New York’s Best Free Attraction Sits Right In The Heart Of Lower Manhattan, According To A New Study

New Yorkers never say no to a great free activity, especially one that delivers cultural value without draining your wallet. Now, a new report analyzing thousands of Tripadvisor ratings has revealed the highest-rated free attraction in every state –and New York’s top pick might be one you’ve walked past without even realizing. Online lending company CashNetUSA analyzed more than 6,000 free-entry attractions nationwide to uncover the highest-rated spots in every state–and New York’s top pick just so happens to be right here in NYC! The team reviewed publicly available Tripadvisor tourist ratings for 6,328 attractions, filtering out those with fewer than 750 reviews, to determine which free experiences travelers love most. Because while it’s not exactly a *waste of money* to visit a mediocre free attraction, it is a waste of time–and New Yorkers take our free time very seriously. Across the country, the No. 1 free attraction is the Duncan McClellan Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida, earning a near-perfect 4.95-star rating. Housed inside a 7,800-square-foot former fish-and-tomato packing plant, it’s now a glass art gallery and sculpture garden. Weekend glass-blowing demonstrations and talks from artists in residence are top visitor favorites. But when it comes to New York State’s best free attraction, the winner hits a lot closer to home. New York’s Best Free Attraction: Liberty Park at the World Trade Center ----------------------------------------------------------------------- According to the rankings, the World Trade Center’s Liberty Park (155 Cedar Street) is New York’s highest-rated free attraction, earning an impressive 4.79 stars. This elevated one-acre green space sits atop the Vehicular Security Center and offers a perspective that’s hard to come by in NYC steps from some of Lower Manhattan’s busiest streets. Visitors can take in views of Memorial Plaza, One World Trade Center, and the Oculus while enjoying a quiet break from the city. Liberty Park packs a surprising amount into a small area. Highlights include: * The St. Nicholas National Shrine * America’s Response Monument, dedicated to U.S. Special Operations Forces * Fritz Koenig’s The Sphere — the world’s largest bronze sculpture, salvaged from the ruins of the original World Trade Center * The Anne Frank Tree — a sapling from the historic chestnut tree outside the Secret Annex * The Weather Station, which collects and displays real-time weather data * A thriving ecosystem of native bee homes, supporting pollinators across the area Between its greenery, monuments, public art, and quiet seating areas, Liberty Park is both a meaningful stop for visitors and a serene escape for New Yorkers who work or live nearby. 10 Highest-Rated Free Attractions in America -------------------------------------------- 1. Duncan McClellan Gallery – St. Petersburg, Florida 2. National Museum of the Marine Corps – Triangle, Virginia 3. National Museum of the U.S. Air Force – Dayton, Ohio 4. National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center – Columbus, Georgia 5. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Arlington, Virginia 6. Yachats Coastline – Yachats, Oregon 7. Gettysburg National Military Park – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 8. Mendocino Coast – Mendocino, California 9. Bicycle Heaven – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 10. Marginal Way – Ogunquit, Maine See the full ranking on CashNetUSA’s website. Source: https://secretnyc.co/new-yorks-best-free-attraction-tripadvisor-tourist-ratings/