Festivals and events in New York: Cheap NYC activities

Free and cheap tickets to NYC's best museums? It's possible! One of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City is all the incredible cultural institutions and museums are at your beck-and-call like The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMA or the Guggenheim. They are among the finest in the world—there’s just one hitch: They’re often pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis if you’re willing to pay for the annual fee. There is one alternative, however: most museums offer free hours or days and pay-what-you-wish admission. You just have to know where and when they are. We’ve got the info you need in our guide to all the free museum days and cheap admission in NYC you should know about, whether you live here or are planning a visit. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best museums in NYC

New Yorkers might know their city like the back of their hand, but there are some hidden pockets of NYC still to be discovered. There’s always something new taking the place of something old in NYC, but luckily for us, there’s still a plethora of old places to explore, you just have to know where to look. From historic residential groves and tiny roads that have been left behind by the requirements for vehicle traffic to alleyways that were only used for horses and carriages back in the day, below are 10 amazing hidden streets in NYC you can visit right now. RECOMMENDED: Secret NYC: 26 speakeasies, underground gigs and more 1. Washington Mews (Greenwich Village) Photograph: Shaye Weaver/Time Out A private, gated (but often open) street just north of Washington Square Park, between Fifth Avenue and University Place, is a trip back in time to the day of row houses and stables. These mews (a row of stables) serviced horses from homes in the neighborhood during the 18th and 19th centuries and some were also were homes. Around 1950, NYU rented most of these buildings and converted them into faculty housing and offices.  2. Doyers Street (Chinatown) Photograph: Shutterstock Once known as the Bloody Angle, Doyers Street is a 200-foot-long curved street between Pell Street to Bowery that was once one of the deadliest streets. Sure, it’s full of restaurants like Nom Wah Tea Parlor, barbershops and other stores now, but during the early 20th century, it was the site of numerous...

No matter where you are or where you work in New York, you’re probably stressed out. As great as our fair city is—with so many amazing things to do, fabulous restaurants and top-notch bars—it’s hard to find time to chill out. Taking a weekend getaway or relaxing on a nearby beach are good ways to relax, but often we need serenity NOW (and let’s face it: sometimes planning that beach trip or weekend getaway can lead to even more stress!). A relaxing spa treatment can be just the thing for a quick fix. Problem is, most of us can’t afford the luxurious spas that promise instant bliss. Fortunately there are a number of spots for affordable spa treatments in NYC. Whether it’s a facial, a massage, a mani-pedi or a body scrub, one to two hours at a spa will give you the re-set you need. You’ll feel refreshed and glowing in no time. RECOMMENDED: Find more spas in NYC

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

New York’s ever-changing skyline acquired another sky-high attraction for Gothamites to climb in 2019: Vessel. The 150-foot-tall, 60-ton landmark, located at sleek cultural destination Hudson Yards, resembles a honeycomb, although some New Yorkers say it looks like a waste can. Others say the larger-than-life art installation designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick is New York’s version of the Eiffel Tour. As for what we say? The gleaming bronze-toned structure looks like a good excuse to get your steps in and snap some pics for Instagram. We climbed the spiral staircase made up of 154 interconnecting staircases, almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings—the various outlook points offer panoramic views of the Hudson River, the West Side skyline and the ever-expanding Hudson Yards campus, all of which appear mighty dreamy at sunset. Bonus: New Yorkers can visit for free on select days; here's how.

There's nothing more "summer in NYC" than taking in a movie in the great outdoors, under the hardly-seen stars and set to the humming soundtrack of the city. Even better, all of the screenings listed here are free to attend. New Yorkers love to take in films on the nicest rooftops, on the best beaches, and in our city's greatest parks (preferably with a drink or popcorn in hand). Luckily, NYC has no shortage of movies in the park you can attend in the warmer months. Prefer to watch your favorite films indoors in the A/C? Check out the best movie theaters in NYC. And for some at-home inspiration, you can always catch up on the best NYC movies of all time. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC 

Getting around New York City isn't necessarily cheap or easy. A quick cross-town Uber ride can cost over $30. A cross-town bus ride is a fraction of the price but will take you a lot longer. And getting from borough to borough can prove to be even more of a feat.  When we chose this year's coolest neighborhood in NYC, we knew that getting there could be a challenge. In some ways, that semi-remoteness is what makes Red Hook so alluring, after all. The bus is an option, bike share works and the NYC Ferry will get you there (no subway service, unfortunately!). Believe it or not, though, there's an even more direct, totally free option that comes way of the kind merchants of Sweden: the IKEA Ferry. Never heard of it? Allow us to explain.  RECOMMENDED: This vibrant Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood is officially the coolest in NYC for 2025 What is the IKEA Ferry? The IKEA Ferry, operated by NY Waterway, offers boat transportation from two points in Manhattan to IKEA along the waterfront on the southwestern edge of Brooklyn.  Photograph: By yuriyt / Shutterstock Where does it pick up and drop off? The IKEA Ferry has two Manhattan stops. The first is in Midtown West at 39th Street's Pier 79 (that's 459 12th Avenue). The second is in Lower Manhattan at Pier 11/Wall Street (that's Pier 11 at South Street). In Brooklyn, it stops at IKEA (1 Beard Street).  When does it run? The IKEA Ferry runs on the weekends from morning until early evening approximately every hour-and-a-half. You...

Under the sticky heat of the afternoon sun yesterday, dozens of fully nude models and artists (some of them nude, as well), gathered in Union Square for the final NYC Bodypainting Day. Each painter brought their artistic vision to life on the exquisite canvas of the human body, with some designs featuring intricate patterns and others with bold sweeping decorations.  Artist Andy Golub founded the annual event a decade ago and said this year would be the last for NYC Bodypainting Day in this form. It's likely that the news of the last hurrah attracted some of the throngs of onlookers who gathered around to watch the painters at work. Other attendees stumbled upon the event as they passed through the park, some suppressing surprised gasps or nervous giggles.  RECOMMENDED: This NYC vegan dinner party requires you to have dinner naked The event celebrates the human body in all of its beautiful shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities and ages (ranging from the 20s to the 80s at the event). Artists carefully wield paintbrushes to cover their subjects from head to toe in theatrical makeup.  "I wanted people to take a moment and really celebrate humanity," Golub told Time Out New York. "I think the event is really about spreading joy and feeling joy." When thinking back on the first bodypainting day, Golub describes it as "magical" with "this incredible feeling of positivity."  Ten years later, that energy imbued this year's event as well. While this is farewell to NYC Bodypainting...

New York is a hotbed of artistic expression. The city’s art museums—including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—display some of the best artists spanning centuries. And with more than 1,000 galleries, you can check out the latest and greatest artists at any time, in all mediums from painting to sculpture. You’ll find the best galleries in NYC concentrated in Chelsea, but also Brooklyn and Queens to the Upper and Lower East Sides of Manhattan. Visit NYC’s legendary art galleries and you’ll see some of the best artists from around the world.

With New York City named as the second-most expensive city in the world, you know we’re on the hunt for deals. While it basically costs $20 just to walk outside here, sometimes it’s worth the splurge if you’re visiting some of the best restaurants in NYC or seeing that hyped-up Broadway show. But more often than not, we have to choose between going out and paying rent, which just freaking sucks. That’s why Time Out New York is dedicated to helping you find cheap eats and happy hour deals as well as plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. The good news is that you don’t have to skip NYC’s top attractions or events at its beautiful parks. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC 

Radio Bakery might not have invented the pastry line, but they’re certainly famous for it. Join the Greenpoint locals and cross-borough travelers who queue up every morning for mind-altering treats like cheesy pretzel bear claws and chocolate peanut butter-and-jelly croissants.  The vibe: Once you make it inside, the line moves pretty fast; the space is likely to be packed if you get there before everything sells out, so prepare to enjoy the rewards of your line-waiting right there on the street.  The food: Start with the rhubarb and custard croissants, which come square-shaped, the dough like a picture frame around stripes of caramelized pink rhubarb, and the triple chocolate croissants made with chocolate dough, milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate bâtons. Moving beyond the ten croissants on Radio’s menu, you’ll find their crispy, chewy, golden-edged brown butter corn cake among the “Not Croissants” options.  The drinks: Coffees are served up in the iconic gold-and-blue NYC diner coffee cups, making it even easier to capture the perfect shot of your only-in-NYC breakfast.  Time Out tip: Stop by after 11am to try their lunch menu, with sandwiches like ham with rosemary butter on rustic sesame stirato and roast beef with radicchio and chimichurri on pillowy focaccia. 

Located at the top of Museum Mile, the Museum of the City of New York is the place to explore the city’s past, celebrate its present, and imagine its future. The institution’s entire first floor is devoted to "New York at Its Core," a sprawling exhibition including two galleries taking visitors on a tour of all 400 years of New York City history and a flagship space known as the Future City Lab where visitors use interactive technology to design the NYC of the future. Rotating exhibitions throughout the rest of the Museum focus on issues ranging from the city’s history of social activism to New York’s built environment, and include objects from the Museum’s extensive collections of vintage photographs, costumes and textiles, theater memorabilia, furniture and decorative arts, and more. Don’t miss the amazing Stettheimer Dollhouse, created during the 1920s by Carrie Stettheimer, whose artist friends re-created their masterpieces in miniature to hang on the walls. Look closely and you’ll even spy a tiny version of Marcel Duchamp’s famous Nude Descending a Staircase.

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about summer in the city, but when you need to beat the heat, why not give free kayaking in NYC a try? We’ve got plenty of water, from the Hudson River to the East River Estuary, and these waterways offer some of the best views of many of New York’s attractions. If you own your own kayak, you’re all set to paddle. For the rest of us, there are many organizations around the city that aim to reconnect urbanites to nature and the aquatic ecosystems that surround us. Groups of boaters and paddling enthusiasts lead small groups around New York’s waterways, offering a cool, relaxing and educational adventure. Best of all? It’s free! NYC Parks also hosts one-off free kayaking and canoeing events throughout the summer!  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island all have boating opportunities for you this summer. Most are first-come-first-served or by reservation only, so be sure to check before you head out. After all that paddling, treat yourself to a hearty NYC brunch. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

Fifth Avenue becomes a mile-long cultural block party when the Museum Mile Festival returns June 9 from 6pm–9pm, turning the Upper East Side into a car-free corridor of art, music and pure New York spectacle. From 82nd to 110th Streets, more than 20 museums—including the Met and Guggenheim—open their doors for free, while the street itself fills with live performances, pop-ups and roaming crowds. Turn your evening into equal parts gallery crawl and summer street fair for an unforgettable night out.

Every summer, the Public Theater produces a beloved NYC democratic tradition and one of the best free things to do in NYC: Shakespeare in the Park, presented at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Bard’s immortal words performed outside in New York, with a backdrop of natural splendor and the Belvedere Castle looming in the background like the world’s most impressive set decoration. The Delacorte was closed for much-needed renovations in 2024, but Shakespeare in the Park is set to return in grand form in the summer of 2025. The popularity of the series means that tickets aren’t always easy to come by—but if you persevere, you can get seats. What is Shakespeare in the Park? Created by the late Joseph Papp in 1962, the Public Theater's series offers free, large-scale productions of works by William Shakespeare (as well as the occasional musical or non-Shakespearean drama). The productions often feature some of the most talented actors of our day. Past casts have included including Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George C. Scott and Denzel Washington. What is being performed this season? Shakespeare in the Park seasons sometimes include two productions. There is only one show in 2025, but it's one of the Bard's best: Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's ever-popular comedy of cross-dressing, cross-purposes and cross-gartered socks. Public Theater resident director Saheem Ali directs a starry cast:...

Nothing marks the start of warmer weather like the festival circuit. And one of the best food festivals in the world is making its return this weekend.  The Queens Night Market is returning for its 11th season for a sneak preview this Saturday, April 18. The longstanding, open-air food market will once again take over New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, attracting thousands of hungry souls to “The World’s Borough.” Over its decade-plus run, the market has featured cuisines from over 100 countries, launched 500 new businesses and has attracted over four million people to Queens.   RECOMMENDED: Looking back at 10 years of Queens Night Market, the no. 1 ranked food festival in the U.S. Over 60 vendors will be in attendance this year, serving bites and drinks from Nepal to Peru. You'll get to nosh on Filipino silog from Sampaguita Eats, Nigerian meat pies and moi moi from Soronko Kitchen and Bakery, Dominican quipes and orejita fritas from Baez Flavor Co. and so much more. And, despite our current economic uncertainty and rising costs overall, the market is extending its $6 price cap for one last year, thanks to its sponsors Citizens and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation.  “Keeping the $6 price cap in place since 2017 hasn’t been easy,” said the founder of Queens Night Market, John Wang, in a press release, citing 35% inflation and tariffs. “It’s required the leanest of business models, passing every possible cost saving along to the vendors, and...

Homelessness is a serious issue around the country, especially in NYC. As temperatures drop, the situation becomes even more dire. Fortunately there are organizations working tirelessly to help the homeless, and you can get involved. Whether you want to give back through a holiday volunteer opportunity or, even better, commit to volunteering regularly, here are some amazing non-profit organizations that help the homeless in NYC. These organizations offer shelter and counseling, advocate for fair housing, provide job training, serve meals and more, all to benefit the homeless. Contact each organization directly to find out what kind of volunteer work they need most. Some may need people with a particular skill set, others just need donations, and others need hands-on help. Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding thing to do, and helping the homeless is an urgent and constant need. If you wish to include homeless animals in your volunteer search, check out these pet adoption organizations in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Where to volunteer in NYC

Alma has the kind of restaurant story we love to hear. It started all the way back in 2002 when three partners purchased a vacant lot in Red Hook and built the tri-story restaurant from the ground up (the same team moseyed down the waterfront to build Brooklyn Crab a decade later, which also sits three stories off the ground). But in 2024, Roberto Lopez and Emilio Sanchez took over the operation, sprucing up the floors and decor across all three levels. To ensure the integrity of Alma remained intact, chef Francisco Lopez, who'd been there for 20 years, stayed put in the kitchen to continue cooking Pueblan cuisine, the food of his Mexican hometown. A true family affair, his wife, Margarita, brings her Oaxacan roots to the table, focusing on salsas and moles that she makes from scratch, while their daughters, Daisy and Daphne, tend to the front of house.  The cuisine is more homey than groundbreaking: bowls filled to the brim with guacamole, flautas as crunchy and crisp as can be and tortillas made in-house and served warm every time. The red snapper is a sleeper hit with a punchy, warm tomatillo-and-saffron sauce, while the short rib enchiladas did the job, spilling out with shreds of meat and plenty of cheese, covered in a luscious mole. Billed for two (though there's plenty to feed three people), the parillada platter features several proteins—some a bit overcooked—including grilled steak, shrimp, chicken and chorizo, plus triangles of gooey fried cheese, mango salsas...

Craving some summer thrills? Roller coasters aren’t just for kids—and luckily, there are plenty of amusement parks near NYC where adults can get their adrenaline fix. Sure, you could hop on the subway to Coney Island for some classic amuseument park fare, but venture a bit farther and you’ll find even wilder rides and sprawling parks. Yes, you’ll probably run into crowds of teens and families, but that’s part of the high-energy charm. And if high-speed drops and loop-de-loops aren’t your thing, there are other exciting day trips from NYC that won’t leave your stomach in knots. Need a breather after all that action? Cool off at one of NYC’s hotel pools open to the public.

If you need another reason to get outside this summer, NYC street fairs take over various blocks in all five boroughs when the weather gets warmer. While frolicking along the city's sidewalks, snack on sensational eats from the best restaurants in NYC, score stellar throwback wares, and shop local. As enjoyable as eating and shopping can be, there are many more things to do outside, from rocking out at music festivals to admiring some outdoor art. Take advantage of the beautiful weather, including awesome free things to do, while the streets are full of fun. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC

Tucked on a corner of 7th Avenue, this latest contender in Park Slope’s Croissant Wars has a rightful claim to the throne. They serve theirs up starting at 8am, so join the school dropoff crowd to wait in line for their latest drop of twice-baked almond croissants.  The vibe: Marbled and moody, this little spot is made for queuing, not working. A few tables in the sun-slanted windows are perfect for sitting with a book or chatting with a friend through the later morning, but be warned: no laptops are allowed.  The food: In the mornings, stop by for painstakingly striped strawberry-rhubarb croissants, chocolate-hazelnut croissants filled with Nutella, and, on Wednesdays, a rotating special of filled kouign amanns. Come lunchtime, they start turning out sandwiches like salami and cornichons on ciabatta and mortadella and straciatella on sesame focaccia. The drinks: Most folks grab their coffees to go—you’re just a few blocks from the park if you want to take your latte and box of pastries to go. Time Out tip: An entire special-order menu lets you order whole treats like a strawberry and lemon curd tart topped with chantilly cream and gold leaf, an olive oil cake with citrus peel and a double-layer carrot cake packed with walnuts and sprinkled with edible flowers. 

Housed in a distinctive Romanesque Revival building (a former public school), PS1 mounts cutting-edge shows and hosts an acclaimed international studio program. Artwork crops up in every corner, from the stairwells to the roof. PS1 became an affiliate of MoMA in 1999, and the two institutions sometimes stage collaborative exhibitions. Reflecting the museum’s global outlook, it has focused in recent years on such luminaries as Janet Cardiff and Olafur Eliasson. It also hosts the popular summertime party, Warm Up.

The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival (a.k.a. the city's oldest and largest food festival) turns Hell’s Kitchen into a gloriously chaotic, mile-long buffet, shutting down Ninth Avenue from 42nd Street to 57th Street for two days of serious eating from 10am to 6pm. Expect a globe-trotting spread—Brazilian, Thai, Greek, Italian and more—plus live music, street performers and the kind of crowd size that makes grazing an extreme sport. 

Don’t scoff, jaded New Yorker—there are a lot of free things to do in NYC today. We understand: When you live in the most expensive city in the world, it’s hard to imagine how anything in this town could be gratis. But guess what? Every event on this list is free and actually awesome! That’s right, we found the free art exhibitions, comedy shows, cultural celebrations and NYC park activities, so you can have the time of your life without paying a dime. Whether you’re looking for fun date ideas or something to do with visiting relatives, we got you. Do you want more great stories about things to do, where to eat, what to watch, and where to party? Obviously you do, follow Time Out New York on Facebook for the good stuff.RECOMMENDED: See all free things to do in NYC

PaddlesIn search of public options for curious newbies, I visit NYC's holdout nonprivate dungeon. The simple setup, found behind a marked door under an inconspicuous Chelsea awning, isn't intimidating. There's a bar selling soft drinks and a few rooms full of contraptions catering to individual interests—such as a chair to help fetishists get a faceful of a partner's feet. Unadorned corridors of cages and Saint Andrew's crosses are scattered around. My friend and I arrive just before 3am on a Saturday, as the space was converting from a well-lit coed atmosphere to the darker men-only party. Still, a half-dozen suburban types linger on a stage with a giant mirror behind it, setting up one last "scene" (a fantasy scenario). Everyone I meet is helpful, down-to-earth and eager to talk, including the Brit who'd arrived in town with a mind to getting caned. He met a German couple outside the club, took them for a drink and convinced the woman to do the honors. There's no pressure here; everything that you do or have done to you is consensual. Quietly watching is permissible; if you witness an act between two people who intrigue you, etiquette dictates you wait until they're through to approach them. There's no penetration or booze—stipulations that have helped the club avoid being shut down—so it's about leaving your street clothes at the door ($2) to reveal your leather skivvies; purchasing a cat-o'-nine-tails ($50--$70) from a spread of switches, whips and paddles on a lighted...