NYC free tourist sights
A guide to the Staten Island Ferry, museums & Grand Central Terminal
How to get the most out of your visit to New York City by seeing free and interesting sights
New York City is expensive to visit especially if you go to touristy trap places like Times Square or the Empire State Building, but there are many interesting things to see and do for free. Here's a quick guide:
Free ferry ride
The Staten Island Ferry regularly goes back and forth from Lower Manhattan to St. George, Staten Island and best of all it's free. From the deck you'll get refreshing sea breezes as well as see the lovely downtown skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The duration is about one hour round trip; and many people do this so you don't have to feel strange that you don't get off at St. George.
Getting there
Take the 1 train to South Ferry stop, make sure you are in one of the five cars at the front of the train, otherwise you won't be able to get out at the station.
Free museums
Many smaller museums such as the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (Seventh Ave and 27th St), and the Goethe Institute (Fifth Ave and E. 83rd St) are always free. On Fridays some better-known museums such as the Guggenheim (Fifth Ave and E. 89th St), the Whitney Museum of American Art (Madison Ave and E 75th St) and the MoMA (W. 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves) are either free or "pay what you want" (which can be 1 cent).
Getting there
FIT: 1 train to 28th St stop, walk south on Seventh Ave one block to 27th
Goethe and Guggenheim: 4/5/6 train to 86th St stop, walk west to Fifth Ave.
Whitney: 6 train to 77th St stop, walk west to Madison and two blocks south to 75th.
MoMA: E or F/V to Fifth Ave stop, walk west down 53rd St.
Free architecture:
Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913, fell into ruin in the 1950s but was restored to its architectural glory in 1998 and is a beautiful building to visit. The main hall houses the famous ceiling and clock seen in many movies. There are also numerous shops and restaurants to see. There are also many free events, check their website for a list.
Getting there:
Take the S or 7 train from Times Square, or the 4/5/6 to 42nd St/Grand Central Stop.
Transportation info: How to buy and use a MetroCard
NYC neighborhood info:
-NoLIta: Elizabeth Street
-Upper West Side: Central Park
-West Village: Bedford Street
