Favorite Free Attractions in the Big Apple

One of my favorite things to do in New York City is to take a little time enjoying Central Park. After soaking in the crazy lively city streets, the excitement, the attractions, the sites - I take a stroll in the park, sit, relax, and breathe. It's such a wonderful getaway from the hectic city, but still is in the heart of everything. I love being able to walk around thinking I'm in the great outdoors, then looking up and seeing beautiful skyscrapers towering overhead just on the perimeters.

There are so many things to see and do in this massive park, that one would could never see it all in just one trip. Whether you want a place for a relaxing stroll, invigorating workout, a family getaway to the zoo, or a quiet place to picnic, Central Park offers unending things to do. For runners, there are several popular paths to enjoy - the Reservoir (1.58 miles), Bridle Loop (2.5 miles), Full Lopp (6.03 miles) and many other distances in between. As soon as you enter the park, you'll see cyclists, runners, joggers, dog-walkers, and even pedicabs using the maze of pathways within.

There are plenty of things to enjoy without spending a dollar, but if you want to splurge a bit, enjoy a trip to the wildlife center and children's zoo or take a horse-drawn carriage and dine at the world famous Tavern on the Green for brunch.

Several outdoor art installations have been exhibited here in the past, and during the fall the colorful display of the changing leaves is worth a cool walk through the park. During the winter don't miss the Wollman Ice Skating Rink where you can glide along the ice with an unbelievable setting of the NYC skyline above your head.

Whatever amount of time you have during a visit to the city, be sure to take a little time to enjoy Central Park, even if it's just a pass through to another side of the city, as it's an unexpected retreat from the busy streets and gives you a glimpse into the recreational lives of the locals.

• http://www.centralpark.com/
• Open 6:00 am to 1:00 am
• Located from Central Park South (59th St.) to 110th St. at the northern end and from 5th Ave. on the East Side to Central Park West (8th Ave.) on the West Side
• Free Admission

Once the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in New York City. This beautiful structure sits proudly over the harbor on the south end of Manhattan, and gives drivers, cyclists, and
pedestrians one of the best views over the city's skyline.

After visiting the Big Apple several times before and never visiting the bridge, on my last trip I finally made sure to not to miss it! Now that I've walked it, I can highly recommend this to any visitor to NYC for an experience full of history, great views, and no admission fee!

Building began in 1870 and lasted 13 years after being designed by engineer John Roebling and completed by his son, Washington. The NeoGothic style is evident in the towering stone bases and careful arrangement of steel cables. Somehow looking at the harbor and city skyline through the woven layers of cables gives your point of view an interesting frame. Photographers galore can be found along the walkway, and if you want to brush up on some fun facts, be sure to read the information plaques in the enclaves under each tower.

The pedestrian walkway made of wooden planks runs above the street with vehicles below. Be sure to yield to bicyclists who also share the pathway, as the pedestrians are supposed to stick to the south side of the path. If you don't want to walk both ways, I'd recommend starting on the Brooklyn side and walking towards Manhattan for the best views (although be sure to take a look at the industrial buildings behind you in Brooklyn with some awesome old marque signs.

If you just want a good look at the bridge without taking the walk high above the water, then meander down to Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport just south of the bridge in Manhattan. Here there is a lovely promenade and cafes where many people take advantage of a great photo op with the iconic bridge in the background.


• 1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th St)
• Pedestrian Manhanttan entrance: end of Centre Street; Brooklyn entrance: staircase on Prospect St between Cadman Plaza East and West
• Metro stop: Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall on trains 4, 5, 6
• Free admission
• Open 24hrs/day

It took several years after the horrible attacks of September 11, 2025 for me to feel ready to see the site at Ground Zero, pay respects, and learn more about the future memorial. I initially went in 2005, and have returned since, and each time it's still an intimate experience that touches people from around the world. History was made there, and continues to be made, and if you feel ready to handle the gravity of what happened, then definitely plan a visit to the ongoing construction site while you're in NYC.

The first time I visited there which was 4 years after the attacks, I walked from several blocks away and began to notice the still broken windows of nearby office buildings, then slowly more and more construction vehicles appeared, and finally the entire gaping site lied before me. It was so strange how even with crowds of people around that entire massive area, the air was very quiet. Just taking in the destruction and memorials still being left, was an experience that took your breath away. People still brought signs, flowers, and photos during their visit, and the rubble still looked shockingly fresh.

When I returned again in 2008, I noticed that the area had been organized a bit more, and even laid out properly for visitors. There are several points of interest that one can see while there, including the New 9/11 Memorial Preview Site which shows the plans for the park, memorial, and buildings to be completed in years to come. There's a proper Tribute Visitor Center for people to privately pay respects and the NYC Fire Museum which offers information and memorials to the rescue teams.

The place that brought tears to my eyes was St. Paul's Chapel across Church Street from the site, which served as a makeshift rescue and relief center for workers and volunteers for months after the attacks. Here visitors can see hundreds of handmade notes of thanks, tribute, and love given to the works and victims from people around the world. The sheer rawness of the trinkets and crumbled photos really give you a sense of the loss that day.

If you visit, bring a quiet spirit, compassionate heart, and peaceful outlook as you pay respects to those lost, gratitude to those who helped, and hopefulness for the future of our world.

• http://www.national911memorial.org
• http://www.saintpaulschapel.org/
• Located on Church Street, Lower Manhattan
• Metro stops: A, C, J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau, E to World Trade Center
• Admission Free
• Site Open 24hrs but info kiosks hold limited hours. Operation Ground Zero Ministry Exhibit at St. Pauls Church: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.. Sunday 7 a.m.- 6p.m

What do you get when you cross two of New York City's most popular throughways in the busiest part of the city? Times Square!

This famous intersection covers over 5 blocks from West 42nd to 47th Streets where Broadway and 7th Avenue cross. Not only does it contain several streets, it also contains one of the highest concentrations of offices, retail shops, residential buildings, neon signs, and tourists all in one place. Named after the New York Times building that resided there, the square now is an iconic row of flashing lights, scrolling news tickers, and street parties.

Anyone that visits New York will surely come across Times Square just by checking out the main sites in midtown, but just in case your plans don't include a jaunt in that area, be sure to fit it in there, as no trip to the city is complete without witnessing the madness that is this famous square. There are plenty of stores to shop in here, as you'll see by the many signs beckoning you in, but I just like to take a walk through the crowds looking for the notable places from the street.

Some of the famous things to take note of are the old Times Building (One Times Square) where the New Years Eve ball is dropped every Jan 1, the Coca-Cola sign, the steaming Cup-o-Noodles sign, Times Square Studios where "Good Morning America" is filmed, and of course the TKTS kiosk.

If you forgot to reserve tickets for a show while you're in the Big Apple, you'll quickly find out that you're not alone, as the TKTS (Tickets) booth in the center of the intersection is always filled with lines of people hoping for a good deal on a last-minute ticket. Get there early if you don't want to spend hours in line, and bring some coffee...but don't worry, you'll have plenty of things to look at and entertain you while you wait!

• http://www.timessquarenyc.org/
• Intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue
• Metro stop: Times Square/42nd St on trains S, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7
• Open 24hrs/day
• Free Admission

One of the things visitors can do for free when in New York City is be a part of a number of studio audiences of the various shows filmed there. I've always associated NBC's Today Show with the heart of the City, so during a visit I made sure to get up in time to make it to the taping.

The Today Show has been on the air over 50 years and is located in the NBC Studio building in Rockefeller Plaza. Not only is it exciting to see the personalities and festivities of a live taping, but just to be a part of something in this historic and beautiful plaza is worth the experience. Although many people wouldn't be up for doign soemthing like this because they feel it's a bit cheesy, it's still fun to get wrapped up in whatever event is going on that day. I didn't make signs or anything, but I did wave to the camera hoping someone at home would see.

If you want a spot at the front of the barrier line, make sure you get there early, as it fills up fast, especially if a famous guest is expected. During the summers, the show hosts the Friday Concert Series with live performances by musical guests each week, and these days can be extremely crowded spanning the entire block. The Today Show studios lie just within the glassed corner so you can also get a peak into the inside filming sessions and even spot a celebrity or two.

If you're waiting outside, grab a morning pastry and coffee at Dean & Deluca which is right there, and even if the main guests don't spend time outside, the hosts are sure to make an appearance. If you're looking for something different, at least for one of your visits to the Big Apple, don't hesitate about making a stop at the Today Show or another morning show for an experience only in NYC.

• http://today.msnbc.msn.com/
• NBC Studio 1A, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
• Show times: 7am - 11am (Mon - Fri)
• Free admission