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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.

467 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
48°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Triangular pedestrian island, Broadway between 45th & 46th S, Manhattan · official listing on diaart.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Max Neuhaus — Times Square Sound Installation (Dia)

📍 Triangular pedestrian island, Broadway between 45th & 46th Streets · Times Square, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
48°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues, Manhattan · official listing on diaart.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Joseph Beuys — 7000 Oaks (Dia Art Foundation)

📍 West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues · Chelsea, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 3h 14m
Daily · 6 AM–11:59 PM
46°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Manhattan · official listing on publicartfund.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Camille Henrot: Dogs at Doris C. Freedman Plaza

📍 Doris C. Freedman Plaza · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 5h 14m
Daily · 8 AM–4 PM
46°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn · official listing on brooklynarmyterminal.com · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Brooklyn Army Terminal Public Campus

📍 Brooklyn Army Terminal · Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 5h 14m
Daily · 8 AM–8 PM
45°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at National September 11 Memorial, Manhattan · official listing on 911memorial.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

National September 11 Memorial plaza

📍 National September 11 Memorial · Financial District, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 6h 14m
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9 AM–4:45 PM
44°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at New Jersey State Museum, New Jersey · official listing on nj.gov · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

New Jersey State Museum Free Admission

📍 New Jersey State Museum · Trenton, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 6h 44m
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
44°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Washington’s Headquarters Museum, New Jersey · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Washington’s Headquarters Museum in Morristown

📍 Washington’s Headquarters Museum · Morristown, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 7h 14m
Daily · 10 AM–4 PM
45°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn · official listing on pratt.edu · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Pratt Institute Sculpture Park

📍 Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus · Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 7h 14m
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–5 PM
45°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn · official listing on weeksvillesociety.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Weeksville Heritage Center

📍 Weeksville Heritage Center · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 7h 14m
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 10 AM–4 PM
44°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, Manhattan · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

📍 Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site · Gramercy, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 7h 14m
Daily · 10 AM–6 PM
44°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Austrian Cultural Forum New York, Manhattan · official listing on acfny.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Austrian Cultural Forum: Erwin Wurm Chamber Play

📍 Austrian Cultural Forum New York · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 8h 14m
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–5 PM
43°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Bard Graduate Center Gallery, Manhattan · official listing on bgc.bard.edu · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Bard Graduate Center Gallery

📍 Bard Graduate Center Gallery · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Paid. Friday admission waived 11 AM–8 PM. Complimentary: members, Culture Pass, hardship, AAM/ICOM/NARM.
Starts in 8h 14m
Daily · 11 AM–5 PM
43°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Housing Works Bookstore, Manhattan · official listing on shop.housingworks.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Housing Works Bookstore

📍 Housing Works Bookstore · SoHo, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Browsing is free; cafe drinks and food are paid. Net proceeds support Housing Works HIV/AIDS services.
Starts in 8h 14m
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
43°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at White Columns, Manhattan · official listing on whitecolumns.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

White Columns

📍 White Columns · West Village, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 8h 14m
Every Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
43°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The 8th Floor, Manhattan · official listing on the8thfloor.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

The 8th Floor: Carlos Martiel Dark Age

📍 The 8th Floor · Flatiron, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Sun, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ 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 9h 14m
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Rudy's Bar & Grill, Manhattan · official listing on rudysbarnyc.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Rudy's Bar & Grill: free hot dog with a drink

📍 Rudy's Bar & Grill · Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free hot dog with every drink or any purchase (the drink is paid).
Starts in 9h 14m
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
44°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Skinny Dennis, Brooklyn · official listing on skinnydennisbrooklyn.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Skinny Dennis: no-cover country nights (check calendar)

📍 Skinny Dennis · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Paid; No cover on many nights. Check the official calendar. Drinks are paid.
Starts in 9h 14m
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
44°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Levee, Brooklyn · official listing on theleveenyc.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

The Levee: complimentary cheeseballs (Williamsburg)

📍 The Levee · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · Complimentary cheeseballs. Drinks and other food (chili dogs, Frito pies) are paid.
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Manhattan · official listing on jmih.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

National Jazz Museum in Harlem

📍 National Jazz Museum in Harlem · Harlem, Manhattan
Suggested donation; pay what you wish.
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–6 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Drawing Center, Manhattan · official listing on drawingcenter.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

The Drawing Center

📍 The Drawing Center · SoHo, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Fri, Sat · 12 PM–4 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, Manhattan · official listing on dyckmanfarmhouse.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Dyckman Farmhouse Museum

📍 Dyckman Farmhouse Museum · Inwood, Manhattan
Paid; children under 3 free. Inwood and Washington Heights residents free with a valid local address. Grounds and garden always free.
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–4 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Nicholas Roerich Museum, Manhattan · official listing on roerich.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Nicholas Roerich Museum

📍 Nicholas Roerich Museum · Morningside Heights, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–6 PM
44°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Smack Mellon, Brooklyn · official listing on smackmellon.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Smack Mellon

📍 Smack Mellon · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–5 PM
43°F · Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers (always free)

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
44°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn · official listing on airgallery.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

A.I.R. Gallery Free Admission in DUMBO

📍 A.I.R. Gallery · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 9h 14m
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
43°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Skyscraper Museum, Manhattan · official listing on skyscraper.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

The Skyscraper Museum

📍 The Skyscraper Museum · Battery Park City, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 12h 14m
Daily · 3 PM–11:59 PM
44°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · limited spots · repeats, so you can go another time · at Alligator Lounge, Brooklyn · official listing on alligatorloungebrooklyn.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Alligator Lounge: free pizza with a drink (21+)

📍 Alligator Lounge · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free to enter; purchases optional. Dine-in and same day only; no to-go. · 21+
Starts in 14h 14m
FRI, NOV 13 · 5 PM–7 PM
43°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ 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 14h 14m
Daily · 5 PM–6 PM
43°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ 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 14h 44m
Daily · 5:30 PM–11:59 PM
43°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Kissa Kissa, Brooklyn · official listing on kissakissa.us · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Kissa Kissa: first bowl of popcorn is free

📍 Kissa Kissa · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · First bowl of house-spiced popcorn is complimentary (on the house). Extra bowls and other food and drinks are paid.
Starts in 15h 14m
FRI, NOV 13 · 6 PM–8 PM
43°F · Chance Light Rain
✓ 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 19h 14m
Every Fri, Sat · 10 PM–11:59 PM
42°F · Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at The DL, Manhattan · official listing on thedl-nyc.com · checked Nov 7
Music & nightlife

The DL Lower East Side rooftop club and lounge (21+)

📍 The DL · Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Many weekend nights list free RSVP entry; drinks and VIP tables are paid—check the official calendar for each night · 21+
Starts in 1d 7h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10:30 AM–2 PM
43°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 12, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Roebling Rink, Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge , Brooklyn · official listing on brooklynbridgepark.org · checked Nov 12
Painting & crafts

Roebling Rink Opening Day: Free Morning Skate Sessions

📍 Roebling Rink, Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free admission with a ticket for the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM sessions. Remaining free tickets are unconfirmed. A fee applies if you rent skates. Later sessions have regular pricing.
Starts in 1d 7h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
43°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Flatbush Library, 22 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn · official listing on bklynlibrary.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Repurposeful Ancestry Lab Repair Café

📍 Flatbush Library, 22 Linden Boulevard · Flatbush, Brooklyn
Free. The library calendar offers registration. Remaining spots are unconfirmed.
Starts in 1d 8h
SAT, NOV 14 · 11 AM–3 PM
44°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at Pearl River Mart Foods (Chelsea Market), Manhattan · official listing on pearlriver.com · checked Nov 2
Arts & culture

Rose's Pineapple Shorts pop-up at Pearl River Mart Foods

📍 Pearl River Mart Foods (Chelsea Market) · Chelsea, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free to visit; pastries available for purchase
Starts in 1d 8h
Every Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
44°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Jewish Museum, Manhattan · official listing on thejewishmuseum.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Jewish Museum Free Saturdays

📍 The Jewish Museum · Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free at the listed days and hours · Official free admission every Saturday, 11 AM–6 PM. 18 and under and members free.
Starts in 1d 8h
Every Wed, Thu, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
44°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Studio Museum in Harlem, Manhattan · official listing on studiomuseum.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Studio Museum in Harlem

📍 Studio Museum in Harlem · Harlem, Manhattan
Suggested donation; pay what you wish; seniors 65+, students; children 16 and under and members free. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.
Starts in 1d 9h
SAT, NOV 14 · 12 PM–2 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at The Green-House at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn · official listing on green-wood.com · checked Nov 1
Painting & crafts

Día de los Hongos: Free Myco-Drawing and Mushroom Walk at Green-Wood

📍 The Green-House at Green-Wood Cemetery · Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Free with RSVP
Starts in 1d 9h
SAT, NOV 14 · FROM 12 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at The Venue on Music Row at Hard Rock Hotel New York, Manhattan · official listing on nycomedyfestival.com · checked Nov 8
Music & nightlife

NBC100 Presents: The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (New York Comedy Festival)

📍 The Venue on Music Row at Hard Rock Hotel New York · Midtown, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free NBC100 festival event; RSVP required
Starts in 1d 10h
SAT, NOV 14 · 1 PM–2 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby, David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincol, Manhattan · official listing on lincolncenter.org · checked Nov 2
Music & nightlife

Music and Creativity at Lincoln Center

📍 Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby, David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza · Lincoln Square, Manhattan
Free general admission, first-come, first-served; optional Fast Track reservation.
Starts in 1d 11h
SAT, NOV 14 · 2 PM–3 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brooklyn Bridge Park Visitor Center at the Boathouse, Pier 5, Brooklyn · official listing on bargemusic.org · checked Nov 7
Music & nightlife

Bargemusic: Bach, Bartók and More for Violin and Viola

📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park Visitor Center at the Boathouse, Pier 5 · Brooklyn
Free admission; no tickets or reservations
Starts in 1d 12h
SAT, NOV 14 · 3 PM–4:15 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, Brooklyn · official listing on bklynlibrary.org · checked Nov 2
Arts & culture

Poetry Writing Workshop at Brooklyn Public Library Central

📍 Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library · Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Free · registration required
Starts in 1d 12h
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Sat · 3:30 PM–9:30 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn · official listing on petescandystore.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Free live shows at Pete's Candy Store (check calendar)

📍 Pete's Candy Store · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 1d 13h
Every Sat · 4 PM–4:45 PM
45°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Grace Church, Manhattan · official listing on gracechurchnyc.org · checked Nov 11
Music & nightlife

Weekend Organ Meditations at Grace Church

📍 Grace Church · Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1d 18h
SAT, NOV 14 · 9 PM–1 AM (NEXT DAY)
43°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at Wonderville, Brooklyn · official listing on wonderville.nyc · checked Nov 1
Music & nightlife

Smash Bash Vol. 28 Super Smash Bros. Night at Wonderville (21+)

📍 Wonderville · Bushwick, Brooklyn
Paid; Free to attend; 21+
Starts in 1d 19h
SAT, NOV 14 · FROM 10 PM
42°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · at House of Yes, Brooklyn · official listing on calendar.houseofyes.org · checked Nov 1
Music & nightlife

Full Throttle: Mha Iri (21+)

📍 House of Yes · Bushwick, Brooklyn
Paid · tickets on the House of Yes site · 21+
Starts in 1d 19h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10:30 PM–4 AM (NEXT DAY)
42°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Elsewhere, Brooklyn · official listing on elsewhere.club · checked Oct 30
Music & nightlife

X-Coast (open to close) at Elsewhere (21+)

📍 Elsewhere · Bushwick, Brooklyn
Paid; 21+

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

467 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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