Taking a walk through the enormous Central Park is absolutely free and provides lots of entertainment and experiences. For example, you can see the area called Strawberry Fields, where John Lennon is memorialized. There is also the Belvedere Castle, a popular site for birdwatching, and Cleopatra's Needle for the architecture buffs. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the park; these start at $50 plus tip for 20 minutes. At the Loeb Central Park Boathouse there are gondola rides available for $30 per half hour, as of September 2010, so if you split it with a few people it will be much cheaper.
The Loeb Central Park Boathouse
East 72nd St. & Park Drive North
New York, NY 10022
212-517-2233
thecentralparkboathouse.com
Central Park Conservancy
14 E. 60th St.
New York, NY 10022
212-310-6600
centralparknyc.org
The Museum of Modern Art offers tons of legendary and innovative pieces of art that you can go see. Check ahead of time to see which exhibits are there so you don't miss anything. The museum is free after 4 p.m. on Fridays. You can easily spend an afternoon or a whole day here exploring the large complex. There is an architecture garden you can visit during certain seasons as well. As of 2010, regular admission is $20.
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53 Street
New York, NY 10019
212-708-9400
moma.org
Times Square is an iconic place to visit with its giant lighted billboards and beautiful buildings. There is absolutely no charge to visit this place and to wander around. It is a great place to truly experience the hustle and bustle of the busy New York life.
Times Square
W 46th St. & Broadway Ave.
New York, NY 10036
514-321-1025
timessquare.com
You can see a television show being taped live. Shows such as David Letterman, the Daily Show and Saturday Night Live have audiences and if you wait in line you can get tickets for free. You have to get in line early, though, so check with the show you want, get the tickets and enjoy the rest of your day, then make your way to the show. You can get discount tickets at various booths throughout the city, so ask your concierge where the nearest is.
PS1 is a branch of the Museum of Modern Art. It is nonprofit and admission is free. It is suggested that you donate at least $5; however, it is not mandatory. PS1 has a wide collection of both new and classic contemporary art and is located in a former school building.
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-784-2084
ps1.org
New York is home to many sports teams in many different sports and is not far from teams in New Jersey, such as the Nets and the Giants. If you want to see an event, numerous websites offer discounted and last-minute tickets. You may not have the best seat in the house, but you will be able to see a game.
Take the subway out to Coney Island. This is a legendary place, with its carnival games, circus sideshow and rides, plus plenty of inexpensive foods. Also, the New York Aquarium is here, so you can see many different sea creatures. On Fridays it is donation only to enter. They suggest $13, but you can put in less if you'd like, making it a cheap but exciting experience.
Coney Island
1208 Surf Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224-2816
718-372-5159
coneyisland.com
