6 Free or Cheap Things to Do in New York City

6 of the Cheapest / Free Things to Enjoy in New York City - I have lived in New York City my whole life. It is known to most as a very expensive place to live and see things. While that is mostly true, there are a few gems not known to most that can be explored with little to no money.

Free Kayaking
The Downtown Boathouse on the West Side of Manhattan offers both 3 hours tours every Sat from May-October and 15 minute mini rides in the Hudson river on a daily basis. The also offer free classes. Their website http://www.downtownboathouse.org/ has all the information.

Cheap Haircuts
The Aveda institute www.avedainstitute.com is a school for aspiring hair stylists. They use all Aveda products and you get a great cheap haircut with a scalp massage and makeup application. Students cut your hair and their instructors follow up to make sure you are happy and that the job is well done. It takes a long time to get an appointment and a basic haircut will last about 2 hours but for $20 (for a basic wash and cut) it is well worth it. You also get an oil scalp and shoulder massage and there is a ton of Aveda makeup to try out while you are there. They also do facials, and other services check out their website for more information on prices.

Street Fairs
Every year from April to October New York City fills up with street fairs. They usually run every weekend and while they are free to walk around in and smell all the delicious things that are cooking, it does cost to buy things. The costs of things that are available at the street fairs are cheap and can be bartered. Food ranges from sausages, meat sticks, and burritos, to fried oreos and zeppoles. They also sell socks, pashiminas, massages, sheets, you name it.

Parks
Everyone thinks of Central Park when they think of New York City and while that is the biggest park there are tons more to explore. There is Madison Square Park which has a great BBQ festival every June, there is Bryant Park which houses ice skating in the winter, and free movies in the summer, there is Hudson River Park which has free volleyball every Wed from May-October and a plethora of free options in the summer, and there is Union Square park which hosts the farmers market every Monday, Wed, Fri and weekends, and also has a great dog park.

Free Theatre
Now this one requires a bit of work but if you volunteer to usher for most of the major Broadway or Off Broadway theatres you can see the show for free. Ushering consists of showing the person to their seat, as well as giving out playbills, and helping with the bathrooms during intermission. Contact the local theatres to get more information.

Free Music
You can find a free concert most of the time in New York City if you look hard enough but Central Park Summerstage does all the work for you. In the summer Central Park Summerstage offers a ton of free concerts, readings, and comedy. Some acts do require you to pay but the prices are usually much cheaper than they would be for an outdoor venue. The get great bands to play and you get to enjoy them under the stars in central park. Visit them at http://www.summerstage.org/ to get the newest schedule.

These few things are just some of my favorite free or low cost things to do in New York City. There is always something to do in New York City, and now when you don't have a lot of money you don't need to feel like you can't explore some of the amazing things New York has to offer.