NYC

Choose your city

Not in NYC? Change city

GUIDE

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

🗺️ Plan it
🎯 Filters 5 49 listings

Find your thing

49listings
1

Whenpick one

2

Whereall areas · up to 3

New York City95📍 ManhattanBrooklyn33📍 Queens📍 BronxStaten Island13Lower New York6Long Island↗Westchester & Rockland6Lower Connecticut↗New Jersey↗

That's 3 areas, the max. Tap one to swap it.

4

Costpick any

+ More: who's going · indoor / outdoor · access ▾

Indoor / outdoor

Clear all

Free and cheap date ideas in NYC: gallery nights, free concerts, walking tours, tastings and markets worth wandering. Pair any of these with a walk and you’ve got a night out. For paid ideas, see Date night.

405 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
FRI, NOV 6 · 10 AM–7 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St, Manhattan · official listing on bfplny.com · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Canstruction: giant sculptures made of food cans

📍 Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St · Battery Park City, Manhattan
Free admission · canned-food donations welcome
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–4 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Hamilton Grange National Memorial, Manhattan · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 1
Tours & walks

Hamilton Grange Free Ranger-Led House Tours

📍 Hamilton Grange National Memorial · Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Bronx Museum of the Arts (Always Free)

📍 Bronx Museum of the Arts · Bronx
Free
Happening now
Every Sun, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at Hispanic Society Museum & Library, Manhattan · official listing on hispanicsociety.org · checked Nov 1
Arts & culture

Hispanic Society Museum & Library (Free Admission)

📍 Hispanic Society Museum & Library · Manhattan
Free; registration required; Free with a reserved ticket
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
66°F · Heavy Rain
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, Manhattan · official listing on leslielohman.org · checked Nov 1
Arts & culture

Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art (Suggested Donation)

📍 Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art · Manhattan
Suggested donation; pay what you wish
Starts in 2h 4m
Daily · 3 PM–9 PM
66°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Little Island, Manhattan · official listing on littleisland.org · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

Little Island free Hudson River park walk (Pier 55)

📍 Little Island · Meatpacking / West Village, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 4h 4m
FRI, NOV 6 · 5 PM–7 PM
64°F · Chance T-storms
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Flatiron Wines & Spirits, Manhattan · official listing on nyc.flatiron-wines.com · checked Oct 25
Drinks & tastings

Free tastings at Flatiron Wines

📍 Flatiron Wines & Spirits · Flatiron, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 4h 4m
Daily · 5 PM–6 PM
64°F · Chance T-storms
✓ Verified Oct 27, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Manhattan · official listing on cooperhewitt.org · checked Oct 27
Arts & culture

Cooper Hewitt Pay What You Wish hour

📍 Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum · Upper East Side, Manhattan
Pay what you wish 5–6 PM daily; 18 & under free anytime
Starts in 5h 4m
FRI, NOV 6 · 6 PM–8 PM
64°F · Chance T-storms
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Astor Wines & Spirits, Manhattan · official listing on astorwines.com · checked Oct 25
Drinks & tastings

Free wine & spirits tastings at Astor Wines

📍 Astor Wines & Spirits · NoHo, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 20h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 9 AM–3 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Queens Super Hike (15 miles)

📍 Flushing Meadows Corona Park · Flushing, Queens
Free; registration required
Starts in 20h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 9 AM–3 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Queens County Parks Super Hike

📍 Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park) · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 20h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 9 AM–11:30 AM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Riverside Park (Riverside Dr & Tiemann Pl), Manhattan · official listing on riversideparknyc.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Volunteer Gardening at Tiemann Place in Riverside Park

📍 Riverside Park (Riverside Dr & Tiemann Pl) · Riverside Park, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free; registration requested
Starts in 21h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 10 AM–6 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at MoMA PS1, Queens · official listing on momaps1.org · checked Oct 28
Arts & culture

MoMA PS1 November Open House

📍 MoMA PS1 · Long Island City, Queens
Free admission and programs; separate RSVPs required for selected activities. Optional purchases extra.
Starts in 21h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 10 AM–1 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell (in Forest Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Bulb Planting at Forest Park

📍 George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell (in Forest Park) · Forest Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 21h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 10 AM–11 AM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Margaret Corbin Circle, Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Guided Nature Walk in Fort Tryon Park

📍 Margaret Corbin Circle, Fort Tryon Park · Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free; reserve a spot
Starts in 22h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 11 AM–4 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at King Manor Museum, Queens · official listing on eventbrite.com · checked Oct 28
Arts & culture

Queens Fiber Arts Festival

📍 King Manor Museum · Jamaica, Queens
Free general admission; optional purchases extra. Workshop costs and RSVP requirements unconfirmed.
Starts in 22h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 11 AM–2 PM
61°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bryant Park, Upper Terrace or lawn, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Nov 1
Outdoors

Free Saturday Juggling at Bryant Park

📍 Bryant Park, Upper Terrace or lawn · Midtown, Manhattan
Free; drop-ins welcome; equipment provided.
Starts in 23h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 12 PM–4 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 23, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 23
Painting & crafts

Traditional Indigenous crafts at Bronx River House

📍 Bronx River House (in Starlight Park) · Starlight Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 23h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 12 PM–4 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Concrete Plant Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

5th Annual Community Banquet

📍 Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 23h 4m
SAT, NOV 7 · 12 PM–4 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Concrete Plant Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Free Community Paddle at Concrete Plant Park

📍 Concrete Plant Park · Soundview, Bronx
Free
Starts in 23h 4m
Every Sat · 12 PM–1:30 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The High Line, Manhattan · official listing on thehighline.org · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

High Line Tour: From Freight to Flowers (Saturdays)

📍 The High Line · Meatpacking District, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1d 0h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–2 PM
63°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Juniper South Playground (in Juniper Valley Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Autumn Eco Crafts and Exploration

📍 Juniper South Playground (in Juniper Valley Park) · Juniper Valley Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 0h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Native American Heritage Month: Indigenous Plant Practices

📍 Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park) · Crotona Park, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 0h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–3 PM
63°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Multi-Use Room (in Kissena Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Painting & crafts

Create Your Own: Seasonal Door Sign

📍 Multi-Use Room (in Kissena Park) · Kissena Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 1d 0h
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–2 PM
63°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Randall's Island Park (meet at Ward's Island Footbridge), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Randall's Island Salt Marsh

📍 Randall's Island Park (meet at Ward's Island Footbridge) · Randall's Island, Manhattan
Free; registration required
Starts in 1d 2h
SAT, NOV 7 · FROM 3 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, Bronx · official listing on poecottage.org · checked Nov 2
Arts & culture

Ephemeral Light: Artist Talk with Ira Merritt at Poe Cottage

📍 Edgar Allan Poe Cottage · Fordham, Bronx
Free · registration required · Free; registration requested; book available for purchase
Starts in 1d 2h
SAT, NOV 7 · 3 PM–4 PM
62°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Hunter's Point South Park (The Oval), Queens · official listing on hunterspointparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

The Walk: Umbilical City — Waters and Wetlands

📍 Hunter's Point South Park (The Oval) · Long Island City, Queens
Free · registration required · Free; Eventbrite registration requested
Starts in 1d 4h
SAT, NOV 7 · 5 PM–7 PM
57°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at 102nd Street Field House, Riverside Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Strange Confessions: Free Play Reading in Riverside Park

📍 102nd Street Field House, Riverside Park · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free · registration required
Starts in 1d 21h
SUN, NOV 8 · 10 AM–11 AM
57°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Dongan Lawn, Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Kid Birding in Fort Tryon Park

📍 Dongan Lawn, Fort Tryon Park · Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free; reserve a spot
Starts in 1d 22h
SUN, NOV 8 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
58°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Soundview Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Ranger walk at Soundview Park

📍 Soundview Park · Soundview, Bronx
Free
Starts in 1d 22h
SUN, NOV 8 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Ranger hike in Forest Park

📍 Forest Park · Woodhaven, Queens
Free
Starts in 1d 22h
SUN, NOV 8 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
58°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Lafayette Avenue and Colgate Avenue (in Soundview Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Fall Foliage Hike

📍 Lafayette Avenue and Colgate Avenue (in Soundview Park) · Soundview Park, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 22h
SUN, NOV 8 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Fall Foliage Tree ID Hike

📍 Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park) · Forest Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 2d 0h
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Central Park North Woods, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Ranger hike in Central Park's North Woods

📍 Central Park North Woods · Central Park, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 2d 0h
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at 73rd Avenue and Hollis Hills Terrace (in Cunningham Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Historic New York: Vanderbilt Motor Parkway

📍 73rd Avenue and Hollis Hills Terrace (in Cunningham Park) · Cunningham Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 2d 0h
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Painting & crafts

Nature's Workshop: Create Your Own Nature Field Guide

📍 Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park) · Crotona Park, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 2d 0h
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at David Dinkins Circle (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park),Ederl, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Artist Talk with Cecile Chong and Alexander Zev

📍 David Dinkins Circle (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park),Ederle Terrace Lawn · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 2d 0h
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–3 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bayside Historical Society (in Fort Totten Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Second Sunday Castle Tours

📍 Bayside Historical Society (in Fort Totten Park) · Fort Totten Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 2d 0h
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Central Park (meet at W 100th St & Central Park West), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Leaf Peeping Hike in Central Park's North Woods

📍 Central Park (meet at W 100th St & Central Park West) · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 2d 1h
SUN, NOV 8 · 2 PM–4 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · limited spots · at Pearl River Mart Foods (Chelsea Market), Manhattan · official listing on pearlriver.com · checked Oct 31
Drinks & tastings

Free tasting: Sun Yum XO Sauce (Sunday) at Pearl River Mart Foods

📍 Pearl River Mart Foods (Chelsea Market) · Chelsea, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 2d 1h
SUN, NOV 8 · 2 PM–5:15 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at Smalls Jazz Club, Manhattan · official listing on smallslive.com · checked Nov 2
Music & nightlife

Sunday afternoon jam at Smalls with Ryo Sasaki Quartet

📍 Smalls Jazz Club · Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · No cover charge per the official Smalls listing; drinks sold at the bar
Starts in 2d 3h
Every Sun, Tue · 4 PM–5:30 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Manhattan · official listing on guggenheim.org · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Guggenheim Pay What You Wish hours

📍 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum · Manhattan
Suggested donation; pay what you wish; Pay what you wish Tuesdays and Sundays 4–5:30 pm
Starts in 2d 3h
Every Sun · 4 PM–5 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Queens · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

Jamaica Bay Sunset Walk

📍 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center · Broad Channel, Queens
Free
Starts in 2d 5h
SUN, NOV 8 · FROM 6 PM
56°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Book Club Bar, Manhattan · official listing on bookclubbar.com · checked Nov 5
Music & nightlife

Nightmusic Acoustic Series: Blue Jay at Book Club Bar (free)

📍 Book Club Bar · East Village, Manhattan
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

405 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

How are these listings checked?

Every listing links to the organizer's own page: the venue, the city agency or park, or the official ticket or RSVP page. We don't copy listings from other event sites.

Related guides