Events come and go, but some New York experiences are always there. If you have a free day, build it around one of these.
See the skyline from the water
The Staten Island Ferry is free and gives you the harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan in about half an hour each way.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset
Start in Brooklyn and walk toward Manhattan so the skyline is in front of you the whole way. Read the story of its opening first, and it becomes more fun to cross.
Go up
The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock are the classic observation decks. For a cheaper view, the Roosevelt Island Tram takes you over the East River for the price of a regular transit fare.
Walk the High Line and cross Central Park
The High Line is a park built on an old elevated rail line on Manhattan's west side. Central Park is free and big enough to spend a whole day in. Bethesda Terrace and the lake are good places to start.
See a show, or hear live jazz
Broadway tickets can be expensive, but the TKTS booth in Times Square sells discounted same-day seats. For music, the Village Vanguard, open since 1935, is one of the city's most storied jazz rooms.
Eat like a New Yorker
Start with pizza, bagels and gelato, then save a night for one of the city's Michelin-recognized restaurants or a hunt for a hidden speakeasy bar.
Do it by season
In summer, parks around the city host free outdoor movie nights. In winter, plan a Christmas lights walk and try an outdoor rink. In fall, get out of town on a hike.
A tip
Pick one big thing per day and leave room to wander. The best moments in New York are often the ones that were not on the plan.
