Finder is just like Explorer in Windows. There are several ways to open Finder. Switchers, as well as Mac users, will find this article useful.
Finder at Dock
The most common way to open new Finder window is by clicking on the Finder dock icon and this is also the way I use at the very first time using my Mac.
Finder from Menu Bar
This is quite rare for Mac users to open Finder from menu bar. However, there is a very useful keyboard shortcut that we can extract out here from the menu bar to open new Finder window, i.e. 
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Finder and Quicksilver
Sometimes, you will want to have different experience on using your Mac, you can try open your Finder with Quicksilver. Invoke Quicksilver, search for Finder by typing find, and open it. It's easy right?
Finder with Advanced Dock Click
Most of Mac users have already know this : when you pressed your
Switchers' Mistake
I was a switcher not long time ago and I made a fundamental mistake : in Mac, 
9 COMMENTS (RSS)
urandom
January 11th, 2008 Time: 11:18 PM
so there is no global shortcut? I was searching my ass off, as I recently switched from Gnome/Linux to Mac, where I could bind any keys in the window manager... I'd like something like CMD-Y or anything to open a new Finder window from _anywhere_
Wendy
January 12th, 2008 Time: 12:49 AM
There isn't a global shortcut for opening Finder. But you can use command-tab until you get into Finder and then command-N.
This sounds like opening it from _anywhere_ with a more complicated way.
Tommie Montana
January 12th, 2008 Time: 01:42 AM
A global shortcut: alt - command - space, which opens a finder window that searches "This Mac". It's the closest you can find to an actual shortcut to Finder
urandom
January 12th, 2008 Time: 02:21 AM
Tommie, thanks, thats what I was looking for :)
Rob Wilkerson
January 12th, 2008 Time: 02:44 AM
Ah ha! I'm constantly navigating by keyboard in Finder and hit <return> to try to open it. As you can see...recent switcher, here. :-) Thanks for the clue.
Jules
January 12th, 2008 Time: 09:10 AM
I am just another recent switcher and also hit the <return> key... But i found this out: Instead of <return>, just hit cmd+down arrow. It goes the same
fatih
January 16th, 2008 Time: 03:35 AM
ok super works
Ben Johnston
April 3rd, 2008 Time: 06:14 AM
If you use a mouse with an extra button (scroll wheel button, for example) you can often configure this to open a Finder window. If not, try this: Open a Finder window, then Hide the Finder (Cmd + H). Now, you can just use the Cmd + Tab to select Finder. The Hide and Hide Others command is really handy.
walid
June 22nd, 2008 Time: 12:42 PM
You can configure a hot key trigger with QuickSilver to open new finder window.
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