20+ Cheap Date Ideas in NYC That Won’t Torch Your Bank Account
Alright, let’s be real. Dating in this city is expensive. You can easily drop $200 on a mediocre dinner and two drinks. But you don’t come to New York to be mediocre. You’re here for the real stuff. As someone who’s lived here for years, I can tell you the best dates are the ones that don’t just rely on a credit card. They’re about sharing an experience. These are the go-to, creative, cheap date ideas in NYC that show you put in some thought.
A Quick New Yorker’s Disclaimer: This is NYC. Things change fast. I’ve double-checked these details, but you should always hit the official website or make a quick call to confirm hours and prices before you head out. Trust me, it beats showing up to a closed door.
Fun Date Activities in NYC That Are Actually Cheap (or Free)
1. Ride the Staten Island Ferry
It’s the oldest trick in the book, and it still works every single time. Why? You get the single best view of the Statue of Liberty and the downtown skyline, and it costs exactly zero dollars. It’s a perfect 25-minute escape.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan) | St. George Terminal (Staten Island)
- More Info: https://www.siferry.com
- My Pro Tip: Go just before sunset. Stand on the right side of the boat (the starboard side) on the way to Staten Island. On the way back, stand on the left side (port). This gives you the best skyline and statue views for the entire trip.
2. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
This is a non-negotiable “must-do,” but you have to do it right. It’s a perfect daytime plan that costs nothing but shoe leather. The wooden planks, the cables, the views… it’s just one of those things.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Enter near City Hall (Manhattan) or on Tillary Street (Brooklyn)
- My Pro Tip: You must start on the Brooklyn (DUMBO/Cadman Plaza) side and walk toward Manhattan. The view of the downtown skyline unfolding in front of you is the whole point. Go very early in the morning (before 8 AM) to avoid the tourist mobs and get amazing photos.
3. Explore the Brooklyn Museum
Everyone crowds The MET. Real ones know the Brooklyn Museum is just as impressive and way more manageable. Its Egyptian and African art collections are world-class, and it always has fantastic, modern exhibits.
- Price: $$ (General admission is “pay-what-you-wish” for New York residents)
- Location: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238
- More info: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org
- My Pro Tip: Check out their “First Saturdays” event. On the first Saturday of most months (they usually skip September), the museum stays open late with free admission, live music, dancing, and special programs. It’s a legendary Brooklyn party.
4. Stroll the High Line
Yes, it’s popular, but this elevated park built on old rail tracks is still a genius idea. It’s a walk, a garden, and an art gallery all in one, floating above the chaos of the West Side.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Gansevoort St to 34th St, Manhattan
- More info: https://www.thehighline.org
- My Pro Tip: It gets packed. Go on a weekday morning if you can. Or, walk it in the winter. It’s quiet, peaceful, and has a totally different, stark vibe. Start at Hudson Yards and walk south to end up at Chelsea Market for a bite.
5. Hunt for Street Art at The Bushwick Collective
If you want to see what’s happening in art right now, take the L train to Jefferson Street. The streets around Troutman and St. Nicholas are a massive, constantly changing outdoor art gallery. World-famous muralists paint new pieces here all the time.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Starts around Troutman Ave & St. Nicholas Ave, Brooklyn
- My Pro Tip: This is the perfect “just walking around” date. When you’re done, grab a (now-famous) pizza at Roberta’s nearby.
6. See a Poetry Slam at Nuyorican Poets Cafe
For a dose of raw, powerful, East Village culture, this is the spot. The Nuyorican has been a legend for slam poetry, open mics, and Latinx theater since the 70s. It’s passionate, intense, and a truly unique NYC show.
- Price: $
- Location: 236 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009
- More Info:
nuyorican.org - My Pro Tip: This venue is tiny. It sells out. Buy your tickets online well in advance. Don’t just show up expecting to get in.
7. Take the Ferry to Governors Island
This is our collective backyard. Just a few minutes by ferry, this 172-acre island feels like a different world. There are no cars, just paths for biking, hammocks for napping, and incredible 360-degree views.
- Price: $ (The ferry is $4 round-trip; it’s often free on weekends before noon)
- Location: Ferry from Battery Maritime Building (Manhattan) or Pier 6 (Brooklyn)
- More Info:
govisland.com - My Pro Tip: The island is now open year-round. While summer is great, going in the fall or winter for a quiet, crowd-free walk is a pro move. You can also rent a two-person bike to circle the entire island.
8. Go on a Chinatown Dumpling Crawl
Forget a $50 entree. You can both get absolutely stuffed for under $20. This is the original cheap-eats date. Hit up spots like Fried Dumpling or Vanessa’s Dumpling House and just sample everything.
- Price: $
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Location: Chinatown, Manhattan
- My Pro Tip: Bring cash. The best, cheapest spots are almost all cash-only. Don’t be the person holding up the line trying to use Apple Pay for a $2 order of dumplings.
9. Take the Ferry to Rockaway Beach
In the summer, this is the ultimate day date. The NYC Ferry is a steal (currently $4) and takes you from Wall Street to the beach. The ride itself is the date. You’re on a boat, you can grab a drink, and you end up at a great beach with taco stands.
- Price: $ (for the ferry)
- Location: Ferry from Wall St (Pier 11) or Sunset Park (Brooklyn)
- My Pro Tip: The ferry will sell out on hot summer Saturdays. Buy your ticket on the app in advance. Also, the ride from Wall Street is over an hour, so it’s a real commitment. Plan accordingly.
10. Get Lost in Housing Works Bookstore
This is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the city. It has spiral staircases, dark wood shelves, and a great cafe. It’s all volunteer-run, and all profits go to charity. It’s a perfect, quiet date.
- Price: FREE (plus whatever you buy)
- Location: 126 Crosby St, New York, 10012
- More info: https://www.housingworks.org/bookstore
- My Pro Tip: This is my top pick for a rainy or cold afternoon. Grab a coffee, find a book, and just browse together in the quiet.
11. Go Kayaking on the Hudson
Yes, you can actually get on the water for free. From May to October, spots like The Downtown Boathouse and Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse offer free 20-minute kayaking sessions.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Pier 26 (Manhattan) or Pier 2 (Brooklyn)
- My Pro Tip: Show up early. On a hot weekend, the line gets very long, very fast. You just sign a waiver, grab a life vest, and go.
12. Have a Date Night at The MET
The MET on a Tuesday afternoon is for tourists. The MET on a Friday or Saturday night is for New Yorkers. It stays open late, they have live music (usually a string quartet), and you can grab a drink. It’s far less crowded and infinitely more romantic.
- Price: $$ (Admission is “pay-what-you-wish” for NY, NJ, and CT residents)
- Location: 1000 5th Ave, New York, 10028
- My Pro Tip: Head to the European Sculpture Court or the Arms and Armor hall. These are the best spots to sit, chat, and listen to the music.
13. See the Rose Main Reading Room at the NYPL
The main library branch (Schwartzman Building) by Bryant Park is a work of art. You can just walk in. Head upstairs to the third floor, peek into the Rose Main Reading Room, and just be quiet together. The ceiling is massive. It’s a surprisingly grand and romantic moment.
- Price: FREE
- Location: 476 5th Ave, New York, 10018
- My Pro Tip: While you’re there, check out the free Polonsky Exhibition. It has some of the library’s greatest treasures on display, like a Gutenberg Bible and the original Winnie-the-Pooh dolls.
14. Explore Little Island
This is our weird, new “floating” park on the Hudson. The design is unique, with tulip-shaped planters holding it up. The flowers are great, and the views of downtown and New Jersey are fantastic.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Pier 55 at Hudson River Park, New York, 10014
- My Pro Tip: In the summer, you need a free timed reservation to get in after 12 PM. Go in the morning (before noon) to just walk right in without any hassle.
15. See an Indie Comedy Show at UCB
Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is back. This is the legendary indie comedy theater that launched a hundred careers. For the price of a coffee, you can see the next big thing (or a total train wreck, which is also fun).
- Price: $
- Location: 153 E 3rd St, New York, 10009
- My Pro Tip: Most shows are $10-15. It’s the best entertainment bargain in the city and a great way to see if you share the same sense of humor.
16. Get Fancy at The Morgan Library (on a Friday)
Want to feel like a Gilded Age billionaire for an hour? The Morgan Library is J.P. Morgan’s old personal library, and it’s one of the most stunning rooms in the city.
- Price: FREE (on Fridays)
- When: Fridays, 5 PM – 7 PM
- Location: 225 Madison Ave, New York, 10016
- My Pro Tip: You must reserve the free Friday tickets online in advance. They become available a week ahead and get snapped up fast. Set a reminder.
17. Take a Class at Brooklyn Brainery
This is for the couple that is bored of just “grabbing a drink.” Brooklyn Brainery offers cheap, one-night classes on literally everything. Think “The History of Pigeons,” “How to Brew Kombucha,” or “Intro to Watercolour.”
- Price: $$
- Location: 190 Underhill Ave, Brooklyn, 11238
- My Pro Tip: It’s a great way to learn something new together with zero pressure or long-term commitment.
18. Play Board Games at The Uncommons
This is the perfect date for a miserable February night. The Uncommons is a board game cafe in Greenwich Village. For a small cover, you can stay for hours and play anything from their library of hundreds of games.
- Price: $
- Location: 230 Thompson St, New York, 10012
- My Pro Tip: This is a fantastic low-pressure first date. A little friendly competition over a game of Catan tells you a lot about a person.
19. Take a Moody Walk Through Green-Wood Cemetery
Don’t be weirded out. This 478-acre cemetery in Brooklyn is one of the city’s most beautiful parks. It has amazing gothic architecture, rolling hills, and the highest natural point in Brooklyn.
- Price: FREE
- Location: 500 25th St, Brooklyn, 11232
- My Pro Tip: Go in the spring for the cherry blossoms or in the fall for the foliage. It’s historic, quiet, and beautiful.
20. People-Watch in Washington Square Park
It’s dinner and a show, but the show is free. Grab a coffee or a slice, find a bench near the fountain, and just watch. You’ll see musicians, artists, skaters, students, and every kind of character the city has to offer.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Washington Square Park, New York, 10012
- My Pro Tip: The street performers near the fountain are the main event. It’s the best free show in town.
21. Get Lost in the North Woods
Want to forget you’re in NYC? Head to the North Woods in Central Park (uptown, around 102nd Street). It’s a 40-acre woodland that feels rugged and remote. It even has waterfalls and old stone arches.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Central Park (Enter at W 100th St)
- My Pro Tip: This is the quietest, most secluded part of the park. It’s perfect for a real, uninterrupted conversation.
22. Catch a Matinee at Nitehawk Cinema
Nitehawk (and other spots like it) changed the game. They serve food and cocktails to your seat while you watch the movie. A weekday matinee is cheaper and feels like you’re playing hooky.
- Price: $$
- Location: Williamsburg or Prospect Park, Brooklyn
- My Pro Tip: Get there 30 minutes before the show starts. They have a great pre-show of weird, curated clips, and it gives you time to order your food before the lights go down.
Alright, so you’ve got the date ideas. But what if you’re stuck entertaining your niece, nephew, or your friend’s kid? (Or, let’s be honest, you just want to see a T-Rex). We’ve got a list for that, too.
Check out our guide to 20+ Kid-Friendly Attractions In NYC (That Adults Secretly Love Too).
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