Even though a walk around any of the famous sites in New York City show that tourist season is already in full swing, we’re offering up anyway some free ideas of things to do in a town where free is normally very hard to come by.

By Matt Stabile

1) Street Fairs

It’s guaranteed that whenever you’re in New York, there’s going to be a free street fair happening somewhere in one of the five boroughs, much to the consternation of the locals whose parking spots are taken over by vendors. There are neighborhood fairs, fairs for Bastille Day, Italian feast fairs — pretty much any excuse to get outside.

Time Out has this comprehensive list updated every week.

2) Live Music At South Street Seaport

New Yorkers avoid the outdoor mall/tourist trap that is South Street Seaport like the plague. But come summer, the pier hosts some of the best indie rock shows of the season, all for free. This year’s shows include performances from Bear in Heaven, Free Energy and YACHT, with others to be announced.

(Tip: Avoid the tourist-priced drinks at the show and buy a 32-ounce, portable Styrofoam cup from Jeremy’s Ale House nearby for a fraction of the price.)

The full list can be found at the River To River Festival’s page.

3) Shakespeare In The Park

Okay, this one’s not exactly a revelation. Shakespeare in the Park has been attracting crowds for over half a century, and a look at the number of people that line up every day is proof it’s as popular as ever. You could line up like everyone else at the theater in the morning, hoping to snag a couple of tickets as they’re given away at 1 p.m.

But, for those in the know, those days of line waiting are a distant memory. Now you can simply get in line virtually, signing up here on the day of the show. If you’re picked, you’ll get an e-mail telling you about your free pair of tickets. Not picked, just try again the next day.

4) Shop At The Brooklyn Flea

A flea market in name only, The Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene is your free destination to check out some of the best up-and-coming crafts people and food vendors in Brooklyn; your one-stop shop for apricot cupcakes, vintage postcards, and silk-screen t-shirts. With over 150 vendors on average, a couple hours can be spent wandering around under the sun on a Saturday afternoon.

For directions and vendor list, visit the Brooklyn Flea’s website.

5) See The World In Jackson Heights

Just a short ride on the subway from Manhattan lies Jackson Heights, Queens, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, with over 65% of the population made up of immigrants. Most notable is Little Colombia, where immigrants have opened restaurants and bakeries featuring the best of the country’s delicacies.

The best part? You’ll have visited a part of New York few other travelers — and New Yorkers — have ever been. Yes, off-the-beaten-path is possible in one of the country’s most popular cities.

For some ideas of where to eat and wander, check out Yelp’s listings for the hood.

6) Visit Famous Graves

Okay, stay with me here. Where do travelers flock in Paris? Père Lachaise Cemetery to see Jim Morrison’s grave. How about Buenos Aires? Recoleta Cemetery for Eva Peron. Well, New York has its share of famous graves, most of which go unvisited by travelers (even though the price to do so is free.)

Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx is famous for the great jazz legends buried there. In fact, so many are there, the cemetery has its own “jazz corner,” where such greats such as Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis and Max Roach are found.

Over in Queens is Saint John’s Cemetery, home to the city’s most notorious mafioso, including John Gotti, Lucky Luciano, Joe Colombo, Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese.

Woodlawn offers self-guided tours. Directions and information can be found on their site.

You’re on your own at Saint John’s, but plot locations can be found here.

7) Prospect Park

Prospect Park, in the heart of Brooklyn, is really a city unto itself. Every Saturday, at the entrance at Grand Army Plaza, is a farmer’s market. At drummer’s grove, just inside the Parkside Ave./Ocean Ave. entrance, you can join in on the city’s largest, daily drum circle. And 2 1/2 miles of nature trails, where free tours are offered by the park, begin just inside the Lincoln Rd./Ocean Ave. entrance. Sorry, no sleeping overnight, you’re going to have to leave come 1 a.m.

Info, maps and directions can be found at Prospect Park’s website.

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Matt Stabile