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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.

420 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Carl Schurz Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Carl Schurz Park East River promenade

📍 Carl Schurz Park · Yorkville, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park (Hudson views)

📍 Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park · Hudson Heights, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Little Red Lighthouse, Fort Washington Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Little Red Lighthouse Hudson views (Fort Washington Park)

📍 Little Red Lighthouse, Fort Washington Park · Washington Heights, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Bennett Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Bennett Park, highest natural point in Manhattan

📍 Bennett Park · Washington Heights, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Fort Totten Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Fort Totten Park historic grounds

📍 Fort Totten Park · Bay Terrace, Queens
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–11:59 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Gansevoort Peninsula, Hudson River Park, Manhattan · official listing on hudsonriverpark.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Gansevoort Peninsula Hudson River views

📍 Gansevoort Peninsula, Hudson River Park · Meatpacking District, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Astoria Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Astoria Park East River shoreline

📍 Astoria Park · Astoria, Queens
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–11:59 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Daily · 7:45 AM–5 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Castle Clinton National Monument, Manhattan · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Outdoors

Castle Clinton National Monument

📍 Castle Clinton National Monument · Battery Park, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 8 AM–8 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Daily · 10 AM–5 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Belvedere Castle, Manhattan · official listing on centralparknyc.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Belvedere Castle lookout in Central Park

📍 Belvedere Castle · Central Park, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 10 AM–5 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Queens County Farm Museum, Queens · official listing on queensfarm.org · checked Nov 10
Outdoors

Queens County Farm Museum grounds

📍 Queens County Farm Museum · Floral Park, Queens
Free
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 10 AM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Daily · 10 AM–6 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at African Burial Ground National Monument, Manhattan · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Outdoors

African Burial Ground National Monument

📍 African Burial Ground National Monument · Lower Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–5 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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.
Happening now
Daily · 11 AM–5 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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.
Happening now
Every Sun, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at MoMA PS1, Queens · official listing on momaps1.org · checked Nov 6
Arts & culture

MoMA PS1 (Free Admission)

📍 MoMA PS1 · Long Island City, Queens
Free · registration required · Free admission for all; reserve tickets on the official visit page. Closed Tue, Wed, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. Saturday opens 10 AM.
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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).
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–6 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Daily · 3 PM–9 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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 5m
Daily · 3:30 PM–6 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Hunter's Point South Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Hunter's Point South Park skyline sunset walk (free, Long Island City)

📍 Hunter's Point South Park · Long Island City, Queens
Free
Starts in 35m
Daily · 4 PM–8 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · limited spots · repeats, so you can go another time · at Cozy Corner, Queens · official listing on cozycornerbar.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Cozy Corner: free pizza slice with a drink

📍 Cozy Corner · Ridgewood, Queens
Free to enter; purchases optional.
Starts in 1h 35m
SAT, NOV 14 · 5 PM–7 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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 1h 35m
Daily · 5 PM–6 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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 2h 35m
SAT, NOV 14 · 6 PM–8 PM
45°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ 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 15h 35m
Every Sun, Sat · 7 AM–11 AM
42°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Governors Island Trust Ferry, Manhattan · official listing on govisland.com · checked Nov 6
Outdoors

Governors Island free weekend morning ferry

📍 Governors Island Trust Ferry · Battery Maritime Building / Governors Island, Manhattan
Free at the listed days and hours; Free Trust ferry Sat/Sun before 11 AM
Starts in 18h 35m
Every Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 10 AM–5 PM
48°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Museum at Eldridge Street, Manhattan · official listing on eldridgestreet.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Museum at Eldridge Street

📍 Museum at Eldridge Street · Lower East Side, Manhattan
Paid; children under 5 free. Official pay-what-you-wish admission Mondays and Fridays.
Starts in 19h 5m
Every Sun · 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
48°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 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 7
Tours & walks

"Ranger's Choice" Guided Walk at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (Sundays)

📍 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center · Broad Channel, Queens
Free
Starts in 19h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–4 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Oct 28
Arts & culture

Community Archiving Day at Queens Museum

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free event; optional books and zines cost extra.
Starts in 20h 5m
SUN, NOV 15 · 11:30 AM–1 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Nov 1
Arts & culture

ArtAccess Museum Explorers for Children with Disabilities

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free ArtAccess program; RSVP recommended on the dated listing. Register in advance to arrange participation.
Starts in 20h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 12 PM–4 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Inwood Hill Nature Center, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Inwood InterPlay Arts and Science Weekend

📍 Inwood Hill Nature Center · Inwood, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 21h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
51°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Kissena Park (164th St & Lithonia Ave), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Nature's Workshop: Bird Friendly Windows in Kissena Park

📍 Kissena Park (164th St & Lithonia Ave) · Kissena Park, Queens
Free
Starts in 21h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–2 PM
51°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Inwood Hill Park (W 218th St & Indian Rd), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Nature's Workshop: Natural Inks and Dyes in Inwood Hill Park

📍 Inwood Hill Park (W 218th St & Indian Rd) · Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 21h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–3:30 PM
51°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 9, 2026
Why this place: Free · at David Rubenstein Atrium, 1887 Broadway, Manhattan · official listing on lincolncenter.org · checked Nov 9
Arts & culture

Create-athon: Mural Making with DAZE at Lincoln Center

📍 David Rubenstein Atrium, 1887 Broadway · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free; first-come general admission; optional Fast Track
Starts in 22h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 2 PM–4 PM
51°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Queens Museum, New York City Building, Queens · official listing on queensmuseum.org · checked Nov 1
Arts & culture

ArtAccess Open Studio for Teens and Adults with Disabilities

📍 Queens Museum, New York City Building · Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Free ArtAccess program; RSVP recommended on the dated listing. Register in advance to arrange participation.
Starts in 23h 35m
SUN, NOV 15 · 3 PM–4 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Trinity Church, Manhattan · official listing on trinitychurchnyc.org · checked Nov 11
Music & nightlife

Trinity Youth Chorus: Gloria at Trinity Church

📍 Trinity Church · Financial District, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1d 0h
Every Sun, Tue · 4 PM–5:30 PM
49°F · Mostly 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 1d 0h
Every Sun · 4 PM–5 PM
50°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 1d 0h
SUN, NOV 15 · FROM 4 PM
49°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 13, 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 13
Music & nightlife

NBC100 Presents: The Next Great NBC Comedy (New York Comedy Festival)

📍 The Venue on Music Row at Hard Rock Hotel New York · Midtown, Manhattan
Free with RSVP. Remaining spots are unconfirmed.
Starts in 1d 0h
Every Sun · 4 PM–4:45 PM
49°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

Hymns from Grace Sunday Organ Program

📍 Grace Church · Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1d 1h
SUN, NOV 15 · 5 PM–5:45 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, Manhattan · official listing on stjohndivine.org · checked Nov 11
Music & nightlife

Sunday Organ Recital: Jon Runion at St. John the Divine

📍 Cathedral of Saint John the Divine · Morningside Heights, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1d 2h
SUN, NOV 15 · 5:30 PM–7 PM
48°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at New York Comedy Club East Village, Manhattan · official listing on newyorkcomedyclub.com · checked Nov 5
Music & nightlife

Comedy Mob Open Mic at New York Comedy Club East Village

📍 New York Comedy Club East Village · East Village, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · FREE show with one item minimum, per New York Comedy Club listing
Starts in 1d 2h
SUN, NOV 15 · 6 PM–7:30 PM
47°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Moore Homestead Playground (Broadway & Elmhurst Ave), Queens · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 30
Outdoors

Free Stargazing in Elmhurst

📍 Moore Homestead Playground (Broadway & Elmhurst Ave) · Elmhurst, Queens
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 1d 6h
SUN, NOV 15 · FROM 10 PM
42°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at The Stonewall Inn, Manhattan · official listing on thestonewallinnnyc.com · checked Nov 8
Music & nightlife

The Invasion drag show with Ari Kiki at The Stonewall Inn (21+)

📍 The Stonewall Inn · West Village, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · No cover listed on the official site; drinks sold at the bar. 21+ with physical ID · 21+

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

420 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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