Summer journeys to Niagara and to other places
-“Manhattan” by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers
Aggravate all our cares, we’ll save our fares
I’ve a cozy little flat in what is known as old Manhattan
We’ll settle down right here in town
While there is no shortage of things to do in New York City, it is still one of the most expensive cities in the United States. However, if you dare to step out of your air-conditioned apartment or hotel, there are still plenty of free things to do in New York City this summer!
From outdoor entertainment to exploring iconic New York buildings, you don’t have to break the bank having fun in the city this summer.
You can fit a lot of these free things to do into one weekend in NYC!
Many of these free things to do in NYC are based outdoors, so be sure to carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen! (Also FYI, this list is also predominately Manhattan-based.)
Best Free Things to Do in NYC This Summer
NYC Parks
During summer in NYC, most people flock to any possible green space they can find. Trees offer shade from the hot sun, the grass doesn’t radiate heat like the pavement does, and it doesn’t smell like hot garbage!
Central Park
New York’s biggest, and most famous park, is of course, at the top of the list of free things to do in NYC this summer. Beautiful any time of year, there is something magical about Central Park in the warmer months when the trees and the lawns are green.
To enjoy Central Park, all you have to do is sit or stroll! Find a nice shady spot for a picnic, settle in with a book, or just people-watch. (Or, if you’re like me, comment on every cute dog that goes by!)
Central Park stretches from 110th Street to 59th Street, so there are lots of places to explore. Some of my favorite spots in Central Park are in the 60-70th Street areas. These include the Bethesda Fountain, the Mall and Literary Walk, and Sheep Meadow.
Check out this Map of Central Park PDF!
Washington Square Park
Located in Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is always buzzing no matter what time of year. However, summer is when Washington Square Park really comes to life.
Washington Square Park is easily recognizable by the marble Washington Arch and the giant fountain in the middle. On really hot days, you can find folks cooling off in the fountain, which is absolutely legal!
There is usually live music amid the laughter of kids and the barking of dogs. You’ll find colorful characters in Washington Square Park, from chess experts to pigeon whisperers. Due to its proximity to NYU, it is also a popular meeting or hangout spot for students.
(Fun Fact: Did you know Washington Square Park was once a cemetery? In the early 19th Century, it was a public burial ground, and became the final resting place for many who died of yellow fever. It’s estimated that there are 20,000 people buried under the park, but as far as I know, the spirits are at rest!)
The High Line
What used to be an elevated train track along the west side of Manhattan is now a public green space called the High Line. It’s a popular spot amongst tourists and locals alike, as it’s one of the best free things to do in NYC.
Running from 34th Street down to 14th Street, the High Line is an elevated walkway full of plants and flowers. There are places to sit plus food vendors from which to grab a coffee or a snack. You can also admire the sculptures and murals or the views of the city.
Fort Tryon Park
At the northern tip of Manhattan, you can find a beautiful 67-acre park overlooking the Hudson River. Fort Tryon was my favorite place to spend an afternoon when I lived uptown!
You’ll find eight miles of pathways through trees and gardens, as well as Manhattan’s largest dog run. There are lawns which are great for picnicking or reading.
Fort Tryon is also home to the Cloisters, a medieval-looking branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (While not exactly free, New York State residents can “pay what you like”.)
Free Rooftop Views
When I think of summer in the city, rooftop views are one of the first things that come to mind! There are, of course, countless rooftop bars where you can drink pricey cocktails or stunning (and expensive) observation decks. However, one of the best free things to do in NYC is to seek out the free rooftop views!
The Roof Garden at The Met
Okay, so this one isn’t exactly free; but, like the Cloisters, New York State residents can pay whatever they like at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (I have legit paid in quarters, back in my college days!) For as little as $1 you can take in gorgeous pieces of art and views.
The roof at The Met is open to anyone with an admission ticket! Take an elevator to the fourth floor, and you’ll be greeted with views of Central Park and the Upper West Side.
Time Out Market New York
The Time Out Market near Brooklyn Bridge Park is a fun waterfront spot to grab a bite, a drink, or just take in the view! The building is full of mini versions of some of New York’s best restaurants, complete with a rooftop.
The rooftop at Time Out Market can be reached either by exterior stairs or interior elevators. Be aware it can get crowded, especially on weekends, because it is, well, free!
Visit Notable Buildings for Free
Summer in NYC also means HEAT. The heat that bounces off the glass buildings and radiates from the pavement can sometimes get unbearable. When that happens, why not step inside one of New York’s notable buildings? Many of them are free to visit and you’ll get to cool off!
Grand Central
One of the most iconic interiors in all of New York, Grand Central feels like stepping back in time. Now over a hundred years old, this train station is still a main transportation hub in the city.
From the clock standing in the middle of the grand concourse to the constellations on the ceiling, Grand Central is aesthetically pleasing. Even when I’m passing through, I try to take a moment to just soak it up.
You can stand in the middle and people-watch, or grab lunch from the food court. You can also search for the “whispering gallery” on the lower level near the Oyster Bar. If you stand in the corner of the tiled intersection of archways and whisper something, a friend (or stranger) will be able to hear you clearly from the opposite corner!
New York Public Library
The main branch of the New York Public Library is what bibliophiles’ dreams are made of. The well-known building is guarded by its big stone lions out front, and inside is a quiet haven.
Officially called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Beaux-Arts-style library first opened in 1911 and has provided free books and services throughout the years since.
Today, the main draws of this branch are its research collections and the historic Rose Main Reading Room. The Rose Main Reading Room looks like something out of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, complete with rosy-colored clouds painted on the ceiling.
Free tours of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building are led by docents at 11 am and 2 pm every day, except Sundays.
The Oculus
To cool off in an architectural marvel, step inside the Oculus. Part train station/part shopping mall, the Oculus opened as part of the World Trade Center in 2016.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the skylight that runs along the vaulted ceiling lines up with the autumnal equinox in honor of September 11th.
Free Outdoor Entertainment
Summer in the city is the best time to see outdoor performances. From concerts to movie nights, many parks offer free outdoor events!
SummerStage in Central Park
Every year Central Park offers its summer concert series, SummerStage. Each week is full of a variety of music genres and artists, including salsa, jazz, hip hop, and rock.
Tickets are not required for these free concerts; however, admission is first-come, first-served. Get there early to claim your spot on the lawn!
Check this year’s SummerStage calendar here.
Shakespeare in the Park
Seeing The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park is perhaps one of my all-time favorite free things to do in NYC. There is something so magical about sitting in the middle of Central Park and being transported to wherever the play is set, as the sun sets on the city.
This year will be The Public’s 60th year of offering free Shakespeare in the Park performances!
There are several ways to obtain free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park including:
- In-person distribution in Central Park: On the day of each performance, you can find a line of people waiting outside the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are handed out by The Public’s staff at noon for that evening’s performance. (Seating assignment is random.)
- Ticket lottery via the Today Tix app: A limited number of tickets are released daily on the Today Tix app. Enter the ticket lottery in the morning and you’ll be notified that afternoon if you’ve won or not!
If you didn’t manage to get a ticket, don’t despair! There is also a stand-by line before the performance. (One time, a kind gentleman offered me his extra ticket.)
For more info about Shakespeare in the Park, check The Public Theater’s webpage here.
Movie Nights in Bryant Park
Each summer, Bryant Park (located on 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues) sets up a giant movie screen. These summer movie nights are free to attend!
Bring a blanket and nab your spot when the lawn opens at 5 pm. Enjoy a picnic, play games, or chat with friends until the film starts at 8 pm. (Food and drinks are available for purchase.)
Check Bryant Park’s free movie night lineup here.
Travel to Other Boroughs
Some of the best free things to do in NYC are actually outside of Manhattan. By traveling to the other boroughs you get to see the Manhattan skyline from all angles.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of my all-time free things to do in New York. Whether you are walking from the Manhattan side or from the Brooklyn side, the views are stunning. Plus you’re walking on a U.S. National Historic Landmark that is almost 140 years old!
To avoid the crowds, I highly recommend walking as close to sunrise as you can. Watching the sun glow on the buildings of lower Manhattan is so pretty! The bridge is about 1.5 miles from end to end.
Check out my post on how to spend one day in Brooklyn, with the Brooklyn Bridge as a starting point.
Gantry Plaza State Park
When I lived in Queens, Gantry Plaza State Park was my favorite place to spend an afternoon. When my parents come to visit, they often request going back here as well!
Located in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, “the Gantries” stretch for 12-acres along the East River. Formerly a dockyard, it is now a little green oasis, with hammocks, a playground, a dog run, and boardwalk piers, all with impressive views of midtown Manhattan. The skyline is especially beautiful at night!
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
Channel your inner Melanie Griffith in Working Girl (one of the many beloved NYC rom-coms) and ride the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry is free to ride both ways and offers lovely views of lower Manhattan, including the Statue of Liberty.
To ride from the Manhattan side, head to the Whitehall terminal all the way at the southern tip of Manhattan. The ride to Staten Island takes about half an hour, and you will have to disembark to ride back. You can either do so immediately or stroll the North Shore Waterfront Esplanade Park in Staten Island.
Honorable Mentions
These free things to do in NYC are actually on my to-do list this summer! I haven’t tried them yet, but I’m looking forward to doing so. (There are so many free NYC activities that it is possible to miss a few!)
- Kayak in the Hudson River: Did you know you can kayak in the Hudson River for free? If you own your own kayak, you’re good to go (and honestly, good for you). However, if you can’t fit a kayak in your NYC apartment, head to the Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan or the Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse in Brooklyn. You can take a kayak out for twenty minutes, or longer if there aren’t other people waiting.
- Brooklyn Brewery Tour: On Sundays, you can take a free, hour-long, tour of Brooklyn Brewery, located between the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. You’ll enjoy learning about the history and science of brewing, whether you are a novice or not.
- New York Aquarium: On Wednesday afternoons, the New York Aquarium is “pay-what-you-want”! (However, advance tickets must be reserved online.) Located on Coney Island, the aquarium is home to sea lions, penguins, sharks, and fish. The aquarium is also home to the New York Aquarium Conservation Program, which is working on protecting and restoring endangered species.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy the many awesome free things to do in NYC this summer! Take it from a local: you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to see the best the city has to offer.
Save this post for future visits to NYC!
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