Biggest & Best Free Attractions in New York City

New York has countless attractions and a never-ending list of things to do. While top tourist draws often include extravagent spending sprees in New York's top shops and a none-too-thrifty trip up the Empire State Building, there are many popular sights and attractions that visitors can hit free of charge. Below we explore the top five of the biggest free attractions in the Big Apple.

Statue of Liberty

While catching the ferry to Ellis Island to peruse the Statue of Liberty comes at a cost of $10, getting up close to the quintessential American symbol of freedom is free for those in the know. A popular way to see the sight for budget travellers, the Staten Island ferry is free of charge and, although it doesn't stop at the Statue, it cruises right past it. Running every 20 minutes or so, the ferry journey takes 25 minutes and gives thrifty tourists the chance to grab multiple happy snaps of the famous landmark at no cost. While there's little in the way of free attractions on Staten Island, a stop-off on the island gives a great view of the harbour and the NYC skyline in addition to Lady Liberty herself. Catch subway lines 1/9 to South Ferry where the free ferry departs. Be prepared for queues: not only is it an immensely popular tourist ferry, it's also a daily form of public transport for Staten Island workers so avoiding peak times is advised.

Central Park

An urban oasis, Central Park is the largest and most famous park smack bang in the middle of central Manhattan. Boasting 843 acres of natural beauty, the park has many attractions and activities on offer and, being a public park, it's free for all. Get fit with the fitness freaks jogging merrily around the picturesque Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, visit the Strawberry Fields where musical legend John Lennon was famously shot or just lie down and soak up the rays on one of the park's many green spaces, such as the popular Great Lawn. A great spot for anything outdoorsy, Central Park is one of the biggest attractions in New York and certainly the cheapest. Catch the B/D/F/V subway lines to 57th St which brings visitors to parks well-known Southern end.

Times Square

Once a spot to bemoan for its Disneyfication and drug-drenched lifestyle, Times Square is now regaining its reputation as the centre of everything. Smack bang in midtown-Manhattan, Times Square is the name given to the area around Broadway / 7th Avenue and, love it or hate it, it's the one place in New York that's guaranteed to get visitors talking. The centre of Broadway / Off-Broadway theatre and a popular meeting place, the square is full of typically American bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. While visiting any of its myriad establishments will cost you, the main reason visitors come here is to soak up the atmosphere and experience everything New York is known for: bright lights, big screens and lots and lots of people. In other words, excessiveness. Tempt yourself at the amusing three-story M&Ms store, hit the Times Square Visitor Centre or just sit on the public seats in the pedestrian square adn watch the big screen / the crowds passing by. Most subway lines go to Times Square so getting here is a breeze.

Brooklyn Bridge

One of the most depicted images on New York City postcards, the world's first steel suspension bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, is a New York icon. Built in 1883, it originally just facilitated transportation between Manhattan and Brooklyn but is now one of the most famous 'tourist walks' in the US. Catch subway lines 4/5/6 to City Hall from which the walk across the magnifiscent bridge will take 25 minutes. Word of warning though - the cycle track is for cyclists and cyclists who take their cycling seriously. Meandering tourists not looking to get mowed down, stick to your side of the track.

World Trade Center

Once simply famous office blocks that dominated the NYC skyline, the World Trade Center became an international obsession following the 9/11 attacks. While rebuilding the center is already underway, the sorrow and tragedy of the terrorist plot has not been forgotten. The World Trade Center Site viewing platform is located right beside the site at the Church St/ Fulton St intersection and is free for all the many visitors looking to pay their respects. Catch subway lines N/R/W to Rector St or 4/5/ to Walls St. The site is just a short walk away.