Donned “The Playground for the Rich”, Hudson Yards is a brand new incredible space on the West Side Highway that was once an empty space at the entrance of the High Line and turned into a beautiful addition to the New York skyline.
Phase 1 of the plan was recently opened to the public on March 15th and includes a 1,000,000 square ft. retail center with over 100 shops and features New York City’s first ever Neiman Marcus store. Additional features include a series of impressive residences, a luxury hotel, office buildings and restaurants.
The second phase of the development will include additional residential buildings, further green space and a public school.
Hudson Yards currently holds a few impressive titles:
» The largest private real estate development in the history of the United States
» The largest development in New York City since Rockefeller Center
» The record for highest outdoor observation deck in the western hemisphere, at 1,296 ft.
THE VESSEL
The Vessel is a unique installation and centerpiece of the outdoor pubic garden area at Hudson Yards. It is comprised of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings.
In total, the design offers a mile’s worth of pathway above a sprawling public garden.
Admission to The Vessel is free, however you need to reserve a spot in advance.
Currently, tickets are fully booked for the next 2 weeks, but a limited amount are made available daily at 8am for same-day reservations.
Be sure to check here daily for updates on scheduling and availability.
39 Comments
Stephanie
This is such an thorough list of things to do in NYC! I have always wanted to go but have been intimidated due to the cost of such a trip! Your guides, especially this one, have inspired me to travel more when this COVID-19 business is over!
Thanks!
Kathryn
This is such a comprehensive and great list, perfect guide for visitors. I feel like I should make a trip to New York for a weekend and challenge myself to see how little money I could spend!
Vanessa Shields
What a great list of free things to do in NY! I used to live in NYC and had the opportunity to do all of these except the new Vessel. I need to get back for a visit and check it out. 🙂
Meghan Emcee
This is such a great list! I feel like a trip to NYC is expensive on its own for hotels and food that it’s nice to do some free activities while you’re there!
Sam
There was deff a lot I didn’t know about! I will have to try some of these next summer!
Sierra
Such great ideas in this post! I have never been to NYC but it is definitely high on the list of places to make it to in the next couple of years. I love all of the outdoor activities you have listed!
Christine
I need to try some of these next time we go to NYC. We’ve only been for short times for extended layovers, but I’d love to check out some of the museums sometime. I’d also like to do the high line, and Vessel looks like a pretty cool structure.
Christine
I need to do some of these next time we go! We’ve only been for short times, but I’d love to check out some of the museums. The new Vessel looks interesting too, and I’ve been wanting to check out the high line.
Alicia
Such an extensive post on Free Things in NYC! It’s funny how you talk about it being expensive because I found the city so much cheaper than I’d anticipated when we visited a couple of year ago! Hoping to go next year again so we’ll see if I’m still right about this one haha! Will definitely check out some of these recommendations – especially the 911 museum being. Free on an evening as we did pay!
Kay
There’s still soooooooo many museums that I want to see in NYC! I went for 10 days last time, and I feel like I need just as much time for the second trip!
Kyta
I love this list! I can tell you put a lot of work into it! 💕
Elizabeth
I lived in NYC for several years and loved finding all the free things there is to do. I loved that you put this list together, because a lot of people only see NYC as expensive but they don’t know about all the cool free things there are to do. I did a lot of things in the city, but there are a few on your list that I never got to like Shakespeare in the Park and the Governors Island Ferry.
Francesca
I LOVE NYC and am there at least once a year! Some of these sites I did not know about, like the Fashion institute museum and the rehearsals for show and I haven’t been back since the vessel opened! I am so saving this list for my next trip!
or
wow so many things to do!! I am travelling to NYC in october and I think I will visit some of the places.
Rachel
Fab tips for budget travellers! I was really impressed by how much there is to do for free in such an expensive city when I visited. I think my favourite was the Staten Island Ferry – I remember looking at the commuters and wondering how they could be sticking their heads in their newspapers when the Statue of Liberty was right there…I guess you get used to it!
Candace
What a great list, Maria! This is my first time visiting your blog and I am totally bookmarking this. I’ve never been to New York, but I hope to change that soon! Your blog is gorgeous, by the way!
MoKath
Had to move NYC up on my list of places to visit!
Rhonda
I had no idea there were this many things to do for free in New York. We did only three of them when we visited. But the one I really want next time is SNL. How fun would that be?
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
What a great list, I especially like the late night free MOMA
Ambra
So many great ideas! I miss NYC, I wish I could go back soon!
xx Ambra
https://theflairedit.com/
nicole
You have so many great ideas here! I walked the highline and it is really cool. I am definitely saving this to refer back to next time I am NYC. Thanks!
emaroundtheworld
The High Line is one of my favorite things to do in NYC! I actually lived nearby and would always walk at night on those awesome summer nights. Best memory ever! So happy to hear this guide will help you for future trips! xx
Jessica
Wow, such great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
emaroundtheworld
Happy you liked them! There is so much to see and do in NYC…
Briana
International pillow fight day sounds so fun!
briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
emaroundtheworld
It’s a blast! I went a few years ago and had such a great time. If you’re ever visiting – you should definitely try and make it.
Raheela James
Hi Maria,
My family and I are planning to go to NYC this year. Strangely ever since we decided to go, I see blog posts about NYC pop up all over the place. Your post has been the most fun to read. I will try out a few of these things when we are in NY. Thank you so much. Raheela
emaroundtheworld
So happy you liked them, Raheela and I hope they are something you can reference while you visit. When will you be coming to NYC? Blog posts popping up is a sign that you have to come 🙂
Marc Seago
Hello,
Found your post on Facebook and wanted to introduce us, Grand Bazaar NYC, the largest curated weekly market in New York City, http://www.GrandBazaarNYC.org.
Also, we donate 100% of our profits to four local public schools, benefiting over 4,000 children.
In addition to our weekly market, every Sunday, we organize special themed events, e.g., NYC’s larget food truck and artisanal ice cream events, home decor and furniture bazaars, handmade and vintage pop-ups, Earth Day and vegan themed events, and more: https://grandbazaarnyc.org/events/
Please reach out or meet us at the Bazaar.
Thanks,
Marc
emaroundtheworld
Hi Marc,
Thanks so much for reaching out!
I would love to feature your bazaar on my site.
Will send you a DM.
Thanks!
Annick
This article is so detailed! I love NYC and it’s great to find new free things to do around the city. I will pin this and hopefully it can help more people plan their trip to NYC! 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
emaroundtheworld
So happy you liked the post! I agree – NYC is incredible, especially when you can find cool free things to do. Thanks so much for sharing xx
KAT
Wow, thank you for sharing this! I always thought nyc would be too expensive of a city to visit, so it’s great to know that there are so many free activities and events.
emaroundtheworld
I think many people assume it’s too expensive to visit – you’re not the only one! This was one of the main reasons I decided to write this post, to help visitors see there is still so much to see and do that will give you history and not break the bank! Happy you enjoyed 🙂
Phoebe | Lou Messugo
I’ve been to NYC in the autumn and winter but not spring or summer and would love to visit in spring. I’d love to go to the new attraction The Vessel, it keeps popping up on my social media timelines. This is a fantastic post, with so much detail.
emaroundtheworld
NYC in autumn and winter is magical! Spring and summer brings something totally different though and I am happy to provide information for all to visit and take advantage (especially on a budget)! The Vessel is really cool to see in person, I worked the pre-party the day before the launch. But the entire Hudson Yards area is a must see – I can’t recommend enough!
Ruth Murdoch
Wow so much to see and do in NYC, thanks for undertaking so much research. My brother-in-law lives there so I will forward this to him. Thanks.
Ruth Murdoch
Wow, who would have known there was so much to see and do in NYC. My brother-in-law lives there so I will forward this on to him and will keep it for our visit there.
You’ve undertaken a lot of research, thanks so much. X
emaroundtheworld
Thanks so much for sharing! NYC is an amazing place and contrary to what many people think, there are ways to visit on a budget!