10 Awesome Free Things To Do In New York City

New York City is consistently considered the most expensive city in the United States, and simply walking into any restaurant or store in Manhattan will prove it. However, despite the high costs of some activities, there is actually tons of free stuff to do in the city.

While there are definitely things worth dishing out some cash for including top-notch dining experiences, Broadway shows, and world-class shopping destinations, there are tons of activities that are completely free. Yes, you read that right.

So with that said, we thought we'd explore a few of these cool but cheap city experiences. Here are ten of the best things you can do in New York City that won't require your wallet.

10 Attend A Talk Show Taping

New York City is filled with morning shows and late night shows, and many of these are free to attend if you do some in-advance planning. Early productions include shows like Live with Kelly and Ryan and Good Morning America, while night shows (usually taped in the afternoon) include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

You can request tickets to many of these shows online in advance, and due to high demand, it is suggested you do this as soon as they become available. If you do miss out, though, many of these shows have standby lines you can still hop in.

9 Go To A Museum

Though many museums have pricey admission prices, a handful of them have pay-what-you-wish and free times.

The Museum of Modern Art, which houses Van Gogh’s Starry Night, is free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is free from 5 p.m. to close on Tuesdays, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is free from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Because The National Museum of the American Indian is a Smithsonian, it is free to visitors at all times.

8 Explore Time Square

Despite how much native New Yorkers hate it, there’s nothing quite like journeying through Time Square for the first time. So who cares if it’s touristy? That’s the point.

Time Square is alive with giant glowing signs, people from across the world, and over-the-top shops and restaurants. There’s a ton to explore a billion photo opportunities, so go crazy and have fun. It's an experience you can't miss!

7 Stroll Through Central Park

If you’d rather slow things down, you can explore Manhattan’s largest park, which stretches over 843 acres and includes an array of scenery and attractions. While some things (such as carriage rides and admissions to the Central Park Zoo) cost extra, there is still plenty to see without paying a dime.

During the summer months, you can also get free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park, a program through which actors perform a lineup of Shakespeare’s classic plays.

6 Visit The Brooklyn Bridge

In addition to connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York's famous (and photo-worthy) bridge is visited by locals and tourists every day. Though the hike up the structure is exciting, there's nothing quite like standing at the top and looking back at all of the city's beauty.

While the bridge can be visited at any time of day, you'll get to see Manhattan light up if you go at night.

5 Experience Life At Bryant Park

Bryant Park is arguably one of New York’s best, as not only is it beautiful — but it also provides residents and visitors with thousands of free activities every single year.

You can learn to draw or juggle, jam to concerts or dance, and even wake up to yoga or end your day with fencing.

If you visit during Christmas time, you’ll even get to watch Bryant Park transform into a winter village filled with shops, ice skating, and even a Christmas tree. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

4 Watch An Outdoor Movie

While Bryant Park does show movies in the park during the summer, this isn't the only location in the city that displays films for no charge. Locations across Manhattan and the outer boroughs show all sorts of blockbuster films from late spring until early fall. As long as the weather isn't bad, you can expect a movie to be playing somewhere in the city.

These events also bring the community together, letting people bond over a shared film experience. It's a good feeling.

3 Walk The High Line

This park in the sky stretches 1.45 miles across Manhattan. It's filled with gorgeous sites and scenery and has lots of interesting stops along the way.

Toward the lower end, you can journey off to explore the iconic Chelsea Market. Throughout the walk, you can find various art installations and nearby exhibits. Finally, as the High Line ends, it fades into the beautiful, new Hudson Yards. This real estate development is home to food, shopping, apartments, and a massive landmark.

2 Scale The Vessel

The landmark we just referred to is the elaborate honeycomb-style structure known at the Vessel. This structure, which opened earlier this year, stretches 16 stories high and contains 154 flights of stairs.

This public monument is actually free to climb, and tickets to the creation can be booked online up to two weeks in advance. It's worth a visit if you're looking to see Manhattan from an all-new perspective.

1 Tour The First U.S. Capitol Building

Before Washington D.C. was at the center of U.S. politics, New York saw the creation of a nation. Federal Hall, as pictured above, was where the first congress met to draft The Bill of Rights. George Washington was also inaugurated as the country's first president in this building, so its history runs deep.

Federal Hall is now a national memorial and is free to visit. Guided tours are also free, so if you'd like a few extra details about the place you're visiting, they can be provided to you.

NEXT: 10 Broadway Shows Everyone Visiting New York Should Consider