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Who says you have to spend a fortune to enjoy New York? The city is bursting with hundreds of low- or no-cost pleasures, ranging from concerts and plays, to museum exhibitions and tours, all throughout the five boroughs of the city. Free offerings and exceptional deals are available everywhere - if you know where to look.
Drop by the Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue, where you'll find hundreds of brochures and interactive kiosks containing expert, multilingual guides on all things New York. You can also call in advance for a free copy of the Official NYC Guide, filled with coupons to save you money on hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and shopping (800/NYC-VISIT, 212/397-8222). Some noteworthy offerings are listed below, but a little sleuthing will reveal many more inexpensive things to do.
FREE
*Get a feel for New York with a free guided tour by a Big Apple Greeter. These experienced, local volunteers will happily share the secrets of their favorite neighborhoods at no charge. Make an appointment at least 10 days in advance (212/669-8159, www.bigapplegreeter.org).
*Enjoy concerts and dance performances under huge palm trees at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden, a stunning, glass-enclosed shopping and business complex on Lower Manhattan's waterfront. Special summer events are held outdoors. (212/945-2600, www.worldfinancialcenter.com ).
*Enjoy folk paintings, furniture, pottery, quilts and other decorative arts from the 18th century to the present at The American Folk Art Museum. Free Fridays 5:30-7:30 p.m. (212/265-1040, www.folkartmuseum.org).
*Historical and contemporary designs can be viewed for free at The Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design, Tuesday evenings, 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (212/849-8400, www.si.edu/ndm).
*Catapult into the future at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, where high-tech interactive exhibits thrill kids o fall ages (212/833-8100, www.sonywondertechlab.com).
*Explore a famous Art Deco masterpiece on an inexpensive, guided tour of majestic Rockefeller Center. Pick up maps in the main lobby at 30 Rockefeller Center (212/664-3700, www.rockefellercenter.com), where you can also enjoy the summer gardens, or a view of the spectacular Christmas tree during the holiday season.
*Taste farm-fresh produce, homemade breads, cheeses, cider and more at the Union Square Greenmarket, where some vendors offer free samples of their wares. Or, browse for bargains at the famous Annex Antiques Market (212-243-5343), between 24th and 27th Streets ($1 admission. Other outdoor markets include the famous fleas at Columbus Avenue and West 76th Street (Sundays only), and the weekend market on Houston Street between Sullivan and Thompson.
*Revel in the best classical music, jazz, drama, opera and dance that New York has to offer at free warm-weather performances in the city parks by the New York Philharmonic, City Opera, Shakespeare in the Park and many more (information, 212/360-3444).
$10 OR LESS
*Public transportation is one of New York's best bargains and the most efficient way to get around all five boroughs. For $2.00 per ride, visitors can travel from the northern tip of the Bronx all the way south to Battery Park, viewing everything in between. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also offers the Fun Pass, a special MetroCard that allows one-day unlimited access to subways and buses for $7 (first use to 3:00 a.m. the next day) (212-638-7622, www.mta.nyc.ny.us/index.html).
*Stories of faith and courage that affect nearly every American are told at the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Immigration Museum. See New York's most famous landmark and learn about America's melting pot heritage. Admission and ferry ride are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $4 children ages 3-17 (212/269-5755 and 212-363-3200).
*The Japan Society, New York's leading cultural institution on Japan, presents a range of lectures, musical performances, exhibitions and special events, and ticket prices are often $10 or less. (212/832-1155, www.japansociety.org).
*Take advantage of 'pay what you wish' nights at the city's finest museums, including The Museum of Modern Art, Fridays 4-7:45 p.m. (212/708-9400, www.moma.org); the Whitney Museum of American Art, Fridays 6-9 p.m. (212/570-3676, www.whitney.org); and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Fridays 6-8 p.m. (212/423-3500, www.guggenheim.org.
*Experience New York's salty maritime history at the South Street Seaport Museum, which also boasts upscale shops and restaurants. Browsing is free; museum admission $5 (212/748-8600).
*Bask in the serenity of the medieval Cloisters, a satellite of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, located in Fort Tryon Park in upper Manhattan. $12 adults, $7 students/seniors, children free (212/923-3700, www.metmuseum.org).
*Enjoy workshops, lectures and exhibitions at the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, $2.50 adults, $1.25 seniors/students/children (718/727-1135, www.siiasmuseum.org). Or, go back in time at the Historic Richmond Town Restoration, $5 adults, $4 seniors/students, under 5 free (718/351-1611, www.historicrichmondtown.org).
*Watch world history in the making on guided, multilingual tours of the United Nations. $10.50 adults, $8 seniors, $7 students, $6 children from first to eighth grade, children under 5 not permitted on tours (212/963-8687, www.un.org/tours).
*Experience animal attraction at the city's Wildlife Conservation Parks (www.wcs.org/zoos/wildlifecenters). Admission to the Central Park Zoo is $6 adults, and $1 children ages 3 to 12, children under three are free (212/861-6030).
*The Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park is open Thursdays-Tuesdays at $8 adults, $6seniors/children 2-12, Wednesdays donation (718/367-1010).
*Prospect Park Wildlife Center in Brooklyn is $5 adults, $1.25 seniors/students, $1 children 3-12 (718/399-7339). Also in Brooklyn, admission to the New York Aquarium at Coney Island is $11 adults, $7 seniors/children 2-12 (718/265-FISH, www.wcs.org/zoos/aquarium).
*Blooms! Blooms! Blooms! At the New York Botanical Garden, flowers blossom all year. Situated on 250 acres in The Bronx, it includes 27 outdoor gardens and plant collections and the nation's most beautiful Victorian conservatory. Garden admission is $6 adults, $3 seniors/students, $1 children ages 2-12, children under 2 free (information 718/817-8700, www.nybg.org).
*Provided by www.nycvisit.com, the official web site of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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