Leap Day is right around the corner. Not only does a Leap Day come around every four years, a Leap Day on a Saturday is more rare — it comes around once every 28 years, so you definitely don’t want to miss out on some fun.
You don’t have to break the bank to have fun this Leap Day. Here are some free or low cost options you can enjoy this weekend.
Bryant Park is the only rink in the city where you can ice skate for free. If you need to rent skates, you will be charged a fee. If you don’t feel like skating, you can head up the overlook pavilion and enjoy a selection of games and art supplies for free.
Go to a museum with free hours
Tons of museums throughout the city offer free admission, including Socrates Sculpture Park, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Hamilton Grange, and so much more. The Jewish Museum in Manhattan offers free admission all day on Saturdays, Wave Hill in the Bronx has free admission from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and from 5 to 8 p.m. you can pay what you want to go to the Guggenheim. Head to nycgo.com to see a full list of free museums in New York City.
Take a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery
If you’re of drinking age, you can take a free tour of Brooklyn Brewery. The brewery offers free tours every half hour on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 1 p.m. The last tour is given at 6 p.m., so after you take the tour you can swing by the bar or their gift shop.
Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry
Get a different perspective of New York City by taking a ride on the ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is a free service offered by the city that you can enjoy water views and the sights of the city. You can even grab a bite to eat or a beer while taking your ride.
Celebrate an extra day of Black History Month at Poe Park
An extra day in February means that there’s an extra day to celebrate Black History Month. Poe Park in the Bronx will host their closing reception for their Black History Month exhibit at 1 p.m. in the visitor center. Come see the exhibit before it’s gone!
Go to a free Leap Day Block Party in Brooklyn
For some family-friendly fun, head over to City Point, located at 445 Albee Square West, for a special Block Party hosted in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Parents this Leap Day. From 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., guests can enjoy free activities including educational games, sports, arts & crafts, a Pokémon trading and tournament, Beyblade tournament, an adventure playground and more. Plus, there will be a camp fair for parents to explore for their kids this summer.
Go to Alley Pond Park for winter games and activities
Need to kill a couple of hours in the afternoon? From 1 to 3 p.m. Alley Pond Park is hosting winter games and activities for people of all ages on Leap Day. There will be obstacle courses, relay races and more, plus live animal encounters, fire making tutorials, smores and a hot cocoa station. If you were born on Leap Day, you can go home with a special prize.
The High Line is a popular spot for visitors, and every Saturday they offer a free public tour at noon so you can dive into the history of the park. Space is limited, so be sure to show up 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day at Chelsea Recreation Center
While National Girls & Women in Sports Day is usually observed at the beginning of the month, Chelsea Recreation Center is hosting a special event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Leap Day. Kids of all ages can come to take part in handball, basketball, fitness classes, water aerobics and jumbo games, or hit the obstacle course and jump in the swimming pool for free.
Leap Day Discounts at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
If you’re looking to venture outside of the city for your extra day, LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester is offering a special deal for Leap Day babies. If you were born on Feb. 29, LEGOLAND is offering you free admission to the center. Not born on Leap Day? No worries – LEGOLAND is running a Leap Day sale dropping the admission price to $15 until March 1.
Read more: Explore NYC: 9 Must-Do Activities in the City from Feb 18-20, 2022
