New York with kids

15 Free Things to Do in NYC with Kids

Some of the best things New York has to offer families cost nothing at all. Here are fifteen, with a free day plan that strings several together.

By Play Your Trip · Updated · 3 min read

A pixel-art places list from a family's New York adventure book

A free day in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn

A ferry past Lady Liberty, a famous bull, and a walk over the bridge. The only cost is the subway ride.

  1. Morning

    Staten Island Ferry (opens Google Maps)

    Free, around the clock, and it sails right past the Statue of Liberty. Stand on the right side going out.

    Official site

  2. Late morning

    Charging Bull (opens Google Maps)

    Then Fearless Girl, facing the Stock Exchange on Broad Street.

  3. Midday

    9/11 Memorial pools (opens Google Maps)

    The two memorial pools sit in the footprints of the Twin Towers. The museum is separate, paid, and intense for younger children.

    Official site

  4. Afternoon

    Walk the Brooklyn Bridge (opens Google Maps)

    From City Hall to DUMBO, then look back at the skyline.

  5. Late afternoon

    Brooklyn Bridge Park playgrounds (opens Google Maps)

    Some of the best playgrounds in the city, with a view of Manhattan.

15 free things to do with kids in New York

  • Ride the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty.
  • Explore Central Park: Belvedere Castle, the Alice in Wonderland statue, Balto the sled dog statue, the model boat pond.
  • Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
  • Walk the High Line, a park on an old elevated railway.
  • Visit Little Island, a park floating on the Hudson (busy afternoons may need a free timed reservation).
  • Meet Winnie-the-Pooh at the New York Public Library.
  • Whisper across the arches in Grand Central's whispering gallery.
  • See the 9/11 Memorial pools.
  • Find Charging Bull and Fearless Girl downtown.
  • Play at Brooklyn Bridge Park's pier playgrounds.
  • Look up at the lights of Times Square at night.
  • Watch the skaters at Rockefeller Center in winter, and see the tree in December.
  • Window-shop at the LEGO and Nintendo stores (free to look!).
  • Spot street performers in Washington Square Park.
  • Go on a scavenger hunt: try our NYC scavenger hunt for kids.

Cheap, not quite free

  • The Roosevelt Island Tram costs a single subway fare and gives a cable-car ride over the East River.
  • MoMA is free for children 16 and under (adults pay).
  • Ferries: the NYC Ferry is a cheap way to see the skyline from the water.

Questions

Is the Staten Island Ferry really free?

Yes. It runs around the clock between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island and passes the Statue of Liberty. Everyone gets off at St. George, then you can walk around and board the next boat back.

Can you see the Statue of Liberty for free?

Yes, from the free Staten Island Ferry or from Battery Park. Landing on Liberty Island requires a ticket from the official ferry, Statue City Cruises.