Free things to do in NYC
The places that are always free, the museums that are free or pay-what-you-wish at set times, and today's free events from our listings.
Open the interactive NYC guide with map and filtersAlways free
- Staten Island Ferry. Free, 24 hours a day, about 25 minutes each way, and it sails past the Statue of Liberty. No tickets; walk on at Whitehall Terminal.
- Brooklyn Bridge on foot, and the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
- Central Park, the High Line, Little Island and Bryant Park.
- The 9/11 Memorial pools (the museum is ticketed).
- Grand Central Terminal and the main New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue.
- Holiday windows and lights from late November: Saks Fifth Avenue's light show (from November 23), the Rockefeller Center tree (lit from December 2) and Dyker Heights. See Christmas in NYC 2026.
- Governors Island ferry: children under 12 always ride free, and the weekend ferries before 11:30 am are free for everyone; otherwise it is $2 round trip for adults.
Free and pay-what-you-wish museum hours
| Museum | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whitney Museum | Fridays 5–10 pm and the second Sunday of each month | Free; visitors 25 and under are always free |
| Guggenheim | Tuesdays and Sundays 4–5:30 pm | Pay what you wish ($1 minimum); reserve ahead |
| 9/11 Memorial Museum | Mondays 5:30–7 pm | Free |
| The Frick Collection | Wednesdays 1:30–5:30 pm | Pay what you wish |
| Cooper Hewitt | Daily 5–6 pm | Pay what you wish |
| Museum of the Moving Image (Queens) | Thursdays 2–6 pm | Free |
| The Met and American Museum of Natural History | Any day | Pay what you wish for New York State residents only; visitors from elsewhere pay full price |
Almost free
- NYC Ferry: a cheap way to see the skyline from the water, from Wall Street to DUMBO and beyond.
- Skating at Bryant Park: admission is free; you pay only for skate rental. See the Winter Village guide.
- Holiday markets: free to browse at Bryant Park, Union Square and Grand Central. See holiday markets 2026.
Free events in NYC this week
Monday, November 2
- The 34th Annual Canstruction Competition and ExhibitionLimitedLower-sensory by design
- Day of the Dead Family CelebrationLower-sensory by design
- Day of the Dead Family Celebration at Green-Wood CemeteryLower-sensory by design
- The Business Behind the Content: Careers in Advertising Technology
- Biology on Tap
- Biology on Tap
- Miss Manhattan Non-Fiction Reading SeriesLower-sensory by design
- Miss Manhattan Non-Fiction Reading SeriesLower-sensory by design
Wednesday, November 4
- NYC Salt: The Next Generation of Visual StorytellersSensory supports offered
Thursday, November 5
Friday, November 6
- AFROVRSE - NYC's Biggest Celebration of African Music
- Friday Night Carnival at Mama Taco Everyone FREE B4 12am w/RSVP
- Friday Night Lights at Mama Taco Everyone FREE B4 12am w/RSVP
Saturday, November 7
- #1 Saturday Night Party in Nyc Mama Taco in Bk by Frankie Banks
- Hip Hop and Caribbean Music Every Sat Night Mama Taco in BK by Frankie Bank
- Ladies Love Saturdays @ Mama Taco in bk by Frankie Banks
- Late Night Brunch Party Every Sat Night at Mama Taco by Frank Bank
- Reggaeton on Ludlow - Latin & Reggaeton Dance Parrty at Mehanata NYC
- Rooftop Saturdays - Afrobeats + R&B + Reggae Dance Party NYC (HB Rooftop)
Questions visitors ask
- Is the Staten Island Ferry really free?
- Yes. It is free, runs 24 hours a day, takes about 25 minutes each way, and passes the Statue of Liberty. You just walk on at Whitehall Terminal.
- Which NYC museums are free on Fridays?
- The Whitney is free every Friday from 5 to 10 pm, and visitors 25 and under are always free there. Other museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish hours on other days; see the table above.
- Is the Met free for tourists?
- No. Pay-what-you-wish admission at the Met and the American Museum of Natural History is for New York State residents. Visitors from elsewhere pay the standard price.
More visitor guides
- The 40 best things to do in NYC
- First time in NYC: what to know
- NYC with kids
- NYC skyline views and observation decks
- NYC in November 2026
- Christmas in NYC 2026
- This weekend in NYC
- All NYC visitor guides
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