Learn and network without spending money

Offering incredible views of Manhattan, Bushwick Inlet Park is located in the heart of the Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront and has several acres of green space open to the public. Although still in the early stages of development, the park boasts a sports field, community center and monthly events. Past events have included concerts, flower planting and environmental drives.

With a focus on sustainability, the park is a great step towards environmentally conscious landscape design and architecture, making it stand out from the hundreds of parks across the city.

(Photo by Kevin Wu for WSN)

New York’s Grand Bazaar takes place every Sunday on the Upper West Side and has a diverse array of vendors offering everything from food to one-of-a-kind furniture. All proceeds from the city’s self-proclaimed “oldest, largest and most diverse weekly fair” go to fund arts, education and essentials for four different public schools in the area.

Located just a short walk from Central Park, the market is a great resource for affordable vintage, one-of-a-kind handmade goods, or just to browse curated antiques, from sword tables to vintage costume jewelry.

(Photo by Manasa Gudawali for WSN)

The Brooklyn Flea is held every weekend from April to December in DUMBO and year-round in Chelsea. Established in 2008, the Flea showcases hundreds of vendors selling furniture, vintage clothing and antiques, as well as local artisans specializing in jewelry, art and other crafts.

Brooklyn Flea also hosts Smorgasburg, a giant all-foods market that runs from April to October in New York City. While pieces range from one-of-a-kind inexpensive prints to hundreds of dollars worth of designer vintage pieces, the flea market is a one-of-a-kind window shopping experience. Within walking distance of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Time Out Market New York and everything else downtown Brooklyn has to offer, the DUMBO Flea location is the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

(Photo by Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Artists and Fleas describes itself as a market for tasters, experienced curators, designers, collectors and curators. A year-round indoor alternative to other flea markets around the city, it has New York locations in both Chelsea and Williamsburg. Williamsburg – just a short walk from the Bedford Avenue station – is also home to Artists and Fleas’ newest “Regeneration” market. New vintage curators debut weekly featuring retailers dedicated to the “recycling fashion revolution.”

Whether you’re looking to expand your wardrobe, shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, or escape the oncoming cold weather, Artists and Fleas is the best place to discover what local artists and creators have to offer. The market is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00 to 19:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 18:00.

(Photo by Andy Lee for WSN)

Belvedere Castle is a miniature castle located on Vista Rock, the second highest natural point in Central Park. The Belvedere, which means “great view” in Italian, is known for its sweeping views of the park and surrounding cityscape. The building was completed in 1872 and has since been renovated and modernized.

Inside is a vast collection of natural history artifacts, microscopes, and telescopes designed to give guests an introduction to the study of nature. Special Belvedere tours are available through the Central Park Conservatory several times a month for $25 per person.

(Photo by Shiren Anand for WSN)

The Drawing Center is a non-profit exhibition space in Soho founded by former Museum of Modern Art curator Martha Beck. With a special emphasis on the image as a medium and a dynamic tool for storytelling, it is a great alternative to crowded museums, allowing more focus on each individual work. Currently on display are works by artists such as Ibrahim El Salahi, a 92-year-old man who uses drawing to relieve chronic pain, and Catherine Chalmers, whose miniature drawings of ants celebrate the intersection of art and science. The space is open from 12:00 to 18:00 from Wednesday to Sunday, and admission is free every day.

(Photo by Augustine Langlett for WSN)

Wollman Rink is a seasonal rink located in the heart of Central Park. A New York City staple for more than 70 years, the rink offers ice skating, arts programs and community events. While tickets for adults can range from $15 to $35, patrons with a New York Public Library card have access to a limited number of discounted tickets for $14, which include admission, skates and hot cocoa. Getting an NYPL card is free for anyone who lives, works, or attends school in New York City. This year, the rink is open from October 24 to March 15.

(Photo by Amory Gao for WSN)

The Society of Illustrators aims to celebrate the art of illustration – both contemporary and historical – through exhibitions, lectures and competitions. Located on the Upper East Side, the museum hosts exhibitions of children’s book illustrations, cartoons, and comics from the museum’s permanent collection, as well as artwork Robert Quackenbush.

Artists of all levels are also invited to the museum’s regular sketch nights, which often feature costume or holiday themes. The Society of Illustrators is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and student admission is $10. Patrons with a New York Public Library card can reserve a free ticket using the Culture Pass.

(Photo by Amory Gao for WSN)