5 free things to do in New York

There’s no shortage of cool things to do in New York City, from visiting historic sites, to checking out some of the best food in the world, to taking in the city’s amazing skyline. This might sound like it will cost a lot. Don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do in New York that don’t cost a dime, but still let you experience the history and culture of the city. Here are my favourite free things to do in New York.

1. Stroll through Central Park
Starting here with a fairly obvious one – a visit to Central Park is a must-do for any visit. Central Park spans 863 acres in the middle of Manhattan. The park is free to enjoy so pop in and explore all of its nooks and crannies. It’s filled with free events, statues, people-watching and sites like Strawberry Fields, featuring the ‘Imagine’ mosaic near the Dakota, where John Lennon was tragically killed in 1980.

2. The High Line
The High Line is a pedestrianised walkway that opened in 2009. Ingeniously, it’s built on an abandoned elevated train line. It stretches for 1.45 miles and features art exhibitions that change seasonally. You’ll also find different food vendors and performances. The High Line goes from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street. It’s open all year round and it’s an excellent way to get a unique perspective on the Chelsea streets below and the Hudson River.

3. Cruise on the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry runs between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan and the St George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island. Hop on and enjoy scenic views of the city and a GREAT view of the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And yes, it’s totally free!

4. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic sights in New York, and walking across it is one of the best ways to take it all in. You’ll get a great view of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines. Try and get there early – it gets very busy, very quickly!

5. Tour the Brooklyn Brewery
Taste the local brews at the Brooklyn Brewery taproom in Williamsburg. Take a free tour to find out how the hops come to life. The tours run every half an hour from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, but be warned, there can be long lines so get in early to get your name on the list.

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