Free Things to Do in New York City (and How to Save)

Saving money in New York is absolutely doable if you follow these tips while planning your trip.

You should know that New York is the second most expensive city in the United States, but it's also one of the most fascinating, so every penny you spend getting to know it is worth it.

There are ways to stretch your travel budget, and those tips for saving money in New York are exactly what I'm about to share.

1. Plan your trip in advance

I'll never get tired of saying it: booking where to stay online and well ahead of time can genuinely make the difference.

When you book your hotel, hostel or apartment early, you land some serious discounts.

Most hotels offer a «non-refundable» rate that can run up to 20% cheaper than simply reserving and paying on arrival.

If you're certain you're going, paying that rate is a great way to save.

2. Check whether you can travel with ESTA

If you're a citizen of a country in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, you can travel with an ESTA, an electronic travel authorization that costs just 21 dollars.

If you're Spanish or Chilean, for example, you'll save yourself a good chunk of money and plenty of headaches, since you won't need to apply for a traditional visa (just keep in mind the trip has to be 90 days or less).

In this guide to applying for an ESTA to travel to New York I walk you through every detail.

3. Pick a good neighborhood to stay in

When looking into how to save money in New York, a lot of travelers ask me whether it's worth staying in New Jersey or in neighborhoods farther from the main attractions.

True, you'll save a decent amount of money on those stays, but the catch is you'll spend a good part of the day in transit, and if you're in NJ you'll also have to pay for that state's public transportation.

That said, there are neighborhoods outside Manhattan with excellent connections to the city, like Long Island City or Williamsburg), and I definitely recommend staying there if you want to economize and see another side of NYC.

I cover the details on these areas in my guide to choosing the best neighborhood to stay in.

4. Buy a discount pass

Tourist passes like the New York Pass, Sightseeing Pass, GO City and City Pass are products designed with that very American sense of practicality.

They're discount cards that already include admission to a range of attractions. If you plan on visiting a lot of sights, you can save up to 50% on ticket prices.

At several of the busiest attractions they also get you priority access, so you'll save time as well as money.

Read the comparison of NYC tourist passes to figure out which one fits your kind of trip best.

5. Buy show tickets online

Whether it's a Yankees game or another sporting event, a Broadway show or a concert, it's always smart to check for online discounts.

Tickets usually go on sale online six months before the event, and that's the moment to jump in for better prices and the best seats.

There are plenty of ways to find cheap Broadway tickets. Go read them!

6. Take advantage of the big sale dates

First tip: try to line your trip up with one of the clearance sale seasons.

If you love shopping, you'll want to know the best spots for cheap shopping in New York.

Another tip is to head up to Woodbury Common Outlets, north of Manhattan, where you'll find up to 70% off top-tier, first-quality brands.

7. Ride the subway

With a MetroCard (New York's public transportation card) you can get anywhere in the city comfortably and as cheaply as possible.

The key is learning how the subway works and how the buses work. With my guides you won't get lost 😉

Another really important thing: you can reach New York's airports by subway. If you can get from JFK to Manhattan for just $10.75, why spend $70 on a taxi?

8. Reduced-price tickets

Most attractions in the city offer reduced admission for kids (take a look at everything you can do as a family), for visitors over 65, and for students from anywhere in the world who carry an official ID.

So it's a good idea to always have an ID on hand, and in the case of students, your school ID.

Always check before paying for tickets to see if one of those discounts applies.

9. Free museum admission

If you have more time to explore New York, or you're one of those people who never gets tired of coming back again and again, here's great news: many museums have free-admission days and time slots during the week.

Another option is buying ticket bundles on platforms like Tiqets, which will save you a good few dollars.

10. Save in New York with free Wi-Fi

There are plenty of Wi-Fi zones in New York. Check out where to find the best free internet connections without spending a cent.

11. Take advantage of free tours in New York

There are several free tours of New York in Spanish that I recommend taking advantage of. They're a very cheap way to explore the city with local guides who'll give you tons of information.

To book a free tour in New York you don't pay anything. Just sign up and show up at the agreed date and time. Keep in mind, though, that it's customary to tip the guide at the end of the tour.

I hope these 10 tips for saving money in New York help you out!