Melo Villareal
Things to Do near Central Park, New York City
What is there that one cannot do in the vibrant tapestry of New York City? It’s a bustling metropolis, teeming with energy, celebrated for its eclectic charm and undeniably high cost of living. A dream destination for countless travelers, NYC captivates hearts for a myriad of reasons. Fashion enthusiasts flock to this style capital to experience cutting-edge trends, while food lovers savor the iconic street hotdogs from exuberant vendors lining the streets. Art aficionados immerse themselves in world-class museums and awe-inspiring exhibitions, exploring the rich cultural heritage and creativity that pulse through the city. Others embark on grand tours to soak in the architectural marvels and iconic sights. Regardless of their varied motives, one thing is certain—New York City is an alluring spectacle that enchants everyone who dares to explore its dynamic streets.
Manhattan New York City
But if there are people who are willing to indulge on their trip here, there are also others who just want to take it all in without really breaking the bank; If you’re on a tight budget but still want to experience Central Park Tours in NYC, here are a few suggestions you might want to try on your visit.
African Burial Ground
Location: 290 Broadway between Duane & Elk Sts, Lower Manhattan.
This cemetery is one of Manhattan’s most sensationalized stories to date. The burial ground was unearthed in 1991 when the General Services Administration office building was constructed.
They discovered graves 24 feet below ground, and it was confirmed that there were hundreds of other corpses in the area of black New Yorkers. According to the 1755 map, this is the “Negros Burial Ground.” This paves the way for black New Yorkers to connect with their past.
Today, the African Burial National Monument is surrounded by buildings. Still, there is a small visitor center that you can go to where they retell the African-American history in the city artfully.
Chelsea Galleries
You don’t have to buy anything when you visit, but it’s free to revel because there are a lot of galleries here boasting different techniques, collaboration, and different contemporary artists.
Most of these art galleries are located between 10th and 11th Avenues, and there is no pressure to buy; you can even try their cheese and wine openings, free on Thursday evenings.
New York City Hall
Location: City Hall Park, facing the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan.
Don’t leave NYC without going to the city hall. After all, this is the heart of the city; it’s what makes NYC. The city hall has been the “home to New York City government since 1812” and is “one of the nation’s oldest city halls.”
If you’re into architecture, you will love the Corinthian columns and arched windows of this building. If you’re a history buff, you’d be happy to know that influential people like Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein have visited this.
The mayor’s office is situated on one side, while the office of the city council is on the other.
If you plan to visit this, you must reserve it in advance.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Museum
Location: Seventh Ave & 27th St, Garment District, Midtown West.
If someone in your group or you exactly love/s fashion, don’t you dare miss going to FIT.
They conduct weekly fashion week in their museum, where they rotate imaginative exhibits by students and a fascinating collection of the first fashion gallery in the country, where they choose from a whopping 50,000 pieces of garments from the 18th century to the present.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York City
Location: 33 Liberty St, Lower Manhattan.
You need to make a reservation one week in advance if you want to go here, but you will love their high-security vault, where there are more than 10,000 gold reserves 80ft below ground.
You can also go to their exhibits on counterfeit currency and coin collection of the American Numismatic Society.
Reserve at least a week ahead to visit the Federal Reserve Bank, most rewarding just to ogle the facility’s high-security vault – useful considering more than 10,000 tons of gold reserves reside here, 80ft below ground.
There are exhibits on counterfeit currency and a serious coin collection by the American Numismatic Society.
You can tour Monday-Friday, excluding bank holidays, as long as you have made reservations and were approved.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET)
Location: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
The MET is located on the eastern side of Central Park; entry is free, but many visitors pay a small donation. This is a huge structure that houses famous works of equally famous artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Picasso.
You can also see various collections from Greek, Roman, African, ancient Egyptian, and Byzantine galleries; there is also a collection of modern American art. It’s a big museum, so there are also musical instruments, costumes, antique weaponry, and body armor.
They also have a roof garden which is open in the summer; it has a beautiful view of the city skyline and they host a single-artist sculpture exhibition.
New York Earth Room
Location: 141 Wooster St, SoHo
The New York Earth Room is an entirely different take on art by the artist Walter de Maria. It has been mounted since 1977.
This sculpture is a permanent fixture of 250 cubic yards of the earth, taking up 3,600 square feet of floor space and a “22-inch depth of material”.
This set-up has been cared for by Bill Dilworth for the past 23 years. They say its smell is reminiscent of a wet forest.
New York Public Library
Location: Fifth Ave at 42nd St, Midtown East, Queens.
Book lovers unite! This is New York’s most famous library (also known as Stephen Schwarzman Building); it turned 100 yrs. Old in 2011, it stands in an impressive grand Beaux-Arts icon east of Times Square.
On its two frontal sides are two marble lions named “Patience” and “Gratitude.” Their reading room can fit 500 people, which is massive for a library where they can read using the library’s original Carre-and-Hastings lamps, which makes quite the experience.
They also conduct exhibits where you can see the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, 431,000 ancient maps, and a Gutenberg Bible. Three tours can be had for free at 11am and 2pm from Monday to Saturday and 2pm every Sunday (except in summer).
Museum of Modern Art
Location: 11 W 53rd St, Fifth & Sixth Ave, Midtown West.
Another great art museum, the Museum of Modern Art or MoMA, is home to nurturing and collecting modernist art. It is one of the world’s largest, most distinguished, and most powerful museums of modern art.
They have an expansive collection of modern and contemporary art, including architecture and design, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, prints, illustrated books and artists’ books, films, and electronic media from various artists.
Their library has about 300,000 books and exhibition catalogs, more than 1,000 periodical titles, and more than 40,000 files of pamphlets, tickets, etc., of each artist and group.
Entry is free from 4-8pm on a Friday.
National Museum of the American Indian (George Gustav Heye Center)
Location: 1 Bowling Green, Lower Manhattan.
George Gustav Heye was a German national who traveled throughout North and South America and collected Native American artifacts.
Over 54 years, his collection was brought together. In 1916, he founded the Museum of American Indian and Heye Foundation; it opened to the public on Audubon Terrace in New York City in 1922.
The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is now the site of the George Gustav Heye Center. This Museum is home to many old Native American treasures and is free to visit.
New York Travel Tour Packages You Should Try
Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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Also read:
- Top 20 Best Tourist Attractions in New York City
- Ancient Burial Grounds in Sta Cruz Island, Zamboanga City
- See New York City in a Whole New Light
- A Bus Tour in New York City that offers a wide variety of enticing options
