This is a great time to be in NYC, for Off-Broadway Week 2-for-1 tickets, fall foliage in parks and gardens, ongoing exhibits commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, the annual Corn Maize in Queens , ice skating rinks re-opening for the season, and more.
It all helps make New York City the greatest city on the planet year-round.
Here’s how to enjoy NYC on the cheap.
Nearly everything on this list is FREE and family-friendly, and nothing is more than $20 per adult unless it is a free program with museum or zoo admission, supports a charity, or otherwise is a noteworthy special event. Some free events require registration.
Pick one, some or all and enjoy the best of New York City FREE or cheap.
This best things to do in NYC on the cheap guide is updated every week with at least six weeks of events to help you plan how to enjoy the greatest city on the planet.
Off-Broadway Week 2-For-1 Tickets
Oct. 5-18 – Now that Broadway Week took its final bow for the year, it’s time to celebrate Off-Broadway shows with a similar 2-for-1 ticket deal, also for three weeks, not just one.
Check the website for the show you want – musical, drama, comedy, or magic show – and then book directly with the theater.
Shows for kids include Amaze and the Gazillion Bubble Show.
If you want to laugh yourself silly, my recommendation is The Play That Goes Wrong. Stage doors don’t open, paintings fall off the wall, balconies crash, and more.
The most popular shows get booked up first – no surprise – but you can reserve BOGO tickets now for your preferred dates and seats.
Book your tickets with the code OBW26.
Corn Maize at Queens County Farm Museum
Weekends through Nov. 1 – It’s a sure sign of fall when the annual Maize Maze, or Corn Maze opens at this historic farm and museum in Queens.
Each season, the maze takes on a fresh artistic theme. Past designs have included Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Ram’s Head, Blue Morning Glory,” Andy Warhol’s “Cow,” the iconic Unisphere, and the majestic Monarch Butterfly. This year, the maze takes the shape of the number 50, to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary.
In addition to weekends, the corn maze features a few night-time excursions, when participants negotiate the maize with flashlights.
- Admission is $18 for adults and $14 for children ages 4 to 11, with free entry for 3 and under.
- Snag your maze & ride tickets here: https://www.queensfarm.org/corn-fest/
- Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park
FREE – Spot Migrating Birds in Bryant Park
Through Oct. 9 – This is the season when NYC attracts a special kind of tourist – migrating birds. They stop here to rest on their journeys south for the winter, chasing the warm air to their eventual winter homes.
Once again this fall, Bryant Park offers free birding tours – three times a week – led by expert birder Gabriel Willow, to spot, listen to and learn about the many species that make Bryant Park their temporary home.
Past sightings include warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and even a Chuck-will’s-widow.
Tours are Tuesdays at 8am and Thursdays + Fridays at 5pm during migration season.
- Meet at the Bryant Park info kiosk, on 6th Avenue across from 41st Street.
- No pre-registration is required.
- Bring your own binoculars.
There’s also a Hawk Watch on Sept. 29 at Noon.
Check the Bryant Park Birding website for more info.
Ongoing 9/11 25th Anniversary Exhibits
The World Trade Center redefined the city’s skyline and developed modern New York.
The 9/11 Museum is currently open six days a week, 9am to 7pm (plus select Tuesdays). Explore at your own pace, and plan to spend at least 45-90 minutes. Bring tissues. Some exhibits are not appropriate for very young children.
- The 9/11 Museum is adjacent to the FREE 9/11 Memorial Plaza, with the famous waterfalls. That is open to the public 8am to 8pm daily.
- The museum is not free. Tickets for the 9/11 Museum can be purchased up to six months in advance.
FREE Movies Under the Stars
Through Mid-October – Click here for the full daily schedule of films in 150 NYC parks and playgrounds, in all five boroughs. You can filter the search by location, too.
As the website says – The movies have chairs reserved for seniors and people with disabilities, so that everyone can enjoy a good movie.
Bring some food, find a great spot, and enjoy the show.
Central Park News
Bethesda Fountain Closing for Yearlong, $37 Million Restoration Project
- Fountain Overhaul: Replace aging internal mechanical systems, improve water circulation including waterproof sealants, and recreate missing historic sculptural details on the famous Angel of the Waters statue.
- Terrace Accessibility: Bethesda Terrace and its lower arcade will remain completely open to the public. Visitors can still walk the area and take in panoramic views of the adjacent Lake.
- Broader Makeover Plans: The funding also covers the complete reconstruction of the nearby Conservatory Water model-boat pond beginning in late 2026, followed by a comprehensive renovation of the Boathouse in spring 2027.
FREE – Play Life-Size Monopoly in Grand Central Terminal
The free pop-up is from Visit Atlantic City, which supplied the street names on the classic and beloved American Monopoly board.
The walkable installation will feature spaces devoted to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, casino resorts, restaurants, entertainment and arts scene, along with destination-themed game pieces, to promote visiting the famed vacation area just a couple of hours from Grand Central Terminal.
Mr. Monopoly is scheduled to appear in person, dressed in his famous top hat and bushy mustache, and there are giveaways of the city’s iconic saltwater taffy, and a chance to win a prize getaway package.
- FREE, 10AM to 7PM daily.
FREE – The Village Trip
Through October 4 – Ten days of music, theater, talks, poetry, comedy, art and more, at venues across Greenwich Village and the East Village.
The award-wining festival honors a unique community with 35+ events.
The Village Trip is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Supporting the festival means a win-win for everyone–your business and the neighborhoods of Greenwich Village and the East Village. If you’re interested in an ad or a sponsorship package, please let us know as soon as possible.
More information at www.TheVillageTrip.com
NYC Transit Report
Multiple subway lines face planned service changes for track work, especially on weekends.
Get there on time by checking online at new.mta.info before traveling.
Where to Eat in Times Square and Theater District
NYC Museum News
New Tang Wing @ New York Historical
It’s the largest expansion of this museum in decades. Its full name is Tang Wing for American Democracy, because it focuses on our democratic history and ideals, from the American Revolution onward.
- New York Historical is at 77th St. and Central Park West.
Photo courtesy Neue Galerie
Neue Gallerie Re-Opening After Renovations
Visitors from around the globe flock here to visit the Klimt Gallery, which features several of Gustav Klimt’s most important works. The gallery is a part of the “Austrian Masterworks from the Neue Galerie,” exhibition that features highlights from the museum’s extensive collection of Austrian art from the period 1890 to 1940.
Neue Galerie New York scheduled to re-open in early October after three months of renovations. It is housed in a century-old historic home, which requires careful, loving, ongoing upkeep, including electrical and security systems.
This autumn marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Neue Galerie’s founding, and the Klimt Gallery will reopen to the public in Autumn 2026. The Neue Gallerie, founded by cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder, also becomes part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Neue Galerie is at 1048 Fifth Ave.
Clothing Art @ Metropolitan Museum of Art
Through January 10, 2027 – The new exhibition of the Met’s Costume Institute explores depictions of the dressed body across the museum’s collection, pairing garments with artworks to reveal the inherent relationship between clothing and the body.
Focusing primarily on Western art from prehistory to the present, Costume Art presents connections between garments from The Costume Institute and objects from other collecting areas. Pairings between fashions and artworks will present a spectrum of connections and experiences: from the formal to the conceptual, the aesthetic to the political, the individual to the universal, the illustrative to the symbolic, and the playful to the profound.
Multiple cultures and centuries are represented, to explore the intersection of fashion and art.
Costume Art is the inaugural exhibition in the new, nearly 12,000-square-foot galleries adjacent to the Great Hall.
- FREE with Museum admission.
- Exhibit open through January 10,2027
New NYC Exhibit @ MCNY
Now Open – Joe Macken’s gi-normous balsa model of New York City called “He Built This City” made out of everyday materials over the last two decades is opening at the Museum of the City of New York.
Pay what you wish for New Yorkers, free for everyone on Wednesdays.
The New Museum Re-Opens
Now Open – The contemporary art museum New Museum has reopened, after a two-year $80+ Million dollar renovation that expands its space substantially for video installations and other artwork.
- Read a review of the new space and new exhibits in the NYTimes.
More Things to Do in NYC in October
FREE – Stargazing @ The High Line
Every Tuesday through October 27th – Immerse yourself in the wonders of the night sky every Tuesday on the High Line, thanks to the friendly team from the Amateur Astronomers Association. Watch the sunset and see the stars.
The High Line has been partnering with this knowledgeable group since the park’s opening. They show up with high-powered telescopes, eager to share the secrets of the cosmos.
No experience is necessary. and telescopes will be provided between sunset and park closure.
No RSVP is required. Stargazing is offered every Tuesday – weather permitting – between sunset and park closure at 10pm.
Stargazing on the High Line is subject to cancellation due to overcast conditions or inclement weather.
Check the High Line website on Tuesday afternoon for a go or no-go alert.
FREE – Community Day @ the National Arts Club
Sunday, Oct. 4 – In addition to visiting the art galleries, this is your chance to explore the Tilden Mansion, the historic landmark building, enjoy live music, family activities and more. The schedule includes –
- All day – Galleries open for viewing and tours of the historic NAC’s Tilden Mansion parlors (staff will be on hand to answer any questions)
- 10 AM – 2 PM – Join Curated Care for expressive arts & crafts activities. For all ages.
- 12 – 1 PM – Performance celebrating classic mambo and salsa. f
FREE Lectures @ CUNY Graduate Center
Wednesdays, Oct. 7 to Dec. 9 – CUNY Graduate Center’s fall 2026 public programs lineup offers lectures by historians, educators and authors on a range of topical subjects. Sessions are recorded and posted later on their YouTube Channel.
Highlights:
- 10/7, 6— 7:15 pm, hybrid: David Blight: Biography and History in Authoritarian Times.The annual Leon Levy Biography Lecture.
- 10/14, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: AI and the Future of Education. Expert educators grapple with how to navigate this new world.
- 10/21, 6:30–7:45 pm, hybrid: The Midnight Special: The Secret Prison History of American Music; Colin Asher in Conversation with Jefferson Cowie.
- 11/11, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman and historian Heather Cox Richardson in Conversation, addressing the media landscape, the state of our democracy after the mid-term elections the week before this program, and more..
- 11/12, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: Deep Dive: Listening to Solange, an in-depth perspective on the music of Solange Knowles, as experts play influential songs and share insights.
- 12/2, 7—8:15 pm, hybrid: Black America: The Last 10 Years, a discussion moderated by Carol Jenkins with panelists including Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, professor at Columbia Law School and UCLA School of Law; Trymaine Lee, MSNBC contributor and author; Nell Irvin Painter, professor emerita at Princeton University; and author Frederick Joseph.
- 12/9, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: Culture and Representation in America: The Impact of CETA. In tandem with the James Gallery’s exhibition, a panel looks at the legacy of a little-known government agency and its lasting footprint on the arts across the country.
Reserve free tickets at the event links.
CUNY Graduate Center is at 365 Fifth Ave.
Sessions will be posted later on their YouTube Channel.
FREE – Medieval Jousting in Central Park
Saturday, Oct. 11 – Gird your loins for this annual family-friendly event.
Gladiators NYC features knights in full armor fighting it out in the middle of Central Park, every second Saturday of the month, through December.
Bring your own picnic blanket and snacks (or check out Central Park’s grab & go offerings) and get ready to have an amazing afternoon.
FREE Lectures @ CUNY Graduate Center
CUNY Graduate Center’s fall 2026 public programs lineup at 365 Fifth Avenue has been announced. Highlights:
- Wednesday, 10/7, 6— 7:15 pm, hybrid: David Blight: Biography and History in Authoritarian Times.The annual Leon Levy Biography Lecture.
- Wednesday, 10/14, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: AI and the Future of Education. Expert educators grapple with how to navigate this new world.
- Wednesday, 10/21, 6:30–7:45 pm, hybrid: The Midnight Special: The Secret Prison History of American Music; Colin Asher in Conversation with Jefferson Cowie.
- Wednesday, 11/11, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: Paul Krugman and Heather Cox Richardson in Conversation.
- Thursday, 11/12, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: Deep Dive: Listening to Solange, an in-depth perspective on the music of Solange Knowles, as experts play influential songs and share insights.
- Wednesday, 12/2, 7—8:15 pm, hybrid: Black America: The Last 10 Years, a discussion moderated by Carol Jenkins with panelists including Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, professor at Columbia Law School and UCLA School of Law; Trymaine Lee, MSNBC contributor and author; Nell Irvin Painter, professor emerita at Princeton University; and author Frederick Joseph.
- Wednesday, 12/9, 6:30—7:45 pm, hybrid: Culture and Representation in America: The Impact of CETA. In tandem with the James Gallery’s exhibition, a panel looks at the legacy of a little-known government agency and its lasting footprint on the arts across the country.
Reserve free tickets at the event links; see the complete lineup at the top link. Sessions will be posted later on their YouTube Channel.
Bryant Park Winter Village & Ice Skating
Starting Oct 28 – Even though it opens just before Halloween, Bryant Park’s Winter Village and Ice Skating Rink is really about winter holidays, including the only FREE ice skating rink in Manhattan.
Both The Village and the skating rink open the same day.
The Rink stays open through early Spring.
The Village, which features nearly 200 kiosks of handmade crafts and food stalls, mostly with NYC-based artisans, usually closes the first week in January.
Santa also makes an appearance, popping up November 28, 29 and December 5 and 6.
- Full information about events and schedules on the Bryant Park website, including reservations.
FREE – Canstruction @ Brookfield Place
Thurs., Oct. 29 to Mon., Nov. 9 – The beloved annual design competition challenges teams of architects, engineers, and contractors to build sculptures made entirely out of unopened cans of food.
The large-scale sculptures are displayed in an exhibition open to the public and later donated to City Harvest to help feed those in need. See below for all of the ways to engage with Canstruction
Canstruction takes place throughout Brookfield Place, which is located at 230 Vesey Street in Lower Manhattan. Visit the Information Table in the Winter Garden at BFPL to donate cans of food and learn more.
Live Build: Thursday, October 29 | 10am – 6pm (approx. 6 – 8 hrs)
Exhibition on view: Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 9 | 10am – 7pm, daily
(Note: Canstruction will end at 6pm on the final night of the exhibition.)
- Brookfield Place is at 230 Vesey Street in Lower Manhattan. Visit the Information Table in the Winter Garden to donate cans of food and learn more about Canstruction.
JapanFes
Weekends through October 25 – This popular celebration of Japanese food, fashion and culture moves around Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens with multiple dates and locations.
Now in its 10th year – it began in NYC in 2016 – these street fairs have expanded to Miami, Paris and even Tokyo, where they know a thing or two about Japanese food, fashion and culture.
Each date and location is a gi-normous street fair, including entertainment. Foods, from ramen to sushi, are generally $8 or less.
Smorgasburg
Each Thursday through Sunday Through October – This popular outdoor food fair now has several destinations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, with as many as 70 vendors per location, from Korean BBQ and Mumbai street snacks to Mexico City-style tacos, Colombian arepas and wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.
- Thursdays – WTC (North Oculus Plaza)
- Fridays – WTC (North Oculus Plaza)
- Saturdays – Williamsburg (Marsha P. Johnson State Park
- Sundays – Prospect Park (Breeze Hill)
NYC Transportation Deal
NYC Ferry is making it easier than ever to explore New York City by ferry with an Unlimited Two-Day Ticket, for just $15 per ticket. Since individual fares are $4.50, this pays for itself after just three rides.
For a limited time, the Unlimited Two-Day Ticket is available for purchase in the NYC Ferry app. Once activated, it is valid for unlimited trips across all NYC Ferry routes and landings for 48 hours. Tickets are valid for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase if they have not been activated.
NYC Ferry also continues to offer riders single-ride, one-way tickets for $4.50 per ticket, a 10-trip pass for $29.00, and discounted $1.45 tickets for eligible and approved seniors, people with disabilities, Fair Fares NYC participants, and NYC high school students.
All tickets can be used for a free transfer to another route within 120 minutes of activation. For complete ticketing information and pricing, visit ferry.nyc or the NYC Ferry app on Android or iOS.
For visitors – The NYC Ferry is not the same as the Staten Island Ferry, which is FREE.
MoMA PS1 Now is Free Admission
MoMA PS1 is celebrating their 50th anniversary in a very special way, offering all visitors free admission through 2028.
Free admission expands the museum’s recent efforts to bolster accessibility, including language access initiatives in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
This initiative is being launched for MoMA PS1’s 50th anniversary in 2026, offering all visitors free entry to signature programming, including Greater New York, opening on April 16, 2026.
Located in Long Island City, Queens, at the site of a nineteenth-century public school building, MoMA PS1 opened in 1976 and has since become a cultural landmark and a place where artists can express their creativity. The museum has long played a major role in New York City’s alternative art space movement.
It is a branch of MoMa, the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.
NYC Tourism Facts
In 2024, New York City welcomed nearly 65 million visitors, the second-highest figure in city history and a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year.
The city is on pace to break city records in 2025 during the celebration of New York City’s 400th anniversary, marking a full economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York remains the most visited city in the United States and a top destination for international markets and major events.
NYC Film Industry Facts
A “Made in NY” movie won a “Best Picture” Oscar in 2025 for the first time in 10 years.
Not only did “Best Picture” winner Anora put our city on the big screen, showcasing neighborhoods like Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach and Coney Island, but 48 other awards were also received by “Made in NY” productions during the 2025 TV and film award show season.
New York City’s film and TV industry supports 185,000 New York City jobs. Congratulations to all the New Yorkers whose work has been nominated for an Oscar, Tony or Grammy — you make us proud
Congestion Pricing
If you are driving into the center of Manhattan, including as a passenger in a car service like Uber or Lyft, be aware that so-called “congestion pricing” tolls remains in effect despite a Trump Administration order to rescind it.
The goal is to reduce gridlock, reduce pollution and raise money for public transit.
The toll went into effect in 2025 and applies for the most congested part of Manhattan, south of Central Park.
Cost varies depending on the day of the week, the hour of the day, and whether the vehicle is equipped with E-ZPass, the electronic toll collection system used in many states.
Congestion Pricing Costs
- $9 for peak traffic hours, 5am to 9pm weekdays and 9am to 9pm weekends.
- $2.25 for off-peak overnight hours
- Vehicles without E-ZPass will be receive bills by mail, for $13.50 for peak hours and $3.30 for off-peak,
- Motorcyclists pay half the amount that cars pay during peak hours but the same off-peak
- Trucks, buses and large vans (including airport shuttle vans) pay more, depending on their size.
- The cost is once per day.
According to local TV station NY1, Congestion Pricing raised $45 Million in March 2025, to be used to support public transportation.
Best New NYC Parks & Museums
Studio Museum in Harlem Re-Opens
After being closed for construction since 2018, the Studio Museum in Harlem reopened mid-November 2025 in a bright and airy new seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot building on West 125th Street.
Studio Museum houses art exhibitions, educational opportunities, program spaces and an expansive lobby. The first show features the work of the late sculptor Tom Lloyd, who was part of the institution’s opening back in 1968. Another debut show will draw from the museum’s vast collection, underscoring the museum’s role as a steward of art by artists of African descent.
- Read a complete preview of the all-new Studio Museum in this NYTimes article.
Wagner Park Re-Opens After Two Years
Wagner Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan adjoining Battery Park, has re-opened after two years of reconstruction to protect it from rising tides of climate change.
There’s a long list of FREE events celebrating the re-opening, from jazz and salsa dancing to comedy and sunset yoga. The park was created 29 years ago as part of the construction of Battery Park City. It has a picture-postcard view of the Statue of Liberty, along with great sunset views, and it adjacent to two of our favorite museums – The Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Skyscraper Museum.
The upgrades as part of the overall South Battery Park City Resiliency Project. This massive undertaking across all of Lower Manhattan aims to fortify the southern edge of Manhattan island against the catastrophic flooding that wallopped much of the city during Hurricane Sandy.
The park’s lawns have been raised in elevation, while maintaining great views across the river. The pavilion at the park has been upgraded, with a classroom for education and events, a rooftop with outdoor seating and plans for a new restaurant in 2026.
- See the full line up — which includes even more activities for families, kids and fitness buffs — here.
- No tickets required; just show up ready for a good time.
Harlem Meer Re-Opens After Renovation
The new Davis Center at the Harlem Meer has re-opened after a four-year, $160 Million renovation and re-invention.
The new facility features an all-new public pool which will convert into an ice rink in the winter, “and in contrast to the old Lasker pool and ice rink it replaces, it will also transform into the Harlem Oval – a public green – in the shoulder seasons, ensuring year-round community access,” according to a press release.
The new Davis Center is hosting a variety of FREE or affordable programs throughout the year, including wellness and fitness classes, nature programs, ice time for youth sports, and swim programming, managed by the NYC Parks Department.
- View the Harlem Meer on a map.
- Visit the Davis Center website for a schedule of events
The new Davis Center also is home to the newest and one of the best FREE outdoor swimming pools in NYC, the Gottesman Pool.
Pier 97, Hudson River Park
Move over, High Line and Little Island you’ve got competition.
Pier 97, the northernmost pier in Hudson River Park is now open, following a $47.5 million transformation from a parking lot and Dept. of Sanitation storage facility into a gleaming and appealing public park with multiple facilities.
Pier 97 – at 57th St. and the Hudson River – has 2.5 acres of public open space, complete with a playground, athletic field, sloping sun lawn, and more—all surrounded by over 16,000 square feet of vibrant flowers and plants. A new building with restrooms and concessions is expected to open this winter.
Constructed between 1921 and 1934, Pier 97 served as a hub of the Swedish America Line and remained an active dock through the 1970s. Then it became a parking lot used by the city’s Department of Sanitation until 2011.
Pier 97 features include –
- The playground features a 26-foot-high rope climbing structure, a ship’s hull, and seasonal water spray features.
- The 120-foot-long synthetic turf field can accommodate a range of sports and activities, while the 7,600-square-foot sloping lawn offers a relaxing green space, providing a shady place of respite on the pier.
- A granite slide for guests of all ages connects the new elevated overlook and shaded belvedere section on the pier’s northern edge with the main pier below.
- The sunset deck, equipped with bistro tables, chaise lounges, and two-tiered walls with seating, offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River and skyline.
- Flexible gathering areas framed by flowers and plants offer tranquil spaces for socializing, and a walking promenade along the pier’s southern edge invites visitors for a relaxing stroll.
Work on a new park building directly north of Pier 97 containing public bathrooms, concessions, and a small maintenance area will open this winter. Solar panels will be installed on the roof, and the Hudson River Park Trust will issue a request for proposals (RFP) to select a food concessionaire. The Trust also plans to attract a historic vessel for docking on the south side of Pier 97.
Construction of the pier was primarily funded by $40.8 million from the NY State capital budget, plus $6.7 million in proceeds from a Transferable Development Rights Sale completed by the Trust in 2018.
Who is a real New Yorker? It depends on who you ask.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter was interviewed by
Time Out New York
ICYMI – News Worth Noting
Michelin Guide Adds 12 NYC Restaurants
Fine dining just got more fine with the addition of 12 NYC restaurants to the famous Michelin Guide, bringing the number to 142.
- The new additions include French, Italian, seafood, Thai and Filippino choices
- See the full list here. Reservations recommended.
Landing Day
On Sept. 15, 1654, a group of 23 Sephardic Jews arrived on the shores of New York — then called New Amsterdam — and created the first organized Jewish community in the city. Today, more than 350 years later, NYC is home to the largest Jewish population of any city in the world.
- The City Council has voted on a resolution to honor both, turning Landing Day from an event marked by a few Jewish leaders into an official date on the city’s calendar. That’s just short of making it a holiday, like Juneteenth.
- The resolution aims to “commemorate the arrival of the first Jewish community in New Amsterdam in 1654 and to celebrate the continuing importance of the Jewish community in the City of New York.”
New Food Hall in Former Lord & Taylor Building
NYC’s newest food hall, Shaver Hall, is now open in the iconic former Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Avenue between 38th and 39th Sts., now housing Amazon. According to a press release, it celebrate “the rich heritage of the iconic Lord & Taylor building and promises to redefine the culinary landscape of Midtown Manhattan.”
- Shaver Hall is named in honor of Dorothy Shaver, the trailblazing president of Lord & Taylor and first woman to head a multimillion-dollar business.
- The first two announced tenants are Chick Chick, featuring Korean-inspired chicken, and Taqueria Al Pastor, with Mexican cuisine.
About the Lord & Taylor building –
- Originally constructed in 1914, the Lord & Taylor Building is an 11-story commercial masterpiece in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, designed by renowned architects Starrett & van Vleck.
- The building’s granite, brick, and limestone facade and copper cornice have symbolized elegance and sophistication for over a century, including for its famous and famously inventive holiday windows.
The Vessel at Hudson Yards
- The famous honeycomb sculpture has re-opened after shutting down in 2024 following three suicides, but it is no longer FREE to visit.
- The 150-foot Vessel now has safety netting to safeguard visitors, and the once-free architectural sculpture now costs $10 per person.
- Visitors must buy at least two tickets and will not be allowed to visit alone.
- Hudson Yards is “installing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline signage and messaging” and increasing security, CNN reported.
NEW – New York City residents with ID can visit for FREE Thursdays.
- Tickets are available at 9am on the last Friday of every month at 9am for the following month.
- Register here, with proof of an NYC ID.
- A limited number of free, day-of tickets are available every Thursday on that same website.
Citi Bike Rate Increase
Lyft, the ride share company which now owns and operates the bike share program, has raised rates again, especially for the popular battery-assisted e-bikes.
- Unlocking a Citi Bike now costs $4.79.
- E-bike fees are now approximately $10 for 15 minutes.
- A day pass for a manual bike is now $19.
See Also
More FREE Things to Do in NYC
Things to Do in Staten Island
Best NYC Airport Transportation
See Also
Best FREE Things in NYC Year-Round
FREE – Late Night Shows Taped in New York City
The late night shows taped in NYC are one of the most popular tickets in town. Here’s how to get FREE tickets to be in the audience.
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart & Co-Hosts
Tickets for Saturday Night Live (SNL)
FREE Weekly & Monthly Museum Admission
Some free admission days require advance reservation, others don’t. See the links for specific information.
FREE First Mondays at 9/11 Memorial and Museum
First Monday of the Month for NYC residents. You will have to show proof of NYC residency for free admission.
Everybody can get FREE admission every Monday, from from 5:30pm to 7pm.
FREE First Fridays at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
UNIQLO NYC Nights are the first Friday of each month, 4–8 pm.
New York City residents get free admission courtesy of UNIQLO, but everyone can enjoy an evening out in our galleries with paid admission.
FREE First Fridays at Neue Galerie
First Fridays at Neue Galerie offer free admission 5pm to 8pm on the first Friday of the month.
FREE First Fridays at Poster House
Poster House is the first museum in the United States dedicated to the global history of posters.
First Fridays free admission is all day, 10am to 9pm
FREE Fridays & Sundays at Whitney Museum of American Art
The Whitney Museum of American Art now offers free admission for all visitors 25 and under.
Admission is FREE for all visitors on Fridays from 5pm to 10pm and all day on the second Sunday of every month.
FREE Saturdays at the Jewish Museum
Free admission all day.
FREE Tours of Hart Island
Hart Island is now open to the public. Since 1869, more than 1 million New Yorkers have been laid to rest on the island.
NYC Parks is now offering visits twice per month so New Yorkers can learn about its important history and see the beauty of the island and enjoy picture postcard views of the city.
You can put your name in the lottery for a free walking tour here.
Read about the history of Hart Island in this article in The City.
- Tours are Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm
This NYC Best Things to Do Calendar is updated at the beginning and middle of each month.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter, a native and lifelong New Yorker, also is the author or editor of numerous NYC guidebooks and apps, including for Fodor’s and Rand McNally.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President Emeritas of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), after serving two years as President.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA) and a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
This is such a helpful and timely list! As someone planning a trip to NYC on a tight budget, I’m especially excited about the free ferry ride to Staten Island. What would you say is the single best “cheap” activity for getting a real, local feel for the city away from the main tourist crowds?
The Staten Island Ferry has been free for more than a decade – it’s one of the best deals in my hometown. There are plenty of free and cheap activities in this list – it’s up to you to pick your own favorite.
Free Stevie Wonder concerts? Count me in.
This is great! I love exploring my city and being made aware of what’s going on and where to go!