Between Central Park And The Empire State Building Is New York City's Free Entry Cathedral With Ethereal Views

Even in a city as notoriously expensive as New York, the old adage applies: the best things in life are free. You can sift through the tomes in the New York Public Library, take in the mesmerizing natural beauty of Central Park, or stroll the High Line, NYC's most iconic urban trail with unmatched vistas, all without spending a penny. Among these fee-free attractions is one that features ethereal views and embodies the city's history: St. Patrick's Cathedral.

This landmark in the center of the city is located at about the mid-point between Central Park and the Empire State Building, America's happiest tourist attraction. It occupies an entire block in Midtown sandwiched between 50th and 51st Streets and Madison and 5th Avenues. Not to be confused with the The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Nolita (of "Godfather" movie franchise fame), the "new" St. Patrick's dates back to 1858. As a place of worship, entry to St. Patrick's Cathedral is free of charge to any and all who want to attend the scheduled Roman Catholic mass. But you can also just walk in whenever the heavy bronze doors, a majestic feat of design themselves weighing over 9,000 pounds, are open.

The building's Neo-Gothic architecture features buttresses and tall spires reminiscent of the gorgeous churches of France. Indeed, its ideator, Archbishop Hughes, sought to create for his worshippers not only the "the most beautiful Gothic Cathedral in the New World," but a place that would become "the heart of the city". While any bystander can take in the splendor of St. Patrick's white marble facade against the modern New York skyscrapers, those who step inside are rewarded with priceless views.

One of the most striking aspects of St. Patrick's Cathedral is the ethereal atmosphere. As sunlight pours in, filtering the rich colors of its 94 stained glass windows, visitors can relish the feeling of being bathed in light while surrounded by stunning architecture. You could spend an entire day deciphering the stories from the Old and New Testaments that make up this glittering glass tapestry. The trick is to read the scenes starting from the bottom left and follow the horizontal panels up to the top right.

Visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral is not only a delight for the senses, but also a chance to learn more about the history of Catholic migration to the States and of the city itself. For instance, a permanent mural by Adam Cvijanovic unveiled in September 2025 in the entrance vestibule honors immigrants to the area across multiple generations. Those looking to delve deeper who don't have a strict budget may also opt to book a self-guided audio tour ($20) or a VIP guided tour ($99), with proceeds benefiting the cathedral.

There are two MTA stops located at each corner of the cathedral, 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr and 5 Av/53 St, as well as several bus lines that stop right on the church's sidewalk. Although the cathedral is free year-round, there are special occasions — Christmas Midnight Mass, Easter Sunday 10:15 a.m., St. Patrick's Day 8:30 a.m. and Columbus Day Mass — when you you will need to book a free ticket or enter a ticket lottery to attend. As this is an active site of worship, it's also worth bearing in mind a few best practice rules, including dressing appropriately (ex., no hats for men) and avoiding eating, drinking (water is fine), and phone calls while inside.