What are your must do New York attractions

[Flower2603]

Myself and two sons are visiting New York for 4 days at the very end of August.

We are on a bit of a budget so don't want to shell out for expensive New York Passes when a lot of what we want to see is probably free.

What are your must do/see things in New York? We'd be grateful for your suggestions, I know we'd like the same things other Dibbers like!

Also, food suggestions please! Thank you all

[klr15]

Central Park was one of my absolute favourites while we were over there and we could have spent all day in there. Plus it’s free! We did the zoo too (had to pay for that), which was also really good.

Seeing the Statue of Liberty. We actually had passes that included the ferry to liberty and Ellis island, but I’ve heard the free commuter Staten Island ferry is a great way to see the sights.

The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock were our other favourites, we did ESB in the day and TTR at night, absolutely incredible, although it does cost for tickets.

Times Square was good to have a walk around, was best on a weekend earlier in the morning as it was quieter and it had some good touristy shops like the M&M world and the Disney store.

The natural history museum was also really interesting. It isn’t free, but you pay the price you think you should pay, rather than a set price, we could have spent two full days in here to see it properly!

Brooklyn bridge was another one of our favourites. We did this in the evening and were there when the sun was setting which was lovely. We walked all the way across into Brooklyn and caught the subway back to manhattan from there.

Also for food suggestions, Juniors on Times Square was incredible, had one of our favourite meals here, good prices, big portions, good tasty food and amazing cheesecake.

We also went to an Irish bar called the keg room, good priced and good food.

We loved New York, probably one of my favourite ever holidays, I really want to go back.

[Scotty0910]

Hi, we visited in April and will second Central Park - we loved it.

Other things we enjoyed that didn't cost money were visiting the New York Central Library and seeing the original Winnie the Pooh toys, riding the Staten Island Ferry and seeing the Statue of Liberty, walking across Brooklyn Bridge, going to Grand Central Station, going to baseball match (seats were very reasonable and only a short underground journey away)

Hope this helps and have a great time.

[400ixl]

Thinking of free to see sights.

Central Park (non free part but hiring some bikes is a great way to see more of it).
911 memorial (non free part is to also go to the museum)
SoL just get the Staten Island Ferry which is free and takes you past
Filming locations (Things like the Ghostbusters building, Friends etc etc)
Times Square
The High Line is great to walk along and see the views
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge
Public Library
Grand Central Station
Trip out to Coney Island (not free as you need the subway to get there but if you have a day pass then its included)

[mick]

Joan is very interested in social history so a visit to Ellis Island was a must and we coupled it with a trip to the SoL.

Because we are of the 60s generation a trip to see the "Imagine" mosaic in Strawberry Fields in Central Park was also on our list.

Mick

[Apricota]

I enjoyed food wise:
Katz was good.
Chelsea and the Goozenbert (sp) markets.
Time out food place just over the Brooklyn bridge in dumbo.
Eataly.
Luke’s lobster.

Also the Backroom Speakeasy...was packed on a Monday night with live jazz, and able to book a table (no cost)

[mini-mum]

Going over to Roosevelt island on the tram (included in metro ticket), the vessel (near the start of the highline) ,the guided tour round the NY central library to add to the list.

[Gally1968]

Try Big Apple Greeter.

It’s free and he/she will take you round loads of sites & areas you wouldn’t have thought of.

Just submit details & hope you’re lucky enough to be matched up with a guide.

[cornishfrogboy]

The ferry boat from just south of USS Intrepid. It goes round the bottom and then under Brooklyn and Washington bridges before turning round and coming back. It goes out towards the Statue of Liberty and past Ellis Island before stopping close to Wall St and then close to One World.

The commentary is very good and you get some fabulous photos.

[YorkshireT]

The free Kayaking on the Hudson on summer weekends, near the piers not far from Freedom Tower. You just do it in your shorts and T shirt, you don’t get wet. Just turn up, and you are on in @0 mins. Me, Mrs YT my daughter (then 13) and son (then 10) all enjoyed it, and what a backdrop.
Statue of Liberty, we went up to the pedestal, which was great.
High Line.
Go to the taco place in Chelsea Market for something to eat, it’s well known if you google. Los Tacos Number 1. Very cheap and excellent.