Now that my hometown is back on top of the must visit destination list, here’s how to enjoy NYC on the cheap.
Things to do include FREE museum admission, a new museum exhibits honoring Flaco the owl and 100 years of the New Yorker magazine, the Macy’s Flower Show and the NY International Auto Show, Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center, Earth Day events including car-free streets, the Frick Collection re-opens, Whitney Museum anniversary events, cherry blossoms in bloom, Holocaust Remembrance Day events, outdoor food and flea markets return for the season, and more.
It all helps make New York City the greatest city on the planet year-round, not just in March and April but all year.
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.
At the Top of Our List
NYC Cherry Blossoms
NYC’s cherry blossom season is brief and it’s magical.
Cherry trees bloom in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Roosevelt Island and Queens.
Where to see cherry blossoms in NYC
New York International Auto Show
April 18-27 – This is the 125th Anniversary of NYIAS, and sure to be a grand celebration of everything shiny and new with a steering wheel – and come 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 there’s an expanded EV Test Track, the return of Camp Jeep’s thrilling off-road experience, and Ford’s exciting Bronco Build Wild ride, and the new Overlander Exhibit, including 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 Emeritas 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.
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.
82nd Anniversary of Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in Riverside Park
Friday, April 18 – This annual gathering follows a tradition established in 1947 by Jewish partisans, ghetto fighters and Holocaust survivors at the site earmarked by the City of New York for a memorial to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, in Riverside Park.
- 1pm, at the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Memorial Plaza, at the southern end of the Promenade in Riverside Park, between 83rd and 84th Streets.
Yom HaShoah Commemoration at Park Ave. Synagogue
Wednesday, April 23 – To mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, share memorial prayers, music, participation by PAS teens, and remarks from clergy. In addition, Avinoam Patt, professor of Holocaust studies and inaugural director of NYU’s Center for the Study of Antisemitism, will be in dialogue with Rabbi Zuckerman.
- FREE, both online and in person.
- Register here.
FREE – Annual Gathering of Remembrance
Sunday, April 27th – Every year, the Museum of Jewish Heritage and Temple Emanu-el join to bring together thousands of New Yorkers at our Annual Gathering of Remembrance to collectively vow to never forget. Delivered by a city with one of the world’s largest communities of Holocaust survivors, this annual tribute has power that echoes across generations – and multiple generations participate in the ceremony.
You can join this gathering in observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) either in person or online. The program will feature music, remarks from Holocaust survivors and descendants, and a candle-lighting ceremony to honor the memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and to pay tribute to the survivors who have carried forward the legacy of resilience and remembrance.
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 2PM, in person or online.
- Register here for in person or online.
- Temple Emanu-el is at 1 East 65th St
55th Anniversary Earth Day Events in NYC
50 States of Sustainability Film Screening in Manhattan
Tuesday, April 22 – Screening of three segments from “50 States of Sustainability,” followed by a moderated panel discussion and audience conversation.
Learn about electric planes flying cargo today, seaweed being turned into plastic straws and the synergy between solar panels and agriculture.
Hosted by the Jewish Climate Action Network NYC.
- Not free—$5 tickets with discount code “jcan5” at the link.
- 7pm to 8:30pm at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan ( 334 Amsterdam Ave at W. 76th St.)
FREE Open Streets Car-Free Day in NYC
Saturday, April 26 – Once again, a number of NYC streets in all five boroughs will be closed to vehicle traffic with a NYC Dept. of Transportation (DOT) program launched in 2026.
Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day will close down more than 50 streets and plazas to vehicular traffic across all five boroughs. Many of them will be dotted with family-friendly activities, public art, entertainment and more.
These are the “signature locations” with special exhibit and programming. Check the Open Streets Car-Free website for all the locations, including expanded listings of what’s happening in each borough.
Manhattan:
- Broadway: 17th Street to 46th Street
- St. Nicholas Avenue: 181st Street to 190th Street
- Dyckman Street: Broadway to La Marina/Inwood Hill Park
Queens – Woodside Avenue from 75th Street to 78th Street
Brooklyn – 5th Ave from 40th Street to 50th Street
The Bronx:
- E 188th Street from E. Fordham Rd to Valentine Ave.
- Creston Ave. from E. 188th St. to E. Fordham Rd.
- Valentine Ave. from E. 188th St. to E Fordham Rd.
- Port Richmond Ave. from Richmond Terrace to Castleton Ave.
Citi Bike Discounts
- Citi Bike will also be offering unlimited 30-minute rides on classic Citi Bikes for 24 hours.
- Use promo code CARFREENYC25 in the Day Pass tab of the Citi Bike app.
Plan your day with this full list of car-free streets, plazas and events here.
- 10am to 4pm
FREE Earth Day Festival at Randall’s Island
Saturday, April 26 – Celebrate spring at the annual, free and family-friendly Randall’s Island Earth Day Festival, with live music and dance performances, arts and crafts activities, cooking demonstrations, and more.
Play games, take photos with the enchanting cherry blossoms, enjoy performances from a live band and other artists, and embrace the park’s spring beauty.
It’s all about celebrating spring and the the spirit of sustainability and our connection to each other and to the planet that we share.
- Noon to 3pm
- Location: Fields 62/63 & the Urban Farm
It’s one of more than 300 events at Randall’s Island through the annual Harvest Festival in September. See the full schedule here.
FREE Concert – Broadway Celebrates Earth Day
Saturday, Aril 26 – For the fourth annual year, The Broadway Green Alliance and Times Square Alliance again raises its voice for the planet with the Broadway Celebrates Earth Day concert.
The outdoor concert serves as a marquee event for the NYC Department of Transportation’s city wide “Car-Free Earth Day” and highlights the theatre community’s ongoing efforts to combat the climate crisis with actionable steps.
There’s also a FREE livestream for those who can not attend in person.
This FREEconcert will feature live performances from Broadway stars including hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley (Stars in the House), Tony Award Winner Shaina Taub (Suffs), Tony Award Nominee Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), Grammy Award nominee Merle Dandridge (Hadestown), and many more to be announced.
In addition, audiences can look forward to performances from more than 75 students from the tri-state area, uniting to advocate for a healthier, just, and more sustainable future for all.
Audiences can also learn from and be inspired by theatre-makers and environmental leaders at the forefront of this work, including Materials for the Arts, HeadCount, Final Strike Collaborative, and 2030orBust.
- 11am to 3pm at the Times Square Pedestrian Plaza
- info@TimesSquareNYC.org
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” film just won a “Best Picture” Oscar 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.
Recommended Museum Exhibits
Year of Flaco the Owl at New York Historical
Through July 6 – Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who captured the hearts of New Yorkers during his yearlong travels across Manhattan, is celebrated in this exhibition at The New York Historical
The Year of Flacore visits the remarkable journey of this resilient raptor, who became a New York City icon after escaping from the Central Park Zoo.
The exhibition features photographs and video documenting Flaco’s flight and his new life in the city, along with letters, drawings, and objects left at a memorial beneath Flaco’s favorite oak tree following his death one year ago on February 23, 2024. It also examines the dangers faced by birds in urban environments, legislation inspired by Flaco’s legacy, and practical steps for creating a safer city for wildlife.
As part of this tribute, a related installation in the Audubon’s Birds of America Focus Gallery highlights owls, primarily those native to New York, offering additional insights into these majestic creatures. Also on view is Pets and the City, a history of New Yorkers and their animal companions, featuring a specially commissioned portrait of Flaco.
- New York Historical is the new name of The New York Historical Society.
- New name, but same fascinating museum a 77th St. and Central Park West.
Also at New York Historical –
Through June 22 – Women’s History Month in March is so last month, but this exhibit about the clothes women wear, and what they mean, is timeless.
“Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore” explores more than what keeps us warm or in fashion. They also say something, including in direct ways like “I’m mourning” and indirect ways like “screw the status quo.”
This exhibit digs into how clothing has played a crucial role in the lives of everyday women and how women have influenced, adapted and defied societal expectations through clothing. There’s an array of women’s clothing, from a Depression-era house dress to a psychedelic micro mini to an Abercrombie & Fitch wool suit from 1917, but not a ball gown in sight.
Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm
Through July 20 – To commemorate the centennial of the birth of Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005), the Museum of the City of New York and the Shirley Chisholm Project at Brooklyn College present the first major museum exhibition on the life and legacy of this pathbreaking politician and New Yorker.
The first Black woman elected to Congress and the first woman to run for president on a major party ticket, Chisholm emerged from a unique constellation of New York networks. Set against the broader landscape of New York politics, Caribbean communities, and Black women’s activism, this exhibition explores Shirley Chisholm’s life, from her early years in Brooklyn and Barbados to her lasting impact on U.S. politics.
Follow Chisholm’s political career from her 1964 election to the New York State legislature, her 1968 election to Congress, and 1972 run for President, and explore the still-relevant issues she worked on, including education and childcare, rights for migrants and workers, abortion access, and racial and gender equality.
With the 2024 election cycle in mind, learn about Chisholm in her own words and through an array of historical artifacts, art, photographs, and video; glimpse into her life through hands-on interactives; and reflect on Chisholm as both an inspirational figure to subsequent generations and a changemaker whose work remains unfinished.
- The Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) is at Fifth Avenue and 102nd St., closed Sundays
- Click here for more information about the exhibit and tickets
S0lid Gold at the Brooklyn Museum
Through July 6th – This shimmering exhibit covers 200 years of gold jewelry, gold fashions and more. It’s a feast for the eyes.
Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels at AMNH
- FREE with museum admission.
Courtesy Jewish Museum
“The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt” at the Jewish Museum
Through August 10 – Esther was a heroine who helped save her people. This new exhibit at the Jewish Museum examines how the heroic story of Queen Esther shaped Dutch art and culture during a time when Amsterdam became a safe haven for many, including Jewish immigrants who had the liberty to celebrate Purim more openly in the Netherlands than in their previous homelands.
Don’t miss the major exhibition, co-organized with the North Carolina Museum of Art on view at the Jewish Museum
- More about the exhibit and ticket information here.
- Admission to the Jewish Museum is FREE on Saturdays
- The Jewish Museum is at Fifth Ave.at 92nd St.
FREE Exhibit on A Century of The New Yorker Magazine
Through August 2026 – In this new major exhibition, The New York Public Library brings to life the people, stories, and ideas that made The New Yorker.
Opening to coincide with the 100th birthday of the magazine, “A Century of The New Yorker” draws on the Library’s collections, which include The New Yorker’s voluminous archives and the papers of many writers and artists who contributed to it, to survey a hundred years of life at the magazine—and show how it has informed our understanding of almost every aspect of society.
- More information here – https://on.nypl.org/newyorker100
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Remembering Sept. 11, 2001 – The World Trade Center redefined the city’s skyline and developed modern New York. Learn the story in a new exhibition at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
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 here up to six months in advance.
The Frick Collection Re-Opens on April 17
The Frick Collection reopens after a two-year multi-million dollar renovation to its historic home.
Tickets are available for purchase to experience our newly renovated buildings at 1 East 70th Street, starting April 17.
The museum will remain open until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays, with live music and special programming.
- The Frick Collection is at 1 East 70th St.
- Take a room-by-room walk-though, with lots of photos, in this NYTimes article.
More Things to Do in NYC in April
FREE – Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center
April is Autism Acceptance Month, so it’s a fitting time to bring together companies from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Mexico and Peru to cover a spectrum of theater, music, dance, comedy and visual art for the neurodiverse community.
- See the Lincoln Center Big Umbrella website for the full schedule.
FREE – Presidential Power and the First 100 Days
- FREE, online at 3pm. Register here.
Brooklyn Flea Returns for the Season
Brooklyn Flea is back for an extended season filled with vintage gems, handcrafted goods, and top-tier eats.
You’ll have more chances to shop, sip, and soak in the energy of one of Brooklyn’s most beloved markets. There’s a new expanded bar program, so you can browse vintage finds with a cocktail in hand.
Returning vendors include Twice the Fiyah, Hood Haberdasher, and Iki Kimono, plus fresh faces for fashion, rare collectibles, and handcrafted decor.
Sister market, BQ Flea, officially launches April 6 in Williamsburg, offering even more ways to shop local.
📍 Brooklyn Flea DUMBO – Opens March 15-16
📍 BQ Flea (Williamsburg) – Returns April 6
Pickleball in Central Park
Starting April 4 – The end of ice skating at Wollman Rink means the beginning of pickleball, when CityPickle returns for its third season.
The 2025 season is kicking off one month earlier than last year, with 14 newly resurfaced courts, private coaching sessions and more kids’ programming.
Reservations will be available daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, with bookings opening one week prior to the season kick-off on April 4th. Ongoing reservations are available seven days in advance for the rest of the season.
Courts can be reserved for up to eight players, with prices starting at $10 per player during off-peak hours and $15 per player during peak times.
- Link to reserve HERE.
Uptown Night Market
Thursday April 10 – Foodies rejoice. The popular outdoor food market returns to Harlem with more than 50 vendors celebrating Harlem’s rich culinary scene.
Expect to find such items as oxtails, jerk chicken and fried sweet dumplings known as “festival,” arepas, hummus, seafood paella and chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert.
Admission is FREE, but you can reserve a spot online and be automatically entered in a raffle for the VIP Taster’s Club. Three winners are selected each month to enjoy exclusive vendor discounts, early access to deals and giveaways, and special pricing.
- Every second Thursday of the month through October
- 4pm to 10pm, FREE admission
- West 133 St. and 12th Ave.
FREE – 250th Anniversary of Revolutionary War
Saturday, April 12th – Walk in the footsteps of history and join this special tribute to those who shaped our Nation’s founding, at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, which has a section of Revolutionary War heroes from New York City.
LIBERTY & LEGACY: Honoring Green-Wood’s Revolutionary History is a FREE program to honor the legacy of these brave soldiers and the role they played in winning American independence.
Ascend Battle Hill, site of the pivotal 1776 Battle of Brooklyn, joined by the Battle of Brooklyn Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. This includes the unveiling of a new sign marking Green-Wood as a Revolutionary War battleground and final resting place of 70+ Revolutionary War figures.
There’s also a a story-filled walk up to Battle Hill, featuring tales from history, including that of a patriot whose gravestone was recently uncovered, and unveiling of a brand-new plaque at Liberty Tree, between Liberty Path and the Altar to Liberty.
Green-Wood website for more information, including where to find the locations of other permanent residents, including Charles Ebbetts, whose Ebbetts Field is where the Brooklyn Dodgers used to play baseball.
- At 10am.
FREE Tacos and Sunscreen in Soho
Friday, April 18 – Sunscreen company Sun Bum is launching a nationwide tour designed to spread the word about sun protection awareness, and make SPF a daily essential.
The national promotion kicks off in Soho, with FREE tacos and FREE sunscreen giveaways, while supplies last. In cooperation with the Skin Cancer Foundation.
- 11am, Broadway at Spring St., while supplies last.
Harlem Meer Re-Opens After Renovation
Saturday, April 26 – The new Davis Center at the Harlem Meer re-opens after a four-year, $160 Million renovation and re-invention.
The new facility will feature a 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.
- Opening ceremony at NoonThe Davis Center is at the northern end of the park just south of 110th Street.
- View the Harlem Meer on a map.
- Visit the Davis Center website for a schedule of events starting Sunday, April 27
Macy’s Flower Show
April 27 to May 11 – Usually held in March, around Easter and Passover, the 2025 Macy’s Flower Show moves to April/May, when thousands of flowers and greenery decorate the flagship location at 34th St. and Herald Square.
This year is the 50th anniversary, so it’s sure to be a blockbuster.
As soon as Macy’s releases the theme and additional details, we’ll add them here.
Things to Do in May
Whitney Museum 10th Anniversary
The Whitney Museum of American Art presents Decade Downtown, a series of on-site public programs and events spanning ten weeks, starting in May 2025 and running through mid-July to celebrate ten years of the Whitney in the Meatpacking District.
Since May 2015, the Museum has called this neighborhood home in its Renzo Piano– designed building at 99 Gansevoort Street. As part of a neighborhood rich in history, creativity, and cultural exchange, the Whitney has played an integral role in contributing to this vibrant cultural center on Manhattan’s west side by bringing art, ideas, and community together with its state-of-the-art exhibitions, education programing, free admissions initiatives, and strong engagement with partner organizations and neighbors.
See the full schedule of events here.
Car-Free Open Streets
Columbus Avenue BID’s Open Streets
Sundays, starting May 4th – between 68th–77th Streets starts on Sunday, 5/4 from 12 noon–7 pm in May and June (except 6/1) and all Sundays in September and October (except 10/12).
We’ll add more Car-Free Open Streets as we receive information.
Planning Ahead to Summer 2025
Hudson River Park’s Little Island will have a lineup of FREE and $25 or less summer programming.
The Glade will have free performances from Wednesdays through Sundays in July and August, including by Suzan-Lori Parks, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Justin Vivian Bond.
Performances at the 700-seat amphitheater begin on June 6 with Twyla Tharp’s “How Long Blues.” Tickets for performances at the Ampth will be capped at $25.
Shakespeare in the Park returns to the Delacorte Theater this summer, following a year-long renovation, with performances of Twelfth Night.
The play follows twins, Sebastian and Viola, separated after a shipwreck and all that ensues thereafter. Tony Award nominee, Saheem Ali, will be directing the production, with the cast including Bill Camp, Khris Davis, Junior Nyong’o, Lupita Nyong’o, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Moses Sumney, Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Sandra Oh.
The 2024 season was a little nontraditional with shows in different pop-up venues around NYC. The iconic Delacorte Theater was first built in 1962, and over the years it has hosted more than five million people from around the world.
Key upgrades include:
- Audience ramps and more accessible seating, box office and concessions booths
- Improved stage and work areas for artists, company members, and staff
- New facade of reclaimed redwood from decommissioned NYC rooftop water tanks
- Newly lighting towers for improved viewing
Twelfth Night will run from August 7th through September 14th, 2025. Learn more on Public Theater’s website.
FREE Summer Events in Coney Island
Friday Night Fireworks
Every Friday, June 21 through Labor Day Weekend – A FREE fireworks show will be held each Friday. The fireworks will launch from the beach at West 12th Street around 9:45 p.m.
Circus Amok
Sunday, June 23 – Circus Amok, a New York City-based circus-theater company, will perform tightrope walking, juggling, acrobatics, stilt walking, clowning, and more. It will take place at West 12th Street and Surf Avenue as part of New York City’s Open Streets program.
3rd Annual Classic Car Show
Thursday, July 18 – The third annual Classic Car Show will take place at West 12th Street and Surf Avenue as part of the Open Streets program.
An Independence Day fireworks show will be held at 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.
32nd Annual Sand Sculpting Competition
Saturday, August 17 – Amateurs and professional artists can take part in this annual event for a chance to win cash prizes. The event will be held at Coney Island Beach by Stillwell Avenue and West 12th Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
Restaurant Reservations Simplified Under New NYState Law
Getting reservations at popular restaurants is easier with a new law that cracks down on the practice of selling reservations without the restaurant’s knowledge or approval. In recent years it has become even harder as a secondary market has prospered; reservations for two at popular restaurants have been seen selling for hundreds of dollars.
To combat that, a new law taking effect in February will crack down on the practice of selling reservations without the restaurant’s approval.
Most of the reservations are scooped up by bots, which in can cause chaos for restaurants, The New York Times reported because they don’t have a clear picture of how many diners they would be serving, and their bottom lines have suffered when reserved tables sit empty because a bot-reservation doesn’t show up.
It’s a serious enough issue that it was the subject of a recent “Elsbeth” show on CBS – (spoiler alert) the chef murdered the waiter when she found out he was selling reservations.
Best New NYC Park
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
Fotografiska New York Has Closed
The photography museum has closed its location at 219 Park Avenue South to move to a new, larger space. It is expected the museum’s well-regarded restaurant Verōnika and the Chapel Bar will re-open in the new space.
According to Crain’s, the architecturally stunning building is being put on the market. The property was last listed in 2022 for $135 million.
Constructed between 1892 and 1894 for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church, the ornate building features a Flemish Renaissance Revival style and a striking limestone facade. The building, known as the Church Missions House, was part of an area formerly known as “Charity Row.” It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
No details of a new location for the museum have been announced yet.
The Frick Collection Re-Opens in April
After three years at its temporary space called Frick Madison at 945 Madison Ave. while Henry Clay Frick’s historic and ornate Fifth Avenue mansion underwent a massive renovation, the artwork returns “home” to East 70th Street, and scheduled to reopen in April 2025
It has taken that long for curators and designers to re-install the precious items, which includes works by Fragonard, Holbein, Rembrandt, Turner, Vermeer, and Whistler, as well as significant sculptures, Chinese porcelain, Oriental carpets, bronzes, and other decorative arts objects.
I really enjoyed seeing the luscious historic collection in the stark, modernist setting of Marcel Breuer’s iconic building, formerly home of the Whitney Museum of American Art, before it moved downtown to new digs in Chelsea. The “brutalist” architecture made the romantic, ethereal artworks feel so much more romantic and ethereal.
The building has been purchased by Sotheby’s, to become an exhibit area for auctions and offices.
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
It’s All Happening at one of the NYC Zoos
Bronx Zoo
One of the largest zoos in the USA, the beloved Bronx Zoo celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2024, with some new exhibits including –
Animal Chronicles: A NEW temp exhibit includes a walking trail of more than a quarter mile featuring life-size and gigantic, immersive eco-sculptures that showcase key achievements in the Bronx Zoo’s history of saving animal species and connecting New Yorkers to wildlife.
- Animal Chronicles will be available daily and is included with admission.
- Each month features a different theme.
- Ticket prices are $37.75 for adults, $33.25 for seniors 65+ and $28.75 for children 3-15.
- Purchase tickets online here.
Wednesdays are FREE limited-admission
- Online reservations for timed tickets open on Mondays at 5 pm at the link.
- These tickets are for park entry only; individual-attraction tickets cost $7/person, per attraction.
- All visitors age 3 and up are required to have a ticket, and to reserve you must register with a valid email address.
- Limited tickets; first-reserved, first-served,
Prospect Park Zoo
The Prospect Park Zoo re-opened in 2024 after being forced to close for eight months due to flood damage caused a severe storm, which left 25 feet of water in the buildings’ basements. No animals were harmed during or after the flooding. Repairs have cost an estimated $20 million of federal funds, and repair projects are continuing even after the re-opening.
There are some new young animals, including baboons Bandari and Nyani and Pinnelopi the porcupette plus Turtle Time and Conservation stations, sea lion feedings with narration, and more.
The animals are happy to have their humans, back, too.
- Adult tickets are $9.95, seniors are $7.95, children ages 3-12 are $6.95, and children 2 and under are free.
- Reserve tickets here
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 
FREE Monday Admission to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
First Monday of the Month – This great opportunity is only 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.
Simply log onto 911memorial.org from 7am on the Monday morning of your intended visit and book your free ticket.
Tickets are always free to 9/11 families, and the outdoor memorial plaza is always free.
FREE Admission to Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Friday, Apr. 4, May 2
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.
See new art in the galleries, enjoy music by DJs from The Lot Radio, grab a drink at the pop-up bar, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, see a film in the theaters, and enjoy the spring weather in the lovely outdoor sculpture garden.
FREE First Fridays at Neue Galerie, Friday, Fri., Apr. 4, May 2
First Fridays at Neue Galerie offer free admission and extra hours to closing, the first Friday of the month.
Visitors are admitted free at 5 p.m. and the galleries remain open until 8 p.m. No registration is required, and admission is first-come, first-served.
The Book Store and Design Shop stay open late, too.
FREE First Fridays at Poster House, Friday, Fri., Apr. 4, May 2
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
Every First Friday is different, with tours, workshops, performances, and activities, to further engage visitors with the exhibitions.
- Poster House is at 119 West 23 St. in Chelsea. tel. 617-447-7453
FREE Fridays & Sundays at the Whitney Museum of American Art
Update – The Whitney Museum of American Art now offers free admission for all visitors 25 and under.
The new program builds upon the museum’s free admission on Fridays and the second Sunday of every month, which launched earlier in 2024, replacing its “pay-what-you-wish” system.
Now, admission is FREE for all visitors on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on the second Sunday of every mont.
Second Sundays offers free all-day admission to visitors and special programming for families. On the second Sunday of every month, guests can enjoy all-ages arts & crafts activities, tours, classes, and other special events connected to exhibitions on view at the Whitney or significant community events like Earth Day or Pride Month.
Also on view will be the museum’s permanent collection exhibitions, featuring artists such as Edward Hopper, Kara Walker, Georgia O’Keeffe, Kevin Beasley, Faith Ringgold, Lee Krasner, Jasper Johns, Alexander Calder, Jacob Lawrence, Carrie Mae Weems, Andrea Carlson, and Clarissa Tossin.
The Whitney hopes free admission will make the museum more enticing to potential visitors and open the doors to a wider audience.
Free admission tickets must be reserved in advance.
FREE Saturdays at the Jewish Museum
There is FREE admission every Saturday.
My personal favorite is the ongoing “Scenes from the Collection” exhibit, with the delightful yellow sculpture shown here. From one side, it spells OY, the German and Yiddish phrase for “uh-oh”. From the other side, it spells YO, now used by multiple cultures in NYC as a greeting.
Which one do you use – OY, or YO, or both?
- The Jewish Museum is at 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., in the former Warburg Mansion.
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 great! I love exploring my city and being made aware of what’s going on and where to go!