Why sit around watching re-runs at home when the world is your adventure? Put down the snack bowl, get out of your NYC apartment and go exploring!

1. Flushing Town Hall (137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354)

Flushing Town Hall may not be as massive or as renowned as Carnegie Hall, but do not let that stop you from checking out this conveniently located and inexpensive venue. Interested in seeing a free Chamber Opera performance or dusting off your dance shoes for an audience inclusive and collaborative Taiwanese Jamaican dance? Then you’ve come to the right place. Town Hall offers a trove of multicultural and artistic shows, all of which are free to those 19 and under (with a student ID). College students receive discounts on all performances, and mothers are able to attend an opera on Mother’s Day day free of charge. The gift-shop on site features work from over 30 artists from Queens and Long Island. If you are an artist you are more than welcome to submit your art to the The Gift Shop Committee at Kmeegan@flushingtownhall.org. The committee will evaluate your work and let you know if your pieces are eligible to receive a place in their store. Free and discounted shows? A chance to sell your artwork? It can’t get any better than that!

Admission:

Free for Teens Age 13-19 with ID.

Students/Members: Cost varies depending on event.

Website: http://www.flushingtownhall.org/

Phone Number: (718) 463-7700

2. New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden (1000 Richmond Ter, Staten Island, NY 10301)

Spring time is here, you know what that means! Flowers, sun, and garden time! For those of us who live in the city, it can be a real bummer to not have a natural respite on hand (check out my other nature posts), but New York always comes through. Snug Harbor’s New York Chinese Scholars Garden is a breathtaking and beautiful oasis. There are tours featuring Snug Harbors gardens, and for an additional cost you can visit the healing garden, rose garden, perennial garden and more! Grab a couple of friends (or go on a solo adventure) and wander down a bamboo forest path, stare at the waterfalls or admire some adorable Koi fish.

Admission: $5 Adults, $4 Seniors/Students and free for kids 12 and Under.

Phone Number: (718) 273-8200

Website: http://snug-harbor.org/botanical-garden/new-york-chinese-scholars-garden/

3. The Daily Waffle (3408 Union St, Flushing, NY 11354)

Alright, so this venue is not as secret as the two previously mentioned, but who doesn’t like fluffy waffles smothered in chocolate? If you are a waffle lover, you have come to the right place my friend. The Daily Waffle has every type of waffle imaginable: waffles and cheese, waffles and nutella, ham and waffles, waffles and bananas, chicken and waffles and the list goes on. A couple of friends and I stumbled upon this waffle joint while out on a birthday outing and we fell in love. Not only were the waffles to die for, but the owner and his wife are complete sweethearts and served us waffles, even though it was time for them to close. While the interior is not fancy, the waffles were worth it! For $8 I got an ice-cream waffle (as seen in the picture) with a medium lychee bubble tea. Cheap and tasty waffles? Oh yeah!

Price: $3-10

Phone: (201) 563-8005