Free Stress Relieving Activities in New York City

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It’s summer time and though the economy may be down, living in one of the most expensive cities in the world may actually turn out to your benefit. New York City (NYC) is bountiful with free entertainment and fitness classes during the summer. I can’t think of any better way to reduce stress and take the pressure off of your wallet than by exploring the city and joining other New Yorkers in the sun and outdoors.

For fitness, check out Summer on the Hudson in Riverside Park South. Every weekend until October 1, you can go kayaking on the river at west 72nd Street for 20 minute increments between 10 am and 5 pm.

At 6:30 pm on Tuesdays you can workout on the river at The Plaza (west 66th Street) with pilates classes and at the same time and place on Wednesdays with yoga. www.nyc.gov/parks/soh

For you early birds, Tai Chi classes are being held in Bryant Park on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:30 am to 8:30 am through mid-September and 6:30 am to 7:30 am on Wednesday in Fort Tyron Park.

If you like these offerings, you’ll love the NYC Parks website where there are more fitness events listed for every borough and every age group. http://nycgovparks.org/befitnyc

If you’re like me, you know that dance is not only great exercise, but its entertaining and stress relieving. This summer the Hudson River Park will host dance classes in tango, salsa, and swing on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm beginning July 12th (http://www.hudsonriverpark.org). Riverside Park South will also be hosting latin dance classes at 6pm on Sundays in June.

After your workouts, you’re probably going to want to relax. There are plenty of ways to do that with free concerts, film, and theater taking place throughout the city.

For most of us, nights at the drive-in are gone, but that doesn’t mean you can no longer experience film outdoors. Bryant Park hosts a popular film festival on Monday nights, but that’s not the only place where you can catch flicks under the stars. In July and August Hudson River Park hosts Riverflicks where you can see old and not so old favorites on Wednesday and Friday nights. Against the gorgeous backdrop of the bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park does the same on Thursday nights.
Arrive early with a blanket and dinner to secure a good spot. I recommend getting to Bryant Park just before the lawn opens at 5pm, but the other events are less crowded, so you can arrive about an hour before sunset.

If you love theater, you must make time to stand in line for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park. This June, Anne Hathaway is making her Public Theater debut in The Twelfth Night. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday from June 10 to July 12. The Bacchae will begin August 11 and will show through August 30. For information about acquiring tickets, see the Public Theater’s Web site: www.publictheater.org. Many people arrive early in the morning to wait in line for tickets; however, you can also take a chance at arriving around 4 p.m. in the afternoon for the extra tickets distributed at 7 p.m.

If you hate waiting in line and would rather relax under the stars to acoustic guitar and covers of artists like the Beatles, Billy Joel, and John Cougar Mellencamp, then you’ll want to make your way down to Pier 45 at 7 p.m. on Fridays. On Tuesday nights in the same place you can catch students from the New School performing everything from Bach to BeBop. More details on these events here: http://www.hudsonriverpark.org

If that’s not enough, you can find more free music, fitness, and theatre at the following sites. Don’t let money get you down, let its absence open you up to new discoveries!
 
River to River Festival
http://www.rivertorivernyc.com

Celebrate Brooklyn
http://www.briconline.org/celebrate/

Central Park Summerstage
http://www.summerstage.org/

Central Park
http://www.centralparknyc.org (click on “Events,” then “Free Events”)

Take Me to the River: Hudson River Park Events
http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/events.asp

Summer on the Hudson
http://www.riversideparkfund.org/calendar/
 
Shakespeare in the Park
http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/126/219/

Bryant Park Film Festival
http://www.bryantpark.org/calendar/film-festival.php
 
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movie's with a View
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org

Melissa King is a life and wellness coach in New York City. She works with women on weight loss, better success in dating, and career satisfaction. Her Web site is myheartdances.com Contact her at melissa@myheartdances.com