Now that my hometown is back on top of the must visit destination list, here’s how to enjoy NYC on the cheap.
March and April are a great time to be in NYC, including $20 Off-Broadway show tickets, the annual NY International Auto Show, a FREE ice skating show to close the season, return of cherry blossoms, the Macy’s Flower Show, outdoor food festivals and parades, and more.
It all helps make New York City the greatest city on the planet year-round, not just in March and April but year-round.
Nearly everything here is FREE and family-friendly, and nothing is more than $25 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 at the beginning and middle of each month, with at least six weeks of events to help you plan how to enjoy the greatest city on the planet.
Where to Eat in Times Square and Theater District
Top Ticket Deal: 20at20
Monday, March 23 through Sunday, April 12 – This is the 20th Anniversary edition of 20at20, the biannual event when you can get $20 tickets to Off-Broadway shows 20 minutes before the performance. This year, nearly 30 shows are participating, including dramas, musicals, immersive experience and family-friendly favorites.
For two decades, 20at20 has been one of NYC’s favorite promotions for budget-conscious theater fans, providing an easy and affordable way to experience the excitement, creativity, and variety of Off-Broadway. There are no reservations. Just show up, get on line, and get a ticket 20 minutes before curtain.
Participating musicals include –
- The York Theatre’s world premiere of Monte Cristo: The Musical starring Sierra Boggess, Adam Jacobs, Norm Lewis, and Karen Ziemba;
- Bedlam’s multi-nominated Music City: The Musical, playing in a new space on West 42nd Street;
- the new vampire pop opera Blood/Love at Theater 555;
- two musical parodies inspired by beloved television shows: Friends! The Unauthorized Musical Parody and Singfeld! A Musical About Nothing, both at the Theater Center.
Dramas include –
- Red Bull Theater’s production of Titus Andronicus starring Patrick Page at the Pershing Square Signature Center;
- New Zealand company EBKM’s award-winning production of Heartbreak Hotel at DR2 Theatre;
- Dirty Books from Bated Breath Theatre;
- the long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong at New World Stages;
- Perfect Crime and Pied à Terre at The Theater Center; and
- Mint Theater’s production of Zack at Theatre Row.
In addition –
- Burnout Paradise from Australia’s acclaimed company Pony Cam at Astor Place Theatre;
- Drunk Romeo & Juliet from Drunk Shakespeare at the Ruby Theater;
- Amaze by illusionist Jamie Allan at New World Stages;
- Katsura Sunshine’s Rakugo at New World Stages; and
- Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos at Chelsea Table+Stage & Burgerology.
Family-friendly favorites include –
- the long-running Gazillion Bubble Show, soon to be celebrating its 20th year at New World Stages, along with
- The Little Mermaid: The Musical at the Players Theatre and
- Pinkalicious The Musical at Actors Temple Theatre.
This year’s edition also includes several exciting premieres, including the North American premiere of The Interrogation, Nicole Travolta Is Doing Alright, Lost in Del Valle, The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, the U.S. premiere of Body Count, Stories from the Brink, and Heavenly Baba.
Find the full list of participating shows and a day-by-day performance calendar at www.20at20.com.
Note that some $20 promotional tickets are only available on a limited schedule and must be paid in cash, and that some venues charge an additional facility fee of up to $3.
Noteworthy Openings
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.
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 to Do in NYC in March
Brooklyn Flea Re-Opens for the Season
Saturday/Sunday, March 14/15 through Autumn – The popular outdoor flea market under the Manhattan Bridge re-opens for the season with a treasure trove of vintage clothing, antiques and more. It’s a mix of returning dealers and independent sellers and new discoveries, from rare collectibles to handmade goods, home decor and unexpected finds.
Wander around and see what turns up. And if you miss opening weekend, no worries – Brooklyn Flea is open weekends through Fall.
- 10AM to 5PM Saturdays and Sundays
- 80 Pearl St., under the Manhattan Bridge
FREE Ice Skating Show @Wollman Rink
Thursday, March 19 – To celebrate the end of outdoor ice skating in Central Park, Wollman Rink presents the Ice Theatre of New York’s season-ending City Skate Concert, performing repertory pieces that will remind you of the spins and jumps at last month’s Winter Olympics in Italy.
- 6:15PM, arrive early for the best spots to watch.
Note – Outdoor ice skating in NYC parks has ended for the season, including Bryant Park and the Roebling Rink in Brooklyn. The Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is remaining open until Friday, March 27
FREE Sesame Street Sculpture @590 Madison Ave
Friday, March 20 – If you or your kids love Sesame Street – and who doesn’t – join the public unveiling of a larger-than-life sculpture of Sesame Street characters paired with endangered wildlife. Cookie Monster, Elmo and others make appearances for interactive photo moments, plus other family-friendly activities.
The sculpture The Power of Togetherness will be on display for several months, offering a feel-good experience blending nostalgia, art and messages of kindness, inclusion and conservation.
- FREE, 10AM to 2PM in the public atrium of 590 Madison Ave. at 55th St.
Art House Cinema Week
March 20-26 – This is a new festival of independent films at 30 independent movie theaters around town. Another feature of the festival is 5,000 FREE and reduced price tickets for eligible New Yorkers who might not otherwise be able to afford to go to the movies.
Eligible groups include New York City teachers, CUNY students, United States active-duty military personnel and veterans, New York City families registered with “Cool Culture,” people with disabilities upon presentation of a reduced-fare OMNY card or Access-A-Ride ID, and SNAP/EBT cardholders.
Highlights include a “Young Film Forum Archive Dive” screening introduced by Joel Coen and Frances McDormand; an IFC Center series dedicated to Catherine O’Hara; a Frederick Wiseman series at Roxy Cinema; and “Faust” with a live score at Nitehawk Williamsburg.
Click here for the full list of films and theater locations.
Farewell to the Pigeon Sculpture @The High Line
Saturday, March 21 – Join a joyful farewell party to the monumental 21-foot aluminum pigeon sculpture that has both dominated and watched over the High Line for the last 18 months.
The FREE goodbye party will feature music by a local DJ alongside a lively lineup of activities throughout the Spur, including family workshops and pigeon-themed trivia, and bingo hosted by the winner of Pigeon Fest’s pigeon impersonation pageant. “Dinosaur” artist Iván Argote will also be on hand to sign limited-edition posters from the High Line Shop’s pop-up, with other “Dinosaur”-themed merch also available for purchase.
“Dinosaur” is the fourth-ever Plinth Commission, the High Line Art’s rotating series of monumental, contemporary art commissions. There is no word yet on its successor.
- Noon to 4PM on the High Line at 30th Street.
- Admission is free with RSVP, and walk-ins will only be accepted if the event is not at capacity.
- Register here
- Register by Monday, March 16, for a chance at an exclusive, up-close-and-personal experience with “Dinosaur” on the day of the program between 3:30 and 4pm.
- In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Sunday, March 22
FREE Performance: The Beauty of Ballet
Saturday, March 21 – See excerpts of famous ballets including Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, and a workshop by top students at The School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet.
These hour-long demonstrations are led by faculty member Katrina Killian and feature advanced students. Get a sneak-peek inside SAB’s classroom to see how students train to become professional ballet dancers, and have the opportunity to try a few steps right from their seats before seeing excerpts from famous ballets including The Nutcracker and Swan Lake – performed by SAB students in costume to live music.
Each demonstration concludes with an audience Q&A with our SAB students.
Recommended for young children and families, The Beauty of Ballet is a wonderful introduction to the art of ballet. Because everything is beautiful at the ballet (my favorite line from The Chorus Line, the award-winning Broadway show and movie about dancers).
- FREE at 2pm
- Aaron Davis Hall | Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts, Marion Anderson Theater, 129 Convent Ave., Manhattan.
- No reservations. Seating is first-come, first-served.
An Evening with Liza Minelli @ Temple Emanu-el
Monday, March 23 @6PM – Born into Hollywood royalty, Liza Minnelli grew up under intense scrutiny and impossible expectations yet carved her own path to become one of the most distinctive and influential entertainers of her generation.
In her intimate memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, Minnelli speaks openly about her lifelong battle with and recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), an experience central to who she is today. “As I approach eighty years of great living, high kicks, face-plants, and hell-raising,” she says, “sharing my recovery journey feels more meaningful than anything.”
Joined on stage by her closest friend and musical collaborator, Tony Award recipient and multiple Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein, Minnelli revisits defining moments from her life and career.
From Studio 54 to friendships with Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Halston, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana. The EGOT winner will also share film clips from her legendary career, with glimpses of her parents, Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland, and her beloved sister, Lorna Luft.
“Let’s have laughter, great stories, and maybe some wonderful music with Michael Feinstein on the piano,” Minnelli says, promising a rare and personal look at an extraordinary life.
- In-person tickets including a signed copy of her book are $60.
- Or, sign up for FREE online viewing.
FREE Lecture: Apple: The First 50 Years @ Cooper Union
Tuesday, March 24 – Fifty years ago, On April 1, 1976, two scruffy twentysomethings, both named Steve, founded a startup in a garage. Their goal: to bring the revolutionary power of computers to everyone. And over the next five decades, that startup, Apple, has reshaped our lives by marrying advanced technology with design and introducing what are now common breakthroughs like the mouse, WiFi, and touchscreen phones and tablets.
CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue tells the story of this iconic company gleaned from 150 interviews that he conducted with the legendary figures who shaped Apple. All are featured in his new book, Apple: The First 50 Years. For The Cooper Union’s 2026 John Jay Iselin Memorial Lecture, Pogue will be joined by tech journalists, Lauren Goode of Wired and Joanna Stern formerlyof The Wall Street Journal, for a conversation about Apple’s global impact and the challenges Apple may face as it enters its second half century.
- 7PM to to 8:30PM
- FREE. Registration is required. However, a ticket does not guarantee entry as seating is first-come-first-served.
- Located in The Great Hall, Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues
FREE Lectures & Other Events @CUNY Graduate Center
Through March 25, the CUNY Graduate Center’s Spring 2026 public programs has a weekly schedule of discussions on a variety of topics, including theater, dance and public safety.
- Wednesday, 3/4, 6:30 pm: Strategies for a New Era of Policing and Public Safety in NYC
- Monday, 3/9, 6:30 pm: Affordability, Antitrust, and Inequality: Lina M. Khan and Paul Krugman in Conversation
- Wednesday, 3/11, 6:30 pm: Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist. Daniel Daniel Pollack-Pelzner in Conversation with Jennifer Schuessler
- Wednesday, 3/18, 6:30 pm: Fashion Under Fascism, Eugenia Paulicelli and Rebecca Bauman in Conversation
- Wednesday, 3/25, 6:30 p.m: City of Science: Jane Goodall and Her Legacy
Most events are at their facility at 365 Fifth Avenue (at 34th St.), but reservations are required (at the top link).
Attend in person, by livestream or watch on YouTube. Questions to gcevents@gc.cuny.edu.
Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound Festival
Through June – this is the centerpiece of its 2025–2026 season.
The citywide festival celebrates the musical genres that have shaped the nation over its first 250 years and includes more than 35 concerts at Carnegie Hall.
From March through May, the United in Sound festival expands beyond the Hall with FREE and ticketed performances and programming that explore the country’s past, present and future through music at cultural organizations across New York City.
Programming details to follow.
JapanFes
Through October – 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.
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 Free Admission for Next Three Years
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.
Read more about the three-year free initiative here.
Things to Do in NYC in April
Find a Passover Seder
Wednesday/Thursday, April 1/2 – Find an in-person or virtual Passover seder to join in this comprehensive list throughout NYC, Long Island and Westchester, from UJA New York, including several which are FREE to attend.
- Reservations required for any Seder.
New York International Auto Show
April 3-12 – This is the 126th Anniversary of NYIAS, and sure to be another grand celebration of everything shiny and new with a steering wheel – and also some concept cars that don’t even have one.
It’s the only place where you and the entire family can research and experience the latest models in a hassle-free, convenient, and fun environment.
This year again, there’s an expanded EV Test Track, the return of Camp Jeep’s popular off-road experience and Ford’s exciting Bronco Build Wild ride, and the new Overlander Exhibit, plus driving games for both kids and grown-ups, and more. It’s a rare opportunity to explore every kind of vehicle in one place.
Camp Jeep returns for an exciting hands-on off-road experience. The popular attraction will feature new challenges and an expanded Jeep lineup, showcasing the brand’s signature performance and cutting-edge technology
Ford Bronco Built Wild ride returns with Bronco Mountain and two new obstacles showcasing the Bronco’s capability and technology.
The Electric Vehicle Test Track is expanding, with new partners and EV models joining. Attendees can test-ride in the latest electric vehicles, emphasizing the show’s commitment to showcasing innovation with vehicles from manufacturers including Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Lexus, Lucid, Nissan, Volkswagen and Toyota.
- At the Javits Convention Center
- Hours and ticket information at www.autoshowny.com
Note – ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a longtime automotive journalist – and President Emeritus of IMPA, the International Motor Press Assn. I’ll be there for the media days before the show opens to the public, reporting live.
- Check my Facebook and Instagram accounts – @evelynkanter – for photos and more.
Big Umbrella Festival @ Lincoln Center
April 10 to 26 – Once again his year, Lincoln Center open its doors—and its plazas, studios and stages—for one of the city’s most thoughtful and inclusive arts festivals.
The Big Umbrella Festival – which launched in 2018 – features nearly three weeks of FREE and pay-what-you-can performances, workshops and installations, all tailored for neurodivergent audiences.
Big Umbrella was the first large-scale performing arts festival of its kind and it’s only grown more ambitious since. This year’s edition agai spans dance, theater, comedy, music, visual art and outdoor installations, welcoming kids, adults, families and first-time arts-goers into spaces designed to be flexible, relaxed and judgment-free. All events are presented as “relaxed performances” with a “no shushing” rule, which means audiences can come and go as needed, move, speak or engage on their own terms.
Big Umbrella Festival highlights include –
Outside, at Lincoln Center’s main Josie Robertson Plaza, where “Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0” turns the iconic forecourt into a swing-filled installation of glowing red frames inspired by Latin American street markets. It will be open daily throughout the festival and free to explore, even if you’re just stopping by for five minutes.
Inside, performances include “The Unexpected Gift,” by the Barrowland Ballet, a high-energy dance-theater piece designed with neurodivergent young people, and Ireland’s Rosán’s Sensory Adventures will debut “Antarctica! Crew Wanted,” a theatrical journey inspired by Ernest Shackleton’s legendary expedition.
Dance will take center stage at Alice Tully Hall, where AXIS Dance Company presents “Patterns,” featuring performers who are disabled, non-disabled, D/deaf and neurodiverse. During ReelAbilities Comedy Night, guests can enjoy sharp standup from outstanding disabled comedians as part of the citywide ReelAbilities Film Festival.
Music lovers can catch relaxed, up-close performances from the Viano Quartet during “CMS Kids: Tuneful Teamwork,” while families and younger audiences can dive into ASL Slam and ASL Baby Slam, celebrating American Sign Language as an expressive art form.
- Tickets for choose-what-you-pay events are now on sale, and many of the festival’s outdoor and visual art offerings are completely free.
- Full schedules, accessibility details and visual guides are available on Lincoln Center’s website—or just follow the crowd under the biggest umbrella on the Upper West Side.
FREE Holocaust Remembrance Day Events
- Note – ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is the daughter of two German Jewish immigrant parents whose families suffered during the Holocaust.
- My father’s family lost many members, including in Auschwitz; members of my mother’s family survived slave labor. So honoring the Six Million is personal.
- Holocaust Remembrance Day events also force us to remember all those who have been murdered, including by chemical weapons or “disappeared” by lunatic dictators in other countries in other recent decades, including in Mexico, Chile, Rwanda, Syria, Bosnia, and also the victims of the current madness in the Mideast.
Annual Gathering of Remembrance @ Congregation Emanu-El
The Annual Gathering of Remembrance is rooted in a city with one of the world’s largest communities of Holocaust survivors, this powerful Yom HaShoah observance serves as a collective vow: we will never forget. Together, we will remember those we have lost and reaffirm our shared commitment to memory and justice across generations.
Registration is also available on Sunday at Congregation Emanu-El
- FREE at 1:30 PM, in person or online.
- Register here for in person or online.
- Temple Emanu-el is at 1 East 65th St. Be prepared for enhanced security.
FREE – Macy’s Flower Show
Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, May 1 – The flagship store on 34th St. and Herald Square once again will be blooming with thousands of flowers and non-flowering plants.
We’ll share details, including this year’s theme, as soon as we get them.
FREE Things to Do in NYC in May
Japan Parade & Street Fair
Saturday, May 9 – The 5th annual Japan Parade & Street Fair returns with a full day of events on the Upper West Side, to promote cultural exchange and showcase both traditional and contemporary Japanese heritage. Here’s the schedule we know so far –
- 11AM to 5PM on West 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. It features over 30 food vendors and cultural activity tents.
- 1PM to 3:30PM – From Central Park West and 81st Street, south to 67th Street.
- An opening ceremony will precede the parade at 12:30 PM near the Grandstand Area (70th/71st Streets).
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 of the New Yorkers whose work was nominated this season — you make us proud
Best Current Museum Exhibits
NYC has some of the best museums and museum exhibits in the world, including some you can see for FREE.
Current top exhibits include –
New York Historical
- Special exhibit on the immigrant experience in NYC.
The Frick Collection
- The museum has re-opened after a two-year renovation, along with its cafe.
The Whitney Museum of American Art
- Celebrating 10 years at its downtown location with special events and exhibits.
Brooklyn Museum
- The Buddhist Tibetan Prayer Room from the Rubin Museum
American Museum of Natural History
- Beautiful bling at a special exhibit of gemstone jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels
New York Public Library – Main Branch
- A FREE exhibit on 100 Years of the New Yorker Magazine
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 – which went into effect on January 7 – 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 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, re-opened in July 29 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, 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 set to 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 will “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 Re-Opens
- 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.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Jon Stewart Returns to The Daily Show
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!