Free and the City

It's summer in New York and that means tons of free stuff to do - sweet. Working for virtually nothing means it's great to find free stuff. Here's a list of things I've found to do in and around the city.

Ongoing through September 30 (a.k.a. Sarah's new work out schedule)
Tuesdays - 6:30 p.m. - Pilates in Rivereside Park
Wednesdays - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Game Night in Bryant Park - Southwest Porch - free games like taboo and jenga! Also, a really fun outdoor bar. There's porch swings, rocking chairs, benches, $9 drinks. Ok, the $9 drink part I'd change if I could, but it's a fun spot. Whatever you do, don't go to the Bryant Park Grill. It's just not good.
Thursdays - 6:00 p.m. - Yoga in Bryant Park
Saturdays - 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. - Yoga in the Socrates Sculpture Park
Sundays - 10:00 a.m. - Pilates in the Socrates Sculpture Park

Now - August 1 - Shakespeare in the Park - Uh, free show with Al Pacino and Jesse L. Martin. There's no question I'll go at some point. Yes, you have to wait in line starting at the crack of dawn to get tickets, but it's totally worth it. (You can pay $175/ticket too, but why do that when you can get them for free?)

Now - June 27 - Key to the City - This is perhaps the coolest thing I've heard of so far this summer. You go to a kiosk in Times Square with a friend where you pick up a key to the city. You bestow a key to your friend and they bestow one to you. (These aren't my rules.) Anyways, the keys unlock one of 25 secret places in one of the five boroughs. For example, one key opens a closet in Gracie Mansion. Another gets you a special treat at an ice cream shop. Most keys unlock a secret through Labor Day.

Now - October 8 - Free Bike Fridays - Governor's Island - trade your driver's license for a bike.

Now - October 31 - Pool in Battery Park - uh, who knew there were free pool tables in Battery Park? Head to Rockefeller Park (in Battery Park) to pick up cues. Not me, but I do know there's ping pong in Bryant Park.

Now - Fall - New York Outrigger - apparently these things are Hawaiian canoes and more difficult to navigate. Sure, I'll take a lesson.

Now - Fall - Kayaking in the Hudson - the mafia dropped bodies in the East River so you'll be fine in the Hudson.

Wednesday, 6/9 - 8:00 p.m. - Norah Jones Concert - Prospect Park

Saturday, 6/12 - Brooklyn Botanic Garden Bee-Day Party
Saturday, 6/12 & Sunday, 6/13 - Big Apple BBQ - not free but only $8/plate.

Saturday, 6/19 - 2:00 p.m. - Mermaid Parade - Coney Island

Sunday, 6/27 - Polo on Governor's Island - Prince Harry will be there. Need I say more?


Sunday, 6/27 - 12:00 p.m. - Grits Throwdown - Not free and no Prince Harry, but GRITS! Some 
friends are trying to convince me to enter my shrimp and grits, but I'm pushing for a day of polo matches followed by making shrimp and grits. That should work, right?

Mondays, 6/28 - 8/23 - Movies at Bryant Park - I'm trying to figure out if I can get food delivered to the park. Otherwise, I'll just send someone out to get us something.

Thursdays, 7/8 - 8/12 - Broadway in Bryant Park - different performances each week.

Tuesday, 7/13 - New York Philharmonic in Central Park - Great Lawn
Wednesday, 7/14 - New York Philharmonic in Central Park - yes, it's two nights. That's not a typo. Branford Marsalis guest performs.

Wednesday, 7/21 - Daily Show and Friends at Summer Stage - hosted by Lewis Black.

Friday, 8/13 - Blondie and Pat Benatar - Seaside Summer Concert Series at Coney Island

Ongoing
Sony Wonder Lab
New York Classical Theatre
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
Nurse Bettie - ooh, la, la. Burlesque shows. Find them on Facebook for a password for a free drink.
Right Rides - Right Rides provides free rides home for women and members of the LGBTQ community. That's right, free. It's a pretty awesome organization. Donate to them.
Museums - most of them have a suggested donation amount, but you can donate less if need be.