{"id":49776,"date":"2025-07-08T22:06:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T22:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/49776\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T22:06:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T22:06:21","slug":"why-this-time-out-editor-is-more-thankful-than-ever-for-nycs-free-things-to-do-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/49776\/","title":{"rendered":"Why this Time Out editor is more thankful than ever for NYC\u2019s free things to do this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cLet Me Tell You\u201d<\/a>\u00a0is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. Last time, Things to Do Editor Rossilynne Skena Culgan asserted that the<\/a>\u00a0summer solstice is the best day<\/a> of the year.<\/p>\n

Living in New York City has long been an expensive endeavor, but this year it feels like someone is plucking the cash from our wallets bill by bill. Rents are going up<\/a> at least 3 percent for 1 million rent-stabilized apartments this fall. And if you aren\u2019t lucky enough to live in a rent-stabilized unit, there\u2019s no limit<\/a> on how much your landlord can raise your rent\u2014literally the sky is the limit, folks! The average one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan already costs a staggering $5,309 a month, per RentCafe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just leaving the house seems to cost $100, as TikTokers have joked about<\/a>\u2014and that\u2019s especially true in NYC<\/a>. There\u2019s a lot to lament about our city\u2019s affordability crisis, but it\u2019s not an intractable situation; it\u2019s one our city leaders can\u00a0improve if we demand it. In the meantime,\u00a0these circumstances have made me even more thankful for NYC\u2019s long list of free events this summer. So allow me to highlight five of my favorite free things to do this summer and how to make the most of the experience because even if your wallet is feeling light, the summer fun doesn\u2019t have to be.<\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED: Best free things to do in NYC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Colorful
\nPhotograph: Tiffany Sage\/BFA.com \/ Courtesy of The Whitney <\/p>\n

Visit\u00a0The Whitney during free hours<\/p>\n

Not only are NYC\u2019s museums bastions of culture, they\u2019re also oases of air conditioning. Visiting can cost a pretty penny, but not if you know when to go to take advantage of free hours at NYC\u2019s best museums<\/a>. This summer, my top pick is The Whitney in the Meatpacking District. This American art museum is now\u00a0free<\/a>\u00a0for visitors every Friday evening from 5 to 10pm and on the second Sunday of every month. Even better, visitors 25 and under are always free.\u00a0Just be sure to reserve your tickets in advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Go see:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAmy Sherald: American Sublime<\/a>\u201d\u00a0open through August 10 with nearly 50 paintings, including the artist\u2019s famous Michelle Obama portrait\u00a0<\/p>\n

What else to do:\u00a0<\/strong>Before or after\u00a0your museum visit, take a stroll on the beautiful High Line<\/a>\u2014also free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rockaway
\nPhotograph: Virginia RollisonRockaway Beach <\/p>\n

Hit the beach in The Bronx or Queens<\/p>\n

While I adore Brooklyn\u2019s Coney Island<\/a>, it\u2019s easy to\u00a0overspend there\u2014the amusement park rides, the funnel cakes, the Boardwalk vendors, it all adds up. So for these purposes, I\u2019m going to recommend\u00a0one of the city\u2019s quieter beaches. My top picks are Rockaway Beach<\/a> in Queens and Orchard Beach<\/a> (a.k.a. The Riviera of New York) in The Bronx.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Keep it cheap:<\/strong> If you go to Orchard Beach, food options are limited with just concession stands, so you\u2019ll definitely want to pack a cooler with your lunch. As for Rockaway, head to Tacoway Beach<\/a> where you can get two excellent tacos for $12.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"bric
\nPhotograph: Courtesy Celebrate Brooklyn\/David Andrako <\/p>\n

Celebrate all the fun of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn\u00a0<\/p>\n

Seeing great live music doesn\u2019t have to require taking out a personal loan, even if that\u2019s what some influencers will have you believe. Forget Coachella<\/a> and Glastonbury<\/a> and have your own festival experience right here in Brooklyn\u2019s Prospect Park at the Lena Horne Bandshell. Most of the shows in BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0lineup are free\u2014and pretty impressive, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the lineup:<\/strong> A Tribute to Quincy Jones: The Wiz (July 26), Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices (August 1), Gogol Bordello (August 2), Nick Hakim (August 16)\u2014all completely free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bring with you:\u00a0<\/strong>Blankets, food and factory-sealed plastic bottles are allowed (no alcohol, though!), so pack a picnic to keep costs down.<\/p>\n

\"Movies
\nPhotograph: Courtesy Brooklyn Bridge ParkMovies with a View screenings at Brooklyn Bridge Park <\/p>\n

Catch a free movie at Brooklyn Bridge Park<\/p>\n

The\u00a0aptly named Movies with a View series<\/a> is back at Brooklyn Bridge Park with stunning views and a solid lineup on Thursdays in July and August. This year\u2019s theme is \u201cWomen in Hollywood,\u201d with movies made by and starring famous leading ladies like Judy Garland, Sigourney Weaver, Meryl Streep and more.<\/p>\n

Where and when to go:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. The series draws big crowds, so it\u2019s best to arrive early. The lawn opens at 6pm, with opening credits rolling at sunset.<\/p>\n

On the lineup:\u00a0<\/strong>July 10:\u00a0Bottoms;\u00a0July 17:\u00a0Alien;\u00a0July 24:\u00a0Waitress;\u00a0July 31:\u00a0The Matrix;\u00a0August 7:\u00a0The Wizard of Oz;\u00a0August 14:\u00a0Trainwreck;\u00a0August 21:\u00a0Hidden Figures;\u00a0August 28: Public Choice: Vote for\u00a0Julie & Julia,\u00a0Marie Antoinette, or\u00a0Pretty in Pink.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For even more free flicks:<\/strong> Here\u2019s our full list of free movies<\/a> around NYC this summer, including movies on an aircraft carrier!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A
\nPhotograph: By Rashmi Gill \/ Courtesy of Madison Square Park Conservancy <\/p>\n

Meditate in this Manhattan park<\/p>\n

One of the best free amenities in the city? NYC\u2019s vast system of parks. Of course, you know about the big ones\u2014Central Park<\/a>, Prospect Park<\/a> and whatever\u00a0patch of grass is within walking distance of your apartment. But it\u2019s worth strolling through Madison Square Park this summer where artist Lily Kwong created\u00a0a beautiful oasis called Gardens of Renewal<\/a> in the Flatiron District of Manhattan.\u00a0Now\u00a0through Labor Day, you wan walk along spiral paths that invite reflection and solitude.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Go deeper:<\/strong> Maybe you\u2019ve noticed how unbearably hot<\/a> it\u2019s been this summer? That\u2019s climate change, baby, and Kwong doesn\u2019t shy away from highlighting the crisis in her work. As you walk through, you\u2019ll encounter a planting palette made up of increasingly rare\u2014and nearly disappearing\u2014native species.<\/p>\n

What to bring:\u00a0<\/strong>An open mind, a sketchbook or journal.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n