10 Free Things to do in New York That You Shouldn't Miss

December 7, 2021 Jana Sager

New York State has it all – booming metropolises, majestic waterfalls, mountains, wine country, chicken wings. Yes, NYC is a magnet for tourists, but an exploration of the rest of the state can be equally thrilling. The Finger Lakes Wine Region is a vision of serene waters, quaint B&Bs, and pretty vineyards. Movie buffs will love Rochester, home of the George Eastman House and one of the world’s most comprehensive film archives. On your way to Niagara Falls, stop in Buffalo to fuel up on spicy wings.
Restaurants in New York

1. Green-Wood cemetery

500 25th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232-1755 +1 718-210-3080 [email protected] http://www.green-wood.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,047 reviews

Green-Wood cemetery

Reviewed By 377dawnp

It may seem a bit creepy but I love this place because of its beauty and serenity. Green Wood is notable for the number of celebrated and famous people buried there. Yet it's a place for the living--the landscape, the monuments and Victorian statutory and vintage headstones make it an outdoor museum that transports you to a bygone era. One could get lost there along its many winding paths-- signage not withstanding. On one secluded hilltop, I even saw a contemporary yet bucolic scene of a family lazing on the grass for an afternoon near loved ones. Whether your loved one is among the famous or not, it's one of the finest and most beautiful spots in Brooklyn. See it to believe it...acres and acres, so get a map. It's worth the trip!

2. Gantry Plaza State Park

409 47th Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101-5509 +1 718-786-6385 http://nysparks.state.ny.us/
Excellent
76%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 467 reviews

Gantry Plaza State Park

Reviewed By untdrum99 - Cebu City, Philippines

Gantry Plaza State Park is located in Long Island City in Queens and is a great park with a lot of family-friendly activities with a dog park, sand volleyball, dining, open spaces, and with some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, especially at sunset. There is also a ferry that goes across to Manhattan, but is also conveniently located near a couple of subway stops. Entrance to the park is free. It's a former dockyards so it is interesting to see how they have repurposed the area into something everyone can use. There is free parking located nearby on the street.

3. Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946 +1 518-637-6859 http://www.ausableriver.org/watershed/lakes/mirror-lake
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,026 reviews

Mirror Lake

Reviewed By luvtotravel6768 - Simcoe, Canada

Mirror Lake has it all - wonderful views; calm lake water; a 2.7 mile interlocking brick pathway all the way around, including part of the downtown street; a small sandy beach; a toboggan run in winter right onto the frozen lake!; kayaks to rent; flowers and flowering shrubs in May/June; and I must have forgotten something! We walked the loop 3 times during our week's stay, and saw walkers, joggers, families, mom's with strollers! Mirror Lake is well worth the stay in Lake Placid!

4. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, NY 14301 +1 877-325-5787 [email protected] https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,961 reviews

Niagara Falls

Three magnificent falls, two American and one Canadian, mark the point at which the Niagara River rumbles over the Niagara Escarpment.

Reviewed By Alpana-traveltern - Lucknow, India

An awe inspiring natural wonder, made all the more inviting due to the ease of access and the all round service and facilities. The beauty and grandeur of the falls is in no way diminished by the presence of thousands of daily tourists, perhaps they only add to the overall feeling of excitement.

5. Central Park

59th to 110th Street Manhattan Borough, from Central Park West to 5th Avenue, New York City, NY 10022 (212) 310-6600 [email protected] https://www.centralparknyc.org/
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 132,882 reviews

Central Park

For more than 150 years, visitors have flocked to Central Park's 843 green acres in the heart of Manhattan. Since 1980, the Park has been managed by the Central Park Conservancy, in partnership with the public. Central Park is open 6 am to 1 am daily. Visit the official website of Central Park to learn more about Park happenings and activities and to learn how you to help Central Park!

Reviewed By 242SharonC - Mississauga, Canada

This is such a great way to spend the afternoon- it’s huge, so lots of walking but also lots of benches to rest and enjoy. You can rent a bike, row a boat, ride in a horse drawn carriage, visit the zoo, stop for ice cream or lunch, or just wander and take in the various sculptures like Alice in Wonderland, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Lennon’s Imagine mosaic. You cannot visit Manhattan without doing Central Park. Short walk to a lot of hotels and shopping as well.

6. Prospect Park

450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225-3707 +1 718-965-8951 http://www.prospectpark.org
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,397 reviews

Prospect Park

Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, Prospect Park contains a zoo, an audubon center and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Its entrance is marked by the large Memorial Arch and it is a mecca for families and nature lovers who go to play ball, bird watch and listen to outdoor concerts.

Reviewed By howardb648 - Oceanside, United States

Everyone says Central Park is the best in NY, and maybe it is. But as a native NYC expat (to San Diego) and frequent family visitor, this gem may be even better! It is huge and has much variety, inclluding a beuatful botanic garden, open fields, forested ares, water features, you name it. Best time to go is early April through early June, when the weather is beautiful and the trees are blossoming and fragrant and the flowers and plants are at their peak. You can jog, run, bike or simply take a relaxing stroll and soak in the peace and beauty. Yes a "tree grows in Brooklyn", or in this place, millions of them!

7. Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing Bay, NY 11368 +1 718-760-6565 http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 389 reviews

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

A great NYC park for people-watching, this was the site of previous World Fairs and offers visitors bicycle paths, the Queens Wildlife Conservation Center, a carousel, freshwater fishing, indoor ice-skating rink and marina.

Reviewed By emilymaehood - Long Island, United States

Queens, New York hosts an epic playground, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, for everyone’s unique desires. This 897 acre park is the 4th largest public park in NYC. It was once host to the 1939 & 1964 World’s Fair and Shea Stadium. It currently houses Citifield (home to the Mets), USTA Billie Jean National Tennis Center (US Open), New York Hall of Science, Queens Zoo, Queens Museum of Art, Queens Theatre in the Park, and the New York State Pavilion. This is a great place for multiple family adventures! Check out the link in my bio for information on all of the different attractions.

8. Overlook Mountain

131 Ohayo Mountain Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498-2518 http://hikethehudsonvalley.com/overlook-mountain
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 261 reviews

Overlook Mountain

Located in the Catskill park region, Overlook Mountain beckons nature lovers with its trails and campgrounds.

Reviewed By ericamY9753SJ

This can be considered a difficult hike but I will venture to say it is not. There is constant sustained elevation gain that does knock the wind out of you, but its up an old roadway so the terrain is easy. This goes on for a bit over two miles with nothing to see. Stop and rest and have some water and it will be "easy", there are no rock scrambles or rough passages, just a very long very steep uphill walk. It is SO WORTH IT. Once you get close to the top you will come upon the ruins of an old hotel that are pretty rad, there are many walls and stairs still standing. I have spoiled my children. We do long hikes with great payoffs. This by far was their favorite. It has set the bar where they expect great ruins and incredible vistas on each hike. It is the standard of all good hikes for them (I like some physical challenges like a good scramble- but they sustained elevation gain on this one does give me my physical challenge I look for). After spending some time at the ruins, the top is just a short hike. The views are incredible, the fire tower is an added perk and the historic house an informative little rest. There is also an outhouse at the top. The first time we went there was a volunteer with Oreos at the top to congratulate you for making it! Even on a cloudy day it is worth it. We saw families with babies, elderly people and pregnant women at the top. If you take your time and slowly walk, it is doable for most anyone

9. Finger Lakes

http://www.fingerlakes.org
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Finger Lakes

10. Williamsburg

Brooklyn, NY +1 718-387-2281 http://www.nycgo.com/boroughs-neighborhoods/brooklyn/williamsburg
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,697 reviews

Williamsburg

Reviewed By chefdino - West Vancouver, Canada

Had a great afternoon wandering around the riverside in Williamsburg. Grabbed the L Train in lower Manhattan for a quick 15 min ride into Brooklyn. Great old brownstones, and building facades with so much character. The views of the New York skyline was fantastic. Enjoyed seeing all of the wall art as we walked about 12 km. Went to artists and fleas a local flea market where budding artists show there wares.

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