Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Misc

Sponsored Post: What is your favorite thing to do for free in NYC?


By

Gothamist Sponsor

Published Dec 8, 2008

Modified Dec 8, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Gothamist Sponsor

Published Dec 8, 2008

Modified Dec 8, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

View Larger Map

Here in NYC, there are plenty of options for spending the day without spending at all. But what are the best things to do for free throughout the five boroughs? To find out, we decided to Just Ask The Locals.™ Mario Batali is a big fan of the Staten Island Ferry, while Cynthia Nixon opts for a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Also at the top of her free and fun list are the Sony Wonder Technology Lab as well as First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum. As for Wynton Marsalis, he recommends catching complimentary jazz at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (late-night sets and afternoon battles), the Museum of Modern Art, Jazzmobile and Saint Peter’s Church (Jazz Vespers).

And last week, we asked you to tell us your favorite free things to do in NYC. We got lots of great responses, but the top 10 no-cost hotspots according to Gothamist readers are:

     Central Park
     Bryant Park
     Downtown Boathouse
     Metropolitan Museum of Art
     Staten Island Ferry
     Prospect Park
     Coney Island
     The Brooklyn Heights Promenade
     Chelsea Galleries
     Strand Book Store

Want even more insider advice on where to go and what to do in NYC? Discover where Tim Gunn and Cynthia Rowley shop for bargains and where Debbie Harry goes to hear live music. Find out Marcus Samuelsson’s favorite cheap eats and where Sean “Diddy” Combs goes for a drink. Plus, offer up your own NYC tips and enter the Just Ask The Locals Challenge to become the next Official NYC Local. So go ahead, get a tip, give a tip and enter to win at nycgo.com.

Tagged

Just Ask the Locals

NYC visit

sponsor JATL

sponsored post


Gothamist Sponsor

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE miscellaneous

We visited 8 laundromats to talk about voting and elections. Here's what people had to say.

As we inch closer to Election Day in November, WNYC is turning some laundromats in the New York metro area into hubs of civic dialogue.

By

Jodi Malarbe

and

George Bodarky

Published Jun 23, 2024


Aging with Pride: LGBTQ+ older adults share their personal journeys

As we mark Pride month, LGBTQ+ older adults share their struggles, triumphs and advice for today’s generations.

By

George Bodarky

Misc

Aging with Pride: LGBTQ+ older adults share their personal journeys

As we mark Pride month, LGBTQ+ older adults share their struggles, triumphs and advice for today’s generations.

By

George Bodarky


Hands in the dirt: Meet some of NYC's community gardeners

By

Enrico Denard

and

George Bodarky

'In the very, very beginning, it was about 3 feet of garbage': How NYC’s first community garden got started

By

George Bodarky

Serving up BBQ ribs and a deep sense of community in the South Bronx since 1954

By

George Bodarky


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .