Many times, referred to as the greatest American city with a population of 8.8 million people, New York is a must-visit destination for all tourists.

Traveling to New York on a US tourist visa costs a hefty sum of money; staying there costs a hefty sum too. However, it doesn’t have to be so tasking on the pocket. Here are some things to do in New York City for free.

Kayak on the Hudson River

Making it on the top of the list, one of the best things to do for free in New York is to kayak on the Hudson River. Not only do travelers get to enjoy the blissful scenery from the Hudson, but it also is an amazing exercise.

There are three locations in Manhattan where individuals can sign up for the kayak ride. It is super easy and extremely quick to sign up for the ride, and even the sunscreen is free to keep one from getting sunburnt. It’s a pretty surreal experience kayaking the Hudson on a bright sunny afternoon. A must-do activity for couples.

The Staten Island Ferry

One of the many best free activities to do on the first trip to New York City is riding on the Staten Island ferry. Located at the bottom of Manhattan, enter to take an escalator up to the terminal, where travelers can hitch a free 30-minute ride that has tons of photo opportunities.

Grab a snack and board the ship; sit on the right side of the ship to enjoy some incredible views of the largest city in the states as you bid farewell to Manhattan. Sitting on the right side is recommended so that travelers can get their picture-perfect shots of the Statue of Liberty.

A side tip, if travelers visit during the summer, don’t miss out on the Staten Island Yankees minor league game. The tickets are reasonably priced, and it’s something all travelers will thoroughly enjoy.

Brooklyn Bridge

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, the most iconic bridge in New York City. It is one of the best places you need to visit in Downtown NYC.

Visit at sunrise to get amazing pictures without having to struggle to crop the million people in the background.

The architecture and the vibe around the bridge will make an individual feel as though they are a part of the city. Take in the sweeping view of the Manhattan skyline and end the day towards the Brooklyn side of town, which gives travelers the privilege to add exploring Dumbo to their itinerary as well.

Travelers could also rent a bike and enjoy a ride on the bike track that’s made on the bridge.

Rockway Beach

Credit: Andre Carrotflower (Wikimedia Commons)

Unlike their neighboring city Jersey, the public beaches in New York are free for everybody to access. However, travelers do need to spend a small amount to get to the beach, either by bus, subway, or ferry.

The water feels amazing on a hot day, and this is a perfect spot to pass a day with the family. An insider tip from the locals, visit Rippers on the boardwalk for some great burgers.

Grand Central Station

Calling the Grand Central Station just a station is like calling Central Park just a park. Step inside to travel back in time. Built over 100 years ago, there is old fashion signage all over. Even the ticket windows look as though they come from another era.

Travelers can easily spend a few hours taking pictures and gazing at the old chandeliers and the zodiac constellation in the main hall. Travelers can also visit the whispering hall to enjoy a conversation in a whisper with their companions.

Make it a point to visit the food court on the lower level, as locals state this to be the best food court in the city.

Central Park

Visiting Central Park has to be on the itinerary of every traveler. It’s the most visited urban park in the world, where travelers can easily spend their entire day.

Feed ducks, climb rocks, enjoy a ride on the carousel, go for a picnic, play games, enjoy live music played by the locals chilling in the park, and a lot more. The options are limitless.

The fresh greenery will also have a positive impact on your health.

Walk the High Line

The Highline is toward the west side of Manhattan. It is a former freight track turned into one of the best public spaces in the city.

The 1.5-mile elevated park hovers over the meatpacking and Chelsea district. This is a famous tourist destination which also happens to be one of the free things to do in New York City, so know that it will be crowded.

If the exploring gets tiring, relax on the many benches placed all around the place, spy on the city from above, and browse the various art vendors by the side of the street and the unique art installations.

Roosevelt Island

Nestled between Manhattan and Queens, this little oasis needs to be visited.

While it’s not technically free to get there, as travelers will need a subway card swipe to access the tram, the ride is worth every penny. However, at just a 2-mile length, travelers can choose to walk too.

Wonderful place to sit back and enjoy scenic views.

Midnight at Time Square

The most obvious things a first-timer will do when visiting New York. However, the best time to visit time square is during midnight as the world’s largest digital art exhibit is every night from 11:57 to 12:00 right here.

Art Gallery Hopping

Travelers can go art gallery hopping in Chelsea for free, and the best part is there are hundreds of them to choose from.

Travelers can make an entire night out of this. Every Thursday is gallery night in Chelsea, where many local places hold exhibits completely free and are open to all public access.

Delay no more and book your US tourist visa to enjoy an amazing vacation in beautiful cities such as New York, California, and many more.