New York City is known for many things. From museums to monuments, there are many things to see. New York City has so much to offer, it is hard to tackle the city on your own. However, tours, whether by bus or on foot, can sometimes be expensive. Instead of having to wander your way through the city, take advantage of some of the free tours the city has to offer. You are guaranteed not to miss a thing, and to stay within your budget.



The Alliance for Downtown New York has compiled two different kinds of tours to work with different schedules, and show you the many sights of the city. The first tour is the Wall Street Walking Tour. This tour begins every Thursday and Saturday at noon. The tour takes walkers past icons like the New York Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, and Federal Hall. The tour begins on the steps of the National Museum of the American Indian at number 1 Bowling Green. The other tour begins every Tuesday at noon and is called the Historic Downtown Walking Tour. The tour hits sites such as the City Hall, the African Burial Grounds, and City Hall. This tour begins from the NYC Heritage Tourism Center. Each tour lasts about one and one-half hours, and no reservations are necessary.

One of the more unique tours in the city is called the Surveillance Camera Outdoor Walking Tours. Unknown to many people, New York City has thousands of security cameras placed in many areas around the city. This interesting and unique walking tour will show walkers more about the cameras, and explain the special system that helps to trace New Yorkers' every move and keep the city a little safer. If you or members of your group are interested in some technology, science, or one of the things that makes New York tick, this tour will be interesting for your. These tours start at 2pm on Sunday afternoons at various places around the city.

If nature is what you are into, there are two tours designed for you. The first is the Central Park Conservancy Walking Tour. This tour takes anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, and they run year-round. The tours in Central Park are varied as well, with everything from the Revolutionary War to landscaping. The second tour related to the outdoors is the Prospect Park Discover Nature Tours. This tour takes place in Brooklyn, and shows visitors parts of Brooklyn they may not know exists. The tour will show you waterfalls, a rehabbed ravine, and Brooklyn's last forest. Many enjoy the tour because it is like taking a step outside of the city and getting to see nature, while still being able to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant only moments after.

Tours in New York City are diverse in every area. While there are so many free tours, it may seem silly to pay for one. Even when you do pay, you can find tours that are as low as $5. There are so many things in New York it may seem overwhelming to visitors, but just know there are many free or very inexpensive tours that can guide you around the city and ensure you don't miss a thing.