Top Free Summer Events in NYC
Being bored in NYC is hard. There’s just so much going on! From the food to the people, the sights, and sounds, there is always something going on. It is the city that never sleeps after all. Many believe that the best part about New York City is the diversity and richness of the people. The diversity has an influence on the city and what goes on within the concrete jungle. The sheer variety of events available in NYC is like no other city, and many of them don’t cost a dime. It is amazing all of the free things to do in the city, so don’t miss out on the fantastic opportunities New York City provides.
If you want to get the scoop on some the fun freebies that New York City has to offer, check out some of the top free summer events in NYC.
1. Tai Chi at Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument in Riverside Park - Sundays from May 1st through August 14th, 2016
Join Silvana Pizzuti every Sunday at Riverside Park from 8 to 9 am. Here you will learn the art of Tai Chi, an energy or Qi cultivation exercise that is considered to be an internal Chinese martial art form. Tai Chi is also deemed to be a form of meditation. It’s no wonder that this slow moving martial art form helps relieve stress and anxiety while bolstering your health. Tai Chi is also known for improving energy, joint pain, balance, and flexibility. Tai Chi is gentle and is beneficial for all fitness levels and ages.
2. Queens County Farm - 7 days a week, open year-round
This historic Floral Park colonial farm dates back to 1697. Sitting on 47-acres, Queens County Farm is the longest farmed site in NY State. Queens County Farm is open year round, and they don’t charge a dime to get in. Their grounds are open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm. The only exceptions are when they do public events and have their annual Queens County Fair. Otherwise, you are free to enjoy the sites and sounds, see and tour their historic farm buildings, buy farm fresh eggs and honey, and pet the friendly farm animals.
3. Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival - August 6th and 7th 2016
Held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 10:30 am to 4 pm, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is a colorful weekend celebration you won’t want to miss. On land, you can expect to taste traditional food, as well as witness lion dance performances and martial arts demonstrations from Shaolin monks. Be sure also to check out the children's activities and the Chinese crafts. The main event of the show consists of 180 dragon-boat teams that race each other on Queen’s park’s lake. The teams come from all over the world, so you won’t want to miss this multicultural event.
4. Brooklyn Brewery - Saturday and Sundays, year-round
If you are a beer connoisseur, then you must check out the free tour that is held every Saturday and Sunday. The tour takes place from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday and 1 to 4 pm on Sunday; the tours are conducted on the hour. No reservations are needed, but you do need to get tickets. The tickets are free, but are first come-first serve, and there are only 40 tickets available per tour. After the tour you can purchase beer tokens and sample some of their creations from the tasting room, no reservations required. Children are permitted on the tour with an adult, but remember only 18+ in the tasting room.
5. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) - Friday nights, year-round
If you want a mind and eye opening experience, you must check out the Museum of Modern Art. Even though this museum typically charges an admission fee, they are free every Friday night from 4 to 8 pm. Your free ticket also permits you entry into the museum's galleries and exhibitions. While it is not possible to take in everything in one visit, you can still manage to see a lot of beautiful and famous contemporary and modern artwork. You can’t get these tickets in advance, so make sure you get there early to get your art on!
