Cheap Date Ideas for Summer in New York City
Summertime inspires us to roam around town, picnic in the park, see outdoor concerts and in general, be romantic. There are endless things that you can only do in the summer, so take advantage of them while you can! Here are some ideas to get your motor running.
1.) Lincoln Center Outdoors
Lincoln Center becomes alive in the summer, beginning with numerous European theater companies performing numerous classic plays. Mid-Summer brings a dance floor under the stars with music from around the world, from Big Band to African, depending on the night. Classical music performances mingle with classic jazz, Brazilian, R&B, and local artists. Visual arts can also be seen throughout the summer. Overall, a great place to go with your significant other to be romantic and take in some world culture.
new.lincolncenter.org/live
70 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023
(212)721-6500
2.) Staten Island Ferry
Who says you need a lot of time or money to be romantic? The Staten Island Ferry has a round trip time of just one hour, is free and is filled with great views of Ellis Island, the Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs 24 hrs/day, 7days/wk, with pickups every 15 minutes during rush hour. There are concessions and even beer offered on the ferry rides if you want to get a cheap meal. There are 2 terminals, the St. George Terminal (offers parking) and the Whitehall Terminal. Click here for ferry schedules.
3.) Movies in Bryant Park
Summertime has brought movies to Bryant Park since 1992. Sponsored by HBO, people flock to the park to watch the Classics, from HUD to Superman. Bring a blanket and sparkling cider (no alcohol allowed) on a Summer Monday @ 6:00pm and lay back with your sweetie to view many great movies. Check the link for schedules. Lawn fills fast, so be prepared to arrive on time or early.
www.bryantpark.org/calendar/film-festival.php
Between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenue
4.) Rooftop Dining
Located in Brooklyn, this restaurant doesn't necessarily look like a great place for outdoor dining. The mojitos and poblanos will beckon your senses inside and take you all the way to the rooftop where you will find a spectacular garden seating area with spectacular views of Manhattan and the Waterfront. Boasting affordable prices, this restaurant is a summertime favorite. Get there early, as the rooftop does not accept reservations. Alma is just one of many rooftop dining options in the City; click here for a full list of al Fresco dining options.
www.almarestaurant.com
187 Colombia St. (corner of Colombia and DeGraw)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718)643-5400
5.) Take the Train for a Dip
A 75 minute ride on the train from Mid-Town will have you on Canopus Lake at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. The park offers walking trails, boating, camping and of course, swimming. Open sunrise to sunset everyday starting the fourth week in June through Labor Day. It costs ~$23 round trip on the train, or ~$25 one way by taxi. If you want to get out in nature and rowboat or picnic with your sweetie, this is the place to go.
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=129
1498 Route 301
Carmel, NY 10512
(845)225-7207
6.) Traditional "New York" Summertime Locales
I'm sure that you all have heard about most of these places, as they are all usually voted as "Most Romantic" or "Place to take a Date". Before you think that these are cliché, remember they must have been voted over and over again for a reason. Here is a sample of a few places that it is impossible to NOT have a romantic time: Top of the Empire State Building, Central Park, Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, Tiffany's, Hudson River Park, or simply just people-watching around the City.
-Ella Riez for AllNY.com
