Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · 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
Choose your city
GUIDE
Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC
Date ideas that cost little or nothing
🗺️ Plan it
🎯 Filters 4 71 listings
Find your thing
71listings1
Whenpick one
2
Whereall areas · up to 3
New York City112📍 ManhattanBrooklyn27📍 QueensBronx14📍 Staten IslandLower New York8Long Island↗Westchester & Rockland8Lower Connecticut↗New Jersey2
That's 3 areas, the max. Tap one to swap it.
3
Whatpick as many as you like
＋ More: who's going · indoor / outdoor ▾
Who's goingpick one
Indoor / outdoor
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.
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–9 PM
45°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Fort Wadsworth, Gateway National Recreation Area, Staten Island · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 10
Fort Wadsworth Narrows overlook (Staten Island)
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · 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
Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park (Hudson views)
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · 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
Little Red Lighthouse Hudson views (Fort Washington Park)
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · 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
Bennett Park, highest natural point in Manhattan
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
45°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Conference House Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 10
Conference House Park, southernmost New York
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
47°F · 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
Fort Totten Park historic grounds
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–11:59 PM
46°F · 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
Gansevoort Peninsula Hudson River views
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
47°F · 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
Astoria Park East River shoreline
Happening now
Every Sun, Sat · 7 AM–11 AM
46°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
Governors Island free weekend morning ferry
Happening now
Daily · 7:45 AM–5 PM
46°F · 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
Castle Clinton National Monument
Starts in 53m
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–4 PM
48°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 1, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at General Grant National Memorial, Manhattan · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 1
Grant's Tomb (General Grant National Memorial)
Starts in 53m
Daily · 10 AM–5 PM
48°F · 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
Belvedere Castle lookout in Central Park
Starts in 53m
Daily · 10 AM–5 PM
49°F · 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
Queens County Farm Museum grounds
Starts in 53m
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–4 PM
48°F · 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
African Burial Ground National Monument
Starts in 1h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Invasive Plant Removal and Native Planting at Fort Totten Park
Starts in 1h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–11:30 AM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Audre Lorde Legacy Walk in Silver Lake Park
Starts in 1h 53m
Every Sun, Sat · 11 AM–4 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Chinese Scholar's Garden, Snug Harbor, Staten Island · official listing on snug-harbor.org · checked Nov 10
Chinese Scholar's Garden at Snug Harbor
Starts in 2h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 12 PM–1:30 PM
50°F · 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
Discovery Hike: Urban Mammals at Willowbrook Park
Starts in 3h 23m
SUN, NOV 15 · 12:30 PM–3 PM
50°F · 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
Environmental and Tree Stewardship at Snug Harbor
Starts in 3h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–3 PM
51°F · 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
Designing and Managing Community Composting Spaces
Starts in 3h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
52°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
Nature's Workshop: Bird Friendly Windows in Kissena Park
Starts in 3h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–2 PM
51°F · Mostly 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
Nature's Workshop: Natural Inks and Dyes in Inwood Hill Park
Starts in 5h 53m
Daily · 3 PM–7 PM
51°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Staten Island Ferry (St. George Terminal), Staten Island · official listing on siferry.com · checked Nov 3
Staten Island Ferry scenic harbor ride (free, 24/7)
Starts in 5h 53m
Daily · 3 PM–9 PM
50°F · Mostly 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
Little Island free Hudson River park walk (Pier 55)
Starts in 6h 23m
Daily · 3:30 PM–6 PM
51°F · Mostly 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
Hunter's Point South Park skyline sunset walk (free, Long Island City)
Starts in 6h 53m
Every Sun · 4 PM–5 PM
50°F · Mostly 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
Jamaica Bay Sunset Walk
Starts in 8h 53m
SUN, NOV 15 · 6 PM–7:30 PM
46°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Moore Homestead Playground (Broadway & Elmhurst Ave), Queens · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 30
Free Stargazing in Elmhurst
Starts in 1d 1h
Every Mon · 11 AM–12 PM
50°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Bryant Park, Manhattan · official listing on bryantpark.org · checked Nov 5
Bryant Park Staff Walking Tours (Mondays)
Starts in 3d 3h
WED, NOV 18 · 1 PM–2 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Inwood Hill Park Nature Center area, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 6
Senior Community Day wilderness skills at Inwood Hill Park
Starts in 4d 0h
THU, NOV 19 · 10 AM–12 PM
55°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Buddy Monument, Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Fall Foliage Walk in Forest Park
Starts in 4d 1h
THU, NOV 19 · 11 AM–1 PM
58°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at High Rock Park (High Rock Gate), Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Greenbelt Adult Hike: St. Francis Woodlands
Starts in 6d 0h
SAT, NOV 21 · 10 AM–11 AM
56°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Discovery Hike: Pond and Freshwater Ecology at Silver Lake Park
Starts in 6d 1h
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–1 PM
58°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 12, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Overlook, Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 12
Forest Park Super Hike with the Urban Park Rangers
Starts in 6d 1h
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–12 PM
59°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Allison Pond Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 3
Introduction to Fly Fishing at Allison Pond Park
Starts in 6d 2h
Every Sat · 12 PM–1:30 PM
60°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
High Line Tour: From Freight to Flowers (Saturdays)
Starts in 6d 3h
SAT, NOV 21 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Central Park (W 81st St & Central Park West), Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Falling for Nature Hike in Central Park
Starts in 6d 3h
SAT, NOV 21 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Baisley Pond Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Beginner Fishing at Baisley Pond Park
Starts in 6d 4h
SAT, NOV 21 · 1:30 PM–3:30 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Greenbelt Natural History Hike with Dr. Eric W. Sanderson
Starts in 6d 7h
SAT, NOV 21 · 5 PM–8 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Highbridge Park, Manhattan · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Free Stargazing at Highbridge Park
Starts in 6d 7h
SAT, NOV 21 · 5 PM–6:30 PM
60°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
Astronomy: Autumn Sky in Inwood Hill Park
Starts in 1w 0d
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
Birding: Fall Migration at Blue Heron Park
Starts in 1w 0d
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
Nature Sketching Hike in Brookfield Park
Starts in 1w 0d
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
Environmental and Tree Stewardship at Snug Harbor
Starts in 1w 0d
SUN, NOV 22 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Cunningham Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Hibernation and Brumation Hike in Cunningham Park
Starts in 1w 1d
MON, NOV 23 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden, Queens · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 7
Fort Tilden Hawk Watch
Starts in 1w 2d
TUE, NOV 24 · 4:30 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Queens · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 5
Full Beaver Moon Hike at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Starts in 1w 5d
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
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: The Alley Giant
Starts in 1w 5d
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
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike in High Rock Park
Starts in 1w 5d
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
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike
Starts in 1w 6d
SAT, NOV 28 · 11 AM–1 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Orienteering Fundamentals in the Staten Island Greenbelt
Starts in 1w 6d
SAT, NOV 28 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Springfield Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Hidden Gems of Queens: Springfield Park Walk
Starts in 1w 6d
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
Outdoor Skills: Fire Building at Blue Heron Park
Starts in 1w 6d
SAT, NOV 28 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Hunter's Point South Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Gather Around the Campfire at Hunter's Point South Park
Starts in 1w 6d
SAT, NOV 28 · 1 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Historic New York: Mount Morris Fire Watchtower Open Access
Starts in 2w 0d
SUN, NOV 29 · 1 PM–2 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Discovery Hike: Marine Mammals at Rockaway Beach
Starts in 2w 0d
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
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike (Long Pond Park)
Starts in 2w 0d
SUN, NOV 29 · 2 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Queens · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 5
How To Hibernate Walk at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Starts in 2w 1d
MON, NOV 30 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden, Queens · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 5
Fort Tilden Hawk Watch
Starts in 2w 3d
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
Bird and Nature Walk at Silver Lake Park
Starts in 2w 5d
FRI, DEC 4 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Highland Park, Manhattan · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Restoration Fridays at Highland Park
Starts in 4w 0d
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
Gather Around the Winter Campfire (Clove Lakes Park)
Starts in 4w 0d
SUN, DEC 13 · 12 PM–6 PM
✓ Verified Nov 3, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Fifth Avenue (7 blocks), Manhattan · official listing on business.nyctourism.com · checked Nov 3
Fifth Avenue Holiday Open Streets
Starts in 4w 0d
SUN, DEC 13 · 7 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Rockaway Beach (Beach 44th St & Boardwalk), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Astronomy: Geminids Meteor Shower at Rockaway Beach
Starts in 4w 6d
SAT, DEC 19 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Brookville Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Discovery Hike: Animal Adaptations - Brookville Park
Starts in 5w 0d
SUN, DEC 20 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 5
Winter Solstice Evergreen Tree ID Hike at Forest Park
Starts in 5w 6d
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
Holiday campfire & stories in Clove Lakes Park
Starts in 5w 6d
SAT, DEC 26 · 5 PM–6:30 PM
✓ 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
Astronomy: The Winter Sky in Inwood Hill Park
Starts in 6w 4d
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
NYRR Midnight Run fireworks (spectator)
Starts in 6w 5d
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
NYC Parks New Year's Day Super Hike – Central Park
Starts in 6w 5d
FRI, JAN 1 · 1 PM–3 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens · official listing on campmatch.com · checked Oct 26
NYC Parks New Year's Day Hike – Flushing Meadows
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.