10 Free Things You Can Do As An NYC Resident
Beyond proudly getting to tell everyone that you’re a New Yorker, being an NYC resident comes with many other perks you might never have known!
But first things first, in order to take advantage of all the free things that come with being an NYC resident, you should definitely apply for an IDNYC card. An IDNYC card is an official form of identification from the city, that NYC residents 10+ years of age can apply for. Through this card, you can unlock a variety of benefits listed below.
1. Get a free, year membership to +35 museums in NYC
*Some may only offer discount tickets rather than free admission*
This specifically pertains to obtaining an IDNYC, including but not limited to:
- American Museum of Natural History
- BRIC
- Bronx County Historical Historial Society
- BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum
- Carnegie Hall
- China Institute
- The Drawing Center
- Film Forum
- Flushing Town Hall
- The Juilliard School
- King Manor
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- MoMA PS1
- Metropolitan Opera
- El Museo del Barrio
- Museum at Eldridge Street
- Museum of Jewish Heritage
- Museum of Modern Art
- Museum of the City of New York
- National Sawdust
- New York City Ballet
- New York City Center
- Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
- Public Theater
- Queens Museum
- The Shed
- Staten Island Children’s Museum
- Staten Island Museum
- Studio Museum in Harlem
2. Open a credit union or bank account
An IDNYC lets you open a credit union or bank account at these following financial institutions in NYC.
3. Be the proud owner of a library card
Becoming a member of the NYC Public Library grants you access to incredible opportunities like renting an instrument, learning a new language, borrowing an e-book and more. All NYC residents are eligible for a free library card. Find the entire list of free things you can do with a New York Public Library Card here.
4. Wander through NYC’s beautiful gardens
Various botanic gardens across the boroughs offer free admission to New York residents, following certain guidelines:
- Queens Botanical Garden: Admission is free December 16 – March; Every Wednesday 3 to 6pm and Sunday from 9 to 11am
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Pay-as-you-wish Tuesdays through Fridays from December – February
- New York Botanical Garden: Free Grounds Admission to New York residents on Wednesdays
5. Learn about your favorite animals at the zoo
IDNYC gives cardholders free admission to the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo.
6. Go underwater at the New York Aquarium
Free admission to the New York Aquarium is included with Wildlife Conservation Society IDNYC.
7. Watch a private rehearsal of the New York City Ballet
IDNYC members are privy to experience four weekly working rehearsals onstage for the New York City Ballet. Additionally, cardholders can see two working dress rehearsals onstage.
8. Earn a college degree
Residents of New York are eligible to apply for the Excelsior Scholarship that grants free tuition at any City University of New York (CUNY) or State University of New York (SUNY) college. Learn more here.
9. Cheer on your favorite sports team
Though this benefit isn’t necessarily free, you can take advantage of incredible discounts on Mets, Yankees and New York Liberty tickets with your IDNYC.
10. Drive a Zipcar around the city
Again, technically not free but important enough to add, IDNYC cardholders can get 50% off a standard first-year membership to Zipcar, an urban, car-sharing network.
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