Frommer's NYC Free & Dirt Cheap

Free Music: Classical music, jazz quartets, and cutting-edge bands.

Free Speech: A-list plays, quick-witted comedy, and readings.

Free Food: The best happy hours, plus where to score delectable dirt-cheap eats-from burgers to BYOB That to pre-theater Peruvian.

Free Films: Outdoors and indoors, from indies to cult faves.

Free Classes: Take a morning tai chi class, learn to identify a good cabernet, or find out how to start your own business.

Free (or Almost) Accommodations: Apartment rentals, couch-surfing, and low-cost (yet surprisingly posh!) hotels.

Ethan Wolff is a fourth-generation New Yorker. How he happened to grow up in Virginia is a complete mystery to him. He lives in the heart of the Bargain District on the Lower East Side.