Here at Faviana, we understand the struggle of wanting to go out but being on a pretty tight budget. Especially during the summer, when free time stretches over the horizon and there are so many fun and interesting things happening at all times, it seems particularly hard to be able to go out while maintaining our expenses low. But don’t worry, because we have come up with a nice list of free things to do in NYC this Summer so you can lots of fun without breaking the bank!
Free Kayaking
Want to try something new and be a little bit adventurous? Try taking some free kayaking lessons, which are totally free to the public and allow you to be a little more athletic and maybe even get your competitive side to the front. Paddle away through New York’s waters! We assure you the skyline views will be incomparable.
You have many options, from Long Island Community Boathouse in Queens, the Manhattan Community Boathouse (two locations, Pier 96 and the dock at 72nd Street), North Brooklyn Boat Club in Greenpoint, Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse in DUMBO and The Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26, closest to LES and TriBeCa.
Free Outdoor Movies
One of the coolest things about the Summer is the opportunity to catch a blanket, some snacks, and go with your friends to watch a movie under the stars. Some parks offer movie option classics like Casablanca and Gone with the Wind, but more contemporary options like Moonlight, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Zootopia will also be offered this Summer.
If you live in NYC or are planning to come here for a couple of days, be sure to catch a free movie outdoors at Bryant Park, Prospect Park, Randall’s Island, McCarren Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park and even the Long Island City Park.
Free Staten Island Ferry
Have you always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty up close? Why pay for the ferry tours when you can ride the free Staten Island Ferry, which cuts across the New York Harbor and is completely free?
The ferry will take you from Manhattan to Staten Island in 25 minutes, and you can use the time to take the lovely scenic views. You can then decide to stay in Staten Island and potter around a little or simply take the ferry back to the city. Make sure you check their schedule before you go, and bring a nice camera for the perfect skyline pictures!
Free Gallery Hopping
There are many places to gallery-hop and you can never go wrong with Chelsea. If there is something that you should know about Chelsea is that it is the ultimate art center in the city.
Start from 14th street and 10th avenue, where you will find one of the entrances to the High Line, Chelsea’s elevated park built on a historic freight rail line. The views from here are spectacular, and you will find various staircase exits until the end of the park, located on 34th street and 12th avenue. If you take the exists and explore the adjacent streets, you will found hundreds of small and large galleries worth exploring. Particular favorites include David Zwirner Gallery, Booth Gallery, and ClampArt. Another nice alternative is to spend your morning at the Whitney Museum, which moved to Chelsea fairly recently from Madison Avenue.
If you take the exists and explore the adjacent streets, you will found hundreds of small and large galleries worth exploring. Particular favorites include David Zwirner Gallery, Booth Gallery, and ClampArt. Another nice alternative is to spend your morning at the Whitney Museum, which moved to Chelsea fairly recently from Madison Avenue.
Free outdoor theater
Why go to Broadway when you can go to the park and catch free Shekeaspere plays? If you go to Delacorte Theater in Central Park you will see incredible productions of the master’s classics.
Their first run of the summer Julius Caesar, was performed from May 23 to June 18, and it was a smashing success. Now, they are coming back with A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream (arguably Shakespeare’s best comedy), which will run from July 11 to August 13. You don’t want to miss out!
What do you think about our list? Do you know of other cool free things to do in NYC this Summer? Let us know which other places we should cover by tagging us on Instagram @glamandgowns, and Faviana’s Instagram @Faviana_NY and Twitter @FavianaNY. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel for more fun vlogs @FavianaNYC!
xo,
Andrea
