by Penne Cole

Created on: August 18, 2009

The Big Apple is ranked among the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn't mean you can't visit without breaking the bank. There are plenty of things that you can do at discounted rates, or even for free, if you're in the know.

Free sights

While there's no such thing as a free lunch in New York, you can enjoy many of her sights without opening your wallet.

1. Statue of Liberty

A trip to NYC isn't complete without visiting Lady Liberty but the $12 ferry fee to Ellis Island can quickly add up if you've got a large family. If you're content to view the statue from afar, take a free ride on the Staten Island ferry instead. Dating back to the 1700s, the ferry service runs frequently and will give you great views of both Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

2. Central Park

At 843 acres, Central Park is easily Manhattan's largest park, and provides city slickers with a much-appreciated respite from the hustle and bustle. Entrance is free and visitors can spend time exploring the Belvedere Castle, or the Beatles memorial at Strawberry Fields. In the summers, the Delacorte Theater offers free Shakespeare performances while the Great Lawn is host to the New York Philharmonic's free open-air concert and the Metropolitan Opera's two operas.

3. Window shopping

Christmas is the best time to go window shopping in the Big Apple. Even if you can't afford anything in the store, take a stroll around the city and admire the elaborate decorations in the city's top shop windows. Don't miss Macy's designs at Herald Square, or the traffic-stopping Lord and Taylor storefronts.

4. Summer concerts

There's a free concert practically every day of the week in New York in the summer. Catch some live music in Washington Square on Tuesdays and head to the Stuyvesant Oval or Madison Square on Wednesday nights. On Thursday, you can watch free Broadway shows in Bryant Park and on Friday mornings, you can choose between the Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park, where NBC's Today Show and Good Morning America respectively compete to put on the best free concerts. On Saturdays, take the cable car to Roosevelt Island for the free concerts on RiverWalk Commons while Town Hall hosts concerts on Sundays.

Cheap sights

Most things don't come for free, but you can get substantial discounts if you know where to look.

1. Museums

If you've got any investment banker or management consultant friends in the city, hit them up for free entry

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