?
Free Things to do in York.
The National Railway Museum. Useful information..
Walk the City of York walls. Highlights of the City of York walls. ... .
The Shambles. ... .
Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate..
Explore York's snickets and snickleways..
Attend a service at York Minster. ... .
Visit one of York's historic churches..
See the best City of York architecture..
What you can't miss New York?
Here are 12 attractions that you absolutely must see when you visit New York City..
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. ... .
Broadway. ... .
Brooklyn Bridge. ... .
Observation decks: Empire State, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, Edge. ... .
Central Park. ... .
Little Italy and Chinatown. ... .
Metropolitan Museum of Art. ... .
Grand Central Terminal..