13 Legitimately Fun Things You Can Do In New York Without Spending A Dime
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Lea Monroe
Author
The best things in life are free, and this doesn’t exclude adventures that are waiting to be taken in the state of New York. There certainly are adventures that are worth paying for in our state, but some of the best memories that you’ll never be able to forget can be created right here without having to take out your wallet once. From outdoor attractions to even meals, here are thirteen legitimately fun things you can do without breaking the bank.
Just one of the many incredible places you can visit in the Empire State Plaza (the New York State Museum is also free), the Corning Tower Observation Deck gives you panoramic views of the Capital Region from the 42nd floor. The observation deck is open Monday through Friday from 10AM until 3:45PM and is free to all visitors.
Known for being one of New York's greatest free attractions, Central Park is a place that all of our residents should visit at least once.... even if they do hate the city. The list of things you can enjoy in the park feels endless, but some of the best free attractions include enjoying the large open space that is Sheep Meadow, take a free stroll through the Conservatory Garden, and so much more. To find out secrets you never knew about this iconic park, click here!
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It's bittersweet for me to say this, but it's now become the time of year when it's acceptable for me to suggest an ice fishing trip to you guys. November is here and most of our residents have already begun to see snow and North Face-worthy weather. Considering the fact that New York is home to thousands of stunning lakes, it's a great way to get yourself outdoors and back on the water.
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It's impossible to live in New York and not be completely in love with our mountains. Whether you enjoy spending your free time climbing them or just simply love the view of them, our state wouldn't be home without them. An easy way to soak in as much scenic beauty as humanly possible is to try one of our hiking challenges. A popular challenge to take on over the course of a weekend is the Saranac 6, which includes 6 Adirondack mountains that can easily be tied together to make for an unforgettable trip.
If you weren't aware that this was even a thing, well now you know. There are a ton of restaurants all over our state that offer food challenges where generally the end result is you getting all the food you ate for free. If this is the type of free adventure you're looking to take, then click here to read about these eight restaurants where you have the chance to get your meal for free!
The historical park which overlooks the Hudson River has a history of unusual activity. Some believe the park is haunted by the spirits of old soldiers while others believe the park is some sort of portal to another world. If you're going to chase down the paranormal here then you'll want to start off with the Wilkinson Trail, a hike within the park that has been known to have the most activity. To read more about this creepy trail, click here.
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Located in Poughkeepsie where you'll have unfathomable views of the Hudson River, this historic park was once a functioning railroad. Now transformed into one of our most unbelievable outdoor attractions, there's no cost to enjoy the views from the walkway. To find plan your trip and find out more information about the walkway, click here.
Hiding in plain sight, the world's tiniest museum actually sits inside what was once an elevator. Down an unsuspecting alley way you'll discover that this museum is unlike any you've ever seen. Not only is the size of the museum peculiar, the actual objects that you'll find inside will also have your mind wandering. Frequently changing their displays, you can click here to read more about Mmuseumm.
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Hiding right in Pittsford, back in 2014, beautiful little fairy homes began popping up inside of Tinker Nature Park. The trail is just over one-mile long and now features twenty different fairy houses along the trails. To visit this park for free and to see more of the detailed homes, click here.
A free adventure that's easy enough to experience, visitors can drive down Newell Road in Middlesex where they'll place their car in neutral and suddenly discover that their vehicle is going backwards...uphill! Some believe that "Spook Hill" is simply a trick that your eyes play on you, while others are adamant that it has to do with evil spirits. To read more about this insane gravity hill, click here.
When it comes to famous caves in New York, most of us tend to automatically think about the historic Howe Caverns, but down in Dover Plains not far from our state's border you can hike to an aboveground cave that's simply out of this world. For years, the cave remained on private property, only being acquired by the state less than twenty years ago. Free and easy to access, this hike is short and perfect for adventurers of all ages. To learn more about Dover Stone Church, click here.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
New York is filled with a handful of islands that are worth exploring, but if you're looking to enjoy several miles of trails that bring you right along the water than Peebles Island in Waterford is a location you should check out. During the week you can park right on the island free of charge, where you'll have beautiful views of the river and are almost always guaranteed to see deer walk right by you. Still not won over quite yet? Then click here to read about all of the reasons why this island is worth exploring.
Lake George is one of our most popular locations to visit during the summer. Residents from all over our state drive up to the Adirondacks annually to enjoy all there is in this amazing village. But right in a location that we've all walked by hundreds of times is a natural phenomenon that some of you may not even know about. Right next to the Visitor Center, you'll find the circular platform that somehow manages to make your voice echo when you're standing in the dead center of it. To read more about how this strange phenomenon works, click here.
Do you have a favorite thing to do that doesn’t make you empty out your pockets? Some of New York’s adventures are worth paying for though, you won’t regret a penny you spend getting into This One Spot In New York That’s Basically Heaven On Earth!
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