When you think of New York City, towering skyscrapers, iconic yellow cabs, and fabulous Broadway shows probably come to mind. You probably DON’T think about serene outdoorsy adventures! Yet, amongst the concrete jungle lies a surprising wealth of green spaces, many of which are FREE to visit. NYC has lots of unique opportunities to connect with nature right in the heart of Manhattan. In this guide, we’re sharing five FREE outdoor activities in NYC. These locations offer opportunities for entirely budget-friendly NYC fun without leaving the city’s vibrant downtown core. In this guide we steer you to hidden gems and less-visited locations in the city that never sleeps. Let’s dig in to exploring the outdoorsy side of New York City!

This post is in partnership with Best Western Premier Herald Square, which is where we stayed during our most recent trip to New York City. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Your ultimate guide to FREE outdoor activities in NYC

When is the best time of year for outdoor activities in New York City?

Most of the free New York outdoor activities listed in this guide are open year-round, including The High Line, Little Island, Central Park, and the Hudson River Greenway. One location, Greenacre Park, is open seasonally from April through December. We visited in mid-June and loved that all of the trees and flowers were in full bloom – just note that New York can be warm and muggy this time of year. In fall you can expect to see vibrant foliage, and in winter you can expect a more stark (and sometimes snowy) landscape.  

What to pack for outdoor activities in New York City

While exploring New York City’s “outdoorsy” side, expect to be… outside! As such, you’ll want to be prepared for a lot of walking, and potentially adverse weather. Here are a few things I recommend bringing: 

• Comfortable walking shoes: If you follow our guide, expect to do a lot of walking! We love Dansko, Born, and Chacos. 
• Cute but comfortable clothing: Our favorite polished-but-comfortable brands for travel and urban adventures include Stio, Royal Robbins, and Toad & Co.
• A rain umbrella: Be ready for rain! Invest in a quality umbrella that’s lightweight and keeps you dry. We like this “Vortex” umbrella from ShedRain, that won’t flip inside-out when it gets windy!
• Binoculars (optional): While birdwatching in Central Park, binoculars will significantly enhance your ability to spot and identify the diverse bird species found there. We brought our Nocs binoculars, which are compact and easy to travel with.
• Credit Card with an EMV-chip: If you take the subway, you can “tap” your credit card to enter the stations. Most subway rides are $2.90. 

How to get to New York City

If you live far from NYC, I recommend flying into John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport or the Newark (EWR) airport, both situated right outside of Manhattan. When we visited from Washington state, we flew into JFK, which offered convenient public transportation into Manhattan. If you’re visiting from a nearby state I recommend taking a bus or train so you can avoid the hassle of driving, and parking, in the city.

How do you get from JFK to downtown Manhattan? Getting into the city from JFK airport is easy! From our JFK terminal we took the airport tram, called the AirTrain, to the Jamaica station. The AirTrain cost $8.50 per person (expensive!), but was easy to navigate. From the Jamaica station we transferred to the subway, which we rode to Penn Station in Manhattan. The subway was an additional $2.90 per person. All told, it cost us about $20 for two people to get into the city. Way cheaper than a cab!

Where to stay in New York City

Looking for the best hotel in New York City? We highly recommend the Best Western Premier Herald Square, which is comfortable, affordably priced, and centrally located. It’s in a prime location just south of Central Park, meaning you’re within easy walking or subway distance of every outdoor activity on this list. With Grand Central and Penn Station both just a few blocks away, subway access is incredibly convenient. It’s also close to many other big attractions in the city. We found the Best Western Premier Herald Square to be a fantastic value compared to other hotel options in the area. We arrived in Manhattan early in the morning, and we appreciated that Best Western allowed us to drop off our luggage for free so we could explore the city bag-free before check-in. 

The Best Western’s rooms are compact and well-designed. we loved our top-floor room, which offered breathtaking city views. Despite being in the heart of Manhattan, it was surprisingly quiet, and the beds were comfortable. Another perk of this hotel? The on-site cafe serves breakfast and coffee each morning at an affordable price, which you can enjoy inside their cafe or on their charming private outdoor patio. I can confidently say that the Best Western Premier Herald Square will be our go-to hotel next time we visit the city – we loved it!

Travel tip: For fantastic city views with floor to ceiling windows I recommend booking room 1702 at the Best Western Premier Herald Square!

How to get around New York City

The classic yellow taxis are an iconic staple of New York City. While they’re fun to ride in, they also come with a hefty price tag! As such, we recommend walking as much as you’re able, and taking the subway as needed. As of the time we wrote this article, the subway cost $2.90 per ride. Subway trains usually run every 10-15 minutes, and they run well into the night. If you choose to take the subway, Grand Central and Penn Station are both within 0.5 miles of the Best Western Premier Herald Square hotel.

5 amazing free outdoor activities in NYC

Ready to explore New York City’s “green side”? Our guide below features five incredible free outdoor activities in NYC. Our guide is focused on the central and southern parts of Manhattan, which means you don’t have to travel far to enjoy these areas. We recommend spreading these activities out over two or three days.

Walk along The High Line

The High Line is one of my absolute favorite places in New York City! Once an abandoned elevated railway, The High Line was transformed into a stunning linear park that stretches for nearly 1.5 miles on Manhattan’s west side. This unique green space is one of the best free outdoor activities in NYC! 

The parkway is elevated about 30 feet off the ground, and offers a delightful stroll amidst art installations, lush plantings, and beautiful city views. Vehicles are not allowed on The High Line, making it a peaceful walk for pedestrians. I recommend starting at the northern end of the High Line and walking south. The High Line can get busy, but if you visit around sunset (it closes at 10 pm in summer, and 8 pm in winter) you’ll mostly avoid the crowds! In summer they offer free docent lead tours.

Tap this link to load easy walking directions from the Best Western to the start of the High Line.

Travel tip: Budget bites in New York City

Not too far north of the High Line is my FAVORITE bagel shop in New York City: Broad Nosh Bagels Deli & Catering, located on 42nd Street. The bagels are unfussy, delicious, and very reasonably priced (we got a filling bagel lunch for 2 for $12!).

Broad Nosh also has a location near Central Park, but I found the 42nd Street location to be superior (and way less busy!). I highly recommend their sesame bagels and dill and cucumber cream cheese, or their whole wheat everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. Make sure to get them toasted! I’m from New Jersey and have VERY high bagel standards… these are worth the hype!

If you like ramen I also recommend adding Kame NYC to your radar. Their food is FANTASTIC, and the portions are generous! Two filling bowls of ramen coast us about $40. While not cheap, I still thought this was a good deal for the quality and size of the food.

Lastly, don’t skip the street vendors and pizza shops!

Enjoy a picnic at Little Island 

Situated on the bank of the Hudson River, Little Island is a truly unique public park built on whimsical tulip-shaped concrete piles. This green space opened to the public in 2021. Visitors can explore winding pathways, relax on a lush lawn perfect for picnicking, and admire a diverse array of trees and flowers, all while enjoying captivating views of the city skyline and the Hudson River. 

While general admission to the park is always free, Little Island also hosts live performances most evenings in its outdoor amphitheater, “The Amph.” As of 2025, tickets for these special events are available for $25, though sometimes you can catch a free performance (or watch from a distance for free from the gardens!).

Tap this link to load walking directions from the Best Western to Little Island. If you want to double up your adventures, Little Island is located near the southern end of The High Line.

Enjoy a serene “waterfall” at Greenacre Park

Tucked away southeast of Central Park, Greenacre Park is a hidden gem of NYC known for its cascading waterfall fountain and canopy of trees. Even though this park is privately-owned, it is free to visit and enjoy during daylight hours! There are several “nooks” within the park, each with cafe tables, chairs, and benches. When we visited, we enjoyed a coffee from their on-site cafe, which offers an array of coffee drinks, smoothies, and breakfast and lunch food options. This park provides a surprising oasis of tranquility amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. Greenacre Park is open seasonally from April through December.

Tap this link for walking directions from the Best Western to Greenacre Park. 

Go birdwatching in Central Park

Everyone has heard of Central Park, but did you know that Central Park is a renowned haven for birdwatchers, especially during migration season? Below we share a few off-the-beaten-path spots to explore in Central Park. They’re great for birding, wildlife viewing, or going for a quiet stroll.

At the southern end of Central Park is the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, which is one of my favorite spots in Central Park. Hallett Nature Sanctuary is a secluded 4-acre woodland area that wanders through a dense tree canopy. The pathways are made of compacted wood chips and are easy to follow. There are no entrance fees. When we visited we saw American robins, northern cardinals, a woodpecker, bluejays, and a raccoon!

Afterward, wander north toward The Ramble. While there are countless paths in Central Park, I recommend walking over the Bow Bridge to get there. The picturesque Bow Bridge spans “The Lake” and is one of the most famous bridges in Central Park. From the Bow Bridge you’ll likely see people enjoying row boats on The Lake. Once over the Bow Bridge, you’ll enter The Ramble. This 36-acre area of Central Park is famous for its bird watching and winding paths – a local guide even told me: “you’re meant to get lost in there!” The Ramble is a densely wooded area that’s a prime spot for seeing a vast array of birds. In fact, there have been more than 210 bird species recorded here!

Tap this link for walking directions from the Best Western Premier Herald Square to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, Bow Bridge, and the Ramble. 

Curious about birdwatching in Central Park? This birding guide by the Central Park Conservancy is a fantastic resource for exploring this urban oasis.

Walk along the Hudson River Greenway

Stretching along the Hudson River on Manhattan’s entire western shore, the Hudson River Greenway offers a fantastic expanse of waterfront green space. While you can access the greenway nearly anywhere on the west side, I recommend exploring the area near Riverside Park South. A variety of paved paths offer incredible views of the Hudson River. In spring and summer, you’ll find hundreds of hydrangea flowers blooming along the promenade!

From the Best Western Premier Herald Square, I recommend taking the subway from Penn Station to Riverside Park South – otherwise, you can walk about 2.4 miles (one way) to the park. 

More outdoor activities in New York City

Looking for a few more free outdoor activities in NYC? Below are some additional outdoorsy activities to check out in New York City:

• Inwood Hill Park: Located at the northern tip of Manhattan, Inwood Hill Park boasts the last remaining natural, old-growth forest in Manhattan. There are several short hiking trails through the forest. Visiting Inwood Hill Park is free.
• Central Park Conservatory Garden: The Central Park Conservatory Garden is a beautiful, six-acre formal garden located on the east side of Central Park. It’s unique because it’s the only formal garden in Central Park, offering a stark contrast to the more naturalistic landscapes found elsewhere in the park. At the Conservatory Garden you’ll see three distinct landscapes inspired by Italian, French, and English gardens. Admission is free. 
• The Met Cloisters: For a unique escape, visit The Met Cloisters to experience medieval European architecture and art, centered around beautiful outdoor gardens. These tranquil spaces, including a medicinal herb garden, offer a peaceful historical journey with stunning views of the Hudson River. Note: the admission fee is a “pay-what-you-want” system, so this activity is not free.

Final thoughts on free outdor activities in New York City

I hope you found our guide to five free outdoor activities in NYC helpful! New York City is full of amazing urban adventures. But if you know where to look, you can also find a lot of incredible nature in the city! We LOVE finding free activities to do in pricey cities like New York. Prioritizing free activities in cities like New York is part of what enables us to travel so often! Looking for more east coast adventures and travel itineraries? Click here!

If you plan a trip based on our recommendations let us know – we love hearing about your adventures! The Best Western Premier Herald Square was truly the perfect base camp for adventure, and we can’t recommend it enough!