A trip to New York City is in the bucket list of many of us: the city attracted 61.8 million travellers in 2023, and that really doesn’t come as a surprise considering what the city has to offer! From iconic views and locations popularised by thousands of movies, to a vibrant cultural scene hosting top artists from all over the world, to a multi ethnic culinary offer, the city has something for everybody.

But can anybody afford a holiday in the Big Apple? With the constant increase of costs for already expensive flights and hotels, and the recent ban of AirBnb in the city, a visit might seem unaffordable to many. But what if I told you that, with some budgeting and planning, organise a trip there might not cost as much as you think?

I was lucky enough to go on a two weeks long vacation in New York with my partner during the Christmas holidays, and in this post I will give you eight tips which will help you save tons of money while still enjoying a lot of what the city has to offer. This list will include free things to see and do, all tried and tested and based on our experience.

Ferry to Staten Island: departing from the South Ferry in Manhattan, this orange vessel gets passengers to Staten Island 24/7, through a pleasant 20 minutes journey offering a nice view of the Statue of Liberty in the not too far distance…all for free! This ferry is very popular amongst local commuters too, so try to avoid peak times between 6:00AM-9:30AM and 3:30PM-8:00PM, to enjoy a less crowded journey. You can find more information on how to get it here: https://siferry.com/

Brooklyn Bridge: one thing you don’t want to miss in New York is a view of the iconic skyline. You can spend a lot of money on expensive tours or just go to Brooklyn and walk back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. You will enjoy an unbelievable view, especially in a clear day (I’ve heard many saying that it looks at its best at sunset), while walking over the architectural marvel which is the Brooklyn Bridge. If you have time, a few hours spent strolling in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo are also worthwhile.

Central Park: talking about leisure strolls, another brilliant thing you can do for free in NYC is take a break from the bustling city and go to Central Park: with its 843 acres, it is the most visited urban park in the United States, and it’s not hard to see why. Its elegant layout comprising lawns, wooded areas and lakes, and the variety of flora and wildlife make it a gem within the city much loved and cherished by visitors and locals.

High Line: take a stroll on this former railroad converted to an elevated park, running from the Meatpacking District to the West Side Yard. Loved by tourists and locals alike, it is not only a beautiful park offering some pretty unique views of the city and the Hudson river; it is also a hub with a rich calendar of temporary installations and performances, where renowned artists and designers can show their work.

Museum of the American Indian: with most museums (including MOMA and MET) charging around 40 dollars for a standard adult ticket, it might come as a surprise that a few great museums in NYC are actually free to visit! One of them is the National Museum of the American Indian (https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/reopening-ny), a little gem located in Wall Street which showcases the history of Native Americans through a comprehensive collection of original artefacts. Visit this museum to see some exquisite products of Native’s art and craft, and learn some of the history of the continent from the perspective of the minorities who have struggled (and still are fighting) to preserve their culture and identity.

Public Library free tour: find out a little more about another piece of NYC history and see some incredible historical artefacts by visiting the Schwarzman Building. Free tours of the building are led by very knowledgeable Library’s docent and can be booked on the website (https://www.nypl.org/events/tours/schwarzman). There is also a permanent exhibition open to all called Treasures, which features an incredible selection of items from the Library research collections (including a copy of the Declaration of Independence and a 1455 edition of the Gutenberg Bible!)

Comedy Stand Ups: stand-up comedy and improv shows have a long history in NYC, and are hugely popular; sitting in the dark in a crammed space, often in the basement or at the back of a pub, listening (and hopefully laughing!) at the jokes of a solo performer is one of New Yorkers’ favourite past time. If you love shows like Saturday Night Live, you should definitely go to a comedy stand-up, and the good news is that many of them (like the Bomb Shelter, http://www.bombsheltercomedy.club/) are free (although it is recommended to leave a contribution to support the artists). And for the SNL big fans out there, you can read how you can be part of the audience of a show (also for free!) here https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/how-to-get-SNL-tickets

Subway: ok, this is not completely free, but if you want to move around quickly in the city on a budget, the MTA is your best friend. You can pay with your phone with OMNY, with no need to install any app or buy a travel card; a single ticket costs $2.90, but if you pay for 12 trips with the same device and during the same week, you can travel for free for the rest of the week! Not bad for one of the most expensive cities in the world, right?

A visit to New York City is worth every penny, but it doesn’t have to break the bank: we loved our time there, and we hope that you will find these tips useful when planning your adventure in the city that never sleeps!