Free Summer Activities in New York City

There are a lot of pricey tickets in New York City. clothing, meals, entertainment, nothing seems to come cheaply. But with a careful eye and the willingness to be patient and devote some time to looking for bargains, you may be surprised what the city has to offer. You can begin to enjoy some low cost fun with these free summer activities in New York City.

Staten Island Ferry. When you would do almost anything to escape the steamy confines of New York City on a hot summer day, just take yourself aboard the Staten Island Ferry. The Ferry, in many ways, is just an incredible gift to and from the city of New York and a great free summer activity in New York City.

Like few other summer activities, the Staten Island Ferry is operational seven days a week and twenty four hours each day. During day and early evenings, the Ferry runs every half hour and generally it is suggested that you expect a half hour waiting and security clearance time. But riding the Staten Island Ferry is more than worth the wait because the Ferry takes you on your own mini cruise and allows you to see some of New York from a whole new perspective.

From the Ferry you have some wonderful views of Manhattan, busy New York Harbor, Ellis Island and of course the incomparable Statue of Liberty. The Staten Island Ferry runs from Battery Park to Staten Island but you can use it as your own yacht and cool down in style. There are few cities that provide the kind of free summer activity that you find in New York on the Staten Island Ferry.

National Museum of the American Indian Tourists naturally look for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. But look a little further north and you will find a branch of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian waiting for you in New York City, housed in the Alexander Hamilton U. S.Customs Center. This offshoot of the Smithsonian provides viewing access to a wide collection of exhibits that give visitors a stirring visual background of the history of American Indians.

Displays show the artistic gifts of American Indians, the development of their native culture and their spiritual beliefs. The Museum of the American Indian does not just limit itself to the Indians who lived in what is now the United States but also includes materials from Indian groups living in Central America and the Caribbean Islands.

The National Museum of the American Indian is an especially good place to head in the summer time as the display room temperatures are geared to be far more comfortable than what you may find waiting for you on the hot sidewalk outdoors. Because this museum is a member of the Smithsonian system of museums it adheres to national policy and does not charge admission. When the weather outside is challenging your patience and you are interested in seeing a whole new world, then the National Museum of the American Indian is a great free summer activity in New York City.

Central Park Music When summer arrives, Central Park comes alive with, that's right,the sound of music. The spacious park which covers more than 800 acres in the middle of New York City celebrates the season of summer by serving as a backdrop for some of the best music in the country. The Park itself has three major music venues and live performances are scheduled at each throughout the summer.

It is hard to believe but by careful planning you can put yourself in position to enjoy performances by the world renowned New York Philharmonic Orchestra or the Metropolitan Opera. Don't care for that kind of high brow stuff , then tune in to the Sunday concert series from May 27 -Sept 30 from 4-6 p.m. Each week another special performance is offered as part of the Harlem Meer Performance Festival. You can hear the best in new and well established jazz, Latin, world and gospel music And it's all free.

For great free summer activities in New York City of a musical bent, connect with www.centralparknyc.org . Decide what you want to hear and when you want to hear it and for once don't worry about what you have to pay. It's summer and you are the guest of New York City.

Charles Dana Discovery Center. There is lots more going on in Central Park than just music. If you have kids you may want to take advantage of the many free summer activities in New York City offered at the Charles Dana Discovery Center.

Conveniently the Center is open Tuesday- Sunday from 10a.m. to 5 p.m.. and offers free educational and community programs throughout the year. The Center is located along the shore of "Harlem Meer" ( Meer is a Dutch word that means "lake"). During the summer f you and your children can enjoy trying your skill at a catch and release fishing one of the Park favorites attractions for young families. The center provides fishing poles, non barbed hooks and the short instruction booklet that can allow you and your family to practice this age old skill.

Local families will tell you not to forget nearby Lasker pool. If the weather is hot and you've ambled around the park for awhile cooling off can be easy and free at Lasker Pool located near the Discovery Center at the North End of Central Park. In the winter Lasker is a skating rink for hockey and recreational activities but when summer rolls around the rink is converted into a huge swimming area that is free and open to the public.

It shouldn't be surprising that things can get expensive in New York, it is a huge cosmopolitan city. What may be surprising is how many summer activities in New York City are free. All you have to do is ask.