Cheap Summer/Fall Activities in New York for Your Family

Looking for some cheap summer and fall activities to do this year? Look no further; here are some cheap ideas for you and your family and friends. Skip the expensive $10 movie ticket, $200 football game, $100 Broadway show, or the $160 dinner for two. Here are some wallet-friendly alternatives that will not break your bank.

Drive-in Movies are a treat from the past. Remember the good old days where drive-in movies were the hangout place for teenagers and young adults? Well, nowadays drive-in movies are rare to come by and mostly unheard of. But if you search hard you can find these hidden gems that will guarantee to save you money. There are several drive-in theaters in the Tri-state area (check out http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm). But, Camden, New Jersey was where it all started---our country's very first drive-in entertainment.

I checked out Warwick Drive-in Theater in Warwick, NY last summer. Warwick is a small town and the only way to get there from NJ is via a windy road through some mountains. The town is quiet but does have some shopping centers close by the drive-in lot. Your ticket into their Double Feature is only $7.50 per person. Refreshments from their concession stand are a tad more expensive, but they have to stay in business. The people working there are friendly. Remember that vans cannot sit in the first few rows. Convertibles are great. I suggest bringing no more than 3 people per sedan because it can get crowded. 2 people can sit in the front, and the 3^rd person will have to lie on the backseat in order to view the white, large wall (movie screen) with no obstructions. The sounds come from your car's radio, so you cannot watch the movie from outside your car. The bathrooms are small but surprisingly clean. Come enjoy great atmosphere-although the mood is quiet not like Danny and Sandy's date but the quietness and intimacy is truly relaxing!

Have you heard of Broadway musicals for $5? Now you can be a part of a Broadway-like performance in Roosevelt Park (Pine Drive, Edison, NJ). The theater company is called Plays in the Park and is runned by NJ's Middlesex County Department of Parks and Recreation. Tickets are sold $5, $4 for adults and senior citizens respectively. Children under 12 are free. Showtime is every night at 8:30, with no shows on Sundays. People line up at 4:30 to get first tickets and first dibs on front row seats on the lawn. The policy is BYOE-Bring Your Own Everything. Lawn chairs, bug spray, snacks, blankets and anything else you might want to make your viewing more comfortable. Once Upon a Mattress will run from July 18-28, 2007. And Thoroughly Modern Millie will run August 8-18, 2007. Bring the whole family and enjoy some terrific outdoor entertainment. Be part of this 45-year tradition. See you in the park!

In the Edison vicinity, you can find your way to Rutgers University in New Brunswick/ Piscataway. Here, you can find some exciting college football. Last year RU Football placed #12 in the rankings with an 11-2 record. Remember how the Empire State Building was proudly displaying its red lights last November? That was for RU's game and victory over Louisville. Tickets are cheap and students get in free. Coach Schiano and his team will have a promising season and you don't just want to watch it on ESPN. Be a part of RU football-wear red to the game! A special dinner should follow or occur before one of these special events. Looking for some dining bargains? No, not fast-food; you deserve better than that. Go to restaurant.com and purchase gift certificate that are redeemable at your local restaurant. Some discounts are great money savers, $4 for a $25 certificate. The coupon code is: ALLSTAR. The conditions include: dine in dinner for 2 and food purchase of $35 or more prior discount. The certificate is valid for one year. So stock up on the certificates when you see this amazing discount.