Summer in the City: Have Fun on a Budget in New York

So all your friends are off to Paris or Morocco or St. Bart’s for the summer and you’re stuck landlocked in the good old U. S. of A. Budgeting’ll do that to you, won’t it? But if you’re smart, you can have a great time in America’s most exciting city, New York, without spending one-tenth of what a lavish exotic trek will run. A subway ride’s two bucks, and half the time you might not even need that; here’s a few summer-specific great ideas any tourist or resident can use for big fun in the Big Apple on a budget.

Outdoor Concerts – There’s free cultural events going on all summer long in New York, be it the Philharmonic’s concerts in the parks, Celebrate Brooklyn or the Downtown NYC River to River FestivalâÂ?¦ just three of the many events of the lots-of-musicians-get-together-in-a-city-park-and-play variety that’s great fun for all while uniquely New York. Visit the tourism board’s Web site at www.nycvisit.com for a more complete listing.

Bryant Park Summer Film Festival – Free movie screenings sponsored by HBO that attract crowds of film lovers who want to enjoy the communal experience of Hollywood magic in the open air. 2006’s selections include “Rocky”, “A Shot in the Dark” and “High Noon”. Bring a picnic basket and get there early.

The New York International Fringe Festival – Happening in August, a chance to see original works of dance, theatre and music for their very first performances, as aspiring artists of every stripe show the world what they’ve got in a bid for the big time. Whether you’re up for the Odonata Dance Project’s not-to-be-missed satire “Aspiration: Housewife”, the intriguing-sounding “Henry Kissinger: A Romantic Comedy”, the occasional re-imagining of Shakespeare or just some good old-fashioned puppetry, Fringe NYC 2006 promises to be a must-see. General admission is $15 for each fresh, cutting-edge show.

Summer Restaurant Week – For those who prefer their pleasure gastronomical to cultural, you’ll love June and July’s special program of $35 three-course dinners at nearly two hundred of the city’s finest restaurants. Don’t forget to tip your server.

Fourth of July Fireworks – Manhattan is not about to disappoint in the arena of pyrotechnic glory, and Macy’s show is the weapon of choice. And no one’s ever been charged admission to a fireworks show.

The Brooklyn Brewery – Beer is the official beverage of summer, provided you’re old enough of course, and on Saturdays you can get a free guided tour of Williamsburg’s first brewery in twenty years. Free samples, too. (Bet that got your attention.)

Metropolitan Museum of Art – Don’t let the recommended price fool you; they’ll let you in for any amount of money, so pay what you feel is fair. But the museum’s priceless collection of work is surely worth both your time and a little money. Makes a perfect way to cool off from a hot day, and as one of the most child-friendly museums around, you can ensure your kid learns a little something on his summer break.

The Staten Island Ferry – Even Abbie Hoffman recommended this in “Steal this Book”, back when it actually cost money to ride, and the title of the book tells you what he felt about paying for things. Get a great view of the city, the water and the Statue of Liberty (you can’t go up to the crown these days anyway, so why bother making a trek out to it anyway?) and cool off in the ocean air.

Coney Island – A New York summer mainstay that might go without saying, but just in case, the traveler intrepid enough to head out to Brooklyn will find endless beaches (albeit packed), rides, attractions, sideshows, what have you. The area prides itself on its cultural history and runs everything from a film festival to a museum to the annual Mermaid Parade in June to celebrate the unique fun of the place. Plus fireworks and burlesque too, on its more normal, quiet days.

People-watching – Maybe you have to have been to New York to understand this, but just wandering around random streets and seeing what’s around is just about the most fun you can have in the city, and it’s all free. You might run into a crazy little shop, a movie shoot, an absurd collection of street performersâÂ?¦ the weather’s great and everyone’s walking around. It’s all there, it’s all for you, and it doesn’t cost a penny. Skip the big tourist attractions and see the Big Apple as the locals do.

Only in New York can you have a full day of fun and a hot dog to boot and still come back with change from your twenty. Whatever you may have heard about the big scary city will soon be replaced with unforgettable memories from the unofficial capital of the world. So pack your lightest wallet and come on down to the Big Apple this summer for a touch of urban magic on the cheap.