Free or very cheap attractions in NYC

[kathy884]

I agree with so many of the other poster's suggestions. My favorite for a short stay
-- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge -- start on the Brooklyn side and walk to Manhattan for the skyscraper view
-- Grand Central Station (just an iconic place to see if you haven't been)
-- New York Public Library - When I was there in May they had a special photography exhibit going on. (Great Architecture)
-- If you are going to Grand Central and the public library, it's easy to pop in an see the Chrysler building lobby too if it's a week day.

We liked a chain call Bare Burger -- stuff for foodies and picky eaters -- actually very good.

 

[nycdisneygal]

Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It's suggested donation to go inside, but well worth it. The detail on the stained glass is amazing and there is some extraordinary art in there. My favorite is the Chapel of St. Savior with the triptych on the altar done by Keith Haring. Full disclosure: I used to work there, but it was one of my favorite places long before that. 112th & Amsterdam. The Hungarian Pastry Shop is across the street from the Peace sculpture. Also, the Tom's Restaurant from Seinfeld is down the street on 112th & Broadway. It's just okay food-wise. There was a great Cuban place on Amsterdam where i used to get a pressed sandwich for $3 and a coffee for 85 cents...and this was only 11 years ago!

If you're talking about Havana Central, the CUban place on Amsterdam, it closed a few years ago (the Times square location is still open and we love it!).

 

[andiraye]

Hi line park on west side- I love it
Chelsea Market- just cool looking at it!there is lots of affordable food here- we got sushi in the amazing Fish market.

This is a great combo for a fun activity and reasonable food. Try the ice pops on the high line or the doughnuttery doughnuts in Chelsea market.

 

[NewRVLady]

I agree with so many of the other poster's suggestions. My favorite for a short stay
-- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge -- start on the Brooklyn side and walk to Manhattan for the skyscraper view
-- Grand Central Station (just an iconic place to see if you haven't been)
-- New York Public Library - When I was there in May they had a special photography exhibit going on. (Great Architecture)
-- If you are going to Grand Central and the public library, it's easy to pop in an see the Chrysler building lobby too if it's a week day.

We liked a chain call Bare Burger -- stuff for foodies and picky eaters -- actually very good.

Go to upstairs Reading Room of the library...the woodwork and painted ceiling are gorgeous...and go to the cute public bathroom in Bryant park,,,it had fresh flowers every time we went- amazing

 

[andiraye]

Not sure how many times you e been to NYC before. But here are some other ideas.

Start in Central Park. Walk south of 5th Ave. and see Rockefeller center. Keep walking south. Check out grand central. Buy lunch there and take it across the street to Bryant Park. Visit the NYC library.

OR

Start by grand central/Bryant park/the library and walk south along 5th. Visit the Empire State Building

OR

Explore the village. Visit Washington square park. Walk along 8th street. Walk into the east Village. There are lots of cheap places to eat because of all the nyu students. You can also check out Union square or soho while you're there.

 

[happily single]

Thanks for all the responses!!

 

[savannie]

The museums are always a great idea. Most of them have either a suggested admission (donations) or offer a free day each week. I also loved the library. They have lots to see there–not just books, of course. You could also plan your own walking tour of famous places featured in movies and television. I'd bet there are even guides online for that sort of thing.

 

[clh2]

As others have already mentioned, the Public Library and Grand Central Station are magnificent.

Another free thing to see is the art display in the NY Times building. It is called a Movable Type display- many little digital screens, each screen continually pops up different headlines either from current events or from the archives. I could have spent hours looking at this display.

 

[andiraye]

Let us know where you end up going!

 

[happily single]

Thanks for all the ideas. For those you suggested agrand Central Station, I did that already in March.

Anyways, sadly being an adult and parent stinks!! Between life insurance, homecoming and winter clothes for the kids my entire nyc has been depleted, so I will not be able to go this week. But ai am saving this list for a trip i hope to take (with the kids) in december

 

[andiraye]

What a bummer! So sorry to hear you won't make it. Well, just know when you finally get here again that while NYC is a VERY expensive place, the most wonderful part is the city itself and just wandering the neighborhoods is the best part. The subway costs $2.75 per ride, so if you can manage to just get here somehow, at the very worst you can go from neighborhood to neighborhood pretty easily, spend your time going in and out of stores and galleries, people watching and enjoying the streetmosphere, eat lunch off a food truck and take a break with a cup of coffee at a coffee bar. Good luck!!!!