By Taylor Tracy
Taking a trip into the city might seem expensive at first. A train ticket and a few subway tickets will set you back about thirty dollars. However, there are plenty of things to do and see in the city that will make that hour-long train ride worth it without emptying your wallet:
- Go See Art
NYC is full of places to see new and different types of art. Major museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History offer suggested admission, meaning you can pay a dollar or two to get into the museum.
Other museums have free admission nights. The Museum of Modern Art is open to the public for free on Fridays 4-8 p.m. The Brooklyn Museum is open to the public for free on the first Saturday of every month. This year, they will also offer special events on those nights that highlight female-identifying and gender non-conforming artists and performances.
- Go to a Park
Going to parks in NYC isn’t just about taking a walk. Many of them can be an adventure and offer fun, cheap things to do with friends. Head to Central Park in Manhattan, Prospect Park in Brooklyn or out to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens for sprawling lawns and museums.
Smaller parks offer plenty of opportunity for fun too. Head to DUMBO in Brooklyn to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to see views of Manhattan, find good eats and ride Jane’s Carousel for $2. Hang out in Bryant Park and visit the adjacent New York Public Library. Visit Washington Square Park’s famous arch or catch the famous view of the flatiron building from Madison Square Park, visit the High Line, ride the Seaglass Carousel for $5 in Battery Park or stroll through the farmer’s market in Union Square Park.
- Go Out on the Water
Want to take a free ride and see some of the prettiest views of the city? Take the Staten Island Ferry out to Staten Island and back. In the spring, take the ferry to Governor’s Island for free to enjoy bike trails, views and mini golf. Want to kayak in an enclosed area on the Hudson River? Head down to the Downtown Boathouse on Pier 26.
- Meet Authors and More
Bookstores host authors for signings and events all the time including Strand, Barnes and Noble (Union Square, TriBeCa and the Upper West Side all host great events), McNally Jackson, Books of Wonder and more. The events themselves are often free, but the books aren’t.
- Attend a Protest
In the wake of the last election, many concerned residents are taking to the streets to raise their voices against what they feel to be discriminatory and unfair policies. Last night there was a protest in Washington Square Park against the proposed Mexican border wall and the ban on immigration from several Middle Eastern countries. Concerned by some of the same issues? Keep up on social media to find out about these protests and rallies. Go practice your first amendment right of peaceful assembly.
This is just a short list. There are plenty more fun and affordable things to do around the city. Check out sites like New York Magazine and Time Out New York on the latest must-sees of the city. You won’t want to miss out.
