Top 11 Free Landmarks And Attractions In New York

With people preferring to invest their hard earned money in gaining lifetime experience instead of material goods, travelling has become a huge hit for making small and big occasions even more special. Just like preparing a budget for routine expenses, people are now allocating a fair portion of their income for travelling to their favourite locations.

As this notion is gaining momentum, the tourism in hot destinations across the world is booming. Speaking of popular tourism hotspots, most people definitely have New York in their wish list. But travelling expenses, accommodation, food, shopping, intercity transportation and sight-seeing is quite money draining. Especially in an urbane and posh city like New York, where shopping, nightlife and intercity tour can be quite pricey, you will witness yourself running out of cash soon.

Instead of splurging unnecessarily in a totally alien location, here are top 11 free landmarks and attractions in New York that will help you spend within your travel budget:-

1. Times Square

One of the most crowded and vibrant landmarks in New York include the Times Square, which is estimated to have 39 million visitors each year. Shopping, dining and Broadway Shows along with dazzling lighting and energy of the Times Square rope in millions of people from various parts of the globe. 

The best time to visit and experience this incredible place in the New York is after sunset as the whole place livens up at night. The streets here can be pretty crowded, so being new to the place you must be careful of your belongings. The whole area is filled with the best restaurants and chain stores and is extremely visitor friendly.

2. Central Park

Get yourself an easy escape from the crowded and busy life of cities with tall buildings by visiting the Central Park. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the Central Park consists of 843 acres of gardens, water, open spaces and pathways and was the first landscaped public park in the United States. 

Visitors are allowed to walk around the park and explore its sculptures and gardens for free. Even the Central Park’s Conservancy’s walking tours don’t charge you a dime. You can enjoy small getaways with your travel companions and even take help of the Central Park map for taking a tour on your own.

3. Rockefeller Center

The construction of the Rockefeller Center finds its roots during the Great Depression and it provided the much need employment to the people here. Since then, the complex has maintained its poise as an important place in the New York City and visitors can enjoy the artwork and Art Deco architecture in the whole building free of cost.

The Rockefeller Center is one among the busiest landmarks in New York that has gained worldwide popularity due to the ice skating rink located below the building. Skating here isn’t cheap but watching the skaters on the ice doesn’t require any spending. During warmer months, the ice skating rink is often converted into dining or lounge area.

4. The Staten Island Ferry

For those who love sailing, the Staten Island Ferry is one of the amazing landmarks in New York which commutes from the Battery Park to the Staten Island. It offers the opportunity to view the scenic places of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the New York Harbour and the Statue of Liberty free of cost. Though the ferry isn’t quite fancy, it runs 24 hours a day and each trip of the journey covers 6.2 miles in a span of 30 minutes.  

5. Federal Reserve Bank Of New York

This neo-Renaissance building was erected in the year 1924 and you can witness the age old gold vault, multimedia trading exhibit and trading desk. The tour offers in-depth description of the working of the Federal Reserve and the role it plays in shaping the economy.

For visiting the gold vault, one has to book a guided tour in advance but the bank’s museum and the two self-guided exhibits can be viewed without a guide. The latter ones can be visited free of cost and are open from Monday to Friday. 

6. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Terminal Central was built in the year 1913 and later was saved from demolition by the New York’s landmark laws and some vocal New Yorkers, who strived hard to ensure that the historically important place was restored. The Grand Central Terminal was restored to its original glory in 1998. 

Its rich design architecture has not only made this place a crowded transportation hub for travellers using subway and Metro-North trains but also is a visiting destination comprising of shopping arenas, restaurants and cocktail bars.

7. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Opened in 1879, the St Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Gothic themed Catholic Cathedral in the United States that took over 20 years for completion of its construction. The Cathedral has a seating capacity of 2200 people and visitors are offered free public tours on selective days, while routine services are open to public for free of charge.

8. The Cathedral Church Of St. John the Divine

This is the largest church in whole of the United States of America and is located in northern Manhattan. The Gothic Church opens daily at 7:30 am and closes by 6:30 pm. The grounds and serene gardens of the church are open for the general public during the daylight hours. After offering your prayers at the Cathedral, you must not forget to visit the Peace Fountain and the Biblical Garden, which are the highlights in the church grounds. 

Visitors can pay for guided tours to learn about the historic significance of the Cathedral. The place is also popular for its annual event called Halloween Extravaganza and Procession of the Ghouls, which is held every year at the end of the October.

9. The New York Public Library

Aristocratically crafted by John M. Carrere and Thomas Hastings, the New York Public Library is a Beaux-Arts building that was constructed in 1911 and was the largest marble building in the United States back then. 

The library offers free daily tours to the visitors who can not only explore the grandeur of the architecture here but also the extensive book collection along with the museum that hosts temporary exhibits on versatile range of topics at no cost.

10. The Cooper Union

Aesthetically located in Manhattan, The Cooper Union which was founded in 1859 is the one and only private and full scholarship college in the United States. Peter Cooper, who was one the richest businessmen in America started the college with the goal of providing education to working class people. It has been educating students for years in the arenas of engineering, architecture and art. 

The Cooper Union had some great students like Thomas Edison and Felix Frankfurter. The prototype of microchip was developed in this place and the Great Hall has witnessed speeches of great Presidents like Taft, Lincoln, Grant, Theodore Roosevelt and Cleveland. Visitors to New York City can experience the rich art exhibits, events and lectures and most of these offerings don’t charge single penny from the visitors.

11. The Chrysler Building

Adding to the refined beauty of New York is the Chrysler Building which was built during the years 1928 and 1930. Designed by William Van Alen and opened in the year 1930, it was the tallest building in the world for a very short period. Although the Chrysler Building has no observation deck, visitors are allowed to enter the lobby of the building to take a view at the mesmerising ceiling mural during the normal working hours.