The Asia Society only half belongs in this cheapskate mix, as it jumps off the Free-Friday-night-bandwagon come summer. So, either you pretend and prove you're under 16 … (those damn teenagers are always allowed in!), or take advantage while you still can (Free-Friday-nights goes on hiatus from Labor Day to September). [link]

Once an exclusive academic club for men, this New-York institution (not a typo; it was originally hyphenated) is open to all, even the penniless, every Friday night. … Where else can you see a few dozen apple parers, 132 Tiffany lamps, and the death mask of Aaron Burr all in one evening? [link]

Why shell out exorbitant amounts of dough for a night at the movie theater, when you can learn all about film and television for free? A variety of films are shown, but … it's the 83,000 artifacts, including many costumes and props from movies that make this museum so worthwhile. Heston's chariot from Ben Hur? Check. Freddy Krueger's sweater? Check. [link]

Almost at the tip of Manhattan lies the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, now home to this always-free museum. This is where money matters began in the hands of … the founding fathers, before its business moved to the World Trade Center in 1973, so enjoy the irony of walking around with empty pockets. [link]

Contrary to most Museum Mile venues, Saturdays are entirely free here. The only downside to visiting then is that both the cafe and museum shop are closed. Which means … it's pretty much impossible to spend any money at all. [link]

Once again, Target allows art lovers to plan a cheap date night. Every Friday from 4-8 p.m., you will not be out the whopping $20 it costs to satisfy your van Gogh … fix. This will come in handy if you choose to dine on "Alsatian-inspired cuisine" at the aptly named "The Modern" inside the museum. [link]

On "Target First Saturdays," not only is admission waived, but all programs, including DJ sets, movies, lectures, and performances, provide a free alternative to … aimlessly walking around the exhibits. [link]