I picked up the NY Post while waiting for my plane to Boston on Saturday and the Pulse section featured how to go "culture on the cheap."

• TKTS secret - go directly to window #6 to purchase play tix. It's the only booth that sells play tix. The South Street Seaport booth allows you to buy Sat matinee tix on Friday and Sunday matinee tix on Sat.
  
• Opera - "Meet me at the Met" is a singles discount for a $95 tix, which includes cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a private champagne toast on the Grand Tier. The NYC Opera has set aside $16 orchestra tix.