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GUIDE

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

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New York City319Manhattan115Brooklyn104Queens46Bronx31📍 Staten IslandLower New York41Long Island15Westchester & Rockland24📍 Lower Connecticut📍 New Jersey

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🎨 Arts & culture21🌳 Outdoors20🚶 Tours & walks2🖌️ Painting & crafts2
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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.

381 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
46°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ 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
Outdoors

Conference House Park, southernmost New York

📍 Conference House Park · Tottenville, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 14h 41m
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
44°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, New Jersey · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 11
Outdoors

Jockey Hollow Visitor Center in Morristown

📍 Jockey Hollow Visitor Center · Morristown, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 14h 41m
Every Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
44°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ 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 14h 41m
Every Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
44°F · Mostly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Paterson Museum, New Jersey · official listing on patersonmuseum.com · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Paterson Museum Free Admission

📍 The Paterson Museum · Paterson, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 1d 13h
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri · 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
41°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Duke Farms, New Jersey · official listing on dukefarms.org · checked Nov 11
Outdoors

Duke Farms Weekday Trails in Hillsborough

📍 Duke Farms · Hillsborough, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 1d 14h
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9 AM–4:45 PM
45°F · Sunny
✓ 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 1d 17h
Every Tue · 12 PM–3 PM
56°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Secaucus Public Library, New Jersey · official listing on bccls.libcal.com · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Senior Movie at Secaucus Public Library

📍 Secaucus Public Library · Panasonic Room - Secaucus, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 2d 16h
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 11 AM–5 PM
54°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at Staten Island Museum, Staten Island · official listing on statenislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Staten Island Museum (suggested donation)

📍 Staten Island Museum · Livingston, Staten Island
Suggested donation; pay what you wish; members free. Last entry 4:45 PM.
Starts in 2d 17h
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
58°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Noble Maritime Collection, Staten Island · official listing on noblemaritime.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Noble Maritime Collection (pay what you wish)

📍 The Noble Maritime Collection · Livingston, Staten Island
Suggested donation · pay what you wish · Pay-what-you-wish; donation optional. Members, children under 10, and care partners are free. SNAP visitors are not asked to donate.
Starts in 2d 17h
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–5 PM
60°F · Sunny
✓ 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 3d 21h
THU, NOV 19 · 4:30 PM–6 PM
61°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerli.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Bodies of Flora: In Conversation

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 5d 15h
SAT, NOV 21 · 10 AM–11 AM
53°F · Sunny
✓ 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 5d 15h
SAT, NOV 21 · 10 AM–5 PM
53°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Lower Connecticut · official listing on thealdrich.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Aldrich Museum Third Saturday Free Admission

📍 The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum · Ridgefield, Lower Connecticut
Free
Starts in 5d 15h
Every Sun, Sat · 10:30 AM–12 PM
53°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · repeats, so you can go another time · at Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center, Staten Island · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 7
Tours & walks

Fort Tompkins Tour at Fort Wadsworth (Weekends)

📍 Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center · Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island
Free · registration required · Free; reserve by calling (718) 354-4500
Starts in 5d 16h
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–12 PM
56°F · Sunny
✓ 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 5d 16h
Every Sun, Sat · 11 AM–4 PM
56°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
Outdoors

Chinese Scholar's Garden at Snug Harbor

📍 Chinese Scholar's Garden, Snug Harbor · Livingston, Staten Island
Paid; free under 6, military, and members. SI residents free first Friday with proof of address.
Starts in 6d 15h
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 6d 16h
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 6d 17h
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 4d
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 1w 5d
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 1w 6d
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 2w 2d
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 2w 3d
THU, DEC 3 · 2 PM–4 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Noble Maritime Collection, Snug Harbor, Staten Island · official listing on noblemaritime.org · checked Oct 26
Painting & crafts

CloseKnit at Noble Maritime

📍 Noble Maritime Collection, Snug Harbor · Livingston, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 2w 3d
THU, DEC 3 · 5 PM–8 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerli.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

SparkNight: LOVERULES Art Party

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 2w 4d
FRI, DEC 4 · 4:30 PM–9 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Rankin Hall, Saint Peter's University, New Jersey · official listing on saintpeters.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Rankin Arts: Tradition. Technology. Transformation - December Exhibition

📍 Rankin Hall, Saint Peter's University · Jersey City, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 2w 4d
FRI, DEC 4 · 5 PM–10 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Art House Gallery, New Jersey · official listing on arthouseproductions.org · checked Nov 7
Painting & crafts

9th Annual Affordable Art Show Opening Reception

📍 Art House Gallery · Jersey City, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 2w 5d
SAT, DEC 5 · 2:30 PM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Jersey · official listing on zimmerli.rutgers.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

Rediscovered Voices: Women Composers from the Soviet Republics

📍 Zimmerli Art Museum · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 2w 6d
SUN, DEC 6 · FROM 5:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, New Jersey · official listing on saintpeters.edu · checked Nov 7
Arts & culture

The Fourteenth Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols

📍 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church · Jersey City, New Jersey
Free
Starts in 3w 6d
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
SAT, DEC 19 · 10 AM–5 PM
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Lower Connecticut · official listing on thealdrich.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Aldrich Museum Third Saturday Free Admission

📍 The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum · Ridgefield, Lower Connecticut
Free
Starts in 4w 6d
SUN, DEC 20 · 10 AM–11 AM
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 7
Tours & walks

Birding: Winter Birds at Silver Lake Park

📍 Silver Lake Park · Silver Lake, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 5w 5d
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

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

381 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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