As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer in the US, NYC Tourism + Conventions is encouraging visitors and locals to take advantage of a wide range of free and low-cost activities across the city’s five boroughs.
Julie Coker, President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, said the warmer months offer the perfect opportunity to experience the best of the city on any budget.
“As we usher in the warmer months, we’re so pleased to invite visitors and locals to enjoy a plethora of free and low-cost activities—including world-class arts and culture, historic events and anniversaries, and more—which can only be found right here in New York City this summer,” she said.
Free and low-cost arts and culture
The Frick Collection has reopened following a $220 million renovation, including public access to the historic mansion’s second floor for the first time. The museum offers pay-what-you-wish admission on Wednesdays from 2–6pm, with free entry for children aged 10–18.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is celebrating 10 years in the Meatpacking District with a lineup of free Pride events throughout June, including a walking tour, performances, and the Radical Joy Ball.
Michel Bassompierre’s Fragile Giants exhibit features nine massive animal sculptures now on display along Park Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets, remaining through May 2026.
A new performing arts series, Sugar Sugar Festival, will take place in Brooklyn’s Domino Square from 4 to 28 June, featuring theatre, dance, comedy and puppetry.
Free Music at PACNYC runs through 28 June at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in Lower Manhattan, with a Family Day celebration scheduled for 12 July.
As part of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! series, a special screening of The Wiz will take place on 26 July as a tribute to the late Quincy Jones.
Celebrate history across the boroughs
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will mark its 100th anniversary with the Schomburg Centennial Festival on 14 June. The Harlem event will include author talks, music, kids’ activities and a community block party.
Circle Line Cruises will celebrate its 80th anniversary with $2.50 tickets on 14 June and free sightseeing cruises for anyone turning 80 this year.
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s 15th anniversary celebrations run through October, including kayaking, Movies with a View, waterfront workouts, and a performance by the Metropolitan Opera.
Pride celebrations will be held across all five boroughs: Staten Island (31 May), Queens (1 June), Brooklyn (14 June), the Bronx (21 June), and the NYC Pride March on 29 June.
The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this June and July, with matches held across the US including the New York/New Jersey region. A full list of local bars and restaurants screening the games is available online.
The 33rd annual NYC Restaurant Week returns from 21 July to 17 August, offering prix-fixe menus across hundreds of restaurants. Bookings open 15 July.
For something unique, visitors can shop vintage and secondhand at NYC’s best flea markets and thrift shops.
Summer outdoors in the city
Enjoy free paddling on the Bronx River during a community event on 21 June and explore the scenic trails of the Bronx River Greenway.
The Rockaways offer sun, surf and a lively boardwalk vibe. Rockaway Beach is accessible by subway ($2.90 one way) or NYC Ferry ($4 one way), with popular eats like Tacoway Beach nearby.
Take the free Staten Island Ferry and catch a minor league baseball game with the Staten Island FerryHawks. The Family Fun Four Pack ($105) includes four tickets and meals for the whole family.
Summer on the Hudson, NYC Parks’ free outdoor arts and culture festival in Riverside Park, runs from 59th to 153rd Street and features live music, fitness sessions, and cultural performances throughout the season.
NYC tourism continues to thrive
New York City welcomed 64.5 million visitors in 2024, generating $79 billion in economic impact, including over $51 billion in direct traveller spending and supporting more than 388,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector.
