Now that the winter coats are officially stored for the season, it’s safe to say that the summer season is in full swing.
In trying to map out the perfect bucket list of fun ventures to indulge in this summer, I went to ChatGPT and came away with a long list of worthwhile stuff to do. That was such an easy experiment to do since I made sure to describe my favorite hobbies and interests before asking for that chatbot’s clever suggestions for what I should be doing before September rolls around.
Now that I have a list of things to do that require me to pony up a couple of bucks here and there, I’m now interested in adding to that list of activities by discovering cost-effective things to do. I’m willing to open my wallet and not spend any money whatsoever once I walk out of my front door to bask in the summer vibes.
I went right back to ChatGPT to help fill out my summer fun list and this time, I asked it to come up with the most affordable events I can pull off with little to no costs attached to them. These are the ones that caught my eye.
Budget-friendly tri-state fun
The first portion of low-cost summer treks suggested by ChatGPT through New York definitely appealed to my hobbies and interests.
Everything from free concerts to free public viewing events for this year’s FIFA World Cup earned a spot on my to-do list for the summer:
- Free concerts, movies, and live performances: Central Park hosts free concerts and performances through SummerStage all summer long. Bryant Park regularly hosts outdoor movie nights, yoga, and games. Riverside Park’s “Summer on the Hudson” series includes hundreds of free events ranging from dance classes to live music. And free orchestral performances from the New York Philharmonic and outdoor opera recitals happen throughout the boroughs in the summer.
- Free kayaking on the Hudson: You can kayak for free during the summer through Downtown Boathouse programs at Pier 26 and Pier 84.
- Shakespeare in the Park: Free theater in Delacorte Theater remains one of NYC’s classic summer experiences. Tickets are free, though arriving early helps.
- World Cup fan zones this summer: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup happening nearby, NYC is planning free public viewing events and fan zones across the boroughs.
All of these summer fun recommendations were right up my alley, especially the free concerts being held on Central Park’s SummerStage (the Funk Flex Birthday R&B Picnic on August 7 is definitely my type of party!). An additional option ChatGPT sent my way was about Free Fishing Days, which mentioned everyone being able to fish without a freshwater license.
Seeing as how I’ve never done it before and have always been keen on trying it out, I marked my calendar for June 29.
Inexpensive activities outside of my home state
Even though I filled up my list of inner-city summer activities to embark on, I went ahead and asked ChatGPT about cheap to no cost alternatives outside my home state.
There were a few good suggestions in that list and I’m going to share a few of them here just in case you’re looking for some exciting things to do this summer:
- Free beaches and lake towns: Great low-cost options include Chicago lakefront beaches, California beach towns, Gulf Coast beaches, Jersey Shore towns and Great Lakes beach areas. Chicago alone offers 24 free beaches plus its massive lakefront trail.
- Free splash pads and public water parks: Some standout examples include Crown Fountain in Chicago, Yards Park in Washington, D.C., Discovery Green in Houston, Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati and Civic Center Park in Denver. These are especially good if you want summer fun without paying resort or amusement-park prices.
- Public libraries are wildly underrated: Reddit users repeatedly point out that libraries have become free entertainment hubs during summer. Many now offer movie nights, workshops, free classes, game nights, maker spaces, book clubs and free museum passes. They’re especially good if you want low-stimulation, relaxing activities.
Final thoughts
Not only do I have a summer bucket list full of things to stay busy with, but now I have a long list of free and cheap occasions to enjoy when I just feel like having fun while not overspending.
ChatGPT did a great job sourcing all of its information for each summer activity it mentioned, such as Reddit, the official sites for public parks, SUL NYC Insider and more. Wherever you are, feel free to ask ChatGPT to help you locate some local summer hotspots or even those outside of your state or country of residence to truly enjoy the next three months.
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