Image via Complex Original
The final stretches of winter have finally disappeared and the Big Apple is once again in its prime for warm-weather activities. It's time to break out your shades, grab some buddies, and head out to explore the city. Whether it's catching an outdoor movie, drinking gratis wine while checking out NYC's art scene, or just chilling in a park, there's no limit to the opportunities summertime offers. Even if rent and other necessities have depleted your paycheck, fear not—these 50 awesome activities are completely free of charge.
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West Indian American Day Carnival
Location: 325 Rogers Ave.
Date: 9/1/2014
Time: All day
Perfect For: Experiencing Caribbean culture
Website: wiadcacarnival.org
Ditch your normal Saturday routine and experience a taste of the unique Caribbean culture. There's a full day of activities, dancing, and food so get some rest and make it happen.
Central Park: Heart of the Park
Location: E 72 Street and Fifth Ave.
Date: 6/23/2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Perfect For: First time tourists
Website: centralpark.com
New to the city and want to cover all of New York's well-known landmarks? Central Park's tour has your back and will stop through all of the places you've only seen in pictures.
Free Pizza at The Mark Bar
Location: 1025 Manhattan Ave.
Date: Daily
Time: 6:00 p.m
Perfect For: Eating free food
Website: twitter.com/themarkbar
Come to this low-key Greenpoint dive bar for the free pizza, stay for the cheap beer and laid-back vibe. In addition to the free slices, there's a free bagel-and-coffee brunch every Sunday to help stave off the Monday blues.
Summer Streets
Location: Various
Date: Three consecutive Saturdays in the summer, usually August
Time: 7:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m
Perfect For: Exploring the streets sans honking taxis
Website: nyc.gov
For a few days of summer, seven miles of NYC streets are opened for pedestrian use, including biking, running, and tons of free activities. In past years there's been ziplining, marathon runs, rock climbing, and live music.
Chelsea Art Walk
Location: 526 W 26th St.
Date: 7/25/2014
Time: 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m
Perfect For: Art lovers
Website: artwalkchelsea.com
Sip some wine and nosh on food sampling as you check out the Chelsea Art Walk's impressive range of artwork displays and debuts oozing with talent. You can even kick it and clink glasses with the artists themselves.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Location: 990 Washington Ave.
Date: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Time: Tuesdays 8:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m, Saturdays 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m
Perfect For: Zen-ing out for a few hours
Website: bbg.org
If you want a break from the endless concrete and hot trash smells of the city, look no further than the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's lush summer exhibit. It features 200 cherry trees, 5,000 rose bushes, and a seriously gorgeous Japanese Hill-and-Pond garden, among many others.
Shakespeare in the Park
Location: 81 Central Park West
Date: June 3 - August 7
Time: 8:00 p.m
Perfect For: Satisfying your thespian curiosity
Website: publictheater.org
See Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear and comedy Much Ado About Nothing for the low, low price of nothing. Tickets are distributed at 1 p.m. the day of the show and fly out notoriously fast, so get in line early in the morning to grab yours. Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, and Anne Hathaway and tons of other celebs have performed here previously, so check out the talent before they make it big.
Mobb Deep
Location: Queensbridge Park
Date: 7/17/2014
Time: 7:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m
Perfect For: All the killas and the hundred dolla billas/'Pac haters
Website: nycgovparks.org
Kings of feudal East Coast 90s rap Havoc and Prodigy will by taking to SummerStage with Lyricist Lounge in their native borough.
American Museum of Natural History
Location: Central Park West, 79th Street
Date: Daily
Time: 10:00 a.m - 5:45 p.m
Perfect For: Educational fun
Website: amnh.org
Revert back to your The Land Before Time days and nerd out over the biggest dinosaur collection in the U.S., in addition to a massive planetarium and tons of other exhibits. Successfully dodge the school field trip crowds and you'll be good as gold.
Explore the Brooklyn Flea
Location: Various
Date: Saturdays and Sundays
Time: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m
Perfect For: Meandering about on a nice day
Website: brooklynflea.com
The Brooklyn Flea market is, if anything, a people-watching mecca. Hundreds of vendors file in every weekend to sell antique furniture, artisan jewelry, old records, disembodied mannequin heads and more to a thriving population of natives and tourists alike. It's the perfect place to spend the afternoon wandering and soaking in the community. Additionally, it's right on the East River Park waterfront with a killer view of the city skyline.
Nightlight Installation
Location: 49th Ave.
Date: Every night in June
Time: 7:00 p.m
Perfect For: Exploring with friends/bae
Website: fluxfactory.org
Artist residency program Flux Factory has taken on Nightlight, a project where thirteen artists have banded together to make the Long Island City Community Garden into an interactive solar-powered art exhibit. The intent behind the exhibit is to create a safe space where pedestrians can explore, highlighting the differences between public and private land use after dark. Lots of the art is hidden – for example, there's a neon palm tree projection that only lights up when you walk past the front gate. Riff Raff would approve.
McCarren Park Pool
Location: 776 Lorimer St.
Date: Daily
Time: 11:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m
Perfect For: perfecting your Jay-Z pool jump
Website: mccarrenpark.com
Clean and seriously huge, the McCarren Park pool reopened in 2012 and has been drawing Greenpoint crowds ever since. Though the rules can seem strict (bringing your own locker room lock is mandatory for entry), they're well worth if for a respite from the sweltering summer heat. If the throngs of pool people prove too much for you, there are 35 additional acres of park available to kick around a soccer ball or chill in the shade with a good book.
New York Graffiti and Street Art Tour
Location: 49 Bogart St.
Date: Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Perfect For: extending your graffiti knowledge beyond Banksy
Website: freetoursbyfoot.com
NYC has long been an international presence in the birth of grafitti and street art in all forms. Check out the past and present graffiti of Bushwick's industrial landscape with this comprehensive walking tour.
NYC Pride March
Location: 36th St. and 5th Ave.
Date: 7/29/2014
Time: 12:00 p.m
Perfect For: celebrating progress
Website: nycpride.org
Get out and show your support for the LGBT movement! Held as an annual civil rights demonstration since 1970, the NYC Pride March is the largest in the world. Nab a good seat and check out the thousands of wild costumes, elaborate floats, and rainbow-emblazoned everything.
Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest Finals
Location: 1310 Surf Ave.
Date: 7/4/2014
Time: 11:30 a.m
Perfect For: Seeing exactly how gastronomically far we've come
Website: nathansfamous.com
The holy grail of competitive eating, Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest has been around since 1916, when four immigrants allegedly held a hot dog eating contest to find out who was the most patriotic. Last year's champion wolfed down a record 69 hot dogs in ten minutes. The finals are filmed live for ESPN, so don't forget your foam finger.
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks
Location: Brooklyn Bridge
Date: 7/4/2014
Time: 8:00 p.m
Perfect For: sluggin' a Budweiser whilst wearing a flag cape
Website: social.macys.com
Watch the Brooklyn Bridge light up with blazing pyrotechnics synchronized to a 25-minute score celebrating the 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner." Stake out a spot along the East River in advance to toast to the birth of 'merica with friends, family, and delicious beverages.
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Location: Bryant Park
Date: Mondays June 16 - August 18
Time: 5:00 p.m
Perfect For: movies alfresco/those without a Netflix account
Website: hbo.com
The Shining, Key Largo and Blazing Saddles are just a few of the good movies showing on silver screen at the popular Bryant Park Film Festival . Films start about 30 minutes after sunset, but be prepared to stake out a good lawn spot well in advance.
Bullsh*t History at Freddy's Backroom
Location: 627 5th Ave.
Date: Every 3rd Tuesday monthly
Time: 9:30 p.m
Perfect For: Competitive bullshitters
Website: freddysbar.com
Sick of boring trivia nights? In the Bullsh*t History game show, the audience is given a date in history, then given free rein to take the stage and make up ludicrous faux-historical events. The audience then votes on which stories are most and least believable.
Rockaway Beach
Location: Boardwalk, Far Rockaway
Date: Daily
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Perfect For: Taking a break from the city
Website: nycgovparks.org
This is the place Fat Joe was rapping about in 'Lean Back.' Honestly, what more could you ask for? Clean and quiet, "The Hipster Hamptons" have made a great comeback from Hurricane Sandy. Rockway is only an A train ride away from beached-out bliss. Beach drinking is illegal, but loosely enforced.
The Bronx Zoo
Location: 2300 Southern Blvd.
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Perfect For: Animal lovers
Website: bronxzoo.com
The Bronx zoo is home to grizzly bears, snow leopards, bald eagles, komodo dragons, and tons of other dope animals. It usually charges general admission fare, but operates on a pay-as-you-wish donation model all day every Wednesday.
Slow Dance Comedy Night at Niagara Bar
Location: 112 Ave. A & E. 7th St.
Date: Fridays
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Perfect For: Standup enthusiasts
Website: slowdancecomedy.tumblr.com
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at this dive bar in Alphabet City that features comics from Comedy Central, The Tonight Show, Adult Swim, and many more. Show up early for the $3 happy hour specials.
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk
Location: W 21 and Surf Ave.
Date: All summer long
Time: Morning to late
Perfect For: Hot dog eating and people watching
Website: coneyisland.com
One of New York's classic destinations, Coney Island has everything from roller coasters to three miles of beaches. While the wild Mermaid Parade (pictured above) may have already passed, there's still tons of fun to be had any afternoon of the week.
Free Dating Workshop!
Location: Ripley Grier Studios, 938 8th Ave #307
Date: 7/25/2014
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Perfect For: Those unlucky in love
Website: eventbrite.com
Do women frighten you? If spoken to by a fly chick, do you seize up, sputter uncontrollably and spill your Big Gulp everywhere (again)? If so, professional dating and lifestyle coach Rupert Lothario is here to help you finesse your dream girl out of her panties and into your heart. Limited seats available.
Coney Island Reggae Beach Party
Location: Various
Date: Various
Time: 4:00 p.m
Perfect For: Beats by the beach
Website: ilovefreeconcerts.com
Grab some booze, friends, and a beach towel and make your way to this party for good vibes. Whine up and groove to the beat until sundown.
Kayaking on the Hudson
Location: 353 W. St
Date: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays all season/ weekday evenings in July and August
Time: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekends, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. weekdays
Perfect For: Active types
Website: downtownboathouse.org
Want to check out the cityscape from the waterfront? As long as you can swim, the Downtown Boathouse's experienced volunteers provide you with equipment, instructions, and access to the Hudson for up to three hours.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Location: 1000 5th Ave.
Date: daily
Time: Sunday – Thursday 10 a.m – 5:30 p.m, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Perfect For: Checking out HOV-referenced artwork
Website: metmuseum.org
The largest art museum in the U.S., The Met is home to dizzying amounts of famous artwork. Check out Picassos, Manets, Modiglianis, and more. Entry is officially free, though the museum operates on a pay-as-you-wish model. As a bonus, most exhibits offer free guided tours.
Hester Street Fair
Location: Hester and Essex St.
Date: Weekends
Time: 10:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m
Perfect For: Rummaging through an outdoor market
Website: hesterstreetfair.com
If you're looking for something unique that you wont be able to find anywhere else, check out this market if you're strolling through the Lower East Side.
Bryant Park Putting Green
Location: 1060-1078 Avenue of the Americas
Date: 6/24/2014
Time: 11:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m
Perfect For: Medal play in the city
Website: bryantpark.org
Getting out of the city for an actual round of golf isn't easy, but if you want to hone your skills there are easier ways. Bryant Park's putting green offers a great way to practice your technique without leaving Manhattan.
Rockaway!
Location: 22-25 Jackson Ave.
Date: June 29 - Sept. 1
Time: 12:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m
Perfect For: Supporting local artists
Website: momaps1.org/rockaway1
To celebrate the reopening of Fort Tilden, a new free arts festival has been put together with pieces from Patti Smith, Adrián Villar Rojas, and Janet Cardiff. Sponsored by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, this summer-only exhibit is a great reason to get out of the city.
Books Beneath the Bridge
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Date: 7/7/2014
Time: 7:00 p.m
Perfect For: Bookworms
Website: brooklynbridgepark.org
Enjoy an interactive literature series in the park. Be sure to sign up in advance because seats fill quickly!
Afropunk Fest
Location: Commodore Barry Park
Date: 8/23/2014-8/24/2014
Time: 12:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m
Perfect For: Good vibes with hipsters
Website: afropunkfest.com
Better known as one of the best multicultural festivals in the US, Afropunk Fest is coming back still reigning at the peak of urban culture. The music acts are diverse and distinct, setting the event aside from any other.
Wave Hill Garden and Cultural Center
Location: W 249th Street
Date: Tues. and Sat.
Time: 9:00 a.m -12:00 p.m
Perfect For: Taking a little trip down to the garden
Website: wavehill.org
You and bae on a budget this week? Show her you still got it and take her to the Wave Hill Garden and Cultural Center. Explore the botanical gardens and bring a blanket to picnic outside the estate's Gatsby-esque stone mansions. Who knows, you may run into some free wine.
Brooklyn Museum
Location: 200 Eastern Pkwy.
Date: First Saturday of the month
Time: 5:00 p.m
Perfect For: Getting to know Brooklyn
Website: brooklynmuseum.org
The Brooklyn Museum is a beautiful building and one heck of an awesome educational experience. Be sure to catch Brooklyn-based artist Swoon's exhibit Submerged Motherlands, a huge art installation of paper foliage and street portraits inspired by everyday people. Check the Museum's website for current exhibits, or enjoy its fantastic permanent collection.
Domino Sugar Factory
Location: Kent Ave. & S 1st St
Date: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Time: Fridays 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon-6:00 p.m.
Perfect For: Sharpening your knowledge of art
Website: creativetime.org
Stop by the Domino Sugar Factory to witness one of the first large-scale projects designed by Kara Walker. Lines tend to be long, but the massive installation is a must-see for any art aficionado.
The High Line
Location: W 30th Street
Date: Everyday
Time: 7:00 a.m-11:00 p.m
Perfect For: Epic time in the park
Website: thehighline.org
Chill out after a long day on your feet at one of NYC's most modern parks.
Explore Governor's Island
Location: Governor's Island
Date: Weekends
Time: Various
Perfect For: Dipping out for the weekend
Website: govisland.com
Summer’s finally here and now city goers can trip to Governor’s Island for a day of outdoor fun.
River To River Festival
Location: Various
Date: June 19 - June 29
Time: 8:00 a.m - 8:00 p.m
Perfect For: Learning Manhattan's culture
Website: lmcc.net
The 13th annual River to River festival engages its audience with history of New York's changing landscape with intriguing performances, exhibitions, and tons of other activities.
Free Dance Lessons
Location: 41 St. & 6th Ave.
Date: Various
Time: Various
Perfect For: Busting a move
Website: bryantpark.org
Tired of hearing your girl nag because you tore a hole into her shoes attempting to dance at the club the night before? Take your "talents" over to Bryant Park for some free dance lessons.
Broadway Bites
Location: 33rd St. & 6th Ave.
Date: Various
Time: All day
Perfect For: Food tasting for free
Website: urbanspacenyc.com
Indulge yourself in one of New York City’s most notable events; where guests can satisfy their hunger with some amazing dishes from well-known chefs. Try to arrive early - this heavenly oasis of food stands fills up fast.
NY Aquarium
Location: 602 Surf Ave.
Date: Friday
Time: 4:00 p.m
Perfect For: Date with bae
Website: nyaquarium.com
Now that summer has kicked off, the New York Aquarium is offering free admission to all guests. Feel free to give a small donation though (they have eat too, people).
Hudson River Valley
Location: Various
Date: Various
Time: Various
Perfect For: Exploring nature
Website: travelhudsonvalley.com
The Hudson River valley is an easy trip from Manhattan and offers everything from antiquing to mountain biking. While you'll have to pay a small fee on the Metro-North, it shouldn't break the bank. Once you get to picturesque towns like Cold Spring or Beacon, you can stroll around and take in the natural beauty for free.
Go Yoga Meditation Classes
Location: Various
Date: Various
Time: Various
Perfect For: Relaxation within the big city
Website: goyoga.ws
Enjoy a soothing hour of yoga in the park. These meditation classes will teach you patience and how to keep a zen mindset. The class may be free, but do the right thing and tip your instructor.
SACK Weekly Comedy Show
Location: 790 Metropolitan Ave.
Date: Various
Time: 9:00 p.m
Perfect For: Comedic relief after a stressful day
Website: sackmagic.tumblr.com
Grab a beer in East Wiliamsburg and head to this weekly comedy show (totally free) hosted by Louis Katz, who's been seen on HBO and Comedy Central.
Museum of Modern Art
Location: 11 W 53rd St.
Date: Fridays
Time: 4:00 p.m-8:00 p.m
Perfect For: Art enthusiasts
Website: moma.org
This museum offers an overview of modern and contemporary art, located in the heart of Manhattan. Give yourself a few hours to soak up the Pollocks, Dalis, Monets, Mondrians and more on permanant exhibit.
Lyceum Open Mic Night
Location: 227 4th Ave.
Date: Monday nights
Time: 7:00 p.m
Perfect For: Overcoming stage fright and checking out local talent
Website: brooklynlyceum.ploud.com
Think you're a creative music genius and have the balls to show off your talent? Lyceum's Open Mic night caters to guests by giving them an opportunity to improv a song in front of a live audience. Just make sure you're on top of your game (especially if you're an A-list shower singer) and check their site because every Monday night's theme is different.
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Location: Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza
Date: Various
Time: Various
Perfect For: Celebrating the performing arts
Website: bricartsmedia.org
Prospect Park is celebrating hosting its 36th season of Celebrate Brooklyn! with performances from Janelle Monae, St. Vincent, and Deltron3030, among others. Squeeze your way to the front of the stage, or relax and watch from the venue's grassy slope.
R&B Fest
Location: Metrotech Center
Date: Various
Time: 12:00 p.m
Perfect For: Old school junkies
Website: bam.org/metrotech/
This one's for the R&B heads. Creep up on Tinder in advance for the perfect date and vibe to the smooth sounds of local old school music artists in the park. If the date turns out bad, the positive thing coming out of it is that you didn't even have to come out of pocket. #winning
SummerScreen in McCarren Park
Location: Various
Date: Various
Time: 6:00 p.m
Perfect For: Movie junkies
Website: summerscreen.org
McCarren Park is bringing back its summer film series each Wednesday in July. There are plenty of vendors with food, live music, and a hell of a lot of people to have a chill night with.
SummerStage
Location: Various
Date: Various
Time: 7:00 p.m
Perfect For: Music lovers
Website: summerstage.donyc.com
Looking for a dope music refresher after a long day of work? The infamous SummerStage series is back at it again fulfilling all your needs for the free99. Be sure to hit an awesome happy hour with your friends and check out the schedule for all the latest updates to see where your favorite artists will be performing.
The Whitney Museum of Art
Location: 945 Madison Ave
Date: Fridays
Time: 6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m
Perfect For: art aficionados
Website: whitney.org
A museum that from the outside looks like a Legoland villain's lair, the Whitney houses contemporary all-American art with a focus on modernism. Check out the O'Keefe's and Lichtensteins on the 5th floor, plus an impressive amount of Edward Hopper paintings.