Free Things To Do In NYC?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 12:48am

Hey, I'm having some friends coming into town this next week, and we're looking for free things to do in NYC. Are any of the museums free? Or anything else you guys recommend? Places to visit, etc.

[scott68]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 12:52am

The Met (museum, not opera) is fabulous and has something for everyone, and while it's not FREE free, it has a suggested admission free, so you can literally just hand them a dollar and be done with it.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 12:58am

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. A phenomenal walk on a nice day! Then buy some dumplings for a $1 in China Town

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 1:30am

Just walk the city. It's free and wonderful!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 1:38am

Are there any cool/interesting buildings to check out? I love architecture and always find interesting/beautiful buildings when I'm walking around. Or any cool thrift stores?

[nygrl232]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 5:43am

Browsing this website is an adventure in itself.

http://www.scoutingny.com/

[Taryn]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 12:06pm

I always like taking a round trip on the Staten Island Ferry, which is free.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 1:54pm

St. Patrick's Cathedral. Stunning architecture inside and out.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 3:12pm

Actually the Staten Island Ferry isn't free. You pay a fare one way, the return trip is free.

Wandering around Rockeller Plaza and then window shopping on 5TH Ave is always fun. Touring Grand Central Station is great too. Go to the Oyster Bar entrance and experience the Whisper Wall! You stand in one corner of the archway and whisper quietly into the corner, a friend in the other corner diagonally across from you will be able to hear you loud and clear.

[Anakela]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 3:23pm

When did they start charging for the Staten Island Ferry?

[Taryn]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 3:50pm

Ummm it was free when I was last on it a couple of years ago, and the official NYC website AND the Staten Island Ferry website still list it as being free.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 4:07pm

I agree that just walking around is fun. I've always liked going to Bryant and Central park. Back in December I walked from 30th street near 9th ave, all the way up to 63rd street on Broadway, with cutting over to 5th and 6th ave. on the way up. Yeah, it was a long walk, but well worth it.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 4:46pm

Sorry, the last time I took the ferry was in 1996 when the fare was$0.50 one way. you got the return trip for free. Seems in 97' they did away with the fare for foot traffic.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 6:26pm

For now, breathing. This may change at any moment.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 7:09pm

Too bad you don't have two weeks -

I have a fabulous book called "The Cheap Ba$tard's Guide to New York City". This would have been ideal for you -

"BIG APPLE GREETERS" - 1 Centre Street, room 2035 (at Chambers Street) 212-669-8159 www.bigapplegreeter.org

"ANY DAY, ANY PLACE, YEAR ROUND - This is your dream come true tour of New York. You choose the time and day, you choose the place, and you don't pay anything - in fact, they'll even give you a one-day unlimited use MetroCard for the subway. You think I'm kidding, don't you? Well, I'm not. Friendly and knowledgable New Yorkers volunteer their time for this amazing organization to show you around any neighborhood in the city. They usually live in the area they show, so they can give you firsthand accounts of the area's history, off-the-beaten-trail spots, and great tips for finding some tasty (and cheap!) food and drink. Walks can run from two hours to all day. They don't accept tips, but if you offer to buy them lunch, they probably won't argue with you. Call at least two weeks in advance."

Since this is REALLY off-season, maybe you can get something booked with them even this late. It certainly sounds worth it to me!

Let me know if you want me to dig out any other possibilities.

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 7:37pm

On Fridays the MoMA and American Folk Art Museum are free and the Whitney and Guggenheim Museums are pay what you wish. And I think the Bronx zoo is by donation on Wednesdays. There are probably many other zoos/museums that you can get into for free.

Yoga to the People has classes in St. Marks that are by donation. I overheard my classmates talking about it and they seem to like it.

I like to walk around Central Park when the weather is nice, and used to spend hours in the Barnes & Noble in Union Square flipping through things.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:08pm

This is different -

Austrian Cultural Forum
11 East 52nd Street (btw 5th and Madison)
Monday through Friday at noon and 3:00 pm – Free walking tours of this narrow, 24 story glass and concrete skyscraper that looks like a huge totem pole designed for a sci fi movie. They also host a full schedule of other free events, including readings, concerts, art exhibitions, film screening and panel discussions.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:21pm

Marianne, I love walking through Bryant Park on the way to the theater when I am there. It is always one of the 1st things I do. I was there in December of 2007 and it was my first time seeing the skating rinks and all the cool little shops. Love that park.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:29pm

MoMa sounds like fun!

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:44pm

MoMA is my favorite museum. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I think the free day is on Friday at 5:00. I had a ticket already but the last time I was there was on a free day and the line was a bit long. But it seemed to move fast.