Free and cheap things to do in New York City for families

With the MTA’s Family Fare, where up to four kids ages 5-17 can ride for $1 each when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, a day trip to New York City is more inviting than ever.

Here are a three itineraries for full-day adventures highlighting some of the natural and human-made wonders that abound in New York City that won't break the bank and will create memories for the whole family.

1. An island, parks and library (LIRR to Grand Central)

Stop to admire the main concourse of Grand Central’s historic Beaux Arts building. Then walk east to the United Nations, where you can see how many flags you can identify in front. Inside, feast your eyes on Marc Chagall’s stained-glass masterpiece "Peace Window."

Head west to the New York Public Library, where you can pose with Patience and Fortitude — the marble lions standing guard. Inside, take a self-guided tour of the building and explore the original stuffed animals that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh at the "Treasures" exhibition.

In Bryant Park, just behind the library, ride Le Carrousel ($5 per person) and get a snack at Wafels & Dinges (build your own waffle or try flavors like s'mores, churro and bourbon maple and bacon) or Breads Bakery (chocolate babka, croissant and cinnamon roll).

Make your way to Times Square and take selfies with giant eye-popping billboards as backdrops. Walk up Broadway to 59th Street to enter Central Park, where you can stroll along meandering paths and bridges, enjoy Bethesda Fountain featuring the "Angel of the Waters" bronze sculpture and grab a bite at the Dancing Crane Cafe (serves hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks; 64th Street and Fifth Avenue — at the zoo). Rent a rowboat for $25 per hour (Monday-Thursday) and $30 (Friday-Sunday) at Central Park Boathouse.

Admire the mansions along Fifth Avenue as you head south to 62nd Street and east to Second Avenue to the tram to Roosevelt Island ($2.90 each way) where you can see the Manhattan skyline from Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park and check out the spooky Smallpox Hospital and Blackwell Island Lighthouse. Grab dinner at Vanderbilt Market, a food hall featuring 15 diverse food options.

2. Promenade, museum and the High Line (LIRR to Penn Station)

After snapping a few selfies in front of Madison Square Garden, home of the 2026 NBA Championship Knicks, walk west to Hudson Yards to check out the Vessel ($17) and free entertainment at the public square and gardens.

Walk south on the High Line (free) and take in native plants, art installations and interesting streetscapes along the way. Long Islanders can use the Moynihan Connector, a pedestrian bridge, that links Penn Station to the High Line. Stop at Little Island (Pier 55 at Hudson River Park) where you can picnic along the water and play life-size Jenga or sound out a tune on dance chimes at the playground.

Make a beeline to The Whitney Museum of American Art (free for kids and for everyone on the second Sunday of the month; regular admission: $30), where you can take in the Whitney Biennial.

Next, take a rideshare or taxi over to Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (about a 10-minute drive from the Whitney Museum) where you can dine at one of the 14 eateries at the Hudson Eats food hall while enjoying spectacular views of the river. Check out Fleeting Opulence, an immersive art installation at the Winter Garden, and other spaces or take a self-guided art walk.

3. Ferries, bridges and history (LIRR to Penn Station)

Take the downtown A, C or E subway to One World Trade Center. There, reflect at the 9/11 Memorial, view the Art Cart for free, hands-on activities (Tues-Fri., 10 a.m. to noon) and explore the stunning Oculus shopping center/transit hub.

Walk over to 4 Whitehall St., to catch the Staten Island Ferry for a free 25-minute ride offering views of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. Upon landing, walk along the waterfront to the "Postcards" 9/11 Memorial honoring Staten Island’s fallen, then take a five-minute walk to the National Lighthouse Museum (200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point: $7; $5 ages 13 and up).

Grab a slice of famous thin crust pizza by Joe & Pat’s Pizza at Pier 76 before returning to Manhattan by ferry.

Stop in at Fraunces Tavern — where George Washington bid adieu to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War — then head to City Hall (Broadway and Chambers Street) for some photo ops. Cross over to the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge to walk across the 1.1-mile span. Relax at Brooklyn Bridge Park, with its unbeatable views of lower Manhattan.

Cross back to Manhattan and head east to South Street Seaport (Fulton and Water Streets) where you can check out the new Balloon Museum, the first permanent home for inflatable art, opening July 15 ($40; $33 ages 13-17; $26 ages 4 -12). Grab a late lunch or early dinner at Mister Dips (burgers, chicken sandwiches, soda floats and more; 89 South St.). Then treat yourself to some one-of-a-kind cookies at Funny Face Bakery featuring pop culture moments, celebrities and fun designs.