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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.

504 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
60°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
Outdoors

Conference House Park, southernmost New York

📍 Conference House Park · Tottenville, Staten Island
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
58°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
Outdoors

Fort Totten Park historic grounds

📍 Fort Totten Park · Bay Terrace, Queens
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–10 PM
58°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
Outdoors

Astoria Park East River shoreline

📍 Astoria Park · Astoria, Queens
Free
Happening now
Daily · 3:30 PM–6 PM
58°F · 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 16h 25m
Daily · 10 AM–5 PM
61°F · Chance Rain Showers
✓ 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
Starts in 1d 20h
FRI, NOV 13 · 2 PM–3:30 PM
45°F · Light Rain Likely
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden, Queens · official listing on nps.gov · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Fort Tilden Hawk Watch

📍 Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden · Rockaway, Queens
Free
Starts in 2d 16h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10 AM–11:30 AM
45°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Conference House Park Visitor Center, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Falling for Nature Hike at Conference House Park

📍 Conference House Park Visitor Center · Tottenville, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 2d 16h
SAT, NOV 14 · 10 AM–1 PM
46°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Queens · official listing on nycbirdalliance.app.neoncrm.com · checked Nov 7
Outdoors

Winter Waterfowl Workshop at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

📍 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center · Broad Channel, Queens
Free · registration required · Free; register in advance
Starts in 2d 17h
SAT, NOV 14 · 11 AM–12:30 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Astoria Park (Hoyt Ave North & 19th St), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Behind the Smile: Animal Adaptations in Astoria Park

📍 Astoria Park (Hoyt Ave North & 19th St) · Astoria, Queens
Free
Starts in 2d 17h
Every Sun, Sat · 11 AM–4 PM
47°F · Partly 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.
Sold out
SAT, NOV 14 · 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
48°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Oct 27, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Queens County Farm Museum, Queens · official listing on queensfarm.org · checked Oct 27
Outdoors

Recycling Holiday Scraps at Queens Farm — sold out

📍 Queens County Farm Museum · Floral Park, Queens
Free · advance registration required · sold out
Starts in 2d 19h
SAT, NOV 14 · 1 PM–2 PM
49°F · Partly Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Highland Park (Vermont Place parking lot), Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

The Secret Lives of Insects in Highland Park

📍 Highland Park (Vermont Place parking lot) · Highland Park, Queens
Free
Starts in 3d 0h
SAT, NOV 14 · 6:30 PM–10 PM
43°F · Partly Cloudy
✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Great Kills Park, Staten Island · official listing on aaa.org · checked Oct 29
Outdoors

Free Stargazing at Great Kills Park

📍 Great Kills Park · Great Kills, Staten Island
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 3d 17h
SUN, NOV 15 · 11 AM–11:30 AM
49°F · Sunny
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Silver Lake Park, Staten Island · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Audre Lorde Legacy Walk in Silver Lake Park

📍 Silver Lake Park, Staten Island
Free
Starts in 3d 18h
SUN, NOV 15 · 12 PM–1:30 PM
49°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
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Urban Mammals at Willowbrook Park

📍 Eton Place Parking Lot, Willowbrook Park · Willowbrook, Staten Island
Free · registration required · Free; registration required (registration is currently closed)
Starts in 3d 18h
SUN, NOV 15 · 12:30 PM–3 PM
49°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
Outdoors

Environmental and Tree Stewardship at Snug Harbor

📍 Snug Harbor Sustainability Center · Livingston, Staten Island
Free; registration required.
Starts in 3d 19h
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–3 PM
49°F · Mostly 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
Outdoors

Designing and Managing Community Composting Spaces

📍 Snug Harbor, Building P lobby · Livingston, Staten Island
Free; registration required.
Starts in 3d 19h
SUN, NOV 15 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
50°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 3d 22h
Every Sun · 4 PM–5 PM
48°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
Outdoors

Jamaica Bay Sunset Walk

📍 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center · Broad Channel, Queens
Free
Starts in 4d 0h
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
Outdoors

Free Stargazing in Elmhurst

📍 Moore Homestead Playground (Broadway & Elmhurst Ave) · Elmhurst, Queens
Free (Amateur Astronomers Association public event)
Starts in 1w 0d
THU, NOV 19 · 10 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Buddy Monument, Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Fall Foliage Walk in Forest Park

📍 Buddy Monument, Forest Park · Forest Park, Queens
Free · registration required · Free; registration requested
Starts in 1w 2d
SAT, NOV 21 · 10 AM–11 AM
✓ 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 1w 2d
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–1 PM
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at The Overlook, Forest Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Oct 31
Outdoors

Forest Park Super Hike with the Urban Park Rangers

📍 The Overlook, Forest Park · Woodhaven, Queens
Free
Starts in 1w 2d
SAT, NOV 21 · 11 AM–12 PM
✓ 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 1w 2d
SAT, NOV 21 · 1 PM–2:30 PM
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Baisley Pond Park, Queens · official listing on nycgovparks.org · checked Nov 2
Outdoors

Beginner Fishing at Baisley Pond Park

📍 Baisley Pond Park, Queens
Free
Starts in 1w 3d
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 1w 3d
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 1w 3d
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 3d
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
Outdoors

Hibernation and Brumation Hike in Cunningham Park

📍 Cunningham Park · Fresh Meadows, Queens
Free
Starts in 1w 4d
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
Outdoors

Fort Tilden Hawk Watch

📍 Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden · Rockaway, Queens
Free
Starts in 1w 5d
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
Outdoors

Full Beaver Moon Hike at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

📍 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center · Broad Channel, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 1d
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 2w 1d
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 2w 2d
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
Outdoors

Hidden Gems of Queens: Springfield Park Walk

📍 Springfield Park, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 2d
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 2w 2d
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
Outdoors

Gather Around the Campfire at Hunter's Point South Park

📍 Hunter's Point South Park · Long Island City, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 3d
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
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Marine Mammals at Rockaway Beach

📍 Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk · Rockaway, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 3d
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 3d
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
Outdoors

How To Hibernate Walk at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

📍 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center · Broad Channel, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 4d
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
Outdoors

Fort Tilden Hawk Watch

📍 Battery Harris East, Fort Tilden · Rockaway, Queens
Free
Starts in 2w 6d
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 4w 3d
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 4d
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
Outdoors

Astronomy: Geminids Meteor Shower at Rockaway Beach

📍 Rockaway Beach (Beach 44th St & Boardwalk) · Rockaway, Queens
Free
Starts in 5w 2d
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
Outdoors

Discovery Hike: Animal Adaptations - Brookville Park

📍 Brookville Park · Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue - Rosedale, Queens
Free
Starts in 5w 3d
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
Outdoors

Winter Solstice Evergreen Tree ID Hike at Forest Park

📍 Forest Park · Forest Hills, Queens
Free
Starts in 6w 2d
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?

504 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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