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GUIDE

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.

439 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
45°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
45°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–11:59 PM
45°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 · 8 AM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Daily · 8 AM–8 PM
45°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
Daily · 10 AM–4 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 10 AM–5 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 10 AM–4 PM
45°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
45°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
SAT, NOV 14 · 10:30 AM–2 PM
46°F · Partly 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.
Happening now
SAT, NOV 14 · 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
46°F · Partly 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.
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx · official listing on bronxmuseum.org · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Bronx Museum of the Arts (Always Free)

📍 Bronx Museum of the Arts · Bronx
Free
Happening now
SAT, NOV 14 · 11 AM–3 PM
45°F · Partly 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
Happening now
Every Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–5 PM
45°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
45°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 Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 11 AM–5 PM
46°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ 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.
Happening now
Every Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
45°F · Partly 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.
Happening now
Every Thu, Fri, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Sat · 11 AM–6 PM
45°F · Partly 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.
Happening now
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
Happening now
Every Sun, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
45°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
45°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
46°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
45°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
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 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.
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 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.
Happening now
Every Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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.
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–5 PM
46°F · Mostly Cloudy
✓ 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.
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–6 PM
45°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 Fri, Sat · 12 PM–4 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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.
Happening now
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · 12 PM–4 PM
45°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
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 Smack Mellon, Brooklyn · official listing on smackmellon.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

Smack Mellon

📍 Smack Mellon · DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free
Happening now
Every Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat · 12 PM–6 PM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ 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

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

439 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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