New York: Recapturing the race to the South Pole

One of the best ways to get around New York City is not on four wheels. It's on two. Riding a bicycle may seem intimidating in Manhattan, with all of the crazy yellow cabs zooming about. But it can actually be a relaxed way to sightsee—if you stick to a few safe and scenic locations. Depending on the kind of ride you'd like to have, some trails may suit you better than others. Consider trying part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a 32-mile bike trail that encircles nearly the entire island. Most of this scenic route runs along the shoreline, under several bridges, and winds through various parks. Drift off the path whenever you'd like to visit many of Manhattan's eclectic neighborhoods. Here is a bite-size stretch of the Greenway that I'd recommend: Start out at a café along the Hudson River on the Upper West Side, making your way down to Chelsea Piers and Battery Park, where you can take a breather by the docks. Then continue up the East Side, possibly stopping in Soho, the East Village, and Midtown. If a circuit around Manhattan doesn't sound like your cup of tea, try Central Park! This 50-block, nature haven is a biker's dream and offers its own set of bike trails, with varying levels of difficulty. The main Park Drives have three main long-distance routes: 6.1 mi., 5.2 mi., or 1.7 mi. There are also a number of shorter routes you can find by just crossing the Park. Keep in mind that the drives are closed to traffic (cars, not bikes) on Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and on weekends from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday. So plan your ride around these times if you don't want to be bothered by motorists. How to rent a bike: Go for a road bike if you're looking to fly like the wind, a mountain bike if you'd like tires wider than a pin needle for steadier balance when traveling slowly, or a hybrid. There are loads of places from which you can rent a two-wheeler. The average price tends to hover around $10/hour and $35-50/day. Bike New York has an annually updated list of rental shops and provides their locations, phone numbers, prices, and more. Hope to see you riding around town this summer! —Max Behrman MORE INFO New York City: Free bikes for downtown visitors Official biking laws (Yes, helmets are required) Official online bike maps for New York List of New York bike rental shops Central Park's bike trails

I still haven't shaken off the sticker shock of New York City, even though I've been living here since 2004. My Midwestern frugal instincts still bristle at $8 beers and $100-plus Broadway tickets. But thankfully, I've learned a thing or two since I moved here about sussing out the freebies. Earlier this month I divulged June's Five Best Values…and that got me thinking: Some of my all-time favorite NYC memories have taken place at free events. So here are five more free summer events worth checking out. 1. My first love in New York is still my favorite. I first caught the Siren Music Festival in 2003, when I arrived here as an intern (i.e. completely, entirely penniless). One Saturday, I wandered down to Coney Island to sightsee, and by chance, this concert series was going on that very day. I caught Modest Mouse, they were incredible, and I was hooked. Now, this is my don't-miss event every year. (I also love the excuse to make the hour-long subway trek to Coney Island, Brooklyn, my favorite wealth of kitsch in the world.) This year's festival, on July 17, will feature Matt and Kim—and more, soon to be announced at the official site. 2. Of all the things visitors love to do in NYC, seeing a Broadway show may be the priciest. Luckily, you can get a taste of the Great White Way for free at Broadway in Bryant Park. From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays throughout the summer, the casts of four or so musicals perform a medley of songs from their show. Pick up lunch beforehand. My favorite cheap-eats spot near Bryant Park is Zeytinz: zeytinz.com. Broadway in Bryant Park 3. Every Monday evening, from June 21 – August 23, as part of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, free classic movies are shown alfresco. The lawn opens at 5 p.m., and viewers bring blankets and picnic before the show starts at 8 o'clock. It's a great time to relax in my favorite vantage point of Midtown: the Empire State Building looms on one side, with the New York Public Library, old gold-and-black Bryant Park Hotel, and sloping, shiny Grace Building on the others. This summer's slate kicks off with Goldfinger, starring my man Sean Connery. bryantpark.org 4. On July 13–14, the New York Philharmonic performs a free evening concert on Central Park's Great Lawn. Music begins at 8 p.m., but get there early to snag some real-estate on the lawn; space fills up quickly. And stay 'til the end; there's always a fireworks show. 5. The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival features two days of free music in the neighborhoods where Parker lived and worked. On August 28, blues pianist McCoy Tyne plays in Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park, followed by saxophonist James Moody playing on August 29 in the East Village's Tompkins Square Park. summerstage.org EARLIER June's Five Best Values See all of Andrea Minarcek's posts

Few people know about the Tenderloin National Forest, an urban garden in Cohen Alley filled with murals, sculptures, and sparse but beautiful landscaping. Created and run by the Luggage Store art gallery, which is worth a visit in itself, the forest is both a work of art and a green oasis for city dwellers. It's open erratically—basically whenever the gardeners are working—but stop by on the 15 of every month, when the public is invited for an open house. June 15, noon-5 p.m., Cohen Alley, off Ellis Street between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets. Get your mid-century fix at San Francisco's Art Deco and Modernism sale this weekend. With more than 150 vendors, the sale is the largest of its type in the country. Browse through a range of clothing, collectibles, furniture, books, jewelry, and more from the art nouveau, art deco, and mid-century modern eras (that's 1900 to 1980). There's even a vintage fashion show Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and a swing dance performance on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. $10. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Concourse Exhibition Center, 8 Street at Brannan, 510/628-4450. Also happening this weekend, the Farmer's Block Party on Minna Street has a lineup of hip-hop artists playing live, including the Honor Roll Crew, a music group that has been compared to the Wu Tang Clan and was named the best new hip hop clique for 2010 by SF Weekly. The eclectic event also features graffiti-inspired street art, organic and raw food from local farmers, and even some vintage clothes for sale. $5. Saturday, 2-8 p.m., Minna street between Second and New Montgomery streets. Live the luxe life for a night thanks to a great deal from Luce restaurant and the InterContinental Hotel. Start off with a three-course dinner of seasonal artisanal food at Luce (rated one of the best new restaurants in 2008 by Esquire), which includes a glass of sparkling wine. Follow that up with an included taxi ride up the hill to the InterContinental's Top of the Mark for a martini nightcap and live music overlooking the city—all for $80 per person. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Luce, 888 Howard Street, 415/616-6566. Top of the Mark, 999 California Street, 415/616-6916. Thursdays mean free salsa nights at the Madrone Bar in the Western Addition neighborhood. Start off with a free salsa lesson, then enjoy more dancing and cocktails, like the special $5 Macchu Pisco Sour, a Peruvian version of margharitas made with clear brandy. The club draws a large number of college students, guaranteeing a full dance floor. 500 Divisadero Street, 415/241-0202.

Alcatraz Island—the infamous former prison that was home to inmates such as Al "Scarface" Capone, and "Birdman" Robert Stroud—is a huge part of the Bay's landscape. If you've been to San Francisco, you probably have a stunning photo of the island from afar. But if standing on Fisherman's Wharf for a photo op isn't enough, try an Alcatraz tour to get up close. Alcatraz Cruises, the island's only tour operator, offers three types of tours, starting at $26 for adults ($16 for kids ages 5 to 11). All tours pick up and drop off at Pier 33, just off The Embarcadero and near other marquee attractions like Pier 39 and the Aquarium of the Bay. Here are our handy tips for getting the most of your Alcatraz tour: BUYING TICKETS Plan to buy tickets at least several days in advance—they're actually available up to 90 days out. You can buy online at alcatrazcruises.com or by calling 415/981-7625. Cruises almost always sell out, especially in the busy summer season. Allow two-and-a-half hours for the visit. Touring Alcatraz at night is a great way to see the lit-up city skyline—and the dark makes the prison extra spooky. The night tours (from $33, Thursdays-Mondays) have smaller group sizes and include extras like a personally narrated boat tour around the island and guided tours from the dock to the main prison building. WHAT TO BRING Wear comfortable shoes: The quarter-mile walk to the prison is a steep climb of about 13 stories, and you'll be on your feet during the whole tour. Note: There are golf-cart transportation options for the disabled. Also bring a jacket or a sweater: Even when temperatures are warm, the island gets chilly because of the water and wind. And don't forget sunblock! Ticket purchasers, even those who print out their tickets at home, need to bring their photo ID. You can bring food to eat at the dock, but beyond that, food isn't allowed, and there isn't any for sale on the island. But bottled water is allowed everywhere. WHEN TO GO Get an early start: The 9 a.m. tour is the least crowded. Alcatraz is popular enough that it sells out regularly, but you might see fewer people in the middle of the week. The island is actually a haven for colonial nesting seabirds. Especially during the late winter and in the spring, you could spot cormorants, pigeon guillemots, and waterbirds like snowy egrets and black-crowned night herons. But beware—many guests get a "white badge of honor" courtesy the seagulls, and late June brings the nesting season, which makes the island a little smelly. AND MORE! The audio headset tour, featuring the voices of former Alcatraz guards and inmates, is highly recommended and included with all tours. Hear stories about escapes, surviving solitary confinement, and sound effects of the cell doors. For iPhone owners, you can also download the Geoki Alcatraz Tour App ($1.99) which features an audio tour as well as photos and videos.