10 Free Things to Do on Valentine's Day in New York City

So, you're going to be in New York City on Valentine's Day, and you're on a tight budget. Don't panic, because even though the city that never sleeps is the most expensive of the five boroughs, you can still find things to do that are free. You have to be prepared to do some walking, but hey, it's New York City! Walking is hands-down the best way to see any city, especially the Big Apple. Whether your Valentine's Day will be spent with your significant other, your entire family, or with just a friend or two, when you're with someone you want to be with, you can find fun doing almost anything. My free Valentine's Day in New York City takes place in midtown Manhattan. in no particular order, you can have a great time without spending any money doing the following:

1. Visit all the upscale stores you always hear about, where all the rich and famous shop. Pretend to be one of them! Some stores I can recommend are the following:

Tiffany and Co.
727 Fifth Avenue, at 57th Street
(212) 755-8000
Open from 10AM-8PM

At Tiffany's, you can walk around and browse at all the beautiful and expensive jewelry, china, and crystal. This is the home of the famous little aqua blue gift box. Come see what makes this store so special!

Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Avenue, at 58th Street
(212) 753-7300

Bergdorf Goodman is home of world-renowned fashion and designer collections. Explore seven floors of upscale, stylish fashion that you see on the runway, in fashion magazines, and worn by your favorite celebrities.

Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Avenue, at 50th Street
(212) 753-4000

Saks Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous retailers in the world, and has been, since 1902. Again, this store features glamorous fashion by world renowned designers. This store features a fur salon, as well, so it might not be for the PETA people.

2. Visit some FUN stores! Not everything in New York City is about being rich and famous, and having the best of the best. People need somewhere to go to escape from that mentality sometimes, and I have a few places to do just that.

Toys R Us at Times Square

Now, I know what you're thinking...."Toys R Us? What's so special about a chain store?" Well, the Toys R Us at Times Square is not like any other Toys R Us you've ever seen, I can tell you that. This one is 110,000 square feet of pure delight. You can visit Barbie's Dollhouse, which is 2 floors of everything Barbie. Lots of pink everywhere! You can salk by Jurassic Park's T-Rex, a 20 foot tall, 34 foot long animatronic dinosaur that scared the heck out of my children a couple of years ago. This store also has a 60 foot tall ferris wheel, where each car features a well known toy icon. (However, a ride on the ferris wheel isn't free) Finally, you can browse around Candy Spot, where you will find just about any kind of candy imaginable. (TRY not to spend any money here...this might be hard, though...)

FAO Schwarz
767 Fifth Avenue, at 58th Street
Open 10 AM-7PM

Surely you remember Tom Hanks' famous dance on the keyboard in the movie "Big", right?! Come see the store where this scene was filmed. When you enter, you'll look up to see the 3-story clock tower, and will hear the singing of "Welcome To Our World of Toys." (I have to warn you, though, you will NOT be able to get this song out of your head for a few days after hearing it) This store features lots and lots of toys not seen at most retailers in this country, along with enormous stuffed animals and life-size replicas of characters such as Darth Vader, that I personally don't have room for in my house but still love to look at.

Sony Store's Sony Wonder Technology Lab
56th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues
(212) 833-6800

Admission is free, and there are lots of interactive exhibits where you can learn about all sorts of technology and entertainment, such as audio, imaging, robotics, design, networks and more. This is great for people of all ages.

3. Rockefeller Center

Watch the ice skaters--many of them are very good! Also, check out NBC Studio's Headquarters, at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. If you're there in the morning, between 7 AM-9 AM, the Today Show will be broadcast live during this time. You can peek into the window, because it's at street level. Maybe your face will be on TV, and there's a chance that the hosts will come outside to talk to some of the bystanders. You never know--you could be one of them.

4. Bryant Park

If you feel like doing some ice skating yourself, rather than just watching other people do it, The Pond at Bryant Park offers free admission ice skating. You have to bring your own ice skates if you want to keep this completely free. Otherwise, skate rental is $10.00/pair, I believe. The Pond is open from 7AM-7PM during the month of February, weather permitting.

5. New York Public Library
42nd Street and 5th Avenue

You can't miss this beautiful building with the grand Corinthian columns and 3 entrance archways. If you don't know it's a library, you might think it's a museum, because that's what the exterior looks like. This is one of the most impressive libraries in the world. They usually have various exhibitions on display, and it's also home to Thomas Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, Columbus' letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella telling them of his "discovery", Virginia Woolf's diaries, ancient Japanese scrolls, and medieval transcripts.

6. Saint Patrick's Cathedral
Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets

The doors of this cathedral first opened in 1879, and it has undergone some major renovations over the years. Regardless of your religious affiliation, you will feel such a sense of peace and serenity when you enter the largest gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the United States. It is just beautiful!

7. Grand Central Station
42nd Street and Park Avenue

You can take a really interesting, self-guided walking tour here. You'll get to see Grand Central like you've never seen it before. Most people, myself included, just pass through here on their way to/from some other destination. Make Grand Central Station your destination today. You'll see some great architecture, and learn some incredibly interesting things about the history of Grand Central Station and some people who were a part of its history. Here is the link for the destinations of the self-guided tour. Print it out and take it with you. http://grandcentralterminal.com/info/walkingtour.cfm

8. Juilliard Organists Performing at St. Mary's Church on Valentine's Day
145 West 46th Street
8:00 PM
Free admission, no tickets required

This is your chance to see some amazing talent. The Juilliard School only accepts and trains the most talented students, so you know you are in for a special evening.

9. Central Park

Take a walk! There are 843 acres to explore, and the park is open from 6:00 AM -1:00 AM. You'll see lots of things, and one of the most fun things to do here is people-watching. You'll almost always see a celebrity skating, jogging, walking a dog, or pushing a stroller. In addition, you'll see interesting sculptures, a fountain, a pond, a boathouse, and an observatory. There are also lots of performers and vendors--food, art, etc...There is the famous zoo, as well, but admission to the zoo isn't free.

10. Times Square

Gosh...there is so much to see here, at Times Square itself! This is the theater district, the home of the biggest New Year's Eve party in the world,and MTV. There are always street performers, both below ground in the subway station, and above ground. This is also where you can usually find the Naked Cowboy. If you're one of the few people in the country who have never heard of him, check out www.nakedcowboy.com. No trip to New York City is complete without visiting Times Square, that's for sure. Years ago, this area was downright scary, but now, it's simply awesome.

My last suggestions are to remember to bundle up, because February in New York City is cold!!!! Wear hats, gloves, scarves, and layers. Choose things from my list about, and plan your walking route from there. Relax, have fun, be yourself, and enjoy New York City and what it has to offer free of charge.