New York City is the most popular tourist destination in the USA and one of the most exciting cities in the world. This city which is often referred to as ‘the city that never sleeps’ and ‘ the center of the universe’ is chock a block with numerous attractions which draw hordes of camera totting tourists every year. However many of the famous New York City attractions sport hefty admission charges which can rapidly decimate a vacation sight-seeing budget and the only way to avoid this scenario is to use some of the tips and tricks mentioned below to obtain your entire New York City experience for ‘free’.

Get your requisite dose of culture at New York City’s many museums on ‘free museum nights’.

New York City is home to nearly 80 world famous museum. Most of these New York  museums have hefty admission charges though  the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  the American Museum of Natural History and theMuseum of the City of New York follow a ‘pay as you wish’ policy with the suggested admissions priced between $10 to $20 .
The Whitney Museum of American Art follows a ‘pay as you wish policy’ on Friday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. The Museum of Modern Art offers free admission sponsored by Target on Fridays between 4pm and 8pm and offers free admission for children under  16 at all times while The Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers free admission sponsored by Target on the First Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm. Similarly the Guggenheim Museum offers a ‘pay as you wish policy’ on Saturdays from 5.45pm to 7.45pm and the Brooklyn Museum offers Target Free First Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm where thousands of visitors enjoy free art and entertainment at the museum.
The annual Museum Mile Festival which celebrates the nine New York City museums which are  located along Fifth Avenue from 82nd Street to 104th street is usually held in June and offers free admission to these museums along with music, dance and entertainment programs.

Bank of America offers its cardholders free admission to New York City Museums through its ‘Museums on Us’ program. This program allows Bank of America cardholders free admission during the first full weekend of every month at the Met, the Bronx Zoo, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the New York Aquarium and the Whitney Museum of American Art.Additionally you can also immerse yourself in American History everyday at the Museum of the American Indian which is located in downtown Manhattan and which offers free admission at all times and the Queens County Farm Museum which is housed in a historic homestead on the only working historical farm in  New York City charges admission only for special events but is free on most days.

Feast your eyes on the gorgeous vistas of the New York City Skyline

New York City’s skyscraper speckled skyline is renowned the world over and one of  the best way to enjoy the views of the skyline and the landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island  for free is to take a ride on the free public commuter Staten Island ferry that plies round the clock between the Whitehall Street terminal in downtown Manhattan to St George on Staten Island.

Explore New York City’s Gardens and the Bronx Zoo for Free

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are free of admission charges on Tuesdays from 8am to 6 pm; seniors additionally enjoy free access to the gardens on Fridays as well though the garden also offers free access to all visitors on Saturdays from 10am to noon unless there are special events scheduled in the gardens. Free access days are also offered during week days during the freezing New York City winters. Similarly the New York Botanical Gardens which are located in the Bronx offer free grounds admission for everyone all day on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. The Wave Hill Gardens which are located on a 28 acre former estate overlooking the Hudson River in the Bronx and feature greenhouses and gardens offer free access all day on Tuesdays during the off peak months and restricted free access during the peak summer months from May to October.

On Wednesdays, the animal wonderland of the Bronx Zoo ,the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States that encompasses 265 acres of verdant park lands and other naturalistic habitats and  has the  Bronx River flowing through it ,offers admission by ‘pay-what-you-wish‘ donation all day from10 am to 4:30 pm.

Tour the Grand Central Terminal for Free

Grand Central Terminal which is one of New York City’s main commuter rail stations and the biggest station in the world by the number of platforms is located in a gorgeous Beaux Arts building on East 42nd Street between Lexington and Park Avenues. Learn about the history of this stunning New York City landmark by taking a free guided tour of Grand Central Terminal and its surrounding neighborhoods. This free 90 minute walking tour is offered on Fridays all throughout the year and is sponsored by the Grand Central Partnership and the Altria Group. The tour kicks off at 12.30pm from the Sculpture Court of the Whitney Museum at Altria on East 42nd Street across from Grand Central.

Discover Nature’s glorious bounties at the Union Square Green Market

The Union Square Green Market is New York City’s premier farmer’s market that is held all year round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am until 6pm at Union Square located between 14th Street and 17th Streets. Celebrity chefs, local restaurateurs, home cooks and enthusiastic foodies head religiously to this outdoor market to procure  seasonal fresh produce, meats, freshly baked breads and other confectioneries, juices , syrups, cheeses, jams, honeys, butters that are on offer. All the products sold at this superb market are sourced from local farmers, bakers and producers who are always on hand to interact and offer samples to the crowds that throng the market.

Feast your eyes on the NY Fed Gold Vault

The New York Federal Reserve Bank offers free tours of its facilities through one hour long guided tours. These tours are offered free every day of the week excepting for bank holidays. However in order to reserve a tour you have to register on the New York Federal Reserve’s website at least a month in advance.

Revel in the free entertainment on offer in New York City’s Parks

New York City’s iconic patch of green, Central Park is a hub of activity especially during the summer months when if offers free public performances in the park like Shakespeare in the Park, Central Park Summer Stage and  The Good Morning America Summer Concerts which are held in various areas of this vast park.  Yet another park in the city, Bryant Park which is located in the shadow of the imposing, beaux-arts building that houses the New York Public Library on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue offers free movies on its premises in the summers in the form of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. During the winter months Bryant Park offers free ice skating on ‘the Pond’ and a holiday shopping market.  Similar programs are also offered at the city’s other parks like the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park and the Battery Park Esplanade.

Flex your muscles as you go kayaking on the Hudson River

The New York City Downtown Boathouse is a volunteer organization that is located in the Hudson River Park along the Hudson River. The Boathouse has three locations in Manhattan at Pier 40 at Houston Street, Pier 96 at 56th Street, 72nd Street in Riverside Park and offers free kayaking facilities during the summer months.

Dine for free at New York City Bars

New York City’s pulsating nightlife is legendary but few know that several New York City bars actually offer substantial free nibbles with their drinks. Most of these free snack deals are offered during ‘the happy hours’ which are usually between 5pm and 7pm.These ‘happy hour munchies’ deals can be found at bars like the Alligator Lounge and the Charleston both of which are located in Williamsburg in Brooklyn and offer pizzas with their drinks. At all the three downtown locations of the wine bar, Tarallucci & Vino which offer mini pizzas, olives, and wedges of quiche as accompaniments to drinks, El Cantinero   in Greenwich Village which offers a free buffet with its drinks, the bar called Spain on West 13th street which offers free tapas during happy hour and Rudy’s Bar and Grill in Hell’s Kitchen which offers free hot dogs with its drinks. For a daily listing of Happy Hour deals at New York’s bars do check out the website happyhoured.com which also has an application for the iphone.

Pander to your shopaholic tendencies at New York City’s famous flea and street markets

Summer street fairs are yet another New York City tradition. During the lazy summer weekends, entire streets in the city are pedestrianized as they host various vendors who hawk food, clothes, myriad arte facts and more at these bustling summer street fairs. Aside from these street fairs NYC has permanent flea markets like the Brooklyn Flea which is open every warm weather weekend in Fort Greene on Saturdays and in DUMBO on Sundays but goes indoors at One Hanson Place at the corner of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn during the winter months. Yet another permanent flea market in NYC is the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market which is held all year round at West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues which features more than 170 vendors who sell antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, home decorations and furniture, jewelry, and much  more.’

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Saint Louis has more free activities that any other city in the US, save Washington DC.  While it does not usually rank among the most desirable domestic tourist destinations, it does hold some surprises.  There’s the beer, of course, and sites left over from the early days of the Midwest’s history.  But the real magic can be found in the city’s more modern attractions.  Saint Louis is one of the last remaining cities where zoos and museums are free every day of the year.

Add to this mix of freebies gardens, public art and parties and you can enjoy an exciting vacation without ever having to crack open your wallet.

Here are ten great activities in Saint Louis that won’t cost you a penny.
1. The Saint Louis Zoo is recognized as one of the premiere zoos in the US.  There are more than 5,000 animals on display, representing 700-plus species.  It is, arguably, the best zoo in the country that doesn’t charge admission (though the adjoining Children’s Zoo is $4 per person).  Popular residents include elephants, lions, primates, penguins and butterflies.

2. The Muny Outdoor Theater is a summertime institution in Saint Louis.  It bills itself as the largest and oldest outdoor theater in the United States.  Broadway shows are the most common type of performance, with Cats, Titanic – the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and Damn Yankees among the 2010 offerings.  There are 1,500 free seats for each performance.  They are awarded on a first come, first served basis (doors open at seven p.m., but it is best to get in line earlier to assure yourself of a seat).  Hate standing in line more than spending money? Tickets are for sale on the Muny web site.

3. The un-ignorable Gateway Arch is the most prominent piece of public art in Saint Louis, but it is not the only one.  The Saint Louis Public Art Consortium maintains a list and map of the best public art installations in Saint Louis.  Bronze statues can be found at University Park and the Saint Louis University, and more modern sculptures and art installations are located in other public places around the city (including the metro transit stations).

4. Few people outside of the Saint Louis area know that it hosts the second largest Mardi Gras party in the US, after New Orleans, of course.  The festivities are centered in the Soulard area, just outside of Downtown Saint Louis.  There are plenty of different parades that take place in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.  These range from kid-friendly events with floats and prizes to more fleshly bead tossing bacchanals that are strictly adults only.  Mardi Gras makes Saint Louis a good late-winter destination.

5.  Budweiser might be the king of beers, but beer enthusiasts always seek more flavorful options.  There are other breweries in the city besides the one producing “the king of beers.”  Schlafly Brewery makes a popular line of micro-brews and, better yet, offers free tours of their facility that culminate in the sampling of several of their most popular beers.  Tours take place hourly between 12 and 5 p.m. every weekend afternoon.

6. The Saint Louis Museum of Art is another high-brow attraction that does not charge admission.  The rather imposing building and the grounds, with statues and fountains, are as impressive as the galleries.  The highlights of the exhibit halls include Egyptian artifacts, a collection of impressionist paintings and a collection of historic African and Native American art.  Admission is free, but there is a charge to enter some featured exhibits.  However, all exhibits are free each Friday.

7.  Despite what you might think of its flavor (or lack thereof) Budweiser is the most famous beer in the US.  Even non-beer-drinkers can appreciate the Anheuser-Busch brewery tours because of the architecture and history of the brewery compound.  Yes, the tour even passes through the famous stables where the Budweiser Clydesdales are kept.  Of-age tourists can sample the famous breweries products at the end of the tour.  Tours are offered seven days a week.

8. Union Station in Saint Louis is worth a visit even if you do not plan to take a train.  Built in 1890, its vaulted ceilings and the intricate decorations that adorn the walls are stunning, even by today’ standards.  There is also stained glass, a clock tower and an expansive train shed.  The station is definitely a place to bring your camera.

9. The general exhibit hall at the Saint Louis Science Center is free (though there are numerous additional attractions, such as a Lego exhibit and an OmniMax Theater, that charge admission).  The most popular features include dinosaurs, a hands-on/high-tech “Cyberville” exhibit and activities that explore engineering and flight.

10. Laumeier Sculpture Park offers visitors a chance to see some of the best outdoor art in the city without having to travel from site to site (see #3 above).   Aside from works made from metal or stone, there are other media represented as well.

San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in North America.  The famous Alamo, along with several other lesser-known (but equally old) missions, hearken back to the days when Texas was not yet a state.  Some residential neighborhoods, such as the King William District, are more than a century old.

But San Antonio, like any growing metropolis, has plenty of modern features: a vibrant nightlife, cutting edge music and eating scenes and, yes, lots and lots of free attractions.  Perhaps SeaWorld and Six Flags will not be on a budget traveler’s itinerary, but there are more than enough cost-less sights and sounds to fill a trip to this modern city.

Here’s is a list of all things good (and free) in San Antonio.

1. San Antonio’s Japanese Tea Garden recently reopened.  The well-manicured, highly-stylized gardens would not be out of place in Tokyo or Osaka.  This authentic feel makes the garden a great place to explore.  In addition to the trees, rocks and pathways, there are koi ponds and a rather impressive 60-foot waterfall.

2. Fiesta San Antonio, held in April, is the city’s biggest festival.  Actually, with more than two and a half million attendees, it is the largest outdoor festivals in the entire US.  The events take place in mid-April (the 15th to the 25th this year).  This year’s festivities will include parades, outdoor concerts, fireworks, cultural performances and food-related events.  Though not all events are free, most of those that take place in public places do not charge admission.  Others, such as the popular Taste of New Orleans ($10 admission), are reasonably priced.

3. The San Antonio Missions Trail is a 6-mile walkway that runs between four of the area’s historic Spanish-built missions.  Yes, it is one of the better places to walk if you are in search of an urban hiking venue, but the missions, which are part of a national historic park, are the real attraction.  They are among the oldest in North America, dating back to the early 18th Century.  These lesser known missions are a great alternative to often-crowded, more touristy Alamo.

4.  When they return home, San Antonio tourists can expect to repeatedly be asked: “Did you see the Alamo?”  It is hard to pass up the mission, even though it is bound to be crowded (2.5 million people pass through the site each year).  Luckily, it is possible to arrive at early, at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday, to avoid the peak-time crowds.  Also, during summer weekends, the building remains open until 7 p.m.  Of course, it’s free to enter.
5. The Riverwalk is San Antonio’s lengthy entertainment promenade.  The shaded walkways, water and laid-back atmosphere make is a great place for a stroll.  Of course, the restaurants, bars and shops on the riverbanks aren’t free, but Riverwalk is a great place for window-shopping and there are several art galleries and museums in the area.

6. El Mercado is one of the largest Mexican markets north of the border.  Aside from the virtually unlimited amount of goods up for sale, there are musical and cultural performances, kids’ activities, and crafts during Primer Sabado, First Saturday.  The area in and around El Mercado is a great place to get a taste of the Mexican culture that is so much a part of San Antonio’s identity.

7. Art is a major part of San Antonio’s culture.  San Antonio Art Walk is usually held on the first Friday of every month.  It takes place in the Arts District, which is located in the Southtown area of the city. Aside from the art  (and free snacks, if your lucky), there are usually local bands, of all genres, performing.

8. Though they typically charge admission, several San Antonio museums waive entrance fees at certain times during the week.  Chase Bank sponsors a free night at the San Antonio Museum of Art.  It takes place between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. each Tuesday.   The Witte Museum, an exhibit hall featuring the natural history, culture and artifacts of Texas, offers free admission between 3 and 8 on Tuesday evenings.

9. San Antonio Summer Jazz and Art Festival, often shortened to San Antonio Summer Fest (or just SAS Fest) is a three day event that takes place on the first weekend in June.  Though it has not reached to same attendance numbers as springtime’s Fiesta, SAS Fest is worth a visit.  There are a dozen jazz concerts, music workshops, a craft fair and plenty of food.  It’s free to listen to music.

10. San Antonio’s Main Plaza, located in front of the Alamo and near the Riverwalk, is the heart of the city.  There is a series of free concerts held each year.  But it doesn’t stop with music.  There are dances, theater performances, movie screenings and fashion shows.  Most of these events take place during the warmer months, between April and October.

The larger of Minnesota’s Twin Cities is known for its cold winters. But there is more to Minneapolis than ice and snow: an energetic theater scene (the city is second only to New York when it comes to number of theater seats per capita), plenty of art on display and an impressive menu of public places to enjoy the urban outdoors. And it’s not cold year round. Swimming and sun-tanning are as much a part of the Minneapolis experience as skating and skiing.

Like many of its Midwest peers, Minneapolis is a cheap travel destination compared to cities on the coasts. With plenty of outdoor options, year round festivities and public art, Minneapolis is also a great place to find free attractions.

1. The Walker Art Center is a modern art museum with galleries that go well beyond the usual array of paintings and sculptures offerings at traditional museums. The exhibit halls host everything from photography to prints to multimedia art. There are also special performances and events. Locally-based corporation Target sponsors Free Thursday Nights.  Anyone can enter the museum between 5 and 9 p.m. on Thursday without having to pay an admission fee.

2. Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Many of these waterways sit in the rural portion of the state, but there are several urban lakes that attract thousands of locals (and tourists) daily. The paved pathways around Lake Harriet, Cedar Lake, and Lake Calhoun are filled with joggers, walkers, bikers and rollerbladers on most summer evenings. The lakes have beaches and picnic areas as well.

3. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, held in late January and early February, is a popular festival that takes place in the smaller of the Twin Cities. Popular events include ice and snow sculptures (on display in Downtown Saint Paul), a torch-light parade, and plenty of offbeat characters.  Downtown Saint Paul is only 15-20 minutes from central Minneapolis by car.

4. Cinco de Mayo is another Saint Paul event worth crossing the river for. Usually held on the weekend closest to May 5th, the event is held in District del Sol, on Saint Paul’s West Side, the city’s Mexican enclave. Attractions include a parade, live music and a car show.  There are lots of food vendors and places to eat in the District del Sol area.  These are not free, but quite cheap, all things considered.

5. Minneapolis parks roll out the entertainment during the summer.  Places like the Lake Harriet Bandshell (see #2) host free concerts and free movies are screened at dusk at parks around the city.  There are even outdoor theater performances, ranging from comedy improvisation to Shakespeare plays.

6. The Minneapolis Institute of Art, in South Minneapolis, offers free admission every day of the year. The museum has an interesting collection of ethnic art and artifacts, as well as paintings, sculptures and modern art installations.   The museum is funded by members.  Current exhibits include a photography show featuring Czech photographers and a collection of Sub-Saharan folk art.

7. Minneapolis does not rival Portland, Oregon in terms of micro-breweries, but there are several regional beer-makers in town who are well-known for producing quality suds. Some offer free tours of their facilities that culminate in free beer tastings. Summit Brewery is arguably the most famous. It offers free brewery tours. The tours only last about 45 minutes, but there is a chance for of-age tourists to sample the company’s products at the end of the tour.

8. The Minneapolis Aquatennial is a 10 day celebration of summer held near Downtown Minneapolis in late July. Aquatennial events include parades, plenty of food, and live music. The most popular feature of the summertime revelry is the nightly fireworks show. In terms of scale, the pyrotechnics at the Aquatennial rival those of any cities’ 4th of July celebrations.

9.  Surdyks is known for being one of the largest liquor stores in town.  It claims to be the largest in the Upper Midwest.  While that fact might be arguable, it is one of the oldest, having been in operation since the early 1930s.  They often put on free wine tastings and it is always fun to simply window shop through the unusual bottles that are found in the isles.

10. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is located on the outskirts of Downtown Minneapolis. It is adjacent to Loring Park (Minneapolis’ Downtown green space) and the Walker Art Center (see #1). Whereas the Walker is free only on Thursday evenings, the Sculpture Garden (most known for the iconic cherry on a spoon installation that sits over a pond) is always free.  Though it is arguably more pleasant to stroll the gardens during the summer, it is possible to visit any day of the year.

Looking for a cheap hotel in Minneapolis?

Are you interested in planning a trip to DC but uncertain about whether you can afford it or not? You’ll be relieved to find out that DC is no money-guzzling city of sin like Las Vegas. You can arrive in DC with just enough cash for transportation, food, and lodging, yet manage to enjoy an action-packed vacation.

Contrary to stereotypes, DC is home to a whole lot more than Capitol Hill and lobbying firms. Brimming with free events, museums, and monuments, DC is a hot spot for budget travelers. This list of 10 free things to do in DC is sure to keep you busy if you plan a getaway to our nation’s capital.

1. Natural marsh, water plants and flowers, and bird watching in DC? No, we’re not joking. DC’s Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are home to the last natural marsh in DC. If you’re itching to escape from the concrete jungle for a quick breather, visit the gardens free of charge. They offer a glimpse of what DC looked like before European settlers arrived.

2. Remember that hair-raising film, The Exorcist? The staircase the priest fell down during the climax of the film is located in Georgetown, Washington DC. Relive that spooky scene by visiting the 75-step staircase, which connects M Street and Prospect Street. Other (less disturbing) movies that have been filmed in the posh neighborhood of Georgetown include True Lies, The Jackal, and Transformers.

3. Every year, on the Tuesday before Halloween, thousands of spectators gather in Dupont Circle to watch a drag race. No, not that kind of drag race. A drag queen race. Braving the cold weather, elaborately dressed drag queens donning high heels race down 17th street. The race starts at 9pm, so if you want to get a prime viewing spot, make sure to get there a couple hours in advance. It gets very crowded because people flock to see these drag queens in their best gowns (or lack thereof), even when it’s rainy and freezing outside. In At past races, DC drag queens have dressed up to resemble a variety of familiar faces, from Britney Spears to the hosts of The View.

4. You can’t go wrong with free food and free art. From April through June and September through November on the third Friday of the month, Galleries 1054 in Georgetown’s Canal Square hosts opening receptions from 6pm to 8pm complete with catering from Georgetown’s Sea Catch Restaurant.

5. Few free museums in the world compare to the fascinating, all-embracing Smithsonian museums in DC. The Smithsonian is the largest museum complex in the world and features tons of world class exhibitions. The Smithsonian museums are free of charge every day of the year. Favorites include the African Art Museum, American History Museum, National Design Museum, and the Air and Space Museum.

6. In the summer, jazz lovers flock to the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden on Friday evenings to enjoy free, live jazz concerts. These free jazz concerts, known as “Jazz in the Garden,” feature jazz acts from around the world. The adjacent Pavilion Café serves creative cuisine and beverages, which are regrettably not free of charge.

7. If you’ve got a green thumb and an urge to escape the city smog for a moment, don’t miss a visit to the National Arboretum. There are over 400 acres of land in the National Arboretum, where you’ll find innumerable varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. To conclude a long, tiresome day of free sightseeing, why not plan a peaceful picnic surrounded by beautiful greenery at the National Arboretum?

8. The Arlington National Cemetery is a must-see for anyone visiting DC. It is located in Arlington, on the other side of the Potomac River. Highlights of taking a stroll through the Arlington National Cemetery include watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visiting the graves of John F. Kennedy and family. There are over 300,000 people buried at this serene cemetery.

9. Check out the National Theatre on Monday nights, from October to April, to see local comedians, musicians, dancers, and singers in action. The 6pm event is free of charge, but tickets must be obtained approximately thirty minutes in advance of the performance.

10. The National Archives house over three billion documents and continue to grow by billions of pieces each year. Everything from the original Declaration of Independence to captured German records from World War II can be found at the National Archives. The Exhibition Hall is open from 10am to 7pm, giving the greater public access to documents that helped set up America as a democracy in 1774.

The idea of spending time in Tokyo usually doesn’t cross the minds of budget travelers because of Tokyo’s reputation for being the most expensive city in the world. After paying for a hotel and food for the duration of your stay, the funds you have left for recreation and sightseeing may be minimal. Fortunately, there are several free activities to enjoy in Japan’s notoriously pricey capital. The following list of free things to do in Tokyo proves that enjoying the mega metropolis doesn’t have to result in going broke.

1. Yoyogi Park on Sundays

Yoyogi Park, which is located near Harajuku station, is a gathering place for musicians, artists, and freaks on Sundays. From watching Japanese rockabilly dancers practice their moves to hearing up-and-coming rock-and-roll bands perform on the street with the hope of acquiring new fans, Yoyogi is the hang out for twenty and thirty-somethings in Tokyo. Whether you want to walk around and gawk at all the performers or relax on the grass and play Frisbee with your friends, Yoyogi Park offers the perfect escape from Tokyo’s sometimes maddening rat race.

2. Tsukiji Fish Market

Watch as huge tuna are auctioned off for thousands of dollars and meander through rows of stalls selling everything from sea urchin to caviar at Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji fish market. If you want to catch the action at Tsukiji’s tuna auction, be prepared to arrive at the market at 5am. Unfortunately, after being caught hugging, licking, and even riding tuna for the sake of a good photo op, tourists are now banned from observing Tsukiji’s tuna auctions at the busiest time of the year (which ran from December 10, 2009 to January 23, 2010 in 2009-2010). The Tokyo Metropolitan government has hired security guards and enforced a no flash photography policy in order to prevent the disruption of the daily tuna auctions.

3. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

There’s no need to pay money at the Tokyo Tower or Roppongi Hills to get a panoramic view of Tokyo from up above. Just visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and head to the 45th floor for a free 360° view of Tokyo, Yokohama, and Mt. Fuji. The vista’s equally stunning, and there is a café and gift shop on the same floor.

4. The Sumo Wrestling Museum and the Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum

Located alongside the Kokugikan Sumo Wrestling Stadium is Tokyo’s Sumo Wrestling Museum, a museum showcasing memorabilia and photos of some of Japan’s greatest sumo wrestlers. The museum’s artifacts give a historical overview of this national sport, and there is no charge for entrance on non-tournament days. Close by on the Tokyo Memorial Temple grounds is the Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum, which chronicles the devastation of Tokyo’s 1923 earthquake, a temblor that destroyed 70 percent of the city. The adjacent temple serves as a memorial to the victims of the earthquake as well as those who died at war.

5. Sony Building

If you’re into futuristic gadgets, don’t miss a visit to Ginza’s Sony Building, where you’ll find a five-story showroom exhibiting the latest gadgets from Sony. Open every day from 10am to 8pm, the Sony Building’s showroom is free and offers visitors a glimpse into the future.

6. The Imperial Palace

Set in the middle of Tokyo, the majestic Imperial Palace is where the Emperor and Empress of Japan reside. The Outer Garden, East Garden, and Kita-no-maru-koen Park are open to the general public and free of charge. In the East Garden, there’s a museum that showcases Emperor Showa’s art collection, and entrance is free. The three mile walk around the Imperial Palace’s moat is particularly beautiful in the spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom. Lush, verdant, and peaceful, the palace grounds offer a welcome respite from the noise and bustle of the city.

7. Depachika

If you ever get hungry during your free tour of Tokyo, explore the basements of large Japanese department stores, known as depachika. The basements of department stores, like Matsuzayaka in Ginza and the Nakamise Shopping Arcade in Asakusa, typically offer shoppers free gourmet food samples. If you’re embarrassed about sampling foods without actually buying anything, use your depachika excursion as an opportunity to shop for souvenirs. Depachika are a great place to buy gifts for your foodie friends.