New York City Tourism + Conventions has unveiled a series of free or budget-friendly activities for the summer, along with a New York Affordable Travel website (shorturl.at/Bzrod). It offers comprehensive guides on seasonal events, outdoor activities, economical dining options, and tips on obtaining free and discounted tickets, serving as a practical resource for tourists and new immigrants looking to quickly immerse themselves in the vibrant life of New York.
New York City streets, parks, and beaches come alive in the summer with a plethora of free and affordable festive events, concerts, outdoor dining options, and more. Now is the perfect time to partake in these activities and explore the value of traveling across the five boroughs.
Recommended summer activities by the New York City Tourism + Conventions include:
– Arts, Culture, and Entertainment:
This summer, visitors can choose from a variety of museums in New York City to escape the heat and admire world-class art pieces. Check out the full list of museums in NYC: shorturl.at/kz95S, many of which are either always free, have specific free days each week, or offer free entry during certain time slots.
SummerStage: Dozens of free or ticketed live music performances will take place in parks across all boroughs, including Central Park in Manhattan. See the event list here: shorturl.at/DKAPg
“Summer in the City” returns to Lincoln Center with over 200 events, many of which are free or pay-what-you-wish. Activities include children’s music stories, film screenings, stand-up comedy, workshops, and performances. Check out the list here: shorturl.at/hY7rE
Madison Square Park will showcase a series of free public art installations created by four artists. This summer’s exhibition features “Seed” by New Mexico artist Rose B. Simpson, running until September 22.
Free outdoor movie screenings this summer: “Brooklyn Paramount Plus Movie Nights” will be held weekly at McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Long Meadow in Prospect Park, Coney Island Beach, and Fort Greene Park. Viewers can check out the movie titles and register online to claim free movie tickets, and enjoy complimentary popcorn at: bkmag.com/movies/
– Annual and Celebratory Events:
On the night of July 4th, Independence Day, visitors can enjoy a free viewing of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, marking the first time in a decade that the fireworks will light up the Hudson River. For viewing locations of the Macy’s fireworks show, visit the link for details: macys.com/s/fireworks/where-to-watch/
During the day on July 4th, you can head to Coney Island to witness the famous Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, enjoy the boardwalk, and entertainment facilities. More details can be found at: shorturl.at/UlWMc
The annual Harlem Week celebrates the African, Caribbean, and Spanish history of the Harlem neighborhood in Manhattan, marking its 50th anniversary this year. From August 7th to 18th, you can celebrate the district’s rich cultural heritage through live music, performances, food, and more.
– Sports and Outdoor Activities:
Some of the world’s finest national soccer teams will participate in this summer’s Copa America and Euro Cup competitions. If you can’t attend the games in person, screenings will be held throughout New York City at various bars, including Legends’ Football Factory, Bar 43’s Soccer Republic, and many others.
“Open Streets” are back, with over 130 car-free locations in the five boroughs, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy more public spaces. The street closures will take place on Saturdays from July 27th to August 24th, blocking off streets for 8 hours from 7 AM to 3 PM. For specific locations, visit: shorturl.at/BuWFh
“Free-roaming” to explore New York City: PlaceChase is a mobile app that combines self-guided walking tours and scavenger hunts. More information at: placechase.com
– Dining and Shopping:
The beloved “NYC Restaurant Week” will return from July 22nd to August 18th, with hundreds of restaurants across the city offering their own special prix-fixe menus. The full list of participating restaurants will be announced on July .
6th, details can be found at: nyctourism.com/restaurant-week/
Grand Bazaar on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is a weekly retail market featuring booths by local independent artists, artisans, antique dealers, and more. Special events this summer include the New York City Summer Antiques Market on July 14th.
Industry City, located in the Sunset Park community of Brooklyn, is home to restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and a Japanese food hall, hosting tours and events throughout the summer.
New York City welcomed 62.2 million visitors last year, including 50.6 million domestic tourists and 11.6 million international visitors. This year, the number of visitors is projected to increase to 64.8 million, showing a 97% recovery from the record levels seen before the 2019 pandemic. For those interested, visit nyctourism.com to explore all the attractions and activities NYC has to offer.