Super Fun & Free (or Low-Cost) Things to Do and Places to Go in NYC & Brooklyn

There’s super cool and fun places to go to entertain your kids in New York…and it doesn’t have to cost a thing.

After Jerusalem, my favorite city is New York. Being that the Holy Land is a place I can only visit sometimes, and New York is where I live, I spend my summer days exploring the city with my kids.

One summer, I was on a mission to occupy all of the in between days with free trips only. Most of our trip days are just Mommy and The Boys, and all things sand and water are encouraged. If we get lucky and Totty joins, we take along bikes and fulfill his requirement of shade.

The only thing that must be avoided for me are the crowds — I get that phobia from my mother, and restrooms are a must.

Hope you enjoy what we found; can’t wait to read your comments!

Disclaimer: at the time of writing my sons are 7, 6, and 10 months.

Central Park

In my opinion, Central Park requires its own post. The number one excuse I hear is, “How do you know where to enter and what to find?” I’m here to simplify it. You can go every Sunday of summer and still not cover it.

Our love began with The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto. We set out to find the statue — and stayed all day.

• Balto – Enter at 67th Street. Let the kids read the plaque and climb for a photo.

• Billy Johnson Playground – A giant rock with a built-in slide. All the experienced families bring a flattened cardboard box to ride on extra fast. There’s shade for you and swings for babies. My boys rode it 99 times.

• Tisch Children’s Zoo – Manageable and sweet for younger kids, can fill 2-3 hours for sure.

• The Carousel – we’ve personally never tried it, but it’s a classic stop mid-park.

• Rowboats – are about $25 per hour for up to four people. It’s very enjoyable, and the lake gets VERT sunny. Apply sunscreen generously.

Hudson River Park (Pier 25 & 26)

Pier 25 in Tribeca was a surprise win for us. I’ve even had luck with street parking nearby.

There’s a fantastic water play area, sand, climbing structures, and space to roam.

In the same area:

• Mini golf (not free but very kid-friendly)

• Wide scooter paths

• Volleyball courts (with sand and everything, bring your own ball)

• the most creative playground structures (the huge fish you pass on the west side highway)

• Plenty of chairs to sit and just breathe with incredible river and skyline views

In the spring and summer at Pier 26 you can rent kayaks for free. We’ve never done it, but it’s on my wish list. Some summers there were are fishing lessons — a major highlight for my boys. They provided the rods, and thankfully, it was catch and release.

I can’t confirm bathroom access here — plan accordingly.

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Lower Manhattan Waterfront (Battery Park Area)

• SeaGlass Carousel – A glowing, underwater-themed carousel that feels magical, especially later in the day. It’s a classic carousel with unprecedented music and design. (Great dating spot for anyone wondering)

• The Battery Park Playscape – A beautifully designed, nature-inspired playground with climbing, water features, and unique structures.

South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport is an easy half-day excursion for sure.

We’ve toured one of the old historic ships docked there, wandered through the old-style shops, and let the kids scooter right along the waterfront paths. There’s something about the boats, the cobblestone feel, and the open water views that makes it feel different from the rest of Manhattan.

It’s relaxed, walkable, and simple — which is exactly what I look for on a summer outing.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of the most fun waterfront parks in the city. Use the parking lot near Pier 6 — street parking is unrealistic.

The playgrounds are spaced along one gorgeous pathway, which makes it feel like multiple parks in one.

• Slide Mountain – Three tall, fast slides that keep kids climbing and racing nonstop. It’s simple and high-energy.

• Sandbox Village – Bring plastic cups and utensils. They build, pour, share, and create for ages.

• Water Lab – Pumps, channels, fountains — interactive water play that keeps them busy far longer than you expect.

• Swing Valley – They never have enough swings, but it’s a perfect final stop before heading out.

This stretch alone can fill an entire day.

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Staten Island — South Beach & Greenbelt

Instead of Manhattan Beach, we’ve loved going to South Beach in Staten Island. From where I live in Boro Park, it’s about a 20-minute drive.

There’s legal, free parking. It was quiet and empty — especially because we went after Labor Day. It felt calm and manageable, not chaotic.

We rented one of those four-person bikes and rode along the boardwalk paths — which was honestly one of the most fun parts of the day. Between the sand and the biking, it felt like a full, happy outing.

If you’re already there and want something different, we’ve also done an easy hike at Greenbelt Nature Center (just plug it into Waze). I use the AllTrails app to find simple, kid-friendly routes. It’s shaded, peaceful, and a really nice change of pace from playground days. There was an awesome indoor spot where we used the restroom and saw small easy scientific displays, they even had coloring sheets for the kids to enjoy.

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South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport is an easy half-day excursion for sure.

We’ve toured one of the old historic ships docked there, wandered through the old-style shops, and let the kids scooter right along the waterfront paths. There’s something about the boats, the cobblestone feel, and the open water views that makes it feel different from the rest of Manhattan.

It’s relaxed, walkable, and simple — which is exactly what I look for on a summer outing.

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Governors Island (One of My Favorites and can totally get its own post)

You take the ferry to Governors Island from Manhattan or Brooklyn for $2. ( schedules can be found on the official Governors Island website)

You can bring scooters or rent bikes once you arrive — both are really fun. It’s historic and beautiful and you’ll have no idea you’re in NYC with its European vibes.

Our favorites :

Slide Hill – There’s a whole “mountain” of long, fast slides that feel thrilling without being scary. Kids run back up over and over again.

Hammock Grove – A huge section filled with red hammocks where you can actually lie down and relax. It feels breezy and calm — a rare city exhale.

The Forts (Fort Jay & Castle Williams) – For families who love history, you can walk through where soldiers once worked and lived. The brick buildings, open parade grounds, jails, and tunnels make it feel like stepping back in time.

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Indoor Ideas (Not Free)

• Mill Basin Bowling – Frum-friendly and clean. Great for a rainy day.

• Chelsea Piers Ice Skating – A structured, energetic outing that we love.

• Aviator Ice Skating (Brooklyn) – Spacious and well-run with extra fun spots like bungee jumping. (Check their hours, they’re often closed for classes)

• Sloomoo Institute – A full sensory slime experience. Not my natural habitat, but the kids absolutely loved it and keep going back. It’s noisier than I prefer but if you get early tickets you beat the crowd.

• CAMP Stores (Manhattan locations) – If you know, you know. There’s the “behind-the-wall” experience that feels like walking into a secret world. It changes themes, it’s interactive, and yes — there’s a slime bar. It’s immersive and very well done.

• Genius Gems (Manhattan) – A dream for kids who love Magna-Tiles. Structured building challenges, creative freedom, and a calm, focused energy that feels productive and fun at the same time.

• The Vessel & The Edge (Hudson Yards) – We enjoyed both. The architecture alone is impressive, and the views from The Edge are spectacular. We got great pictures, walked the shops a bit afterward, and made a whole outing out of it. It feels modern and different from the usual city park day.

• Pottery & Glass Land – The children enjoyed the painting and I found the staff to be super sweet.

I don’t love museums. My oldest does so it’s become a once in a while full day experince. Always bring a stroller — and wear your best sneakers. Some of our favorites :

• Museum of Natural History is a bit more crowded than I prefer and we opted to skip the dinosaur floor. It’s the kind of place I love to hate and hate to love.

• The Intrepid is a winner for me and my boys. It’s fascinating to explore and I love that there’s outdoor exhibits too.

• NY Transit Museum is especially fun for younger children and will only take about two hours to get through.

• Staten Island Children’s Museum is a full day of sensory fun and pretend elements that really keep the kids enjoying.

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A Little Outside the City — Bear Mountain

Okay, this one isn’t Brooklyn or NYC — but it’s an easy drive and completely worth it.

We’ve spent full days at Bear Mountain and not run out of things to do. There are wide open lawns, walking paths, water views, picnic tables, and space for kids to just run freely without worrying about traffic or crowds.

You can hike (there are easy, manageable trails for families), enjoy the mini zoo, bring scooters for the paved paths, sit by the water, or just let the kids explore. It feels like a deep breath outside the city — without the planning of a full vacation.

And best of all? It’s free.

If you pack snacks and sunscreen, you can truly make a whole day of it.

More Free or Low-Cost Activities Here!