In the spirit of our previous post, The Ultimate List of Twitter Travel Accounts, we’ve created this twitter list of profiles that would be helpful to follow for people traveling to the Washington, DC area. If you have plans to go to DC for the Cherry Blossom festival or just for all the great things to do in DC these tweeple can provide insight into DC that you won’t find in the guidebooks. As with that post, we’re welcoming recommendations to these lists! Let us know by following us on Twitter (@BesTravelDeals) and contacting us there, or by leaving a note in the comments below.

DC Restaurants, Bars, & Venues

• Allmenus DC — @AllmenusDC
• 18th Street Lounge — @18thSTLounge
• 9:30 Club — @930ClubDC
• Adour Restaurant — @adourdc
• Asylum Bar & Lounge — @AsylumDC
• Bar Louie DC — @BarLouieDC
• Busboys and Poets — @busboysandpoets
• Circle Bistro — @CircleBistro
• Clyde’s — @Clydes
• CommonWealth Pub — @CommonWealthPub
• DC Clubbing — @DCNightlife
• DC Improv — @DCimprov
• Dino Restaurant — @dinodc
• EAT Washington, DC — @EatDC
• Eatonville Restaurant — @Eatonville
• Gin and Tonic Tavern — @GandT_Tavern
• Kennedy Center — @KenCen
• Kramerbooks/Afterwords Cafe & Grill — @KramersCafe
• L’Enfant Cafe-Bar — @LEnfantCafeBar
• La Tasca — @latascadc
• Mandu — @ManduDC
• MetroMix DC — @MetroMixDC
• MetroWeekly Nightlife — @MWNightlife
• Paolos Georgetown — @paolos_gtown
• Perry’s Restaurant — @PERRYSdc
• Pete’s New Haven DC — @petes_newhaven
• Pitango Gelato — @PitangoGelato
• Science Club — @ScienceClub
• Sticky Rice DC — @StickyRiceDC
• Theater J — @TheaterJ
• Verizon Center — @VerizonCenterPR
• Vinoteca — @VinotecaDC
• Wildfire Restaurant — @WildfireRest

Things to Do in DC

• Bands in DC — @BandsInDC
• DC Area Trail Status — @DCTrails
• DC Live — @LiveDC
• DC Jazz Festival — @DCjazzfest
• DC Theatre & Performing Arts — @DCtheatre
• DC Central Kitchen — @dcck
• Eastern Market DC — @EasternMarketDC
• Free in DC — @FREEinDC & @FreeinDCBlog
• Film DC — @DCFilmOffice
• The Spy Museum — @IntlSpyMuseum
• Honfleur Gallery — @HonfleurGallery
• Library of Congress — @LibraryCongress
• National Zoo — @NationalZoo
• US Holocaust Museum — @HolocaustMuseum
• Newseum: Museum of News — @Newseum
• The Smithsonian — @Smithsonian
• Air & Space Museum — @AirAndSpace
• American History Museum — @amhistorymuseum
• National Museum of Natural History — @NMNH
• American Art Museum — @AmericanArt
• Sinergy — @SinergyDC
• Sweets and Tweets — @SweetsandTweets
• Things To Do DC © — @thingstododc
• What’s the Deal DC — @whatsthedealdc

Places to Stay in DC

• St. Regis Hotel DC — @StRegisDC
• Clarion Hotel — @ShannaCockrell
• Doubletree DCA — @DoubletreeCC
• Embassy STE DC Metro — @EmbassyDCMetro
• Embassy Suites D.C. — @ESWashingtonDC
• Four Seasons DC — @FSWashington
• Georgetown Suites — @Gtownsuites
• Hamilton Crowne — @Hamiltoncrowne
• Hilton Washington — @HiltonWash
• Hyatt Washington — @Hyattwashington
• Mandarin Oriental DC — @MO_WashingtonDC
• The Liaison — @AffiniaDC
• Sofitel Washington DC — @SofitelDC
• Willard Hotel — @WillardHotel

Local & Regional News

• A.V. Club DC — @AVClubDC
• City Paper DC — @WCP
• DCist — @DCist_Updates
• DC Local News — @dcwire
• DC Twestival — @dctwestival
• District Dept of Transportation — @DDOTDC
• District Insider — @DistrictInsider
• Fishbowl DC — @FishbowlDC
• Greg’s List DC — @GregsListDC
• Going Out Guide — @goingoutguide
• Groupon DC — @groupondc
• Happn.in dc — @happn_in_dc
• LivingSocial: DC — @LivingSocialDC
• Metro Weekly — @metroweekly
• NBC Washington — @dcscene, @nbclocaldc
• The Scene — @TheSceneBisnow
• Washington DC News — @washdcnews
• Washington DC Weather Alerts — @d_c_alerts
• Washington DC Weather — @WshDCweather
• Washington Flyer — @WashingtonFlyer
• Washingtonian — @washingtonian
• Washington Life — @washingtonlife
• Washington Post — @washingtonpost

DC Tweeples & Bloggers

• Brightest Young Things — @BrightestYoung
• Capital Spice — @CapitalSpice
• Catherine Andrews — @CAndrews
• DC Social Lifestyle — @DCSocialLifeSty
• Debbie Weil — @DebbieWeil
• Erin Hartigan — @emerock
• FrenchTwist DC — @FrenchTwistDC
• Karen Hart — @washingtondcist
• Lisa Byrne — @Dceventjunkie
• Living in the District — @livingindc
• Mark Indre — @MarkIndre
• Mellie — @CarpeDC
• Music DC — @MusicDC
• Nathan Smoyer — @Secret_DC
• Peter Corbett — @Corbett3000
• ReadysetDC — @ReadySetDC
• Sacha Cohen — @goinggreendc
• Shana Glickfield — @DCconcierge
• The District Dish — @thedistrictdish
• TrendyDC — @TrendyDC
• We Love DC — @WeLoveDC
• Yelp DC — @YelpDC
• Zena Polin — @zenap

Portland, Oregon is a regular “best places to live” list topper.  This user-friendly metropolis has great public transportation, a pleasantly laid-back, hip vibe and easy access to nature.  Yes, the weather can sometimes leave a lot to be desired, but that is one of the very few negatives.

Portland offers tourists plenty of art and urban green spaces.  But the most charming aspect of this mid-sized city is that it has so many places that are simply enjoyable to hang out in.  Many of the city’s top attractions, eateries and museums are not pricey but West Coast standards, but there are also numerous spots that don’t cost anything at all.

1. Powell’s City of Book is the country’s largest independently-owned bookstore.  It covers a city block and has both new and used books in stock.  You don’t even need to make a purchase to enjoy a stop at Powell’s.  The sheer amount of reading material means you could browse all day, even if you are not an avid reader.  And you don’t have to feel obligated to buy anything.  According to the Powell’s site, about half the people who enter the store simply browse without making a purchase.

2. The Saturday Market is one of Portland’s most popular institutions.  Its yearly run begins in early March and continues until December.  Vendors sell hand-made crafts (everything from pottery to baby clothes) and art (prints, photographs and paintings).  The products are quality, but the real attraction is the festive atmosphere.  Visitors can spend the entire afternoon browsing and, perhaps, picking up a bite to eat at one of the many food stalls.  Or they can listen to one of the daily musical acts on the stage.  Despite its name, the Saturday Market is also open on Sunday as well.

3. Forest Park is one of the world’s largest urban parks.  More than 50 species of mammals call the confines of the park home.  There are an astonishing 30 miles of trails and opportunities for both bike riding (Portland’s favorite pastime) and horseback riding.

4. Pioneer Courthouse Square is easily recognizable because of its iconic red bricks.  It is often referred to as the Portland’s “living room.” Arguably the best place to people-watch, it is filled with residents, workers from nearby office buildings and tourists.  In addition, there are nearly 300 events hosted by the square each year.  You might happen on a concert or cultural event when you pass through the square.

5. On the first Thursday of every month, art galleries in Downtown’s Pearl District open their doors to the public.  the event, fittingly referred to as the First Thursday Art Walk, features some of the city’s best artists.  Larger galleries have live music, and you will happen upon some spots with free snacks and complimentary alcoholic beverages.

6. The Alberta Art District hosts an alternative art extravaganza on the final Thursday of each month.  Last Thursday has a more hang-loose, block party vibe that its Pearl District peer.  There are art galleries,of course, but also street performers food carts, and music.

7.  Of its many monikers, one of the most fitting is the City of Roses.  Portland celebrates its favorite flower year round at public and private gardens.  However, the flower truly takes center stage a the the Rose Festival.  The event takes place annually in the early summer.  Features include a rose parade, tours of the city’s gardens, a golf tournament, dragon boat races and a music festival with nightly concerts.

8. Portland’s Japanese Garden is recognized as the most authentic Japanese-style garden outside of the Land of the Rising Sun.  The landscapes seem like they came straight from Tokyo or Kyoto.  There is also a pavilion  that hosts Japanese art and plenty of informational and educational events.  The garden is open year-round.

9. Shakespeare in the Park takes place each summer in Portland area parks, including Pioneer Square (see #4 above).  The troupe that performs the plays, the Portland Actors Ensemble, is one of the oldest in the nation.  It was originally formed in 1970.

10. Though it is technically not free, the Waterfront Blues Festival is a charity event held each summer in Portland’s popular Waterfront Park.  A donation to area charities and food shelves is requested from each attendee (the “suggested” amount is $10 plus two non-perishable food items).  Aside from notable performers like Booker T, Little Feat, and Cedric Burnside, there will be food and fireworks.

d. schwen

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.

The idea of New Orleans as a vacation destination brings to mind, beads, booze and debauchery. I’m sure there’s plenty of that around during the non-Mardi Gras season but there are also some fun, family-friendly attractions for the under 21 crowd.

Audubon Insectarium / CC Dazed Effect

For the little guys, embrace their love of creepy crawlies with the We Love Bugs! Family Getaway.  For under $200 a night, a family of four (two adults and two children) will get overnight accommodations, breakfast and four tickets to the Audubon Insectarium. Insects are the largest group of animals on Earth and this exhibit is interactive so it’s sure to keep the kiddies interested. There’s an exhibit that allows you to shrink to bug size and wander through a Louisiana swamp, a beautiful Asian garden with thousands of exotic butterflies and a “touch a bug” exhibit where kids can see the tools used by entomologists. They even get to meet some live bugs!

JW Marriot New Orleans / CC Dazed Effect

Of course, the Big Easy is bound to draw plenty of over 21 year-olds looking to get away. For a big-kids playground, the Marriot has the Ultimate New Orleans Casino Package. This includes a voucher to the Harrah’s New Orleans Casino which is very close to the hotel – about a ten minute walk. So buck the Las Vegas trend and head to New Orleans. They have better gumbo anyway.

If slot machines and blackjack tables isn’t your idea of romantic, the JW Marriot also has the Cupid Checks into New Orleans deal complete with early check-in, late check-out and breakfast in bed. This “romance-laced” weekend getaway also includes champagne, chocolate and strawberries upon arrival and deluxe accommodations with a king-sized bed. This deal is good through January 28^th, 2010 so celebrate Valentines Day early for some savings and cuddle time with your honey!

New Orleans is a great place to get away, even before the Mardi Gras season. Beat the crowds (and the prices) by partying early in the season.

Welcome to the Big Easy! / CC Dazed Effect

While many people think of NYC as an expensive place to visit there is actually a lot to do on the cheap and even for free- especially in the summer.  With so many NYC hotels offering reduced rates, the start of NYC Restaurant week upon us, and so many free arts and cultural events you can spend a few days in the city without breaking the bank.  The team at Best Travel Deals has put together a list of free and low cost things to do in NYC to help you plan your trip.

New York City Restaurant Week

 July 12th is the start of NYC Restaurant week, which runs through July 31st.  Over 250 restaurants throughout the city participate and offer low prices and prixe fix menus.  You can get some amazing meals at great restaurants for low prices.  Combine these great deals with a hotel offering free breakfast and grabbing a light lunch on the go you can eat well for little money.  You can book reservations in advance by following the NYC & Co. twitter stream.

Things to Do

NYC is the arts and cultural capital of the world.  There are so many museums, historical sites, and events you can find something free to do everyday of the week. 

During the summer months many of NYC parks and landmarks host free concerts and performances.  One of the most popular events is Shakespeare in the Park.  This year’s series features Academy Award Nominee Anne Hathaway starring as Viola in the Twelfth Night and has gotten rave reviews.

On Thursday nights the Brooklyn Bridge Park hosts Movies with a View.  Watch movies under the stars and enjoy a breathtaking view.

If a Broadway performance is more your speed, you can spend Thursday evenings in Bryant Park instead.  The most popular shows perform some of their biggest hits in the park.   

If you love to dance or are a beginner who just wants to have fun July 7-25th Lincoln Center hosts a MidSummer Nights Swing showcasing some of the finest musicians and DJ’s from this country and abroad.

Many museums offer free admission or pay what you wish days.  It is possible to see a different museum everyday for free.  On Tuesdays and Saturday the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens offers free admission.  You can easily spend the afternoon strolling through thier many beautiful gardens.  Or take a free ride out to Staten Island on the Staten Island Ferry and visit the Staten Island Museum, located only 2 blocks from the ferry terminal.   On Wednesday the Bronx Zoo offers pay what you wish with suggested donations for kids starting at $11.  Thursdays its pay what you wish at the Children’s Museum of Art from 4- 6pm.  Fridays from 4-8 pm you can visit the Museum of Modern Art for free.  Saturdays check out the Guggenheim Museum in the evening for free admission.

Looking for something free to do on a rainy day with the kids or do you just need a break from the heat?  Bank of America is offering a fun promotion  for cardholders- free admission to museums in cities across the country.  The deal covers all major cities in the US as well as many smaller cities.  Some of the major cities and museums included are:

New York City:
The Bronx Zoo
The New York Aquarium
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
San Diego:
Birch Aquarium
The New Children’s Museum
Detroit:
The Motown Museum
Detroit Science Museum
Boston:
Museum of Fine Arts
Philadelphia:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
National Constitution Center

The next weekend this deal is offered is August 1st and 2nd.  Weekends through January 2010 are also available so if your summer is already booked check out the other available weekends and plan ahead!

When doing the touristy thing in Buenos Aires it’s easy to get surreptitiously slammed by entrance fees that you didn’t foresee when planning your budget. If you’re hitting up clubs every night I don’t think there’s much you can do to get out of those cover charges, however, most museums offer free or at least reduced admissions on certain days of the week that are worth making note of.

MALBA, or the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires charges 5 pesos for general admission, 3 for teachers and seniors, and students with proper identification (which doesn’t have to be an ISIC) get in free every Wednesday from 12:00-9:00 pm. This is one of the most famous and impressive modern art museums in the country and houses works by Frida Khalo, Pablo Reinoso and Fernando Botero amongst other notables. It’s worth the price of admission any day of the week, but at least on Wednesdays you feel like you’re getting something for nothing.

The second museum on everybody’s list of things to see in BsAs is the MNBA, Museo Nacional de Belles Artes. Good news here, it’s always free. There is a suggested donation of two pesos, and unless you’re seriously scrimping, why not pony up? But just because it’s free doesn’t mean the collection isn’t worth seeing. They’ve got a room full of Goyas, including some cartoon-like sketches of his you don’t often see, and their donated galleries are an antiquities hoarder’s fantasy. If you tire easily of Monets and Manets and Pissarros, then the donated galleries are sure to impress with their displays from the private collections of eccentrics who never met a painting or a nicknack they didn’t like.

Those are the two main museums in Buenos Aires, the Guggenheim and Met of Argentina if you will, but there’s one place you can’t leave without seeing and that’s the Evita Museum. Open from Tuesday to Sunday and on holidays from 2:00 pm to 7:30pm this is another museum that’s always free (with a suggested donation of 2 pesos). No other person, besides Mother Theresa perhaps, has amassed such a devoted and loyal following as Eva Peron and you cannot come to Buenos Aires without paying some homage to her. Even today she is remembered by the Peronists as a woman worthy of sainthood. There is even a Catholic sect native to the city that feels so strongly about it that they picket the archdiocese every week to have her canonized. To come to Buenos Aires and not pay any attention to Eva would be like going to London and not at least driving by Buckingham Palace.

But if you’re not the museum type, don’t worry, Buenos Aires itself is an ever changing canvas, displaying the works of some of the most respected and famous graffiti artists in South America. Unlike in the U.K. and the U.S.A., graffiti artists here in Argentina are not criminals and are therefore freer to develop and display their art for everyone to see. To see some of the best wall art in town (for free) head over to the Palermo neighborhood and start walking around.

~Alexandra