The apparent free trips are simple walks in the many parks or paths. Here I will mention some of my favorite walks. If you do not have an American cell phone or international plan, I recommend downloading Google maps for NYC so you can use it while offline. Generally, the architecture in NYC is stunning – either old and beautiful from the Gilded Age or new and futuristic – it is worth glancing up.

Washington Square Park: If you are walking down 5th Avenue, just keep walking south, and you will walk right under the large arch dedicated to George Washington. While not a large park, it is a little oasis with a large fountain in the center and many opportunities for people-watching. You can also take on one of the many chess players or just take a break on one of the many benches – and there is a public restroom! This is a nice little place for a retreat. I once saw a guy offering to sketch bad portraits for a few bucks. I regret now not taking him up on the offer (I mean, how bad can it really be 😅🙈).

Along the promenade on the Hudson River - a great place to people-watch, and if you start in the southern end and walk northwards, you will eventually make it to the Floating Islands near 10th street, west side. Once, I saw a man wearing nothing but Gucci clothes while walking with his gold Dior bike. Bling! 🤑 But other than that, it has a nice view of the NJ skyline, and there are public restrooms. Very important!

Walk The Highline, which runs from Gansevoort St. to 34th St. and is about a 30 min walk above ground on the old railroads-turned-path. It is an excellent alternative to the buzzing streets - and often with people selling art along the way. Don't count on it being stroller friendly when needing to get up on down, so count on walking the whole thing if you depend on elevators.

Central Park has a lot to offer. Depending on the time of year, there are boat and bike rides, in addition to just strolling through some of the 58 miles long paths that snake through the large oasis in the middle of an otherwise never sleeping and bouldering city. This is one of your only chances to momentarily escape the city sounds. Map here: https://assets.centralparknyc.org/media/documents/Official-Central-Park-Map.pdf

If you are just a little interested in the Beatles, the Strawberry Fields is located close to the Dakota building, where John Lennon lived until his untimely death (72nd St., west side). There are other iconic places within the park, which you might recognize from various movies: check out the Bethesda Terrace and Belvedere Castle, or find the obelisk from the time of Cleopatra, an H.C. Andersen monument, or one of the thousand other figures and benches dedicated to people and heroes alike.

Governor Island is another gem in the city. The ferry is free if you leave early (at least on the weekend), or otherwise costs 2-5 bucks to get there, and free to get back (as they want you to leave…). You can rent bikes or just walk around the relatively small island. There are beautiful green areas and great views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Food trucks are also to be found with a variety of snacks and eateries, and during the summer, the water fountain makes for great entertainment for children (and adults…): https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry

Roosevelt Island: jump on the F line and get off on this spectacular little island in the East River. You can walk around the c. 4 miles circumference – enjoy the view and scenery of Manhattan and Queens while pondering about the old insane asylum and smallpox hospital, conveniently isolated here (ruins are still there). Rather than take the F line back, you might want to try the tramway, which runs every 7-15 min back to 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan and costs the same as the subway. Definitely worth it.

Walk across Brooklyn Bridge – or walk out a bit – take the obligatory picture and return. If you continue to walk across, you end in Brooklyn and will need to take the subway back unless you are staying there. I have often walked the bridge on my way home to Brooklyn, which is always delightful! As with anywhere, the weekend is packed with tourists and people selling art, snacks, or selfies (you will see! They have crazy round devices and loud music playing!). Back in the day, you could put locks on the bridge, but that is no longer allowed/encouraged. Looking south, you see the Statue of Liberty and Governor Island. The view of the skyline of either Manhattan or Brooklyn is also very nice.

Walk around Ground Zero and the large 9/11 Memorial Pools. Even if you choose to not visit the museum, just seeing the Memorial Pools is spectacular! I have an affinity for water, but even if you do not, I do not think they will fail to impress. The sheer size (the footprint of the North and South towers) – each with 30 feet drops into the largest manmade waterfalls in North America and has a metal rim incised with the names of all the victims. Around these two pools, there are other things to view, and it is nice to just walk the area. You are also next to the Oculus station (see transportation entry). If in this part of town, you can also swing by Wall Street and the famous raging bull… or perhaps stop by Federal Hall or the NMAI (see museums).