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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

(Image credit: Shutterstock)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.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.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