Unlock NYC: Free Fun in Every Borough!

New York City, while expensive, offers a treasure trove of free activities. This guide reveals the best no-cost experiences across all five boroughs.

Manhattan

Manhattan boasts numerous free activities, from strolling along the High Line to visiting world-renowned museums on specific free admission days. Don't miss out on free evenings at several museums!

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2020/07/932/524/HighLine_Flowerson20thSt_photo-RowaLee_Resized.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="High Line">

Free Museum Hours:

• 9/11 Museum: Free Mondays 5:30-7pm
• Cooper Hewitt: Pay-What-You-Wish Winter Weekdays 5-6pm
• Guggenheim Museum: Pay-What-You-Wish Mondays & Saturdays 4-5:30pm (reservations required)
• The Jewish Museum: Free Saturdays and select Jewish holidays
• The Neue Galerie: Free first Fridays of the month 5-8pm
• The Public Theater (Shakespeare in the Park): Free summer performances
• Whitney Museum of American Art: Free Fridays 5-10pm and second Sunday of the month

More free Manhattan venues

Bronx

The Bronx offers free admission at The Bronx Museum and the Longwood Art Gallery. Check out these additional options:

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2022/05/932/524/GettyImages-1227766840.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Bronx Zoo">

Free Days/Hours:

• Bronx Zoo: Free Wednesdays (reservations required)
• New York Botanical Garden: Free for NYC residents all day, others 10-11am Wednesdays
• Wave Hill Cultural Center: Free Thursdays (excluding groups)

Brooklyn

Explore free options like the Brooklyn Central Library, Center for Brooklyn History, and BRIC House Exhibitions.

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2023/07/932/524/GettyImages-1480458594-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Brooklyn Botanic Garden">

Free Days/Hours:

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Pay-What-You-Wish Winter Weekdays
• Brooklyn Children's Museum: Free Thursdays after 2pm
• New York Aquarium: Free Wednesdays after 3pm (reservations required)

Queens

Queens also has many free attractions including the Queens County Farm, Queens Museum, Flushing Town Hall Gallery, and Sculpture Center.

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2019/10/932/524/AP_19287584289678.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="MoMA">

Free Days/Hours:

• The MoMA: Free for NY State residents
• Museum of the Moving Image: Free Thursdays 2-6pm
• New York Hall of Science: Free Fridays 2-5pm
• The Noguchi Museum: Free first Friday of each month (reservations recommended)
• Queens Botanical Garden: Free until March; Wednesdays 3-6pm & Sundays 9-11am (April-Dec 15)

Staten Island

Staten Island offers free access to Fort Wadsworth, Snug Harbor, and the Staten Island Museum, among others.

Free Days/Hours:

• Historic Richmond Town: Free Thursdays 2-4pm (May-December, tickets required)
• Staten Island Zoo: Free Wednesdays after 2pm