New York is expensive, but a surprising amount of what makes it worth visiting doesn't cost anything.
- Staten Island Ferry — genuinely free, no ticket, departs Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan, passes the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
- Walking the Brooklyn Bridge — free, pedestrian promenade above traffic, connects Manhattan near City Hall to DUMBO in Brooklyn.
- Central Park — free to enter and walk; Bethesda Terrace, the Mall, and Bow Bridge cost nothing (boat rentals and the zoo inside the park do charge).
- The High Line — the elevated park built on a former rail line is free to walk, Gansevoort St. to 34th St.
- Chelsea Market and other food halls — free to browse and window-shop even without buying.
- Museum free or pay-what-you-wish hours — the Whitney is free Fridays 5–10pm with a reservation, MoMA is free Friday evenings for NY State residents, the Brooklyn Museum runs free monthly "First Saturdays," and the Met and AMNH offer pay-what-you-wish general admission for NY State residents only.
- Governors Island ferry — free on Saturday and Sunday mornings before 11am ($5 otherwise); not free at all times, a common misconception worth knowing before you go.
- Times Square people-watching — free, no ticket needed for the plazas themselves.
- Washington Square Park — free, with street performers, the historic arch, and constant people-watching.