What can we say about NYC? The glitz and glamour leave us in awe, but we still can’t bring ourselves to pay double digits for a coffee and croissant. Thankfully, we have tons of ideas that won’t leave you in sticker shock. So whether you're married or looking to impress your boyfriend or girlfriend, here are free 35 things couples can to do in the Big Apple:
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Free Things to Do for Couples in NYC
You've sailed through the honeymoon phase of being a couple and now are looking for fun ideas to do that won't empty your wallet.
Fridays at MoMa
If you’ve been dying to see the Picassos but don’t want to drop $25 on admission, you’re in luck. MoMA now offers free admission on Fridays between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You can also visit the beautiful sculpture gardens for free every morning until 10:00 am and have a romantic morning time as a couple. www.moma.org
Frolick in a Garden
Escape the daily grind and visit an idyllic Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Admission is free on Tuesdays, so you can explore Lefferts House or just make friends with feed the animals at the zoo. Located at 990 Washington Ave, this horticulturist's paradise closes at 6:00 p.m. www.bbg.org
Your Weight in Gold
If you're looking for a pot of gold, make a beeline to the Financial District. Hid deep inside the Federal Bank of New York's vault is 6,500 tons of gold! Kept under lock and key, you can schedule a free tour weekday afternoons before the bank closes. www.newyorkfed.org/aboutthefed/goldvault.html
Explore the Earth Room
If you like to get down and dirty, then we've got a treat for you. Hop over to 141 Wooster Street where you can feast your eyes on 280,000 of soil. Not only is it free, but you don't worry about ruining your shoes because it's inside a Soho loft. diaart.org/visit/visit/walter-de-maria-the-new-york-earth-room-new-york-united-states
Visit an Estate
Go back in time and walk the same hallways Alexander Hamilton once did. Opened to the public five days a week, you can tour this magnificent home for free. Just a short train ride uptown to Harlem, it's easy to find. Plug 141 West 141 Street into your GPS and get moving. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. www.nps.gov/hagr/index.htm
Yoga in Bryant Park
Who says you can't do yoga in the park as a couple? Down dog every Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. or Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Bryant Park. If fills up fast, so don't forget to bring a yoga mat. Head over to their website to register. bryantpark.org/programs/yoga
Count the Stars
Daytime chilling at High Line is awesome, but counting stars there is epic. Right after dusk on Tuesdays, the Amateur Astronomers Association sets up telescopes between West 15th and West 16th Streets. www.thehighline.org
Catch a Flick
If you love the movies but can't handle crowded theatres, you're in luck. Summer in the city is outdoor movie watching season, so all you need to do is grab a brew and pick the location. In Manhattan, Bryant Park is the local (bryantpark.org/programs/movie-nights). For Brooklyners, check out the Brooklyn Bridge Park events page for dates and times (brooklynbridgepark.org/event-series/movies-with-a-view.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
Summer in the city is the perfect time to take a ferry ride. running between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island, this voyage is 100 percent free! www.siferry.com
Get Your Art Fix
Running between Werst 14thh and West 29th Street, Chelsea has tons of art galleries to explore. They're always free to visit during normal business hours, and most offer free gallery viewings with complimentary beverages. Our favorites include Gagosian (gagosian.com) and Pace (pacegallery.com).
Soak up the Sun
Coney Island is a great spot for fun in the sun, but NYC has other beaches where you can catch some rays for free. Brighton Beach, which is near Coney Island, is a quiet place where you can kick back and relax. If you want to ride the waves, hop over to Rockaway and hang ten. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton_Beach
Silence Please
No, you don't have to do your homework here. The over on 42nd Street will change the way you think about libraries. This charming book nook is free to visit, offers educational tours and even has a Books at Noon series. nypl.org/locations/schwarzman
Tour Central Park
Central Park is open to the public, but did you know that the Central Park Conservancy offers free guided tours? Take a tour around the North Woods and learn about the rustic bridges and glorious waterfalls within the park. Again, did we mention that it's free? centralparknyc.org
Listen to Live Music
Love live music but not the price is cost? Then heading to Harlem Meer is a must!. Running until September, this concert series features Latin artists and jazz musicians who perform on an outdoor stage. Entry is free at the Harlem Meer in Central Park. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Meer
Enjoy the View
A favorite among visitors and locals alike, Brooklyn Bridge Park is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the view. The park is full of fun activities to do, such as bocce ball, basketball and even has a pop-up pool. Right before dusk, head over to Jane’s Carousel for a breathtaking view of the sunset. janescarousel.com
Free Things to do with Your Girlfriend in NYC
Picnic at Governor's Island
Fill a picnic basket with her favorite foods and make a day out of it at Governor's Island. Spend the day with your girlfriend hiking, golfing or just lounging under a shade tree. Entrance to the park is free, but the ferry will cost you $2.00 per ticket. govisland.com
Watch a Taping of the Late Show
If your girlfriend loves Jimmy Fallon, you can watch a live taping at NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center. Free tickets are hard to get, but if you’re lucky, you might score standby tickets. nbc.com/the-tonight-show/tickets/main
Kayak on the Hudson
Spring has sprung, so there’s no better time with your girlfriend than to get out on the Hudson. In Tribeca, Pier 26 offer free kayaks, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can also grab a free kayak at the Manhattan Community Boathouse in Midtown. downtownboathouse.org/pier26/
Gratis Giggles
Bust a stitch for free at Lantern Comedy Club. Located in Greenwich Village, this sweet comedy spot where you laugh along headliners, such as David Spector. Located at 167 Bleeker Street, make sure arrive by 7:30 to get a good seat. anterncomedy.com/
Hit the Flea Market
If your girlfriend loves bargain hunting, the Brooklyn Flea Market is sure to delight. Situated near Pearl Plaza, this outdoor bizarre has over 80 stalls and tents filled with goodies galore. Open Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., this flea market is just another reason to explore Dumbo. brooklynflea.com/markets/dumbo/
Free Things to Do with Your Boyfriend in NYC
You love your boyfriend more than pizza, but you're out of ideas for date night. The city is bursting with fun things to do that don't cost a cent. Have a look below for deets.
Tour a Brewery
Stop by Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg to learn how to make craft beer. They offer free tours every 30 minutes on the weekend. Arrive early and wet your whistle with one of their handcrafted beers - your boyfriend will surely enjoy it! brooklynbrewery.com
For the History Buff
Not sure where you can go back in time for free? Put on your best powder wig and head to Federal Hill for a day of historical merrymaking. Overlooking the New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hill is a great place to learn about George Washington. You can also tour a small museum at 26 Wall Street, which is home to many post-colonial artifacts. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Hall
Picnic at Governor's Island
Fill a picnic basket with your favorite foods and make a day out of it at Governor's Island. Spend the day with your boyfriend hiking, golfing or just lounging under a shade tree. Entrance to the park is free, but the ferry will cost you $2.00 per ticket. govisland.com
Take a Walking Tour
Lace up your sneakers and take a 90-minute free walking tour through the city. You’ll learn about the Chrysler Building and Grand Central’s infamous Whispering Gallery. The meeting point is at 120 Park Avenue, at the 42nd Street. grandcentralpartnership.nyc/things-to-do/tour
Be Transported at Grand Central
Who says you need to be a tourist to appreciate Grand Central's magnificent architecture? Opened in 1913, Grand Central is a transportation hub like no other. From admiring intricate architecture to simply sitting on the steps and watching the world go by, you can't go wrong here. grandcentralterminal.com/about/
Shakespeare in the Park
If you’ve been trying to see Shakespeare in the Park without success, it’s okay. You can get your literary fix at the New York Classical Theatre with their rendition of this timeless classic. And guess what? It’s free. newyorkclassical.org
Free Date Night Ideas in NYC
Whether you're dating or already married, going out can be expensive. Fortunately, there are loads of things you and your better half can do in the city for free.
Go Window Shopping
You don't have to be rich to admire fashion on Fifth Avenue. If you want to be daring, go inside and try on the designer duds. No one needs to know that you were counting quarters for a coffee a moment ago. nycgo.com/articles/fifth-avenue-shopping
Go to Open Houses
The Big Apple is known for many things: Fashion, food, culture and rent. Put on your finest threads and go apartment hunting. Research some of the most luxurious listings and pass the evening hob-nobbing with the elite in some of the swankiest pads in town.
Take a Night Tour
Who says you can only tour the city in the daytime? Take your sweetie on a tour of the Big Apple and learn about how this glorious city came to be. You can choose between High Line After Dark or Midtown Manhattan Tour, unless you dare to take the Ghost Tour. https://freetoursbyfoot.com/ghost-tours-new-york/
Art After Dark
Moma isn't the only museum open after dark. Rubin Museum of Art offers free admission on Friday nights in their cafe with a DJ and tapas. The Brooklyn Museum also offers free admission on Saturdays and the first Friday of every month. rubinmuseum.org/events/series/k2-friday-nights
Wine Tasting at Astor Wines
Astor offers both free and paid wine tasting sessions, which are sure to please even the pickiest of wine aficionados. The staff is quite knowledgeable, so don't feel bad if you don't know your red from your white. They're located at 399 Layfette Street in the East Village and open until 9:00 p.m. astorwines.com
Take a Day Trip to Jersey City
Sure, you have to pay for the metro, but strolling along the promenade in Jersey City is free. Fill a thermos with homemade lemonade and enjoy watching the boats sail by from a different point of view.
BBQ with Your Bae
Channel your inner grillmaster with hibachi-style grills along Pier 5 in Brooklyn. Here, you get the party started with your own food and nosh at one of the umbrella-shaded picnic tables. Word to the wise: It fills up fast, so get there are early as possible. Not familiar with Brooklyn? We've got you covered. Head over to 334 Furman Street to find the grilling oasis. brooklynbridgepark.org/park/pier-5
Put on your Dancing Shoes
Cut loose and go dancing! There are so many places where you can cut a rug for free. Most dance studios offer a complimentary lesson, so what are you waiting for? Everyone samba! Dance weeks a slew of places where you can get jiggy gratis. https://www.nycdanceweek.org/how-to-take-free-classes/
Spend the Afternoon at Industrial City
This complex of renovated warehouses is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. While they do offer year-round events, a food court and sake distillery, you can still soak up the atmosphere for free. industrycity.com
Catch an Improv Show
If you love live shows but can afford the cover charge, the Upright Citizens Brigade offers free performances every Thursday after dark. Doors open at 9:00 p.m., but you may have to wait a few hours to get free tickets to the show. Play it safe at head up to 555 West 42nd Street early as possible. hellskitchen.ucbtheatre.com
You can also explore more free guides for couples: Free Things to Do for Couples in Boston and Free Things to Do for Couples in Chicago.
