Who says you have to spend a fortune to enjoy New York? The city is bursting with hundreds of no-cost and low-cost pleasures that include concerts, plays, museum exhibitions and tours throughout the five boroughs. Free offerings and exceptional deals are available everywhere - if you know where to look. 

Drop by the new Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue, where you'll find hundreds of brochures, interactive kiosks and expert, multilingual guidance 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 here, but a little sleuthing will reveal many more.

Get a feel for New York as a real New Yorker sees it with a 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. (212/945-0505,www.worldfinancialcenter.com ).

Watch millions of dollars worth of commodities change hands at the boisterous New York Mercantile Exchange. Monday-Friday, trading at the Comex Division is from 8:30-2:30 p.m.; trading at the Nynex Division, 9:30-3:30 p.m.; museum 9:00 a.m.- 5 p.m. (212/299-2499).

Enjoy folk paintings, furniture, pottery, quilts and other decorative arts from the 18^th century to the present at The Museum of American Folk Art. Free Tuesdays-Sundays until 7:30 p.m. (212/595-9533, www.folkartmuse.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).

Explore a famous Art Deco masterpiece on a free, self-guided tour of majestic Rockefeller Center. Pick up maps in the main lobby at 30 Rockefeller Center (212/698- 2950), 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 Green Market, where some vendors offer free samples of their wares (212/477-9220). Or, browse for bargains at the famous Sixth Avenue Antiques Market, between 24th and 27th Streets (free admission, weekends only). 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).

Public transportation is one of New York's best bargains - and the best way to get around all five boroughs. For $1.50 per ride, visitors can reach from the northern tip of the Bronx way south to Battery Park, and everything in between. Early this year, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled the Fun Pass, a special MetroCard that allows one-day unlimited access to subways and buses for $4 (first use to 3:00 a.m. the next day) (800/METROCARD, 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 $7 adults, $6 seniors, $3 children ages 3:17 (212/269-5755).

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. (212/752-3015).

If you're in town April 23-25, catch the new Gramercy Park Antiques Show, at the 69^th Regiment Armory at Lexington Avenue and 26th Street, featuring exquisite 17^th , 18^th and 19^th century furmture, porcelains, painting, art glass and more. Admission is $10 (212/255-0020).

Take advantage of "pay what you wish" nights at the city's finest museums, including The Museum of Modern Art, Fridays 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. (212/708-9480, www.moma.org ); the Whitney Museum of American Art, Thursdays 6-8 p.m. (212/570-3676, www.echonyc.com/-whitney ); The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Fridays 6-8 p.m. (212/423-3500, www.guggenheim.org ); and The Guggenheim Museum SoHo, Saturdays 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 $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students, $3 children (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. $8 adults, $4 students/seniors, children free (212/923-3700).

Enjoy workshops, lectures and exhibitions at the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, $2.50 adults, $1.50 seniors/students/children (718/727-1135). Or, go back in time at the Historic Richmond Town Restoration, $4 adults, $2.50 seniors/students, under 6 free (718/351-1611).

Watch world history in the making on guided, multilingual tours of the United Nations. $7.50 adults, $5.50 seniors, $4.50 students, $3.50 children from first to eighth grade, children under 5 not permitted on tours (212/963-7713).

Experience animal attraction at the city's Wildlife Conservation Parks (www.wcs.org/zoos/wildlifecenters ). Admission to the Central Park Wildlife Center is$3.50 adults, $1.25 seniors, $.50 children ages 3 to 12, children under three are free (212/861-6030).

The Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park is open Thursdays-Tuesdays at $7.75 adults, $4 seniors/children 2-12, Wednesdays free (800 YES-2868, 718/367-1010).

Prospect Park Wildlife Center in Brooklyn is $2.50 adults, $1.25 seniors/students, $.50 children 3-12 (718/399-7339). Also in Brooklyn, admission to the New York Aquarium at Coney Island is $8.75 adults, $4.50 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 $3 adults, $2 seniors/students, $1 children ages 2-12, children under 2 free (information 718/817-8700, travel directions 718/817-8779, www.nybg.org).

Provided by www.nycvisit.com, the official web site of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau