7 Cheap or Free Things to Do in NYC This Winter

New York City is expensive for tourists and locals alike. Luckily the city is brimming with fun and exciting activities that cost very little or even nothing at all! We’ve previously covered free things to do during warmer months and we’ve rounded up tasty meals under $10.

Today we’re sharing cheap things to do in NYC in the winter.

1. Explore a Bookstore

Live out your You’ve Got Mail Dreams and get lost in one of New York’s incredible bookstores.

Check out The Strand, which is the largest and probably most visited. Here they have new titles as well as used books. It really is a treasure hunt! They also have stationery, souvenirs, and kids’ books and toys.

For the best booksellers in town, head to Three Lives and Company, where the staff is incredibly friendly and gives amazing recommendations.

Sweet Pickle Books is a quirky bookshop with great personality where you can buy books and pickles. It’s a gem and quickly becoming a destination after some celebrity sightings.

Check out McNally Jackson, with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn for a great selection of new titles.

And a personal favorite is Books are Magic in Brooklyn which hosts artist events, signings, and readings.

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2. Go Sledding in Central Park

Have you ever been to Central Park after a snowfall? It’s one of the most magical experiences. Somehow the snow makes the park feel even quieter and more peaceful than usual, and it looks like you’re inside a snow globe. If you’re lucky enough to catch some snow in New York, give your inner child the treat of going sledding again. You won’t be the only one as people flock from all over the city bundled up and with makeshift sleds in tow.

For the best sledding, head to Pilgrim Hill or Cedar Hill.

3. Warm Up with Some Ramen

What’s cozier than a bowl of piping hot ramen on a cold and blustery day? Chinatown is a favorite neighborhood to explore in the wintertime because noodles, dumplings, and broths just feel so right in the cold weather. And Chinatown restaurants are also known for their super affordable prices, with many places offering full meals for less than $20!

You could spend days eating your way through all of the restaurants, some favorites for ramen are Ajisen Ramen and Shinka Ramen & Sake Bar.

4. Visit Governor’s Island Winter Village

Governor’s Island is a unique destination and only a 10-minute ferry ride from Manhattan. This carless island is serene and relaxing and it has amazing skyline views! During the winter time, there’s a darling Winter Village with free ice skating, yard games, fire pits, and food stands.

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5. Enjoy Free Museum Days

New York is a museum lovers’ paradise – from art to history to culture, these impressive world-class museums are right at our fingertips. Admission can get pricey, but thankfully, most museums have free or pay-what-you-wish hours.

Some favorites are The Metropolitan Museum of Art (always pay-what-you-wish for New Yorkers), The Guggenheim (pay-what-you-wish on Friday evenings), Whitney Museum (pay-what-you-wish on Friday evenings), and New Museum (pay-what-you-wish on Thursday evenings)).

Also, if you’re a New York resident, don’t forget Culture Pass, which you have access to through your library card that offers free admission to dozens of museums and cultural institutions. It’s best to reserve ahead of time, but with this pass, you and some guests can get admission to Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Museum of the Dog, The Morgan Library, and Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, to name a few.

6. Sip Hot Chocolate and Stroll Through A New Neighborhood

Let’s face it, at some point you just have to accept that the weather isn’t ideal but with the right layers and a cozy drink, being outside can be surprisingly enjoyable. We’ve found that going to a new neighborhood with no plan except to wander to be one of the most underrated and fun ways to explore the city.

Some neighborhoods that are great for exploring this way are:

West Village (start at Mah-ze-Dahr)
Upper East Side (start at Ralph’s Coffee)
Harlem (start at Manhattanville Coffee)
DUMBO (start at % Arabica)
Brooklyn Heights (start at Joe Coffee)
Greenpoint (start at Littleneck Outpost)

7. Go Ice Skating in Bryant Park

Enjoy the last of the holiday season ice skating in Bryant Park. For the holidays, the park transforms into a Christmas village with a cute market, Christmas tree, and free ice skating. It can get busy so try to book your reservation ahead of time. It’s certainly a fun and unique memory, and when you’re laying out on the grass in Bryant Park in the summertime, you’ll only vaguely remember the cold winter days.

There you have it, our best recommendations for cheap things to do in NYC in the winter. There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the city, even on a limited budget, we hope this list inspires you this winter.