Things to Do

New York is often seen as a concrete jungle, but there are small pockets where greenery not only thrives, but provides a welcome respite from the hectic pace of urban life—that is, if you know where to look. Next time you want to take a minute to stop and smell the roses, check out NYC parks like Central Park or visit New York's various conservatories (like the one at the New York Botanical Garden). We've also included lesser-known, secret gardens in NYC that provide rare moments of solitude in a city packed with eight million people. Note that most of the stunning botanical gardens are requiring pre-reserved tickets at this time, so check their websites before heading out.

Considering New York is the biggest city in America—and the greatest city in the world—it’s not a surprise that we’re home to some of the most amazing cultural experiences in NYC. But while everyone knows about fabulous Broadway shows and the fantastic music scene in Williamsburg, not everyone realizes just how many of these experiences are actually free things to do. Yes, you really can get into the city’s top venues—along with the best lesser known NYC attractions—without paying a cent.

Say it's a beautiful day (or maybe even a miserable one), and you say to yourself, I want to go see some art. Maybe it’s a specific exhibition that everyone you know is raving about at one of your favorite museums, such as The Metropolitan Museum Of Art or MoMA or the Guggenheim. Or maybe you just want to stroll through their respective collections. It’s one of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City that these institutions (and many more) are at your beck-and-call. They are, after all, among the finest in the world. There’s just one hitch: They’re pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Most NYC museums expect you to shell out $25 bucks or more to get in, and while that doesn’t seem like a lot compared to a ticket for a Broadway show, it adds up if you’re a regular museum goer. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis—if you’re willing to pop for the annual fee. But except for New York State residents headed for The Met, where a driver's license or other ID allows you pay whatever you wish, you pretty much have to pony up to get in there, or at The Modern, the Gugg and just about every other museum in town. There is one alternative though: Most museums offer free hours or days. You just have to know where and when they are.