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Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

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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.

407 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 3 PM–8 PM
57°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Brooklyn Heights Promenade skyline walk (free)

📍 Brooklyn Heights Promenade · Brooklyn Heights
Free
Starts in 18h 4m
TUE, NOV 10 · 10 AM–12 PM
53°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Concrete Plant Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Tuesday Stewardship at the Foodway

📍 Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 18h 4m
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–3:30 PM
54°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn · official listing on bbg.org · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

Brooklyn Botanic Garden daytime pay-what-you-wish (through Jan 15)

📍 Brooklyn Botanic Garden · Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Suggested donation · pay what you wish · Daytime admission pay-what-you-wish through January 15 while Lightscape is installed; evenings are separate paid Lightscape tickets
Starts in 2d 18h
THU, NOV 12 · 10 AM–11 AM
57°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Prospect Park Audubon Center / Boathouse, Brooklyn · official listing on prospectpark.org · checked Nov 6
Outdoors

Prospect Park Stroller Walk

📍 Prospect Park Audubon Center / Boathouse · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Free; RSVP required
Starts in 4d 1h
FRI, NOV 13 · 5 PM–9 PM
44°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Free Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field

📍 Floyd Bennett Field · Marine Park, Brooklyn
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 4d 18h
Every Sat · 10 AM–12 PM
45°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · repeats, so you can go another time · at Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park, Brooklyn · official listing on prospectpark.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Introduction to Birdwatching Outings in Prospect Park

📍 Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Completely free, no registration
Starts in 4d 18h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10 AM–11:30 AM
44°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Conference House Park Visitor Center, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Falling for Nature Hike at Conference House Park

📍 Conference House Park Visitor Center · Tottenville, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 4d 18h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10 AM–1 PM
45°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 6
Outdoors

Leaf No Trace leaf-raking day at Fort Greene Park

📍 Fort Greene Park Visitor Center · Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Free; register on the Fort Greene Park Conservancy event page
Starts in 4d 18h
Every Sat · 10 AM–12 PM
45°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Prospect Park Audubon Center, Brooklyn · official listing on prospectpark.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Introduction to Birdwatching Outings

📍 Prospect Park Audubon Center · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 4d 19h
SAT, NOV 14 · 11 AM–12 PM
46°F · Slight Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Bushwick Inlet Park (Lawn Area), Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Waterfront Ecosystems at Bushwick Inlet Park

📍 Bushwick Inlet Park (Lawn Area) · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Free
Starts in 4d 19h
SAT, NOV 14 · 11 AM–12 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Outdoor Skills: Fire Building in Van Cortlandt Park

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center · Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 4d 21h
SAT, NOV 14 · 1 PM–2 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Riverdale Park (Palisade Ave & Spaulding Ln), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Hiking Club Series: Sappy Trails in Riverdale Park

📍 Riverdale Park (Palisade Ave & Spaulding Ln) · Riverdale, Bronx
Free
Starts in 5d 2h
SAT, NOV 14 · 6:30 PM–10 PM
43°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Great Kills Park, Staten Island · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Free Stargazing at Great Kills Park

📍 Great Kills Park · Great Kills, Staten Island
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 5d 19h
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–12 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at North Picnic Area, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Hiking Club: Hidden Hunter Island in Pelham Bay Park

📍 North Picnic Area, Pelham Bay Park · Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 5d 19h
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brower Park Lawn, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Nature Detective Mystery Adventure in Brower Park

📍 Brower Park Lawn · Brower Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 5d 19h
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–11:30 AM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Audre Lorde Legacy Walk in Silver Lake Park

📍 Silver Lake Park, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 5d 20h
SUN, NOV 15 · 12 PM–1:30 PM
49°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Historic New York: Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Tour

📍 Fort Greene Park Visitor Center · Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 5d 20h
SUN, NOV 15 · 12 PM–1:30 PM
49°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Eton Place Parking Lot, Willowbrook Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 6
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Urban Mammals at Willowbrook Park

📍 Eton Place Parking Lot, Willowbrook Park · Willowbrook, Staten Island
Free · registration required · Free; registration required (registration is currently closed)
Starts in 5d 20h
SUN, NOV 15 · 12:30 PM–3 PM
49°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Snug Harbor Sustainability Center, Staten Island · official listing on snug-harbor.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Environmental and Tree Stewardship at Snug Harbor

📍 Snug Harbor Sustainability Center · Livingston, Staten Island
Free; registration required.
Starts in 5d 21h
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–3 PM
50°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Snug Harbor, Building P lobby, Staten Island · official listing on snug-harbor.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Designing and Managing Community Composting Spaces

📍 Snug Harbor, Building P lobby · Livingston, Staten Island
Free; registration required.
Starts in 5d 21h
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–2 PM
49°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Fireside Meditation at Crotona Nature Center

📍 Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park · Crotona Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 6d 3h
SUN, NOV 15 · 7 PM–10 PM
47°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Free Stargazing at Pioneer Works

📍 Pioneer Works · Red Hook, Brooklyn
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 6d 22h
MON, NOV 16 · 2 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Ecology Village (Building 70), Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

Nature Walk at Floyd Bennett Field

📍 Ecology Village (Building 70), Floyd Bennett Field · Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
FRI, NOV 20 · 8 PM–11 PM
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Parkchester Eastern Park, Bronx · official listing on aaa.org · checked Nov 6
Outdoors

Free Stargazing in Parkchester

📍 Parkchester Eastern Park · Parkchester, Bronx
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 1w 4d
SAT, NOV 21 · 10 AM–11 AM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Pond and Freshwater Ecology at Silver Lake Park

📍 Silver Lake Park · Silver Lake, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Orchard Beach Pavilion, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Birding: Owls at Pelham Bay Park's Orchard Beach

📍 Orchard Beach Pavilion, Pelham Bay Park · Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Allison Pond Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Introduction to Fly Fishing at Allison Pond Park

📍 Allison Pond Park · Livingston, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Seth Low Playground / Bealin Square, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Nature Scavenger Hunt at Seth Low Playground

📍 Seth Low Playground / Bealin Square · Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
SAT, NOV 21 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Claremont Park (Mt. Eden Pkwy & Morris Ave), Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Living With Urban Coyotes in Claremont Park

📍 Claremont Park (Mt. Eden Pkwy & Morris Ave) · Mount Eden, Bronx
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
SAT, NOV 21 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Msgr. McGolrick Park, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Historic New York: Greenpoint Neighborhood History Walk

📍 Msgr. McGolrick Park · Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 10 AM–11:30 AM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Birding: Fall Migration at Blue Heron Park

📍 Blue Heron Nature Center · Annadale, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Autumn Mushroom ID Hike in Van Cortlandt Park

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center · Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brookfield Park (Arthur Kill Rd & Brookfield Ave), Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Nature Sketching Hike in Brookfield Park

📍 Brookfield Park (Arthur Kill Rd & Brookfield Ave) · Richmondtown, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 12:30 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Snug Harbor Sustainability Center, Staten Island · official listing on snug-harbor.org · checked Oct 28
Outdoors

Environmental and Tree Stewardship at Snug Harbor

📍 Snug Harbor Sustainability Center · Livingston, Staten Island
Free; registration required.
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Orchard Beach Nature Center, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Seal Exploration at Orchard Beach

📍 Orchard Beach Nature Center, Pelham Bay Park · Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
SUN, NOV 22 · 3 PM–4:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Prospect Park (Parkside Ave & South Lake Dr), Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Freedom Seekers: Stories by the Fire in Prospect Park

📍 Prospect Park (Parkside Ave & South Lake Dr) · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 2w 3d
FRI, NOV 27 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike in Van Cortlandt Park

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park · Bronx
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 2w 3d
FRI, NOV 27 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot, High Rock Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike in High Rock Park

📍 Nevada Avenue Parking Lot, High Rock Park · Staten Island
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 2w 3d
FRI, NOV 27 · 12 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park, Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Outdoors

Post-Thanksgiving Day Super Hike

📍 Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park · Brooklyn
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 2w 4d
SAT, NOV 28 · 10 AM–11 AM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Outdoors

Hibernation Hike at Pelham Bay Park

📍 Pelham Bay Nature Center · Pelham Bay, Bronx
Free
Starts in 2w 4d
SAT, NOV 28 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Blue Heron Nature Center, Blue Heron Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Outdoor Skills: Fire Building at Blue Heron Park

📍 Blue Heron Nature Center, Blue Heron Park · Staten Island
Free
Starts in 2w 5d
SUN, NOV 29 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Pelham Split Rock Golf Course, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Hiking Club: Split Rock in Pelham Bay Park

📍 Pelham Split Rock Golf Course · Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 2w 5d
SUN, NOV 29 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Long Pond Park, Bartow Avenue and Eugene Street entrance, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike (Long Pond Park)

📍 Long Pond Park, Bartow Avenue and Eugene Street entrance · Staten Island
Free
Starts in 3w 1d
WED, DEC 2 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Victory Boulevard near the Parks Departmen, Staten Island · official listing on statenislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 8
Outdoors

Bird and Nature Walk at Silver Lake Park

📍 Silver Lake Park, Victory Boulevard near the Parks Department greenhouse · Staten Island
Free; donations welcome; RSVP requirement not stated
Starts in 3w 4d
SAT, DEC 5 · 10 AM–11:30 AM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center, Brooklyn · official listing on brooklynbridgepark.org · checked Nov 5
Outdoors

Nature Journaling: Nests and Dreys at Brooklyn Bridge Park

📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Free; advance registration encouraged (20 spots, first come)
Starts in 3w 5d
SUN, DEC 6 · 10 AM–11:30 AM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Prospect Park (Parkside Ave & South Lake Dr), Brooklyn · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Doggie Day Hike in Prospect Park

📍 Prospect Park (Parkside Ave & South Lake Dr) · Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 4w 5d
SUN, DEC 13 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Clove Lakes Park, Potter Avenue and Royal Oak Road, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Gather Around the Winter Campfire (Clove Lakes Park)

📍 Clove Lakes Park, Potter Avenue and Royal Oak Road · Staten Island
Free
Starts in 4w 5d
SUN, DEC 13 · 12:30 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Free Solar Observing at Pioneer Works

📍 Pioneer Works · Red Hook, Brooklyn
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 4w 6d
SUN, DEC 13 · 6 PM–7 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Astronomy: Geminids Meteor Shower at Van Cortlandt Park

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center · Riverdale, Bronx
Free
Starts in 6w 4d
SAT, DEC 26 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Outdoors

Holiday campfire & stories in Clove Lakes Park

📍 Clove Lakes Park · Sunnyside, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 6w 4d
SAT, DEC 26 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Van Cortlandt Park

📍 Van Cortlandt Nature Center · Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 6w 5d
SUN, DEC 27 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Orchard Beach Section 2, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Birding: Owls at Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park

📍 Orchard Beach Section 2, Pelham Bay Park · Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free
Starts in 7w 3d
FRI, JAN 1 · 12 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn · official listing on coneyislandpolarbearclub.com · checked Oct 28
Outdoors

Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge (spectating)

📍 Coney Island Beach · Coney Island, Brooklyn
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

407 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.

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