Fun (Mostly Free) Summer Date Ideas in NYC

Although it’s an expensive place to live, these fun (mostly free) summer date ideas in NY help to make this city a great place for singles looking to have fun.

Unlike most posts on this blog which focus on specific problems, challenges, and obstacles readers have while traveling, this particular post simply includes things I’d enjoy doing on a date so don’t expect an in-depth list of things to do. However, you can check out the Travel Tips, or New York section of the site for more ideas, and be sure to check out this calendar of outdoor movies, concerts and summer events in NYC for specific dates for fun things to do.

Free Kayaking

You can go kayaking in several boroughs, but I’m partial to the boathouse in Brooklyn since I live fairly close. There are certain days when you can borrow the kayaks, but be sure to get there early since there is usually a line.

Coney Island Free House Music Boardwalk Parties

If you’re a house head, there are several parties that take place every summer, but the weekly boardwalk parties in Coney Island are…special. This is a very different crowd from the beautiful, hip, Erykah Badu types that party at Soul Summit, but it’s just as fun. Here, you’ll see an 80-something-year-old Italian guy dancing with a young, Puerto Rican lesbian with no teeth, an Asian crossdresser wearing fishnets, sequins, and white, Michael Jackson gloves, and the Coney Island Dancers all wearing matching, black leather vests let by a guy in a sailor’s outfit. Seriously, you will love this party. If not, just walk down the boardwalk to the group playing reggae, the karaoke crowd, or the guys playing drums while people dance to salsa and merengue beats.

Soul Summit Fort Green Outdoor Dance Parties for House Headz

This is where the pretty people come to sweat. I can’t help but crush on the gorgeous, gay black men in kilts and combat boots and the old skool former Paradise Garage house heads who come to every Soul Summit party, whether it’s held in Fort Greene Park, or at Restoration Plaza. It isn’t easy to find the dates every year, but check their Facebook page. Once you find them, you’ll always hear about them through word-of-mouth.

Smorgasbord for Foodies

I’m trying to slim down, so I rarely go to this food addict’s paradise. However, it is a perfect place for a date. There is an amazing array of food that I guarantee you will rarely find anywhere else, from gourmet burgers to extravagant vegan dishes to decadent desserts. And of course, plenty of beer.

Habana Outpost Free Outdoor Movies

This Cuban, solar-powered restaurant has an outdoor space where you can chill, listen to a DJ play hot hits, and watch movies every Sunday night on the side of the building. It gets loud, and sometimes the movies are really old cult classics, but you can read the subtitles if you really want to watch.

Weekend Getaway Upstate

Okay, so this is something I’m adding to the list for the future when I’m seeing someone consistently. Since I’m just starting to get back into the dating world, I’m saving this one, but who knows what might happen by the end of the summer? The great thing about this retreat center is that they not only have regular rooms you can rent, they also have cabins, dorm rooms, and camping options. And best of all, they’re not only really cheap, they have a work exchange/ volunteer program.

City Island/ Nautical Mile

I love seafood, and while these two places aren’t free, they are fantastic places to get seafood. You would think that in a city pretty much surrounded by water that you would be able to find plenty of restaurants that are overlooking the ocean, but not so much. City Island and Nautical Mile are the two best places I’ve found for seafood lovers who want a nice view while enjoying their meal. However, you really do need a car because both places are damn far from Brooklyn.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island is on my list because my family lives close by, and I don’t have to pay for hotels when I want a mini-vacation to a hot touristy spot on the East coast. I wouldn’t just take someone I’m casually seeing to meet my family, but if I meet someone special, this is a really great place to visit.

Philly Day Trip

Whether a guy has a car or not is irrelevant since Megabus usually offers incredibly cheap tickets to and from places like Philly, Boston, and DC. You can take a day trip, or have a weekend getaway, and tickets cost from $1-$30. Seriously, I have gotten tickets to all three places for a buck.

Swing Dancing

I’ve always wanted to go swing dancing with a guy. Every summer there are free swing dance lessons in the city, so this is definitely on my bucket list.

House of YES

I’ve been hearing about this place for awhile, and although I’m not a fan of bars or clubs, this place sounds pretty scandalous, so I do want to check it out one day.

Burlesque Shows

There are quite a few places that have burlesque shows in the city, and although this can be a pretty risque place for a first date, for those more adventurous souls, it could be pretty fun. Check out Duane Park, The Slipper Room, or do a Google search to find out where to go to check out the sexiest, semi-naked people in NY.

Le Boudoir

I don’t drink, so bars and lounges aren’t my thing. However, if you are seeking a sexy, quiet place for cocktails, this semi-secret spot is the place to take your potential lover. Everything is modeled after Marie Antoinette’s bedroom, so you’ll see red velvet, gilded mirrors, and erotic paintings of nudes around the room.

Sea

This Thai restaurant in Williamsburg is really popular, so you might have to wait awhile to get a table, but the vibe is like a trendy nightclub on weekends, so you can hang out at the bar while you’re waiting. The food is amazing, and hopefully, you’ll get a table next to the fountain with the big Buddha statue in the middle.

NY Restaurant Week

I absolutely love Restaurant Week. I love fine dining, but the prices in NY can be pretty steep. During Restaurant Week, however, you can try out popular dishes at some of these nicer places for a set price which includes your entree, appetizer, and dessert. Restaurant Week for 2018 will be from July 23–August 17, 2018. A two-course Lunch is $26 and a three-course Dinner is $42.

Staten Island Ferry Ride

I know; this is corny and touristy, but I do love taking The Staten Island Ferry. And, it’s free.

Sex Museum

I’ve only been to this museum once when they first opened, and I must admit, it was boring then. But, I’ve heard that they have a bunch of new exhibits and some weird bouncy room for grown-ups, so eventually, I’ll give it a try again. I’m just waiting to go with someone crazy like me.

Great Adventures, NJ

I’m like a kid, I know. I love amusement parks, but rarely go, so I added Great Adventures to my list.

Queens International Night Market

Going to Queens is such an effort for me, but I always love it once I’m there. I’ve been hearing about the Night Market, so one day I would love to check it out. The Queens International Night Market is a great place where you can experience some of the many different cultures in NYC; Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Thai, Greek, Brazilian… etcetera.

Spa Castle

I used to go to Spa Castle a lot, but again, this place is in Queens, so unless you have a car, it takes a damn long time to get there on public transportation from Brooklyn. There is a location for this Korean day spa now in Manhattan, but for awhile they didn’t have an outsor pool and it’s much smaller than the one in Queens. Still, it’s a great place for a date.

Babeland or the Pleasure Chest

If you’re open to taking a class at either place, this could be a very interesting date! Personally, I think Purple Passion or T.E.S might be more exciting, but that depends on how adventurous you are, and how well you know each other. Not for the faint of heart.

Discounted & Lottery Tickets Broadway Theater

I love Broadway theater, but the tickets are crazy. However, I found this site that tells you how to get some pretty cheap tickets through online lotteries. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m dying to see some of the newer shows.

Paddle Boats Prospect Park

This is such a romantic, fun thing to do when the weather is beautiful. You can rent boats by the hour, and later have a picnic at the drum circle.

Sleep No More

So this interactive theater/ performance sounds either really bizarre or really fun, depending on the reviews you find. I’d like to check it out sometime, even if only to wear a sexy mask like in Eyes Wide Shut.

Les Salonnieres

Apparently, this is a speakeasy type of spot where you can have dinner and enjoy various types of entertainment. It’s different, so it could be fun.

There are plenty of other date ideas for things to do this summer, including free outdoor concerts, movies and events on specific dates, but I’ve created a calendar for these events in another post here.

I know I’ve skipped a lot; there are so many things to do in the summer! What are your favorite, fun summer date ideas for NYC?