The 15 best free and cheap winter activities in NYC
Winter came early to New York City this year, and jacket season is in full swing across the five boroughs. The long stretch until spring and summer’s outdoor activities can feel discouraging, but there are still plenty of free and affordable ways to enjoy the city in the meantime. Ahead, here’s a list of the best affordable and free activities NYC has to offer during the winter months, from getting your step on during Zumba classes in public parks to dining for cheap at over 600 restaurants during winter Restaurant Week.
Ice skate at the Bryant Park Winter Village
Midtown, Manhattan
While the holiday season may be over, there’s still plenty of reason to visit Bryant Park’s beloved Winter Village. Although the famed outdoor market has closed, the park’s iconic ice skating rink remains open through March 1. The 17,000-square-foot rink is the only one of its kind in the city to offer free admission, making it one of the most accessible winter activities for New Yorkers. Skate rentals start at $18.72.
Dance along to a Zumba class
Locations throughout all five boroughs
It might be too cold to dance outdoors, but there are still plenty of ways to get moving indoors. The city’s Parks Department regularly hosts professional Zumba instructors at public parks and recreation centers across all five boroughs. These classes teach participants the energetic dance style’s signature moves while also providing a great workout. Even better, all Zumba classes hosted by the Parks are free, though advanced registration is required. You can find a list of upcoming Parks Zumba classes here.
Take a run with the New York Road Runners
Locations throughout all five boroughs
For those who won’t let the cold keep them indoors, the New York Road Runners—the organizers of the New York City Marathon—regularly host free runs in parks across all five boroughs. Through their popular Open Run program, the organization offers weekly 5K community-led runs in neighborhood parks throughout the city, from Staten Island’s Conference House Park to the Bronx’s Soundview Park, and many other green spaces in between. Registration is required. You can find more information about upcoming Open Run events here.
Visit a city museum
Institutions across the five boroughs
While many believe New York City is best enjoyed outdoors in warm weather, the city’s museums offer world-class collections that can be explored year-round, often at no cost. Many institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provide free or pay-what-you-wish admission for New York State residents, making their galleries widely accessible. Find a list of NYC museums that offer free or pay-what-you-wish entry here.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
Financial District, Manhattan
Hop aboard the Staten Island Ferry, which is completely free to ride, and sail across scenic New York Harbor while enjoying views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. The round trip takes about 25 minutes, and the ferry operates 24/7. If you only want the ride and don’t plan to explore Staten Island, you must disembark when the ferry reaches the island and wait for the return trip.
Walk the High Line
Manhattan
A great way to spend a day in Manhattan without spending a dime is walking along the High Line, a 1.45-mile elevated railway converted into a linear park in 2009 and now one of the city’s most popular green spaces. While the best way to enjoy it is to simply wander, some highlights include the 10th Avenue Square & Overlook, the Spur—which is home to a giant Pigeon sculpture through spring—and the Diller-Von Furstenberg Sunset Garden. Learn more about the iconic spots along the High Line and the best ways to access them here.
Cycle across the city
Whether it be on your own bike or using a sharing service like Citi Bike or Lyft, the five boroughs offer North America’s largest bicycle network, at 1,550 lane miles, with scenic routes along waterfronts, through lush parks, and past soaring skyscrapers. Riding your own bike is free, but depending on the length of your trip, using a Citi Bike can add up—especially since the company has increased its NYC prices five years in a row.
Dine for cheap during Restaurant Week
Over 600 participating restaurants across the city
The city’s beloved winter Restaurant Week returns on January 20, bringing special prix-fixe menus to 616 establishments across all five boroughs and adding a fresh spark to NY’s vibrant culinary scene. Running through February 12, this year’s program features two-course lunches and three-course dinners priced at $30, $45, and $60. Diners can browse the full list of participating restaurants, which can be filtered by cuisine, borough, neighborhood, and accessibility, here.
Say “farewell” to the MetroCard
New York Transit Museum, Downtown Brooklyn
Take a moment to bid adieu to the MetroCard, the now-retired fare payment method that riders swiped to access subways and buses from its 1994 launch until its retirement on December 31. The New York Transit Museum is hosting a special exhibition, “FAREwell, MetroCard” that explores the card’s history, from its creation and adoption to the technology behind it, and highlights its role as a cultural artifact for millions of New Yorkers. Admission to the museum costs $10 for adults, $5 for children ages two to 17 and seniors, and is free for museum members.
Catch a show during the Under the Radar festival
More than 30 shows citywide
Returning this January, Under the Radar is a theater festival that brings free and affordable shows to venues across NYC. This year marks its largest edition yet, featuring more than 30 boundary-pushing productions, from a tasteful adaptation of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” at The Public Theater to performances at Lincoln Center, the Irish Arts Center, and more. You can learn more about the festival and view the full lineup of shows here.
Attend live tapings of late night talk shows
It might surprise you, but you can attend live tapings of major late-night shows for free—it just takes some patience and a bit of luck. Popular programs like the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert offer free tickets to those who apply online. Slots fill up months in advance, so it pays to check the websites frequently and grab tickets as soon as new dates become available.
Stroll through one of the city’s famed public parks
Though their trees may be bare and lush plantings lie dormant, there is still much beauty to be found in city parks during the winter. From Manhattan’s iconic Central Park to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park—and the many smaller, serene green spaces across the five boroughs—spending time outdoors is a cost-effective way to enjoy NYC. You can find a comprehensive list of the city’s parks here.
Explore the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Midtown
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the flagship of the New York Public Library, is a world-renowned research center celebrated for its historical collections and commitment to free access for all New Yorkers. Its most famous interior, the Rose Main Reading Room, welcomes thousands of visitors who study, read, or simply admire the stunning ceiling adorned with blue murals and ornate plasterwork. The library offers free audio tours and a digital guide, letting visitors explore the historic space at their own pace and learn more about its architecture, history, and services. Learn more about visiting the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building here.
Shop at a greenmarket
Outdoor dining may be on pause for the winter, but greenmarkets across the city still offer fresh, locally grown produce. At each market, passionate farmers bring affordable and flavorful fruits, vegetables, and more for New Yorkers. While Union Square hosts one of the city’s most well-known markets, many others across all five boroughs make it easy for residents everywhere to access fresh produce. You can view a map of all the city’s winter 2026 greenmarkets here.
Go to the Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx
Every Wednesday, the Bronx Zoo offers limited free admission, giving New Yorkers a chance to see its vibrant collection of animals without spending a dime. Current highlights include Jungleworld, home to ebony langurs; Madagascar!, featuring lemur species native to the island; and World of Darkness, the beloved nocturnal animal exhibit that reopened in 2025 after 16 years. Free Wednesday tickets are limited, so visitors must sign up in advance here.
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