Free Things to Do in Lower Manhattan

You can spend a full afternoon in Lower Manhattan without buying a single ticket. Here are free things to see, all close together.

The Battery

This 25-acre park sits at the very tip of Manhattan. Walk to the water's edge for views across the harbor to the Statue of Liberty.

Castle Clinton

This round sandstone fort was built between 1808 and 1811 to defend New York before the War of 1812. From 1855 to 1890 it was an immigrant landing station, where more than 8 million people entered the United States. Today it's run by the National Park Service, and it's where Statue of Liberty ferry tickets are checked.

East Coast Memorial

Eight granite pylons honor 4,609 American servicemen lost in the western Atlantic during the Second World War. A bronze eagle stands between them, facing the Statue of Liberty.

The Staten Island Ferry

The ferry is free and runs every day, all day and night. The 25-minute crossing passes the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Governors Island. It doesn't stop at Liberty Island or Ellis Island.

The 9/11 Memorial

The outdoor 9/11 Memorial is free to visit. Two reflecting pools, each nearly an acre, sit in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The names of 2,983 people are inscribed around them. The Memorial is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is separate and needs a ticket.

Free audio walks

VoyGlobe's free audio walks cover Lower Manhattan, Battery Park and the harbor. Open them on your phone and walk at your own pace.

See the free audio tours · Explore Manhattan's free guide

FAQ

Is the 9/11 Memorial free? Yes. The outdoor Memorial is free. The Museum needs a ticket.

Is the Staten Island Ferry free? Yes, and it runs 24/7.

Where can I see the Statue of Liberty for free? From the waterfront in The Battery, or from the Staten Island Ferry.