NYC Guide: Best Free & Cheap Things to Do In June, July & Beyond

Brooklyn Flea

Brooklyn Flea is back for an extended season filled with vintage gems, handcrafted goods, and top-tier eats.

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.

📍 Brooklyn Flea DUMBO, 📍 BQ Flea (Williamsburg)

Uptown Night Market in Harlem

Second Thursday of the Month Through October –  – 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.

• 4pm to 10pm, FREE admission
• West 133 St. and 12th Ave.

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 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.

The new Davis Center will host 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.

• 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

Car-Free Open Streets

Columbus Avenue BID’s Open Streets

Sundays, starting May 4th – Columbus Avenue between 68th–77th Streets is car-free on Sundays in May and June (except 6/1) and all Sundays in September and October (except 10/12).

• Noon to 7pm.

Open Streets on Montague

Sunday, June 8 – Enjoy a car-free pop-up crafts market, with more than 65 local makers, designers, artists and food vendors.

It’s all on Montague Street, Brooklyn, between Clinton-Henry and Henry-Hicks streets.

• Noon to 6pm.

We’ll add more Car-Free Open Streets as we receive information.

FREE – Times Square Live Daily Concerts

Tuesdays through Fridays  through September – TSQ.live returns with a daily mix of free concerts and DJ sets, ending with the annual Taste of Times Square food and music festival in mid-September.

• Tuesdays – DJ sets
• Wednesdays – Performances by MTA Under New York musicians
• Thursdays – Music and dance performances including by Ailey Extension, Carnegie Hall Citywide and Jazz at Lincoln Center
• Fridays – Showcasing independent artists of the New York City music scene including those celebrating the debut of new songs or an upcoming summer album release.

All concerts are at the Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets.

Concerts Tuesday-Thursday at 5pm, Friday at 6pm.

Check the Times Square Live website for detailed the detailed performance schedule

FREE Sugar! Sugar! Festival in Domino Park

June 4-28 – Domino Park is debuting a brand new FREE outdoor performing arts series packed with theater, live music, dance, puppetry and what’s being described as “joyful weirdness”, all with waterfront views from Queens across the East River to the Manhattan skyline.

Performances include Nile Harris and dance duo Lena Engelstein & Lisa Fagan,  drag-augmented puppetry (Evan Silver a.k.a. Tiresias), a celebration of horseshoe crabs and “crabaoke” (Eli Nixon), and a live electronic jazz program curated by National Sawdust featuring Isaiah Barr, David Frazier Jr. and William Parker.

Plus, there’s a special Juneteenth performance from Troy Anthony & The Fire Ensemble featuring nonreligious rituals and music to honor Black liberation and joy.

The festival closes on June 28 with a daytime blowout plaza party featuring live music, local food vendors, domino tournaments and family-friendly art activities.

Click here for the daily event schedule, and to make FREE reservations to ensure seating.

Independence Day Celebration in Astoria Park

Thursday, June 26th – Can’t wait until the Fourth or July for Independence Day fireworks?  Then head to the 41st Independence Day fireworks – in June, not July – in Astoria Park.

It’s on the Great Lawn, starting at sunset, with great views across the East River to Manhattan.

More information on the NYC Parks & Recreation website.

NYC Free and Cheap Events in July & August

Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks

The annual spectacular returns to the East River after several years on the Hudson River.

The 49th rendition of the popular annual celebration will launch from the Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned nearby on the river, visible in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens

“This year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show, set against the city skyline and on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, is set to deliver an unforgettable night for millions nationwide,” Will Coss, the production’s executive director, said in a statement.

The display involves thousands of firework shells synched to music and presented alongside live performances, including The Jonas Brothers, Lenny Kravitz and Trisha Yearwood.

Prime viewing areas and a lottery for front row seats will be announced soon.

We’ll have additional details as soon as Macy’s announces them.

Manhattanhenge

Friday/Saturday, July 11/12 -Manhattanhenge is a play on words – the Manhattan version of Stonehenge, when the sun sets precisely in between crosstown streets, illuminating both sides of the street.

It happens four times a year – twice in May, and twice again in July.  So if you missed it in May –

These are the 2025 dates –

A “half sun” framed by city buildings – and partly cut off at the horizon in a picture-perfect view – will be visible Wednesday, May 28, at 8:13 p.m. and Saturday, July 12, at 8:22 p.m.,

A “full sun” will be visible Thursday, May 29, at 8:12 p.m. and Friday, July 11, at 8:20 p.m.

The best places to enjoy Manhattanhenge are on crosstown streets between 14th and 155th.

The elevated overpass at 42nd St. and Fist Ave. is especially popular with professional and serious amateur photographers.  Get there by Noon to secure your space among the tripods and long lenses.

Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens, and Gantry State Park are other optimal viewing locations — as well as anywhere in the outer boroughs so long as you can see all the way to New Jersey.

Or, join the crowds around Times Square who literally stop traffic to gather in the street for the perfect photo or selfie.

Hudson River Park’s Little Island has 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 are 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

Luna Park –

The amusement park, which includes the world-famous Cyclone roller coaster and the newer Thunderbolt, is open Fridays and weekends in May.  Full daily operations begin on Friday, May 23.

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.

FREE Outdoor Movies in Prospect Park

Wednesdays, starting July 30 – Summer movies return to Brooklyn’s backyard with Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn.

The free, outdoor movie series is presented by Paramount+, Brooklyn Magazine, and BSE Global in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Prospect Park Alliance.

Showings of  family favorites begin at sunset, around 8pm, but get their earlier for a preferred spot on the lawn.

View the full lineup and RSVP at https://www.prospectpark.org/movies.

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.

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.

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Who is a real New Yorker?  It depends on who you ask.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter was interviewed by

Time Out New York

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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.

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.

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See Also

More FREE Things to Do in NYC

Things to Do in Staten Island

Best NYC Airport Transportation

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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

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See Also

Best FREE Things in NYC Year-Round

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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.

• More information here.

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.

• More information here.

FREE First Fridays at Neue Galerie

First Fridays at Neue Galerie offer free admission 5pm to 8pm on the first Friday of the month.

• More information here.

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

• More information here.

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.

• More information here.

FREE Saturdays at the Jewish Museum

Free admission all day.

• More information here.

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

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This NYC Best Things to Do Calendar is updated at the beginning and middle of each month.

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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

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