7 Free New York City Date Ideas (You're Welcome)
Oh, NYC. The best city on earth is also one of the most expensive. Looking for love in NYC can be just as pricey as living and eating here, but at least you know that your apartment and food like you back. If you're either looking for love or trying to keep it (but are strapped for cash like everyone else), look no further. You can find love and stick to your budget with these absolutely free date ideas. Who knows, if you really like the person maybe you'll upgrade to forking out a little cash for date number 2.

The Brooklyn Museum hosts "secret" First Saturdays parties.

Fun fact: the Brooklyn Museum hosts a party on the first Saturday of every month and it's absolutely free. From 5pm - 11pm, experience an array of artsy and eclectic events, including live music, DIY art exhibits, films and dancing performances from professionals-though no one will stop you if you two are down to tango too. If you're willing to spend some dinero for your date's diner, you can grab grub, wine and local crafts at either the museum's Michelin-starred Saul bar and restaurant or the local cafe.

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Gandhi, is that you? It's me and my date and we like comedy.

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The best way to suss out if your date has a sense of humor? By going to a comedy club. In this intimate basement setting, the world's best comics-including Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan and Jay Pharoah-are known to stop by to try out new bits while you sit back and watch, all for the price of free laughter.

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Picnic at Governor's Island.

Green space that isn't in Central Park? Sign us up. Take the ferry over to Governor's Island-which is technically part of Manhattan-and roam the 172 acre green space. Park your picnic in the perfect spot surrounded by both an actual forest and a forest of skyscrapers.

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You had me at hello-and "free alcohol tastings" at Bierkraft's Tuesday Tastings.

If you can't afford to buy your date a drink, head on over to the "grown-up" part of Brooklyn in Park Slope to indulge in some free beer tastings! With Bierkraft's Tuesday Tastings, try up to six different drinks from local craft brewers. A popular destination for locals, make sure to be there early as it gets crowded quickly.

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Walk Off Your Snacks on a Greenwich Village Food Tour.

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All of your new favorite eats are just footsteps away when you and your date take part in exploring the best grub in Greenwich Village. Foodies can check out the best of Greenwich's long history of cuisine, from NYC staples like pizza or bagels with schmear, to Mediterranean stylings or vegetarian and vegan samplings. Though technically you will need to fork over some money for tastings ($10 is recommended), spend as much-or as little-on food for two as you'd like.

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Test out that "useless" knowledge you've packed away by joining a trivia night.

You can finally put that liberal arts education to good use! Nerd out and impress your date by heading over to a bar on their trivia night. We recommend a trip on Wednesdays to Pete's Candy Bar in Williamsburg, as well as a visit to the East Village to check out Common Ground or Crocodile Lounge, where you can even score some free shots.

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Strapped for cash? Try a homemade dinner and an outdoor movie.

A cheaper twist on the traditional dinner-and-a-movie date. If you and your partner are strapped for cash, make a romantic dinner before heading out to Bryant Park to catch a classic film, screened in the summer on Monday evenings in the outdoor area. Grab a picnic blanket and get there early, as this is absolutely free if you get there in time.

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