GUIDE

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

🗺️ Plan it
🎯 Filters 3 48 listings

Find your thing

48listings
1

Whenpick one

Today6Tomorrow8This weekend14📅 Pick dates
2

Whereall areas · up to 3

New York City161📍 ManhattanBrooklyn25📍 QueensBronx17Staten Island67Lower New York↗Long Island↗Westchester & Rockland↗Lower Connecticut↗New Jersey↗
3

Whatpick as many as you like

🎨 Arts & culture9🌳 Outdoors19🚶 Tours & walks15🖌️ Painting & crafts5
4

Costpick any

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

Who's goingpick one

🧸 Kids2👨‍👩‍👧 Family (all ages)43💞 Date14

Indoor / outdoor

🌤️ Outdoor×
Clear all
FreePaid
Manhattan ×Queens ×🌤️ 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.

242 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Starts in 10h 41m
SAT, OCT 31 · 11 AM–2 PM
53°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Oct 26
Arts & culture

Free Saturday juggling in Bryant Park

📍 Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free · equipment provided · all skill levels · drop-ins welcome
Starts in 10h 41m
SAT, OCT 31 · 11 AM–12 PM
52°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Playground (in Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Discovery Hike: Urban Wildlife

📍 Playground (in Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park) · Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 12h 41m
SAT, OCT 31 · 1 PM–2 PM
56°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 88th Street (in Bay Breeze Par, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Howl-oween Doggie Day Walk

📍 Beach Channel Drive and Beach 88th Street (in Bay Breeze Park) · Bay Breeze Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 15h 41m
SAT, OCT 31 · 4 PM–5:30 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Inwood Hill Park After Dark Hike

📍 West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park) · Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 17h 41m
SAT, OCT 31 · 6 PM–9 PM
55°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Pier i (Riverside Park South), Manhattan · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Free Stargazing at Pier i

📍 Pier i (Riverside Park South) · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 18h 41m
SAT, OCT 31 · 7 PM–9 PM
53°F · Mostly Clear
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Dyckman Marina, Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Arts & culture

Dyckman Marina Movie Nights

📍 Dyckman Marina, Inwood Hill Park · Manhattan
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 1d 9h
SUN, NOV 1 · 9 AM–2 PM
51°F · Mostly 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

Experience Civil War Living History at Fort Totten

📍 Bayside Historical Society (in Fort Totten Park) · Fort Totten Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 1d 10h
SUN, NOV 1 · 10 AM–1 PM
53°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Winter Composting with Big Reuse

📍 Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park) · Randall's Island Park, Manhattan
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 1d 11h
SUN, NOV 1 · 11 AM–12 PM
57°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Native American Heritage Month: Lenape Botany

📍 Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park) · Highland Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 11h
SUN, NOV 1 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
56°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Lenape history walk in Inwood Hill Park

📍 Inwood Hill Park · Inwood, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1d 11h
SUN, NOV 1 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
56°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Tours & walks

Native American Heritage Month: Lenape History and Ethnobotany

📍 Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park) · Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 11h
SUN, NOV 1 · 11 AM–1 PM
57°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Historic New York: Fort Totten

📍 Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park) · Fort Totten Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 1d 13h
SUN, NOV 1 · 1 PM–3 PM
60°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Astoria Park, Queens · official listing on astoriaparkalliance.org · checked Oct 26
Outdoors

6th Annual Astoria Park Pumpkin Smash

📍 Astoria Park · Astoria, Queens
No admission price listed; public park event, bring your own pumpkin
Starts in 1d 15h
SUN, NOV 1 · 3 PM–4 PM
60°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Oak Ridge (in Forest Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Arts & culture

Day of the Dead Celebration featuring Mariachi Real de Mexico

📍 Oak Ridge (in Forest Park) · Forest Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 2d 11h
MON, NOV 2 · 11 AM–11:45 AM
60°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Free Bryant Park tour

📍 Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 5d 11h
THU, NOV 5 · 11 AM–12 PM
65°F · Chance Rain Showers
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Multi-Use Room B (in Detective Keith L Williams Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Painting & crafts

Craft & Chill

📍 Multi-Use Room B (in Detective Keith L Williams Park) · Detective Keith L Williams Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 6d 10h
FRI, NOV 6 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Restoration Fridays at Highland Park

📍 Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park) · Highland Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 9 AM–3 PM
✓ 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 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 9 AM–3 PM
✓ 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 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 10 AM–1 PM
✓ 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 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 11 AM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Pier 84, Hudson River Park, Manhattan · official listing on hudsonriverpark.org · checked Oct 26
Outdoors

Pumpkin Smash at Hudson River Park

📍 Pier 84, Hudson River Park · Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
No price listed; public park event, bring your own pumpkin
Starts in 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ 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 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–3 PM
✓ 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 1w 0d
SAT, NOV 7 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–3 PM
✓ 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 1w 1d
SUN, NOV 8 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ 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 1w 2d
MON, NOV 9 · 11 AM–11:45 AM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Free Bryant Park tour

📍 Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
WED, NOV 11 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Pa, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Idlewild Park Forest Restoration

📍 Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park) · Idlewild Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event) · registration may be required
Starts in 1w 5d
THU, NOV 12 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Multi-Use Room B (in Detective Keith L Williams Park), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 29
Painting & crafts

Craft & Chill

📍 Multi-Use Room B (in Detective Keith L Williams Park) · Detective Keith L Williams Park, Queens
Free (NYC Parks event)
Starts in 2w 0d
SAT, NOV 14 · 12 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at St. Nicholas Park (James Baldwin Lawn), Manhattan · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Free Solar Observing at St. Nicholas Park

📍 St. Nicholas Park (James Baldwin Lawn) · Harlem, Manhattan
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 2w 1d
SUN, NOV 15 · 6 PM–7:30 PM
✓ 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 3w 0d
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–1 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Ranger hike from Forest Park's Overlook

📍 Forest Park · Kew Gardens, Queens
Free
Starts in 3w 0d
SAT, NOV 21 · 5 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Highbridge Park, Manhattan · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Free Stargazing at Highbridge Park

📍 Highbridge Park · Washington Heights, Manhattan
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 3w 6d
FRI, NOV 27 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Alley Pond Adventure Course, Alley Pond Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Outdoors

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: The Alley Giant

📍 Alley Pond Adventure Course, Alley Pond Park · Queens
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 3w 6d
FRI, NOV 27 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Outdoors

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike

📍 Inwood Hill Park · Manhattan
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 4w 0d
SAT, NOV 28 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Springfield Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Tours & walks

Ranger walk in Springfield Park

📍 Springfield Park · Springfield Gardens, Queens
Free
Starts in 6w 0d
SAT, DEC 12 · 12 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Icahn Stadium, Randall's Island Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Painting & crafts

Winter Wreath Workshop

📍 Icahn Stadium, Randall's Island Park · Manhattan
Free (per NYC Parks listing).
Starts in 6w 1d
SUN, DEC 13 · 12 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Oct 28, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Fifth Avenue (7 blocks), Manhattan · official listing on 5thavenue.nyc · checked Oct 28
Outdoors

Fifth Avenue Holiday Open Streets

📍 Fifth Avenue (7 blocks) · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 6w 3d
TUE, DEC 15 · 3 PM–4:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Oak Ridge, Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 25
Painting & crafts

Elf on the Shelf kids' craft at Oak Ridge

📍 Oak Ridge, Forest Park · Woodhaven, Queens
Free
Starts in 8w 6d
THU, DEC 31 · 11:30 PM–12:30 AM (NEXT DAY)
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Central Park, near 72nd St/Cherry Hill, Manhattan · official listing on centralpark.com · checked Oct 26
Outdoors

NYRR Midnight Run fireworks (spectator)

📍 Central Park, near 72nd St/Cherry Hill · Central Park, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 8w 6d
FRI, JAN 1 · 11 AM–1 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at W 100th St & Central Park West, Manhattan · official listing on away.mta.info · checked Oct 26
Outdoors

NYC Parks New Year's Day Super Hike – Central Park

📍 W 100th St & Central Park West · Central Park, Manhattan
Free

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

242 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.