With New York City named as the second-most expensive city in the world, you know we’re on the hunt for deals. While it basically costs $20 just to walk outside here, sometimes it’s worth the splurge if you’re visiting some of the best restaurants in NYC or seeing that hyped-up Broadway show. But more often than not, we have to choose between going out and paying rent, which just freaking sucks. That’s why Time Out New York is dedicated to helping you find cheap eats and happy hour deals as well as plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. The good news is that you don’t have to skip NYC’s top attractions or events at its beautiful parks. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC
There's no need to pay full price when you go to the museum as a NYC resident. The Culture Pass allows library card holders to access dozens of major New York attractions for free, including the Brooklyn Botanical Garden or the Whitney. That's what we call a sweet deal!
Time Out Tip: Passes are released at midnight on the first of every month for the following month.
If you aren't able to get a Culture Pass, you still have another option for free or cheap museum admission. Most museums offer free hours, days or pay-what-you-wish admission, especially for locals. We have a list of all these free museum days and cheap tickets here, so there's no reason to pay full price.
Time Out Tip: Use your pay-what-you-wish ticket on Friday night at the Met Museum when it holds its fun date nights.
If you've ever heard of NYC Restaurant Week, you've taken part in one of NYC Tourism + Conventions' "Winter Outing." During the winter, when things are a bit slower for the city, the company initiates Restaurant Week, Broadway Week, Hotel Week and Must-See Week in January to February each year. Restaurant Week offers affordable pre-fixe menus at nearly 500 restaurants; Broadway Week offers 2-for-1 tickets to select shows; Must See Week offers 2-for-1 tickets to cultural institutions; and reservations made during Hotel Week can save you up to 25%. So while we wouldn't normally encourage you to wait to take advantage of the city's best, in some cases, the winter is the best time to have a winter outing.
Time Out Tip: Head to nyctourism.com to start planning.
If you're on the adventurous side, you may want to check out one of the free ways to kayak in the city's rivers. Imagine being out on the water and getting some of the best views of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty! Of course, if you own your own kayak, you’re all set to paddle. For the rest of us, there are many organizations around the city that lead small groups around New York’s waterways for free, including The Downtown Boathouse, the Manhattan Community Boathouse and the Long Island City Community Boathouse. NYC Parks also hosts one-off free kayaking and canoeing events throughout the summer!
Time Out Tip: Most kayak trips are first come, first served or by reservation only, so be sure to check before you head out.
In addition to kayaking, the city's Parks Department has a ton of really interesting and educational programs you can take part in for free. You can go to a fitness class, go bird watching, do trail work, plant flowers and trees, learn how to play basketball and more.
Time Out Tip: In the summertime, NYC's parks also play host to free film screenings and concerts including at Bryant Park, Central Park, Prospect Park and Marcus Garvey Park—heard of SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn or Shakespeare in the Park? These are are free to attend!
Food in NYC is great but notoriously expensive. Any chance to get it for cheaper is one we wouldn't pass up. That's where the app Too Good to Go comes into play. With the goal of reducing food waste, the app connects sellers that might otherwise throw away perfectly good food—such as bakeries, pizza places, specialty shops and grocery stores—with customers who will take them for a fraction of the normal cost. A surprise bag of food ordered through To Good to Go usually costs between $3.99 and $5.99.
Time Out Tip: Keep an open mind. Too Good to Go gives you a chance to go a little wild with your food.
While you won't be able to step foot on Liberty Island, taking the Staten Island Ferry offers a free way to sail past the Statue of Liberty and get stunning views of the city skyline and the harbor. It runs 24-hours a day, so you can see it during the bright morning hours or late at night when the skyline is lit up.
Time Out Tip: You can grab a beer on board! Each boat has a concession stand that sells brews, but you can also bring your own alcoholic drink to enjoy.
Not only can you check out books for free at your local library, you can check out DVDs, instruments, seeds, tablets and more (not to mention the some 30,000 books from the NYPL and access to exhibits for free like the Lenapehoking at Brooklyn Public Library and the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures).
Time Out Tip: You can apply for a library card online right now.
Drinking in the city has gotten even pricier. A whopping $25 for a cocktail? Please. That's where happy hour can help. Sure, you can always hit up a dive bar for drinks on the affordable side, but for good times and great prices, check out these happy hours in NYC.
Time Out Tip: Some of the best happy hours range from 4 to 7pm.
Like knowing where the best happy hour is, knowing where the best cheap eats in the city are can save your wallet and brighten your mood. As subway fares rise to $3 for a one-way ride, it's going to be even more important to eat for less.
Time Out Tip: Some of our favorite cheap eats can be found at A&A Bake and Doubles, Charles Pan Fried Chicken, NY Dosas, Eight Jane Food and Maya's Congee Cafe. Click the photo above to find more.
If you don't want to wait for winter's Broadway Week, no fear: there are discount Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets to be found thanks to modern technology. You'll find discounted tix, even at the last minute. If you play your cards right, you can even score seats for sold-out hits like Hamilton. Click above to read the best ways to score cheap Broadway tickets.
Time Out Tip: Sometimes hitting up the box office right before showtime can yield success, but do your research first before heading out.
Want to see the city's (and the world's) most exciting, up-and-coming artists? Don't go to the museums, go to the galleries. You can see them for free since the city's best galleries (mostly in Chelsea, Brooklyn and the Upper and Lower East Sides) are typically free to get into.
Time Out Tip: Check out the Chelsea and Tribeca gallery walks or Dumbo's First Saturdays, when galleries are open later and studios are open to the public, respectively.
Astoria's Q.E.D. (27-16 23rd Avenue) is the neighborhood's hub of entertainment. From stand-up and open mics to board game nights and creative workshops like drink and draws and gelli-printing, the space always has something on. Tickets are typically very affordable (either free or about $10) making it an easy choice for what to do in Astoria.
Time Out Tip: Q.E.D. has a great little shop selling books, games, puzzles, art and more in the front, so if you're looking for a gift, you'll find something here.
Not into museums or galleries? No sweat. The city is chock-full of public art that you can see for free if you know where to look. From sculptures and murals to photographs and graffiti, you'll find it across our parks, on city sidewalks and on buildings at places like the High Line, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn and Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and other NYC locales.
Time Out Tip: Grab a friend and take photos in front of the coolest art you find (and tag the artist when you post)!
New York City's backyard is arguably Governors Island. With just a quick ferry across the harbor for a mere few bucks, you have 172 acres to yourself (and the other nature-seekers). The car-free island has a lot to do, especially in the summer, when you can rent bikes, take in free movie nights, dine out, lounge in the sun and more. It even has a fantastic spa from Italy if that's more your speed.
Time Out Tip: Don't discount Governors Island in the cooler months. It's open year-round and still has great programming, from art exhibits to pumpkin patches and more.
It may be pocket-sized, but that pocket is full of goodies. This tiny venue hosts readings, poetry, comedy and art. Even cooler, there’s free music in the Pullman-car-shaped performance space in the back, with acts on the cusp of wider recognition appearing frequently. It's definitely a top choice for cheap entertainment.
Time Out Tip: Pete's Candy Store would certainly make for a super sweet birthday venue. You can rent it out!
If Victorian mausoleums, cherubs and gargoyles tickle your fancy, Green-Wood is a must-visit. Some of NYC's most famous residents rest here, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein and Boss Tweed. But there’s more to do here than grave-spot: Check out the massive Gothic arch at the main entrance or climb to the top of Battle Hill, one of the highest points in Kings County and a pivotal spot during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776. You can see it all for free.
Time Out Tip: Make sure to visit when there's an event going on. Green-Wood constantly has live music, workshops, tours and more going on, though they are usually ticketed.
Skip the $20 movie ticket at the big theater chains. Syndicated allows you to catch flicks on the cheap with first-run movies set at about $10. Even better, you can dine and drink while you watch.
Time Out Tip: Look out for its fun movie nights like its CatVideoFest, screenings of Twilight and Q&As with directors.
Maybe you can't really afford to go to a botanical garden right now. That's OK because this serene garden features 6 acres of horticultural beauty. It's also a quiet zone, perfect for contemplation among the well-manicured plants. For a free activity with some fresh air and gorgeous views, the Conservatory is the place to be.
Time Out Tip: In the fall, look for a bevy of mums. In the springtime, peonies and lilacs surge into bloom.
It's rare to see super-old New York City buildings because the city is always evolving. Luckily, you can see one of the oldest homes for just $5. Head to the Bronx and take a tour of the Van Cortlandt House Museum. The gray fieldstone mansion, built before the Revolutionary War, served as the influential Van Cortlandt family’s homestead until the late 19th century. None other than George Washington himself spent the night here.
Time Out Tip: Make the most of your trip and go on a day the museum is hosting an event, which you can find out about right here.
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