City Guide to New York City | Must See Attractions, Unique & On a Budget
It’s easy to break the budget in New York City rather quickly, but here are some suggestions of great (but not necessarily all must see) things you may enjoy on your next vacation and sightseeing adventures. We’ve included free, cheap, affordable and inexpensive things, some you may have heard and others are pretty unique!
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We saved our favorite photos from our travel in the United States in our Photo Album! Don’t worry, we think it’s more fun than sitting through your grandparents vacation slideshows…
We’re a digital nomad couple pursuing financial independence, retire early (FI/RE) and in 2016, we sold most of our belongings, planned to be ‘homeless’ and traveled 3 continents, 23 countries, and 60 cities in a year!
After a year traveling full time internationally we decided it was time to come home to the United States. However, our life as digital nomads wasn’t something we wanted to give up. So, in 2017 we continued our house sitting adventures throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“We love exploring neighborhoods, off the beaten path sights, and must see attractions in each city we visit.”
We hope our city guides might inspire your wanderlust. And, since a picture is worth a thousand words, we’re sharing our favorite sightseeing images from the cities we’ve visited in photo essays!
If you’re wondering how to travel internationally, or simply vacation nearby and not spend a fortune on airfare or hotels, then we’d like to welcome you to the world of ‘travel hacking’. See what credit cards we carry, and how we take full advantage of the points and miles we’ve earned.
Sightseeing in New York City
As digital nomads that house sit full time, we’re always looking for unique and interesting things to do in a new city. Our goal is to always explore as many nooks and crannies of the city that we can, so that we don’t feel like we missed out on anything during our visit.
“The world is so big and there’s only so much time to see it all, why revisit a place when you can go somewhere new?!”
So, it’s not about saving money or finding cheap things to do, it’s also about seeing more than simply the well known tourist attractions. In our humble opinion, there are only so many world class zoos, wax museums, and Ferris wheels you can see before they start to blur together. Here’s our curated list of things to see and do in New York City that may not make the more traditional ‘NYC Must See’ lists. We’ve also included tips and best practices to save money and have a good sightseeing experience!
Note: The list starts in Queens (around Flushing) and moves west towards Manhattan.
Sightseeing in Queens
Visit the New World Mall
Cost: Free entrance
Location: Queens, Flushing
Left empty for over 12 years, this 165,000 square foot site was renovated into a mall space with 108 retail shops and an Asian super market that brought the area back to life. With a stunning entryway and beautiful architectural features, the New World Mall reflects the diversity of the neighborhood it resides in.
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Visit the Unisphere
Cost: Free
Location: Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Head to the northern part of Flushing Meadows Corona Park to see the 350 ton, 120 foot diameter globe, the Unisphere. It was originally made for the 1964 World’s Fair (think of it like New York’s Eiffel Tower). And don’t worry, while the weather slowly eroded the raised terrain of the globe, an $80 million dollar, 15 year project restored its former glory and uplifted the surrounding fountain and park area.
Visit the Queens Museum
Cost: Free entrance
Location: Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The Queens Museum is all about art and education that resonates with the diversity and culture of Queens. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance, because even though they are free, you must reserve timed tickets in advance.
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Sightseeing in Brooklyn
Visit Prospect Park
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, SE of Park Slope
We’ve always enjoyed parks, but we really fell in love with them while in Paris where the diversity, beauty and public use of parks was definitely next level. And with that in mind, Prospect Park in Brooklyn didn’t disappoint! Go for a stroll, get a yoga class in, see a movie, enjoy a ride on the carousel, and so much more!
Visit the Grand Army Plaza
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, main entrance to Prospect Park
Grand Army Plaza, located at the northern point of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, it’s the main entrance to Prospect Park. At the convergence of Flatbush Avenue, Vanderbilt Avenue, Eastern Parkway, Prospect Park West, and Union Street you’ll find the Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch, a triumphal arch.
Visit Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Cost: Pay as you wish or free for those who need it
Location: Brooklyn, next to Prospect Park
Add the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to your sightseeing itinerary in December through February and tickets are ‘pay as you wish’ Tuesday – Friday. If you’re traveling with a family, kids under 12 years of age are always free. Additionally, a portion of tickets each day, year-round are reserved as Community Tickets and made available for free for those who need them.
Visit the Mosaic House
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, 108 Wyckoff Street
The Mosaic House is original art by Susan Gardner and makes this house incredibly unique and very interesting to look at! Susan started it with just a small piece in 2001 and has continued to add to it.
Shop at the Superhero Supply Co.
Cost: Free to visit
Location: Brooklyn, Park Slope, 372 5th Ave
Are you a superhero? An aspiring Superhero? Or simply want to check out some cool gear? Then answer the call, don your cape, and check out the Superhero Supply Company!
Walk the Coney Island Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, Coney Island
Optional: Buy a hotdog at the original Nathan’s (~$5)
There’s nothing like a walk on the Coney Island Boardwalk to have a great New York City experience that’s a world apart from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. With nearly three miles of beach, you can enjoy summer activities on the sand or stay dry with amusement park activities. And after a long walk, there’s nothing better than a hot dog from the original Nathan’s location!
Walk around the Brooklyn DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) area
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, DUMBO
Take a walk in this well known neighborhood and get some stunning pictures of the Manhattan skyline. Plus, don’t miss the iconic view (seen in many movies over the years) of the Manhattan Bridge on Washington Street between Front and Water Streets!
Ride Jane’s Carousel
Cost: $2 per ticket
Location: Brooklyn, DUMBO
While touring Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, check out Jane’s Carousel. It’s fun for the family and located right on the water.
Walk the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is great for views of the river, the Manhattan skyline, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Take a walk any time of the day, but we highly recommend sunrise during the ‘golden hour’ for spectacular lighting and the perfect photos.
Along the walkway you’ll find the Brooklyn Bridge Park and Greenway. It’s a great place to continue the views of Manhattan!
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Cost: Free
Location: Between Brooklyn and Manhattan
The iconic Brooklyn Bridge deserves more than just a view from afar or a quick drive across. In our humble opinion the 1.1 mile walk over the bridge is well worth it. It’s a national landmark and the first bridge to use steel cable wiring, and it’s also beautiful! A quick tip, unless you make the walk at sunrise, expect the bridge to be very crowded.
Take the South Brooklyn Ferry from DUMBO across to Manhattan
Cost: $2.75 one way
Location: Between Brooklyn and Manhattan
You’ve more than likely seen plenty of movies that show passengers on a ferry in New York City. So, what’s more fitting than adding a ferry ride to your adventures? Take the South Brooklyn Ferry from DUMBO to Manhattan (Pier 11, Wallstreet) to get a true NYC experience.
Sightseeing in Manhattan
Visit the Whitehall Terminal and take the round trip Staten Island Ferry
Cost: Free
Location: Lower Manhattan
On our very first visit to NYC, rather than fight crowds and pay for tickets, we felt like we’d found a great hack when we learned we could see the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry for free. If you’re looking to do the same, when boarding from Manhattan or Staten Island, make your way upstairs and out to the outdoor deck on the starboard (right side). If you’re looking for more than just views of the Statue of Liberty and would like to see Manhattan, head to the back of the ferry when departing from Manhattan, or the front when departing from Staten Island.
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Visit Wall Street
Cost: Free
Location: Lower Manhattan
Wall Street is the financial district in Lower Manhattan and is home to the NYC Stock Exchange, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the World Trade Center, and the Charging Bull sculpture. For the history buffs, be sure to visit Federal Hall where George Washington took his presidential oath.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Cost: The memorial is always free, the museum is free Mondays 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Location: Lower Manhattan
Where the Twin Towers once stood is a beautiful memorial that welcomes visitors to reflect, grieve, and give their respects to those that saved lives, and to those that sadly lost theirs. We recommend planning extra time here as we found ourselves slowing down and spending a bit more time than expected.
Tip: If you’re planning to visit the 9/11 Museum on Mondays during free hours (3:30 – 5:00pm) be sure to get your tickets in advance. You can secure your tickets online starting at 7am, just keep in mind that they’re first come, first serve.
Visit the World Trade Center Subway Station
Cost: Free
Location: Lower Manhattan
While visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, we also recommend heading to the World Trade Center Subway Station to see the Oculus. Its spectacular architecture is designed to look like a hand releasing a dove and its structure aligns with the sun’s solar angles on September 11th from 8:46am when the first plane hit to 10:28am when the second tower fell.
Visit the shops on Bleecker St. for free samples
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, NOHO
Looking for a taste of New York City that will get your taste buds going? Take a walk along Bleecker Street for free samples (Oliver’s & Co., ROYCE Chocolate, Murray’s Cheese Bar, DAVIDsTEA, etc.). Free is great, but we challenge you to walk away without buying something for later!
Visit the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar for great skyline pictures!
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Midtown - Nomad
Looking for a lesser known spot to get great skyline pictures? Make your way to the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar and you’ll find yourself unable to refrain from snapping a few photos! It’s free, but you may want to buy a drink and/or snack.
See the Life Underground
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Chelsea, 14th Street/8th Avenue subway station
It might take some time to find all 100 pieces in this whimsical art installment by Tom Otterness. But in our humble opinion, a stop to the subway station at 14th Street and 8th Avenue to see a few of the sculptures is worth it. They remind us of the sculptures we saw in Bratislava. As a reflection of life in New York City, the sculptures definitely make waiting for the next train more interesting!
Visit Little Island
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Hudson Park, Pier 55
Little Island is an urban park with a very unique design! On top of gathering and play spaces, it’s also home to and amphitheater with over 600 seats and a smaller stage for up to 200 people. On top of the design and open space, Little Island is a great place to bring the family since there are free activities for kids and events (tickets for purchase) happening regularly.
Walk the High Line
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Chelsea
At just under a mile and a half, this converted railroad is now a green space that is begging to be explored. Take a stroll on the High Line and see art installations, plants that were inspired by those that grew naturally on the abandoned rail, local shops, and views down Manhattan streets that may take your breath away.
Visit the Morgan Library and Museum
Cost: Free on Fridays from 5pm to 7pm (reserve tickets in advance)
Location: Manhattan, Murray Hill
If you’re one to seek out beautiful architecture and libraries, then the Morgan Library and Museum is a must see.
Visit Bryant Park
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Midtown
With dozens of activities, Bryant Park always has something interesting to see or do. We put Bryant Park on our sightseeing itinerary and took a free juggling class!
Visit Times Square
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Theater District / Times Square
It’s iconic and probably goes without saying that most visitors will put Times Square on their sightseeing list. It was on ours, in the early morning to avoid large crowds, mid-day to immerse ourselves in the full experience, and at night to get a completely different vibe. Take your time and enjoy the well-known performers, but as always, watch your pockets and stay safe.
Visit the Rockefeller Square
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Diamond District
Similar to Times Square, Rockefeller Square is a free and very well known and popular tourist attraction. It gets crowded, but we recommend visiting at least once. We enjoyed visiting both in the summer and during the winter holiday season for festive Christmas decorations and the iconic ice rink.
And if you’re a fan of the Tom Hanks movie Big, be sure to visit FAO Schwarz and get a picture with the famous floor piano.
Visit Central Park
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, between Upper West Side and Upper East Side
Central Park isn’t just one of the most well-known parks in the country, it’s one that you can’t quickly walk through. It’s HUGE and has many, many different features worth visiting. Consider adding the Alice in Wonderland statue, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, Summit Rock, Gapstow Bridge, and The Great Lawn to your itinerary. That may seem like a lot to see, but trust us, there’s still way more to see than what we’ve listed here. And while not free, there’s even a Zoo!
Visit the Vessel
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Hudson Yards
The Vessel has come with its fair share of controversy and as of the time of this article isn’t open to visitors (to climb). However, with 154 flights of stairs and a very unique look, it’s easy to see up close or from afar.
Fun fact: In 2019, while sightseeing we met the lead architect!
Visit the Ghostbusters Firehouse
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Tribeca, 14 North Moore Street
The Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8 isn’t only a New York City fire station, it’s also the firehouse from the movie Ghostbusters!
Visit the New York Public Library
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Midtown next to Bryant Park
There’s a reason the New York Public Library shows up in many movies! Both the exterior and interior of the building are done with beautiful detail.
Find the Bird Murals in Harlem and Washington Heights
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Harlem and Washington Heights
The Audubon project originally started in Harlem and Washington Heights to highlight global warming and the danger it puts on so many species of birds. You can take a guided tour, follow a pre-defined walking route, or simply keep your eyes open while walking the neighborhood and spot the murals on your own.
Visit the Little Red Lighthouse
Cost: Free
Location: Manhattan, Washington Heights
Under the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park is a small red lighthouse that was built in 1921 in an attempt to reduce traffic accidents on the Hudson River. It was decommissioned in 1932, but later became known from the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift. Today, it’s the last standing lighthouse in Manhattan.
Sightseeing in the Bronx
Climb the ‘Joker Stairs’
Cost: Free
Location: Bronx, Highbridge
Today the stairs that connect Shakespeare and Anderson avenues at West 167th Street are known as the Joker Stairs from the well known scene in the movie, Joker (2019). Officially these stairs are known as the Shakespeare Steps.
Tips and Best Practices for Sightseeing in New York City
Public Transportation:
Riding the New York City Subway is a must do at least once during your visit. It’s also a great way to get around the city and is almost always faster than taking a car or taxi.
Each ride is $2.75, but if you’re going to take more than 12 rides on public transportation it’ll be better to buy a week pass for $33 instead of paying $2.75 per trip.
Public transportation transfers are free (within 2 hours), bus to bus, bus to subway, and subway to bus.
For more information check the MTA website.
Free and Discounted Museums
Have a museum in mind that you want to visit, but are worried about the cost? Many of the city’s museums and exhibitions have free or discounted days (similar to museums in London). Among them are the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Museum of Moving Image, 9/11 Memorial Museum, Bronx Zoo, American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Museum, American Folk Art Museum, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Guggenheim Museum, The Jewish Museum, and many more.
We’ve noticed that free, discounted, and pay as you wish days change frequently, so we recommend visiting the museum website for up-to-date information.
Tip: If you happen to have a New York City Library card, you can often get free tickets to museums! Also, check the benefits on your credit cards. For example, our Capital One Venture X credit card gives us a complimentary six month Enthusiast membership from the Cultivist. The membership includes tickets for you plus three guests and skip the line access.
City Passes
Have you taken a look at the cost of tickets to go to the top of the Empire State Building, go on a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, take a sightseeing cruise or a bus tour, or go to the Guggenheim and had a bit of sticker shock? Well then, city passes might be what you’re looking for. They’ll get you into the top attractions at a steep discount. Some will even let you skip the lines!
Tip: Before purchasing a city pass, run the numbers and make sure you’ll be able to visit enough of the attractions on the card to make the cost of the pass worth it.
We’ve used city passes all over the world (Amsterdam, London, Berlin, and Istanbul to name a few places) and have saved so much money sightseeing because of them!
New York CityPASS gives you nine days to see five attractions of your choice. If you’re staying for a shorter time and only have time for three top attractions, then choose the C3 pass. Must see attractions include the Empire State Building, a cruise, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, The Statue of Liberty, and more!
Get the Go City New York pass and get access to over 100 attractions! You can also choose what type of pass you want. The Explorer Pass is good for 60 days and gives you access to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions. The All-Inclusive Pass includes all the attractions you can fit into 1,2,3,4,5,7, or 10 days.
With over 100 attractions to choose from, purchase a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 consecutive day pass and see New York City at over a 40% discount! The New York Pass attractions include the Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour, the Empire State Building, the Status of Liberty, the Guggenheim, and over 100 more.
Best Practices
We do our best to have the most up-to-date information, but please be sure to check hours and ticket prices before visiting, especially since COVID-19 has impacted normal operations across the city.
Staying in Manhattan will cost a pretty penny. Consider travel hacking to get ‘free’ or heavily discounted hotel rooms, or conversely stay outside of Manhattan to save on your lodging costs.
While we love saving money, be careful to not be ‘cheap’ and miss out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. We consider ourselves frugal and are more than willing to splurge when it comes to something that we really want to do. So, it might be wise to figure out your budget in advance to know what type of spending money you have to use on the big ticket, must see, must do, must eat things!
We choose to walk most places when we can. This lets us discover so much more than we would in a car or train!
