Summer in New York could be the time of your life but lets be honest, The Big Apple is expensive. Today I’ve got the perfect list of fun activities I like to do without spending my annual savings..
Wednesdays at The Bronx Zoo
Grab a backpack, throw in some snacks, and enjoy a day in one of NY’s wildlife conservatory. The Bronx Zoo is free on Wednesdays and most of the exhibits are open to the public. Ive gone millions of times and I never get tired of it. It’s nice for dates, friends or family outings.
Museum of Natural History
Go back in time and learn more about history at the Museum of Natural History. Entrance to the museum is a suggested prices so you can pretty much give as little or as much as you want to the organization. The museum is huge so put on some comfy sneakers and don’t plan for much afterwards as it can be exhausting.
Stroll through The Brooklyn Bridge
Rent a bike and ride from Manhattan to Brooklyn or any other borough. Now days there are so many bike lanes around the city that it’s so easy to get around. You can ride your bike through the pedestrian section of the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the scenery. I recommend renting your bike from a local bike shop since they are more affordable than the Citi public bikes.
Ferry your way to the park
I recently took the ferry with my family and thought it was so fast and convenient. It’s a great way to avoid the city traffic and do more with your day. The NYC ferry has a couple of routes along the East river, for exact details click here.
The ferry arrives every 15 minutes and you can purchase a ticket at the machines located near each of the stops for $2.75 each way. Inside the ferry there’s a bar with snacks and drinks (& beer) for purchase. it also has an upper deck where u can enjoy the NYC skyline.
Take selfies with the Statue of Liberty
Take the Staten Island ferry from NY to Staten Island for free. It departs every half hour from Battery Park and you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island without buying a pricey tour guide. It’s a short but memorable 25 minute ride each way. Click for specific entrance and time details here.
Shakespeare in the Park
Enjoy an off-Broadway show in an open-air theater located in Central Park. I love plays and I always recommend this specific one to friends and family because they really put a lot of work into it. This memorable show is full of talented individuals and can be free. The Public Theater staff and Parks department distribute tickets on the day of the show at 12pm. All you have to do is show up early to the theater, form the line and each person receives 2 tickets for the show presenting that day. Click here for a list of shows and more.
Cinema in the park
Cheers to cheap romantic date ideas or just a night out with friends. Movies in the park is a must do on summer nights in New York and its free to the public. The dates and list of movies varies every year, just check the NYC Parks website and don’t forget a blanket.
Yoga, Dance classes and more at Bryant Park
Bryant Park is known for hosting thousands of free activities throughout the year but there’s nothing like the summer. From Tai Chi to learning how to dance salsa with a bunch of strangers, this is the park where you’ll have a good time at no cost. Just leave the negativity at home and join the fun. For a list of events check out Bryant Park’s website of things to do.
Walk the NYC High Line
The High line is a public park built on a historic rail line above the streets of Manhattan. Its a nice walk from W 34th Street to Gansevoort Street or vice versa. Aside from the elevated view, there’s a lot of unique plants and street vendors along the route to keep you entertained. It’s definitely a great way to walk across Manhattan without worrying about street lights or traffic.
Subway your way to the beach
There are 3 beaches in NYC all which are accessible by train. It might be a long ride but with company time flies. Coney Island is one of the most popular beaches.
Kayak for free
I always seen New Yorker’s kayak on the Hudson River but never knew it was free until now. I’m always down for free stuff and this is a must! Check out the Downtown Boathouse for more details.
Get lost in Central Park
I can never get bored of central Park,its huge! Escape from the urban city and enjoy natures breeze in this iconic man-made park without spending a penny.
Hope I helped you plan a fun summer in the Big Apple!