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Writer's pictureBarbara Sessim

NYC Lifestyle - New York Freebies

Ok ok, I know a lot of you have been asking this for a long time, but after my last post, NYC Lifestyle - My Favorite Clubs, you all have been REAL about this topic. I am not sure if it is because some of you may have gotten scared of the prices to get into clubs in NYC or simply don’t feel like nightclubs are your vibe - fair enough. So let’s talk about some very chill, but also cool, options to visit in New York.


Daytime, nighttime, or both. These places are certainly great to visit any time during your day and, the best part, they are all free.


1. The High Line & The Vessel



The High Line is an old train station that crosses midtown Manhattan all the way down to Chelsea. The line is not underground, like all the train lines in the city, so they turned into a cute “park”. You can walk along the line and see the beautiful view of the city.


The Vessel, which is a relatively new tourist point in the city, is in the Hudson Yards area and, if you keep walking towards uptown on the High Line, you will have a beautiful view of the Vessel. I have done it a million times.



2. Little Island



Also relatively new in the city, this little cure island was invented on top of the Hudson River and the design of the island is what catches everyone’s attention.


People host free yoga and meditation classes there. Some cool art events also happen on the island.


One super cool thing about this spot is that it is by the Hudson river, you can enjoy a walk along the west highway as well as sit down and relax by the Little Island.



3. Battery Park



I will admit that I am only mentioning Battery park because:

  1. You can have a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty

  2. Stone Street and Seaport are right next by.

I am that cheesy! It’s been 7 years, but I will forever be a tourist in New York City. So being able to look at the Statue of Liberty and take it all in is one of my favorite things to do.


And, as you all know, my cosmopolitan side also loves the bars around that area. There are literally all kinds of bars and restaurants, so you can find pretty good happy hour deals there.


4. Harry Potter store



This is very specific for all Harry Potter fans, but TOTALLY worth it!


I took my dad to visit this store with me and I went crazy. I had my dad telling me “you are not a child anymore, you cannot buy all of this!” because I was about to walk outside that store looking like I was ready to jump on my nimbus 2000, fly over the Quidditch game stadium and stop by the communal hall for Pudding with Luna - ok ok, not all of you will get this, but my HP fans will…


To get into the store is free but, obviously, if you want to participate in any of the Harry Potter “experience” options, you have to pay for it. Even if you don’t feel like paying, the store is amazing, so worth the visit.



5. The Met Museum



Ok ok, so this one is not completely free, but absolutely worth it! If you are a NYC resident, you just need to pay a donation which can be any price you want as long as it is above 0 dollars… If you are not a NYC resident, then go with your friend who is, otherwise the price to get into the museum is $25 per person - but again, totally worth it!


Honestly, the Met Museum is my favorite place to go. Especially when I have friends or family visiting me from Brazil, this is my go-to place! It is right by the central park, so you can enjoy the central park view as well as a beautiful art selection from different centuries and cultures. My favorite? Monet, Van Gogh and Salvador Dali.




I will admit that most of these places are outside areas, so it is definitely better to plan on visiting these during the warmer months in the city, but if you are here in the winter, bundle up and just go! It will still be a beautiful view and a great time.



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