NEW YORK—Embarking on an autumn journey from Southeast Asia to the vibrant streets of New York City is a worthwhile venture, promising not only an exciting adventure but also a refreshing escape from the usual hustle.
New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official powerhouse for promoting NYC’s five boroughs, has curated a list of iconic experiences, each priced at just 10 USD or completely free. According to Fred Dixon, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, “Autumn in New York City is idyllic. With cooler temperatures upon us, we invite local and domestic travelers to make the most of the season and relish in the beauty of foliage and outdoor activities spread across all five boroughs.”
Dixon adds, “One in four visitors gravitates towards museums or art exhibits while in NYC, and we’re thrilled to unveil a selection of budget-friendly cultural experiences for everyone to enjoy.”
Leaf Peeping
Explore over 29,000 acres of parks across all five boroughs as autumn paints the landscape in hues of orange and red.
Central Park, from 59th to 110th Street, boasts 843 acres of iconic beauty—open fields, woodlands, a zoo, and more. For a fresh perspective, venture to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a creation by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.
Image Courtesy of Brittany Petronella.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park recently dazzled as the proud host of the 143rd US Open Tennis Championships. Beyond the renowned USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the park boasts green expanses, Citi Field, the Queens Museum, and the iconic Unisphere sculpture from the 1964 World’s Fair.
Meanwhile, The High Line, ingeniously repurposed from an elevated rail line, provides unmatched views of Manhattan’s far west side. This urban oasis features diverse gardens, free wellness programs, and captivating public art installations.
Image Courtesy of Kate Glicksberg.
Explore the past at Queens County Farm Museum, dating back to 1697, offering historic structures, gardens, orchards, and seasonal activities like pumpkin picking and hayrides.
In Staten Island, the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, once a haven for retired sailors, presents free access to beautiful grounds, the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, and diverse museums. Seasonal events are available at varying prices.
Nestled in the Bronx’s Riverdale neighborhood, Wave Hill is a 28-acre public garden and cultural hub overlooking the Hudson River. Enjoy free admission on Thursdays, $10 on other days, and complimentary Sunday tours at 2pm.
Image Courtesy of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.
Delight in the World of Arts & Culture
Dive into American creativity at the American Folk Art Museum, showcasing folk and self-taught artists from the 18th century to the present. Enjoy free admission with encouraged reservations.
Explore cultural gems in the South Bronx, including the free Bronx Museum of the Arts highlighting contemporary art and the recently opened Bronx Children’s Museum ($8) near Yankee Stadium.
Image Courtesy of Kate Glicksberg.
Immerse yourself in traditional and contemporary Chinese art at the China Institute & Gallery in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5–8pm, featuring exhibits, lectures, film, language courses, and more.
Discover a rich tapestry of cultural experiences across NYC. El Museo del Barrio, a leading Latino and Latin American cultural institution, invites you to explore the Something Beautiful: Reframing La Colección exhibit, showcasing over 500 artworks for a $9 admission fee. For art enthusiasts, Gagosian Gallery’s various NYC locations feature works by renowned artists, including Roy Lichtenstein’s Bauhaus Stairway Mural at the West 24th Street location until December 22.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts offers diverse free events, films, musical performances, installations, and workshops—consult their calendar for details. The newly inaugurated Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) welcomes you with free programming and pay-as-you-wish days, featuring ongoing entertainment and family programs on the Lobby Stage.
Image Courtesy of Joe Buglewicz.
Venture to Red Hook, Brooklyn, where Pioneer Works hosts free Second Sundays, presenting live music, food, and artists’ open studios. Long Island City, Queens, emerges as a cultural hub, housing free and mostly free gems like SculptureCenter, Socrates Sculpture Park, and Culture Lab LIC—a converted warehouse showcasing art of various genres.
Image Courtesy of Pioneer Works.
Head to Hudson Yards, where The Shed offers $10 gallery exhibition tickets and free admission for those 18 and under. The 2023 Open Call exhibition, unveiling new works by emerging NYC artists, opens on November 4, with free admission. Lastly, experience tranquility at Walter de Maria’s New York Earth Room, a meditative space covered in 280,000 pounds of earth, open to the public since 1980, courtesy of the Dia Art Foundation.
Image Courtesy of Iwan Baan.
Explore history at these cultural havens
The Alice Austen House Museum ($6) in Staten Island unveils the world of early American photographer Alice Austen, housed in her Victorian Gothic cottage, featuring a permanent collection and rotating exhibits. Brooklyn’s Center for Brooklyn History (CBH), newly renovated, offers free entry, delving into the borough’s 400-year history with enriching public programs.
Dyckman Farmhouse Museum ($3) in Upper Manhattan’s Inwood takes you to a Dutch Colonial–style farmhouse from 1784, hosting free seasonal events like the Fall Festival and Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian presents the Shelley Niro: 500 Year Itch exhibit with free admission until January 1. Lastly, Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, dedicated to preserving the history of a significant free Black community pre–Civil War, offers free entry and $8 guided tours of historic homes.
Image Courtesy of Josh Shayne.
Discover NYC like a local
Big Apple Greeter pairs visitors with locals for free, unscripted walks in their favorite neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Free Tours by Foot offers pay-what-you-wish walking and biking tours in Brooklyn and Manhattan, along with free audio and self-guided walks.
Image Courtesy of Will Stacey .
Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island provides $10 guided tours of its living history village, including access to the Historical Museum. At the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, enjoy one-hour guided tours or spend 15 minutes in the Rose Main Reading Room; self-guided audio tours are also available.
Image Courtesy of Julienne Schaer.
The Village Alliance offers free self-guided tours of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, covering architecture, LGBTQ+ landmarks, history, and local retailers. Join local running groups for a fun way to meet New Yorkers, most of which are free. Don’t miss cheering on the 50,000 runners in the TCS New York City Marathon on November 5.
With NYC welcoming over 56.7 million travelers in 2022 and expecting more than 63 million this year, explore the city’s arts and entertainment on a budget with NYC Tourism’s new resource at nyctourism.com.