How to Have Fun in Manhattan for Free or Almost Free
New York City is full of things to do. That’s why nearly 49 million people visited the city in 2010. New York City is also expensive. It's not hard to spend exorbitant amounts of money while vacationing in New York. But there are plenty of inexpensive ways to have fun during a trip to the city. There are even ways to enjoy yourself in Manhattan while spending barely any money at all.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Comfortable walking shoes (I know this goes without saying but one of the best ways to enjoy Manhattan is to walk it. Unless you want to spend all your money on taxis you will be walking quite a bit.
- Comfortable, seasonal clothes (Again I know this is obvious but the weather in New York City tends to be intense year round and you're going to be outside quite a bit.)
- A few dollars cash and a debit/credit card (While this is supposed to be about how to avoid spending money you're always going to wind up spending a few dollars.)
- A $10 Metrocard
Instructions
-
-
1
Take a trip on the Staten Island Ferry. The free ride from the southern tip of Manhattan to the north shore of Staten Island runs 24 hours a day. Pick a nice clear day for the best view, and choose a spot on an outside deck or rear deck if available. You'll get views of the lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island and other features.
-
2
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The pedestrian walkway, in place since the structure’s opening in 1883, is right in the center of the bridge and raised above the motorized traffic lanes. Half of the walkway is now a bike path, so be sure to stay in the pedestrian lane.
-
-
3
Stroll through Central Park, 843 acres of parkland that couldn't be more of a contrast to the hectic city surrounding it. Central Park, an oasis within the city, can be enjoyed for hours free of charge. Explore playgrounds, gardens, artworks, structures and pathways.
-
4
Visit the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West or the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue. Entrance to two of New York's largest and most famous museums is by suggested donation -- you choose how much you want to pay to see the exhibits. Note that entry to special exhibitions and shows may carry an additional cost.
-
5
Look for free admission days and hours at other cultural institutions. For example, on Friday evenings the Museum of Modern Art, the Morgan Library, the American Folk Art Museum and others are free. Tour the Jewish Museum for free on Saturdays and the Museum of the City of New York on Sundays. Other museums offer days on which you may pay what you wish for entry.
-
6
Go ice skating in Bryant Park in winter, or play petanque there in the warmer months. Located just behind the main branch of the New York Public Library on 42nd Street, Bryant Park offers outdoor seating and unusual sports opportunities. Twirl on the ice for the cost of skate rental, $14 at the time of publication, or learn the French lawn bowling game with the group La Boule New Yorkaise.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Pace yourself. You can easily spend all day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Natural History alone.
References
- NYC: NYC Statistics
- NYC.gov: Free Admission and Discounted Admission at New York City Museums
- Bryant Park: Citi Pond at Bryant Park
- Frommer's New York City 2012; Brian Silverman, Kelsy Chauvin et al.
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
