Festivals and events in New York: Cheap NYC activities

Free and cheap tickets to NYC's best museums? It's possible! One of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City is all the incredible cultural institutions and museums are at your beck-and-call like The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMA or the Guggenheim. They are among the finest in the world—there’s just one hitch: They’re often pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis if you’re willing to pay for the annual fee. There is one alternative, however: most museums offer free hours or days and pay-what-you-wish admission. You just have to know where and when they are. We’ve got the info you need in our guide to all the free museum days and cheap admission in NYC you should know about, whether you live here or are planning a visit. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best museums in NYC

Party like a Swede for midsummer (a.k.a. the summer solstice) this month. A Swedish Midsummer Festival is popping up on Friday, June 20 at Rockefeller Park in Lower Manhattan with a chance to make floral wreaths, dance and enjoy Swedish delicacies. Events run from 5-9pm, so you'll get to savor the late sunset on the longest day of the year. The event is hosted by the Battery Park City Authority with the Consulate General of Sweden, New York—the pros on all things Swedish in America. It's free and open to all.   RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in NYC this summer Festivities begin with the so-called Grand Entrance, an Instagram-worthy red carpet-type moment with a Swedish twist. Find it at the corner of Chambers Street and River Terrace by the Hurricane Maria Memorial. Once inside, you'll see the iconic Midsummer pole (also known as a maypole). Scandinavian folklorist Ross Sutter will lead festive dances around the maypole. Photograph: Courtesy of Battery Park City Authority Music and dancing are important parts of Swedish Midsummer celebrations. Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis will provide traditional music for a grand procession through the festival.   While you're there, you'll also get a chance to make traditional flower crowns while supplies last. Kids are invited to play new and classic games on the Rockefeller Park lawn with coaches from the Battery Park City Authority. Photograph: By Battery Park City Authority Once...

A lush Korean forest is now growing in the Meatpacking District—figuratively at least. "The Forest Within," an immersive exhibition, is open for free at Genesis House through June 29.  With a focus on wellness, none other than wellness guru and goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow put her personal stamp on the experience. She helped to design and develop the exhibition with renowned floral designer Jeff Leatham. Paltrow even narrates the journey, which follows a tiger through a flourishing sanctuary reminiscent of the Sobaek Mountains. RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now Paltrow reimagined the basement-level space as a holistic, immersive environment meant to ground and heal guests through nature. "The Forest Within" aims to slow the senses and balance the mind—something we could all likely use a little more of these days.  You'll get a chance to walk through a scaled interpretation of a Korean forest filled with greenery and natural elements. Then, with Paltrow's voice as your guide, you'll head through a maze of rocky formations and lush greenery. The adventure concludes with a meditation meadow where guests can reflect and practice mindfulness around a reflection pool.  Expect digital visuals, sounds, smells and textures to help make the experience truly immersive.  Photograph: By Aysia Marotta / Courtesy of Genesis House Keep an eye out for the use of peonies throughout the space. Not only are they in season right about now, they're also...

Those free movie nights at Bryant Park aren't just a beloved annual tradition for attendees, but for spectators, too. (Seriously, who doesn't love watching the weekly scramble of everyone trying to plop their picnic blanket in the ideal spot to watch Jaws for the 1,000th time? It's a movie in and of itself!) And we're gloriously getting yet another season of the summertime favorite when Paramount+ Movie Nights at Bryant Park returns with a bold lineup of celebrated films and crowd-pleasing favorites next month. RECOMMENDED: Best things to do outside in New York, from parks to beaches and more Bryant Park’s big screen will light up summer nights in Midtown beginning on June 9 with an 8pm showing of the 1980s Molly Ringwald classic, Pretty in Pink. And there are plenty more great flicks where that came from—the free series will run weekly on Monday nights through August 11, with everything from Francis Ford Coppola's Oscar-winning masterpiece The Godfather to Christopher Nolan's sci-fi weeper Interstellar all ready to be enjoyed under the stars in midtown Manhattan. “Each summer, we see strangers become neighbors on the lawn,” said Dan Biederman, president of Bryant Park Corporation. “Movie Nights remind us how powerful simple moments, like watching a great film outdoors, can be in bringing people together.” What's the full lineup for Bryant Park Movie Nights? Check out all of the top-notch titles you'll be able to watch for free this summer at Bryant Park: June 9: Pretty in...

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2025. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses.  FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome! Peruse handmade jewelry, apparel, skincare products, tableware, artisanal packaged food, and more. Whether you're shopping for you or a friend (or even getting an early on that holiday shopping), there are plenty of local gems to pick up.  Here's the upcoming FAD Market schedule for 2025 May 10-11: Mother's Day Pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo May 17-18: NYCxDESIGN at St. Paul in Cobble Hill May 31-June 1: Brooklyn Brewery Pop-up at Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg June 8: Open Streets on Montague at Montague Street June 14-15: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo June 21-22: Governors Island market July 12-13: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo July 19-20: Governors Island market July 26-27: Summer Market in Cobble Hill August 9-10: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo August 16-17: Governors Island market

Every summer, the Public Theater produces a beloved NYC democratic tradition and one of the best free things to do in NYC: Shakespeare in the Park, presented at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Bard’s immortal words performed outside in New York, with a backdrop of natural splendor and the Belvedere Castle looming in the background like the world’s most impressive set decoration. The Delacorte was closed for much-needed renovations in 2024, but Shakespeare in the Park is set to return in grand form in the summer of 2025. The popularity of the series means that tickets aren’t always easy to come by—but if you persevere, you can get seats. What is Shakespeare in the Park? Created by the late Joseph Papp in 1962, the Public Theater's series offers free, large-scale productions of works by William Shakespeare (as well as the occasional musical or non-Shakespearean drama). The productions often feature some of the most talented actors of our day. Past casts have included including Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George C. Scott and Denzel Washington. What is being performed this season? Shakespeare in the Park seasons sometimes include two productions. There is only one show in 2025, but it's one of the Bard's best: Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's ever-popular comedy of cross-dressing, cross-purposes and cross-gartered socks. Public Theater resident director Saheem Ali directs a starry cast:...

Giant puppets, reggaeton bands, salsa dancers, and floats will take over Fifth Avenue in Manhattan this Sunday for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. More than a million people typically participate in and attend the parade, making it the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. An iconic institution for over half a century, the parade seeks to raise awareness of Puerto Rican culture and history and highlight the community’s contributions to the world. Here’s everything you need to know about this incredible event. When is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York? The parade is on Sunday, June 8, 2025, and kicks off at 11am.  What is the parade route? The parade route typically marches along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street in Manhattan. What's the theme this year? This year’s theme is Plantando Bandera (Planting Roots), recognizing how Puerto Rican communities across the diaspora have established deep roots and positively contributed to their communities locally, nationally and globally. Photograph: By Ryan Rahman / Shutterstock Who is the grand marshal? Six-time GRAMMY® winner Olga Tañón will be honored as Queen of the 2025 Parade celebration. With more than 23 albums and a catalog of over 250 hit songs, Tañón remains an undisputed figure in Latin music. Acclaimed film and television actor Luis Guzmán will join Tañón in leading the parade procession with the title of King. With over 30 years in the movie industry, Guzmán is...

These days, Coney Island is known for its roller coasters, Mermaid Parade, and Hot Dog Eating Contest, but back in the 1960s and 1970s, it was a very different story. Instead, the Brooklyn neighborhood resembled "a war zone" between 1965–1975 amid ill-conceived government projects, as the Coney Island History Project explained. Now, a new exhibit of street photography from that era examines what life was like back then. Charles Denson grew up in the West End of Coney Island and began photographing his neighborhood as a teenager. His photos are now part of the exhibition "Coney Island Streets: 1965–1975," which you can visit for free all summer at the Coney Island History Project.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Coney Island, NY The free exhibit shows the effects of discriminatory policies that began back in 1938 when the federal government "redlined" Coney Island. Redlining targeted the area because of prejudice against immigrants, African Americans, and local residents who were predominantly of Jewish, Italian, and Irish ancestry, the Coney Island History Project explains. The flawed policies of the Federal Housing Administration made it nearly impossible for homeowners to obtain mortgages, loans, and insurance. Slumlords, arsonists, greedy developers, and block-busting took advantage of the situation, and quality of life deteriorated as the area became a poverty pocket. Photograph: By Charles Denson | CBS Social Club, Mermaid Avenue, 1974 "I grew up to the...

There's nothing more "summer in NYC" than taking in a movie in the great outdoors, under the hardly-seen stars and set to the humming soundtrack of the city. Even better, all of the screenings listed here are free to attend. New Yorkers love to take in films on the nicest rooftops, on the best beaches, and in our city's greatest parks (preferably with a drink or popcorn in hand). Luckily, NYC has no shortage of movies in the park you can attend in the warmer months. Prefer to watch your favorite films indoors in the A/C? Check out the best movie theaters in NYC. And for some at-home inspiration, you can always catch up on the best NYC movies of all time. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC 

Under the sticky heat of the afternoon sun yesterday, dozens of fully nude models and artists (some of them nude, as well), gathered in Union Square for the final NYC Bodypainting Day. Each painter brought their artistic vision to life on the exquisite canvas of the human body, with some designs featuring intricate patterns and others with bold sweeping decorations.  Artist Andy Golub founded the annual event a decade ago and said this year would be the last for NYC Bodypainting Day in this form. It's likely that the news of the last hurrah attracted some of the throngs of onlookers who gathered around to watch the painters at work. Other attendees stumbled upon the event as they passed through the park, some suppressing surprised gasps or nervous giggles.  RECOMMENDED: This NYC vegan dinner party requires you to have dinner naked The event celebrates the human body in all of its beautiful shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities and ages (ranging from the 20s to the 80s at the event). Artists carefully wield paintbrushes to cover their subjects from head to toe in theatrical makeup.  "I wanted people to take a moment and really celebrate humanity," Golub told Time Out New York. "I think the event is really about spreading joy and feeling joy." When thinking back on the first bodypainting day, Golub describes it as "magical" with "this incredible feeling of positivity."  Ten years later, that energy imbued this year's event as well. While this is farewell to NYC Bodypainting...

Every summer, people flock to Central Park in New York to score Shakespeare in the Park tickets. This beloved free annual tradition is produced by the Public Theater at the open-air Delacorte Theater. Sure, you could stay at home and stream Shakespeare movies, but the live outdoor theater experience is unique—and certainly one of the best free things to do in NYC. As has been the case since Shakespeare in the Park began in 1962, the Public distributes free tickets, but it takes some dedication to get your hands on them. After two years in which distribution shifted largely to a digital lottery, the traditional in-person lineup in Central Park has returned as one of six different ways to get tickets. RECOMMENDED: Complete guide to Shakespeare in the Park 1. In Central Park at the Delacorte Tickets are distributed in front of the Delacorte Theater on a first-come, first-served basis at 12pm on the day of the show, so you’ll have to wait in line—likely for a long time—if you want to get in. But it's worth it. Before you go, you'll need to register for a Public Theater Patron ID. Click here do that. Central Park doesn’t open until 6am, and although the Public Theater doesn’t condone it, it is legal to camp out before then by the park entrance at Central Park West and 81st Street. A line monitor from the Public will escort any early birds in when the park opens. We recommend this option only for the very desperate; otherwise, arrive no later than 10am—though we recommend much...

Each year, SummerStage is one of the most anticipated free events of the summer, bringing dozens of free, outdoor concerts across different parks to sun-starved New Yorkers from June through October. To celebrate its 39th year, the festival is focusing on diversity and will showcase a mix of established and emerging artists and DJs playing an array of genres that include jazz, hip-hop, indie-rock, salsa, reggae, Afrobeats, soul, pop, global, contemporary dance and more. Here’s everything you need to know about SummerStage’s 2025 festival, including the full lineup.  RECOMMENDED: NYC's best summer music festivals of 2025 Where will SummerStage be? This year’s SummerFest will happen across a variety of parks, including Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Herbert Von King Park and The Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, St. Mary’s Park and Crotona Park in the Bronx, Stapleton Waterfront Park on Staten Island and, of course, SummerStage’s flagship venue, Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.  What’s the theme this year? This year’s lineup focuses on diversity, women performers and artists from around the world. When does the season start? The 2025 season will open on Wednesday, June 4, in Central Park with a free show showcasing the best of New Orleans jazz with headliner Marcus Miller. On June 14, The Aussie BBQ is bringing Australian hip-hop duo Flewnt and Inkabee, indie-pop artist Gordi,...

There's a line in The Great Gatsby that inevitably pops into my mind at this time of year as the sun lingers in the sky. "Do you ever wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it?" Daisy Buchanan asks in the book. "I always wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it!" Daisy's line, of course, symbolizes much more than sunny evenings, but it serves as my annual reminder to savor the summer solstice—my favorite day of the year. For me, the solstice is a holiday on par with New Year's Eve. I see it as a reset, a chance to prepare for the second half of the year, and a reminder not to squander nature's fleeting joys. I invite you to join me this year in these June 20 rituals, so let me tell you about a bunch of great ways to celebrate around the city.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in NYC this summer  Photograph: Courtesy of Battery Park City Authority Swedish Midsummer Festival I'm so solstice obsessed that I traveled to Sweden a few years ago to attend their renowned summer solstice celebrations. During a solstice party at the open-air museum Skansen, I made a flower crown, danced around a maypole and tried to sing along with Swedish folk songs. But this year, you can do all of that without taking a long flight to Stockholm.  A free Swedish Midsummer Festival popping up in Rockefeller Park features all the midsummer necessities. The event is hosted by the Consulate General of Sweden, New York—so you know it's going to be as authentic as possible. ...

If you need another reason to get outside this summer, NYC street fairs take over various blocks in all five boroughs when the weather gets warmer. While frolicking along the city's sidewalks, snack on sensational eats from the best restaurants in NYC, score stellar throwback wares, and shop local. As enjoyable as eating and shopping can be, there are many more things to do outside, from rocking out at music festivals to admiring some outdoor art. Take advantage of the beautiful weather, including awesome free things to do, while the streets are full of fun. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC

Groups! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t try almost everything on the menu in one sitting without 'em! Ok, maybe some can, but many will, at one point, still need to find restaurants perfect for large parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, big promotions, belated or pre-lated holidays and general getting the band back together events.  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island each have options for your next fête, and these are our favorites for those expanded occasions. Most allow you to book space for up to six via conventional platforms, save for noted exceptions that go up to about ten, and all have room for more when you connect via email or phone. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC

It’s hard to get good food on the cheap, but for ten years, Queens Night Market has prided itself on offering the city’s best eats for just $5-6. Ranked one of the best food festivals in the U.S., the foodie festival runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.  There will also be other items sale besides food, including vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, ceramic products, locally produced art pieces, crochet toys, stationery, and much more. In its existence, the market has attracted over three million visitors, helped launch 450 new businesses in New York and represented more than 95 countries through its vendors and their food. In 2022, the event averaged over 15,000 attendees each Saturday night. 

Every summer, Hudson Yards hosts a slate of free community programs that undoubtedly turns even the biggest area skeptic into a curious wanderer—and for good reason: the lineup is usually great. This year, for example, Backyard at Hudson Yards presented by Wells Fargo is bringing outdoor fitness classes to the masses alongside Lululemon; hard-hitting concerts; kid-friendly activations; and even pet adoption days. Sure, the whole thing might be sponsored by a mega-bank, but your glutes won’t notice as you're getting that free workout in. Below, we highlight some of the most exciting offered programming: RECOMMENDED: NYC's best summer music festivals of 2025 For fitness-related programming, which will include pickleball and run clubs, you can check out Hudson Yard’s website. Here is a comprehensive list of this summer's programming. Concerts The free concerts will take place between June 25 and August 13 on the Wells Fargo Stage from 6pm until 8pm. June 25: Marc Scibilia July 2: The Knocks July 9: Cian Ducrot July 16: Paul Russell  July 23: Alex Sampson July 30: Brittney Spencer August 6: MXMTOON August 13: TBA Check for updates on concerts here.   Movies Movie nights will take place from 5pm to 7pm. May 9: Freaky Friday May 16: Wicked May 30: Ben and Jerry September 12: Grease September 19: Clueless September 26: Ferris Bueller's Day Off  October 3: Grown Ups October 10: Rent October 17: Legally Blonde October 24: Top Gun Maverick See the latest movie and sports...

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about summer in the city, but when you need to beat the heat, why not give free kayaking in NYC a try? We’ve got plenty of water, from the Hudson River to the East River Estuary, and these waterways offer some of the best views of many of New York’s attractions. 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 aim to reconnect urbanites to nature and the aquatic ecosystems that surround us. Groups of boaters and paddling enthusiasts lead small groups around New York’s waterways, offering a cool, relaxing and educational adventure. Best of all? It’s free! NYC Parks also hosts one-off free kayaking and canoeing events throughout the summer!  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island all have boating opportunities for you this summer. Most are first-come-first-served or by reservation only, so be sure to check before you head out. After all that paddling, treat yourself to a hearty NYC brunch. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

If you're Broadway enthusiast but don't necessarily have the budget to check out all the best shows, you'll enjoy this: Bryant Park is going to play home to some of the most iconic Broadway productions on select days from 12:30pm-1:30pm next month, so you can get a taste of it all.  The performances, an effort organized by 106.7 LITE FM and iHeartRadio Broadway, will kick off on Thursday, July 11 and continue for the subsequent three Thursdays on a stage setup in the park at Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets.  RECOMMENDED: The best Broadway shows you need to see Dubbed Broadway in Bryant Park, the lineup is stacked with some of the best numbers from some of the most popular musicals.  On Thursday, July 11, you'll be able to experience numbers by the cast of Back to the Future, Hell’s Kitchen, The Who’s TOMMY, The Wiz and Water for Elephants. Radio host Helen Little will be the master of ceremonies, which will also include a pre-performance by the students of AMDA College of the Performing Arts. The following Thursday, July 18, will be the ultimate lineup for kids and Disney fans, with performances from the casts of Aladdin, Frozen and The Lion King. Radio personalities Cubby and Christine will be hosting the day. Rich Kaminski will direct the following Thursday, when acts from Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Great Gatsby and The Notebook will take the stage. The final Thursday, August 1, will feature another pre-show by the students of...

No matter where you are or where you work in New York, you’re probably stressed out. As great as our fair city is—with so many amazing things to do, fabulous restaurants and top-notch bars—it’s hard to find time to chill out. Taking a weekend getaway or relaxing on a nearby beach are good ways to relax, but often we need serenity NOW (and let’s face it: sometimes planning that beach trip or weekend getaway can lead to even more stress!). A relaxing spa treatment can be just the thing for a quick fix. Problem is, most of us can’t afford the luxurious spas that promise instant bliss. Fortunately there are a number of spots for affordable spa treatments in NYC. Whether it’s a facial, a massage, a mani-pedi or a body scrub, one to two hours at a spa will give you the re-set you need. You’ll feel refreshed and glowing in no time. RECOMMENDED: Find more spas in NYC

New York is a hotbed of artistic expression. The city’s art museums—including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—display some of the best artists spanning centuries. And with more than 1,000 galleries, you can check out the latest and greatest artists at any time, in all mediums from painting to sculpture. You’ll find the best galleries in NYC concentrated in Chelsea, but also Brooklyn and Queens to the Upper and Lower East Sides of Manhattan. Visit NYC’s legendary art galleries and you’ll see some of the best artists from around the world.

One of the best perks of living in New York City is having access to innumerable free events in our gorgeous parks. That’s why when Bryant Park Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America announces its line-up, we get excited! Today, Picnic Performances released a list of 25 live music, dance, and theater events that’ll occur May 31 to September 13, and it includes The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato; trumpeter Steven Bernstein playing the music of James Bond with Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; the NYC premiere of Ghanaian highlife band Gyedu-Bly Ambolley; Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company; South African world pop star Thandiswa Mazwai and many more! “The 2024 season of Picnic Performances is our most ambitious yet,” Dan Fishman, Bryant Park’s vice president of public programming, tells Time Out New York. “Bryant Park will host internationally renowned dance companies, Grammy-winning musicians, a fully staged production of Tosca, a centennial celebration for jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan, and a grand finale featuring an all-star lineup of musicians performing the music of James Bond.  “This year we present our first performance curated specifically for kids, a bilingual celebration of Broadway show tunes, the New York City debut of a Ghanaian music legend, and a concert that honors the incredible composer, Tania León. We are thrilled to bring such exciting free music, theater, and dance events to the center of New York...

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

Don’t bother with Orlando. Coney Island is its very own magical kingdom, setting off free, sensational fireworks every Friday night all summer long. Grab a frank and get yourself a comfortable spot on the boardwalk to celebrate the end of the work-week every week. Friday Night Fireworks run from Friday, June 20 through Labor Day. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45pm and typically launch from the beach at West 12th Street, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the iconic boardwalk and amusement parks.

Let’s face it: NYC is expensive, both for visitors and locals. For those of us living here in the city, we’re constantly choosing between going out and, say, paying rent. While it’s certainly nice to splurge on one of the best restaurants in NYC, the reality is that we mostly have to focus on cheap eats and happy hour deals. We’re here to help: when it comes to going out in the city, you can still have fun without facing a hefty price tag. There are plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking. Simply walking the streets of New York can make for an entertaining day out, but if you look closely you can find fabulous things to without paying a fortune. Did you know that some of NYC’s top attractions are also affordable? Or how about comedy — a good laugh doesn’t have to cost much. Manhattan and Brooklyn have beautiful parks to stroll, and for a small fee you can get around on a bike or a boat. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Entertainment in NYC can be cheap, or even free, so get out there and have some fun! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC