Chelsea Free - Top Free Things to do in Chelsea NYC

CHELSEA FREE

Hey, news flash,  Manhattan is not cheap, but there are great still free things to do if you know where to look.  One of the greatest spots for Free is in Chelsea.  One of the only planned neighborhoods in all of New York City. Chelsea is famous for Art Galleries, Night Life, some questionable behavior in its past (Hey, it wouldn't be NYC without something!)  but all you need are some comfortable walking shoes and you can get a true New York experience in Chelsea - Free. 

1. Chelsea Art Galleries - in the 20's between 10th and 11th Ave

It's OK to go in and look around.  You can enjoy some of the finest art in the world through the front windows of the Art Galleries that made Chelsea famous. But go ahead and go inside.  There will be no pressure to buy  (they are not car salesmen).   

Check out www.westchelseaarts.com  and

Chelsea Gallery Map for listings. 

Free Tip: Thursday evenings free wine and cheese at certain Gallery Openings.

2. High Line Park - Gansevoort Street to 34th Street (Above) 10th Ave.

This New York City staple, located on a formerly abandoned elevated railroad track, offers more than just fabulous waterfront views. The public park built on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure, running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street, offers public  art, family and entertainment programs. Check it all out at the High Line Park Event Calendar.

Free Tip:  Every Tuesday and Saturday Free Guided Walking Tour  

3. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Museum - 27st and Seventh Ave

It's always Fashion Week in the FIT Museum, which features rotating exhibits by students.  There is also an interesting and detailed collection of the country's first gallery of fashion, picked from a collection of 50,000 garments dating from the 18th century to present. t, Garment District, Midtown West.

Check out current and upcoming exhibitions here.

4. General Theological Seminary Garden  9th-10th Ave & 20-21 streets

Founded in 1817, the General Theological Seminary has occupied the entire block between Ninth and 10th Avenues and between 20th and 21st Streets since 1826. Enter on the 9th Avenue side and stop at the front desk, drop off a photo ID (like a driver's license), sign in, and they'll let you walk through the lobby and into the garden.  Make sure to take one of their walking tour pamphlets.

Free Tip: Pinch yourself once in awhile to remind yourself you're in Manhattan.

5. Chelsea Market

OK, this one is going to take some will power not to spend but you can go and look for Free.  

Known as one of the greatest indoor food halls of the world, with more than thirty-five vendors offering everything from soup to nuts, wine to coffee, cheese to cheesecake.  Described as "a neighborhood market with a global perspective" Chelsea Market opened in 1997 on the site of the old Nabisco Factory.  The Oreo Cookie was born here in 1912.  (Hungry yet?)

Open to the public Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm and on Sunday from 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

Free Tip:  Check out the Free Chelsea Market Events

The High Line - "An Extraordinary Public Space"

from http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/

The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Founded in 1999 by community residents, Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition. It is now the non-profit conservancy working with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to make sure the High Line is maintained as an extraordinary public space for all visitors to enjoy. In addition to overseeing maintenance, operations, and public programming for the park, Friends of the High Line works to raise the essential private funds to support more than 90 percent of the park’s annual operating budget, and to advocate for the transformation of the High Line at the rail yards, the third and final section of the historic structure, which runs between West 30th and West 34th Streets.

For park information, including park hours, please visit the Friends of The High Line's information page , or please call the High Line Information Line: (212) 500-6035.