New York City is the most popular tourist destination in the USA and one of the most exciting cities in the world. This city which is often referred to as ‘the city that never sleeps’ and ‘ the center of the universe’ is chock a block with numerous attractions which draw hordes of camera totting tourists every year. However many of the famous New York City attractions sport hefty admission charges which can rapidly decimate a vacation sight-seeing budget and the only way to avoid this scenario is to use some of the tips and tricks mentioned below to obtain your entire New York City experience for ‘free’.

Get your requisite dose of culture at New York City’s many museums on ‘free museum nights’.

New York City is home to nearly 80 world famous museum. Most of these New York  museums have hefty admission charges though  the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  the American Museum of Natural History and theMuseum of the City of New York follow a ‘pay as you wish’ policy with the suggested admissions priced between $10 to $20 .
The Whitney Museum of American Art follows a ‘pay as you wish policy’ on Friday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. The Museum of Modern Art offers free admission sponsored by Target on Fridays between 4pm and 8pm and offers free admission for children under  16 at all times while The Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers free admission sponsored by Target on the First Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm. Similarly the Guggenheim Museum offers a ‘pay as you wish policy’ on Saturdays from 5.45pm to 7.45pm and the Brooklyn Museum offers Target Free First Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm where thousands of visitors enjoy free art and entertainment at the museum.
The annual Museum Mile Festival which celebrates the nine New York City museums which are  located along Fifth Avenue from 82nd Street to 104th street is usually held in June and offers free admission to these museums along with music, dance and entertainment programs.

Bank of America offers its cardholders free admission to New York City Museums through its ‘Museums on Us’ program. This program allows Bank of America cardholders free admission during the first full weekend of every month at the Met, the Bronx Zoo, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the New York Aquarium and the Whitney Museum of American Art.Additionally you can also immerse yourself in American History everyday at the Museum of the American Indian which is located in downtown Manhattan and which offers free admission at all times and the Queens County Farm Museum which is housed in a historic homestead on the only working historical farm in  New York City charges admission only for special events but is free on most days.

Feast your eyes on the gorgeous vistas of the New York City Skyline

New York City’s skyscraper speckled skyline is renowned the world over and one of  the best way to enjoy the views of the skyline and the landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island  for free is to take a ride on the free public commuter Staten Island ferry that plies round the clock between the Whitehall Street terminal in downtown Manhattan to St George on Staten Island.

Explore New York City’s Gardens and the Bronx Zoo for Free

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are free of admission charges on Tuesdays from 8am to 6 pm; seniors additionally enjoy free access to the gardens on Fridays as well though the garden also offers free access to all visitors on Saturdays from 10am to noon unless there are special events scheduled in the gardens. Free access days are also offered during week days during the freezing New York City winters. Similarly the New York Botanical Gardens which are located in the Bronx offer free grounds admission for everyone all day on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. The Wave Hill Gardens which are located on a 28 acre former estate overlooking the Hudson River in the Bronx and feature greenhouses and gardens offer free access all day on Tuesdays during the off peak months and restricted free access during the peak summer months from May to October.

On Wednesdays, the animal wonderland of the Bronx Zoo ,the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States that encompasses 265 acres of verdant park lands and other naturalistic habitats and  has the  Bronx River flowing through it ,offers admission by ‘pay-what-you-wish‘ donation all day from10 am to 4:30 pm.

Tour the Grand Central Terminal for Free

Grand Central Terminal which is one of New York City’s main commuter rail stations and the biggest station in the world by the number of platforms is located in a gorgeous Beaux Arts building on East 42nd Street between Lexington and Park Avenues. Learn about the history of this stunning New York City landmark by taking a free guided tour of Grand Central Terminal and its surrounding neighborhoods. This free 90 minute walking tour is offered on Fridays all throughout the year and is sponsored by the Grand Central Partnership and the Altria Group. The tour kicks off at 12.30pm from the Sculpture Court of the Whitney Museum at Altria on East 42nd Street across from Grand Central.

Discover Nature’s glorious bounties at the Union Square Green Market

The Union Square Green Market is New York City’s premier farmer’s market that is held all year round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am until 6pm at Union Square located between 14th Street and 17th Streets. Celebrity chefs, local restaurateurs, home cooks and enthusiastic foodies head religiously to this outdoor market to procure  seasonal fresh produce, meats, freshly baked breads and other confectioneries, juices , syrups, cheeses, jams, honeys, butters that are on offer. All the products sold at this superb market are sourced from local farmers, bakers and producers who are always on hand to interact and offer samples to the crowds that throng the market.

Feast your eyes on the NY Fed Gold Vault

The New York Federal Reserve Bank offers free tours of its facilities through one hour long guided tours. These tours are offered free every day of the week excepting for bank holidays. However in order to reserve a tour you have to register on the New York Federal Reserve’s website at least a month in advance.

Revel in the free entertainment on offer in New York City’s Parks

New York City’s iconic patch of green, Central Park is a hub of activity especially during the summer months when if offers free public performances in the park like Shakespeare in the Park, Central Park Summer Stage and  The Good Morning America Summer Concerts which are held in various areas of this vast park.  Yet another park in the city, Bryant Park which is located in the shadow of the imposing, beaux-arts building that houses the New York Public Library on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue offers free movies on its premises in the summers in the form of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. During the winter months Bryant Park offers free ice skating on ‘the Pond’ and a holiday shopping market.  Similar programs are also offered at the city’s other parks like the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park and the Battery Park Esplanade.

Flex your muscles as you go kayaking on the Hudson River

The New York City Downtown Boathouse is a volunteer organization that is located in the Hudson River Park along the Hudson River. The Boathouse has three locations in Manhattan at Pier 40 at Houston Street, Pier 96 at 56th Street, 72nd Street in Riverside Park and offers free kayaking facilities during the summer months.

Dine for free at New York City Bars

New York City’s pulsating nightlife is legendary but few know that several New York City bars actually offer substantial free nibbles with their drinks. Most of these free snack deals are offered during ‘the happy hours’ which are usually between 5pm and 7pm.These ‘happy hour munchies’ deals can be found at bars like the Alligator Lounge and the Charleston both of which are located in Williamsburg in Brooklyn and offer pizzas with their drinks. At all the three downtown locations of the wine bar, Tarallucci & Vino which offer mini pizzas, olives, and wedges of quiche as accompaniments to drinks, El Cantinero   in Greenwich Village which offers a free buffet with its drinks, the bar called Spain on West 13th street which offers free tapas during happy hour and Rudy’s Bar and Grill in Hell’s Kitchen which offers free hot dogs with its drinks. For a daily listing of Happy Hour deals at New York’s bars do check out the website happyhoured.com which also has an application for the iphone.

Pander to your shopaholic tendencies at New York City’s famous flea and street markets

Summer street fairs are yet another New York City tradition. During the lazy summer weekends, entire streets in the city are pedestrianized as they host various vendors who hawk food, clothes, myriad arte facts and more at these bustling summer street fairs. Aside from these street fairs NYC has permanent flea markets like the Brooklyn Flea which is open every warm weather weekend in Fort Greene on Saturdays and in DUMBO on Sundays but goes indoors at One Hanson Place at the corner of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn during the winter months. Yet another permanent flea market in NYC is the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market which is held all year round at West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues which features more than 170 vendors who sell antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, home decorations and furniture, jewelry, and much  more.’

Finding a cheap hotel in NYC under $150 / night is easier now than ever with the abundance of travel deals this year. This list of budget hotels include only hotels that are normally under $150/night for every day of the year.

The Jane Hotel
113 Jane Street
New York, NY 10014
212-924-6700

The Jane Hotel is in a great location down a fairly quiet cobblestone street alongside the Hudson in New York. The rooms and bathrooms were spotless and cleaned regularly.

Dark wood paneling, ghostly lighting, red carpets give this place an incredible atmosphere with rooms cleverly designed like ships cabins with a full mirror on one wall. Railings on each wall to hang clothing, an iPod dock/alarm clock, a wide-screen TV, air con and a wall fan, a robe, x3 towels and a complimentary bottle of water.

Union Square Inn
Downtown Manhattan on 14th Street
Near Union Square and East Village of Manhattan.
212-614-0500

The location could not be better. Situated close to Union Square and subway/trains, major buses, near East Village, the hotel is older, but well kept, with staff who are friendly and accommodating, and rooms are a pretty good size for New York.

If you do book a room at Union Square Inn, either look for a room on the first floor or pack light because there is no elevator and you have to carry your bags up the stairs.

Hotel 31
120 East 31st Street
New York, NY 10016
212-685-3060

Featuring all of the amenities that you would expect from a first-class hotel/hostel hybrid. Fantastic location – two blocks from subway, very short subway trip to Grand Central Station, making this a great place if you plan on being out and about most of the day and night and want a decent place to sleep at night.

The hotel is a refurbished old building which makes it very quaint, although the elevator is also quite old and somewhat slow. Rooms are clean, quiet, have a tv, safe, and sink. The bathrooms are down the hall, are cleaned regularly, and always available.

Chelsea Lodge
318 West 20th Street
New York, New York 10011
800-373-1116
212-243-4499

The Chelsea Lodge Hotel is clean, charming, with its brownstone steps and quirky rooms, and an excellent value. Comfortable bed, friendliness of staff and guests, and rooms at the Chelsea Lodge are newly designed and furnished. The rooms have been remodeled in a country, Americana style, featuring new beds, televisions, showers, and air conditioners.

See the Empire State Building every time you venture out in the morning, as the Chelsea Lodge is located near public transportation, tourist attractions, restaurants, clubs, and galleries, and is listed by TravelAdvisor as one of the top 25% of ALL New York City hotels.

Park 79 Hotel
117 West 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
866-3-PARK79
212-787-3300

Park 79 is a good budget hotel tucked away on the Upper West Side, one of New York’s most dynamic neighborhoods, offering a style that appeals to the discriminating corporate or leisure guest. Location is excellent with the National History museum and Central Park right on the hotel’s doorstep.

It is an old building, formerly a house, with rooms that are very small but fine for sleeping and showering. Best of all, the price is reasonable, and the neighborhood is great. The bathroom was nicely done and always cleaned very well, with no lack of hot water. The rooms have plenty of storage space and no smoke odors.

Murray Hill Inn
143 East 30th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-683-6900

Murray Hill inn is a clean no-frills five floor hotel with no elevator located in Midtown near The Empire State Building, 5th Ave, and 34th St. Shopping, making it a good, bargain hotel in a good location.

The hotel offers a wide range of newly renovated Private and Shared rooms, bathrooms are nice and clean, with beds that are huge, flat screen TV and small sofa. The street the hotel is in is quiet, but at the corner at either end are both shops and an array of different places to eat.

The Carlton Arms Hotel
160 East 25th Street
New York, NY 10010
212-679-0680
212-684-8337

The Carlton Arms Hotel is conveniently located at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 25th Street on the East side of Manhattan. It is a cheerful, basic budget hotel with lots of character. This place is for the free-spirited solo traveler or for couples or friends in need of a unique and affordable place to stay in the heart of the city. At night there are many nightclubs and a very popular Irish Pub right below the hotel but there are plenty of rooms facing 25th St. or the courtyard that are quiet.

It’s not spotless, the beds and doors creak, the heat pipes cough and moan, you get noise from the street, the floors are uneven……but if there are multiple rooms available, have a look around at a few not only for comfort but also because each one is literally a work of art. 54 rooms and 4 hallways are painted or decorated by artists that came from all over the world.

Julia Scott at WalletPop is highlighting the great airfare deals to Hawaii, Vegas, NYC, and more that Virgin America, Southwest and United Airlines are offering. With United Airlines all destinations, including London, Paris, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, are on sale.

Speaking of airfare deals, Air Tran is offering some pretty good deals right now. You’ll find airfare for as little as $44 one way, according to Terri Gruca of KVUE News.

Rent a car that’s miles away from the airport, and you could save a lot of money, according to Christopher Elliott. His article today explores how to avoid airports’ sky-high car rentals in today’s Seattle Times.

An 8 day fly and drive package to Tuscany in the NYTimes includes a seven-day car rental, six nights in a hotel and breakfast daily, starts at $949 a person with departure dates of March 31 and April 7.

Hilton Hotels is offering up to 33 percent off Friday through Sunday stays at more than 520 hotels and resorts worldwide for weekend stays through Dec. 26, must be booked by Jan. 31.

Truth.travel shows us how to get a free companion ticket to Barbados on American Airlines

20 perfect getaways for Valentine’s Day for our friends in or traveling to Europe

Get half-price tickets to Off-Broadway shows such as “STOMP,” “The Fantasticks,” “Avenue Q” and the new “Venus in Fur” in New York City. The “On the House” deal from NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism organization, offers 2-for-1 tickets to more than 20 Off-Broadway shows for February performances.

$17 a night and up for a hotel room in Las Vegas, but these hotel rooms are going fast, so book NOW!

For more great travel deals, be sure to follow @BesTravelDeals on Twitter and subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed.

Priceline Cruises kicks off wave season with exclusive Hotel Bonus Cash Coupons and stateroom upgrades. Book an oceanview or higher stateroom on any 5-6 night cruise and receive a bonus cash coupon valid toward a 1-night Name Your Own Price® hotel stay. Book an oceanview or higher stateroom on any 7 nights or longer cruise and receive a bonus cash coupon valid toward a 2-night Name Your Own Price® hotel stay. For full details and restrictions, visit cruises.priceline.com.

Fly to NYC this winter just $49 each way out of Atlanta. The $49 rate is relatively easy to land, and it’s valid on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday with other days priced at $69, even Sundays. Give a 14-day advance notice of travel and finish trips on or before March 11 to take advantage of this deal.

Stay at a small Queen Room at the Ace Hotel in New York City for just $152 a night when you book by January 21 for travel through April 30, 2010. The hotel’s restaurant, The Breslin, doesn’t take reservations, so most patrons have to cool their heels at the bar for hours before snagging a table. Hotel guests, however, can skip the line and get on a priority list.

New York City skiers and snowboarders will want to read Matt Gross’ report on Metro-North Railroad’s one-day getaway to Thunder Ridge Ski Area, in Patterson, N.Y. At $51.50 for round-trip train fare and an all-day lift ticket ($50.43 if you order online), it’s nearly $30 less than comparable bus trips. Even better, Thunder Ridge has night skiing (included in the one-day getaway package), so even with an early-afternoon arrival you can ski for seven hours and catch the 8:55 p.m. train back to the city.

£68 & up for a modern hotel in Amsterdam. Located near the Amsterdam historical centre, it offers high quality accommodation. This modern design hotel offers you trendy rooms, all equipped with contemporary amenities. All rooms and public areas have free Wi-Fi!

Valentine’s Day travel deal: celebrate any day in February at the Ritz-Carlton in Denver. The package is $589 per night, pre-tax, and includes dinner, jewelry, and more. It’s available the whole month of February (based on availability). And you can get it just for one night — there is no two-night minimum, even on Valentine’s Day weekend.

$143 a night for Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards for Thursday-Sunday stays from Jan. 22 – March 31. The AAA 3-Diamond hotel is a short walk to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and National Aquarium. Guests will enjoy the new Marriott Revive bed, high-speed Internet access and fitness club.

$119 and up for stays at Boston’s Waterfront Harbor Hotel. The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel offers Thursday-Sunday night stays through March 7 for $119-$135 per night. This saves 20% off regular weekend rates during this time.

Also in Boston, $103 a night for the Cambridge Hotel over winter weekends. Located two subway stops and across the Charles River from downtown Boston, the Boston Marriott Cambridge is centrally located in Kendall Square close to top universities such as MIT, Harvard, and Boston University.

Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie and his team of experts have just released 5 “wow” travel destinations for 2010. The destinations include Las Vegas and the Caribbean, perennial favorites popular among Chicago area travelers. Central America, becoming more popular with Midwesterners also made the list. And for those who want a real “wow”, destination Gabe recommends China and South Africa. And for other great deals, be sure to follow our RSS feed and @BesTravelDeals on Twitter!

If you’re planning to visit New York City in January or February, you’d be remiss to miss the Real Deal Winter promo by NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism organization. Deals include two-for-one attractions admissions, $50 hotel credits and 50% off Sunday night stays at certain hotels. You can also save on theater tickets, circus tickets, tours and more.

$79 & up a night for a luxury French Quarter New Orleans hotel. Recently renovated and one of the only LUXURY French Quarter hotels on Bourbon Street at the corner of Orleans directly behind Jackson Square, the Bourbon Orleans offers a glimpse of 18th century French Country House decor & sanctuary. One of the most unique & historic New Orleans hotels directly on Bourbon St in the HEART of the French Quarter.

$110-$120 per night for a north Indianapolis 4-Star Hotel. The Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel was awarded “Renaissance Hotel Opening of the Year” in 2008 and offers easy access to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lucas Oil Stadium, fine art galleries and world-class golf courses. This deal saves 35% off the hotel’s regular rates and is available over weekend and holiday dates.

$89 a night for this Minneapolis Luxury Collection Hotel (Reg. $229). It features Minneapolis’ only spa destination, the Ivy Spa Club and the upscale Porter & Frye restaurant. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and guest rooms with 10-foot floating ceilings, original works from local artisans, Italian linens and flat-panel televisions.

$139 a night for a 4-Diamond Kentucky Golf Resort & Spa. This hotel is located the rolling Bluegrass Country of Kentucky near the Kentucky Horse Park and features a Rees Jones-designed golf course, luxurious full-service spa and upscale restaurant JW’s Steakhouse.

$85 a night in Bangor, Maine, where January and February stays are on sale. Accommodations include complimentary WiFi, Four Points Comfort bedding and flat-screen TVs. The hotel features a restaurant as well as Godfrey’s lounge, which is open until 12:30 AM on Tuesday-Saturday.

$99 a night for a Washington D.C.-Area Hotel with breakfast & parking. This value packed deal offers a $99 per night rate and includes extras: breakfast for two, free self-parking and wireless Internet. These extras normally cost $70.

$99 a night for a Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive resort. Safe, exotic, pure and accessible, this all-suite luxury resort is nestled between ocean and tropical rain forest just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. The awarded property (5 Star Diamond Award) features four swimming pools (one reserved for adults) with waterfalls, Jacuzzis, children’s slides, fitness center, water sports, pool volleyball, tennis court, Spa, and ample activities for both adults and children such as scuba diving, mountain biking , and horseback riding.

Jamaica Holiday Package from $225/Night. Sunset Resorts in beautiful Jamaica is offering a terrific holiday package priced from $225 per person, per night ($100 for children) at three all-inclusive properties on the island: Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios, and Sunset at the Palms in Negril. From December 23 through January 1, 2010, guests can stay at one of these three oceanfront resorts and participate in a whole slew of family activities that are sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

And be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed for the latest and best travel deals!

Here’s three great deals going on now in Las Vegas: Mandalay Bay offers $100 resort credit before Christmas, Room rates start at $85 per night at Mandalay Bay.  In addition to the $100 resort credit, the package also includes a 2-for-1 buffet, 2-for-1 spa access and two free drinks at the eyecandy sound lounge & bar. Room rates are based on single or double occupancy. The third and fourth guest in the same room will be charged an extra $30 each.

Starting at $81 for a night at the luxurious Caesars Palace on The Strip. Elegant accommodations, fine dining featuring an array of cuisines, world-class gaming, plus legendary entertainment and special events await.

$25 a night at the Landmark Stratosphere, located at the top of the Las Vegas Strip. As one of the closest properties to downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience, Stratosphere offers the best value in accommodations, extreme thrill rides and exciting casino action.

Holiday & Winter Europe Airfare Sale starting at $465 for round-trip airfare if you book online by Dec. 17, 2009 and depart by Mar. 28, 2010.

You’ll save almost 40% off a stay at the Blackstone Hotel, located in Chicago’s South Loop. December 20 to April 10, 2010, you can book a standard room for $115 (including taxes) per night. Normally, this room would cost $184, so you’re saving around 37%. During this time, the hotel will serve classic cocktails (think a Singapore Sling or a Flora Dora) at its Jose Garces-helmed restaurant Mercat a la Planxa—all for a celebratory $1 each.

New York City flights from $129 Round-Trip, as airlines are slashing prices from cities nationwide. We’ve uncovered fares from as little as $129 round-trip! Go ice skating in Central Park, take in a Broadway show, or do a little shopping for what you really wanted this holiday season. Travel is valid from January–March.

$597 for a London 6-Night Vacation including Airfare. This offer from Delta Vacations includes roundtrip airfare with select nonstop flights. Six nights in a Deluxe room at the Thistle Euston Hotel, Daily English breakfast, and Two-for-one dining at the hotel restaurant. The Hotel is Conveniently located behind Euston Station and minutes from top London attractions including Buckingham Palace, Kensington Gardens, Westminster Abbey and Hyde Park.

$69-$109 a night at the Regal Sun in Downtown Disney, Save 50%. Regal Sun offers 626 rooms located on 13 beautifully landscaped, lakeside acres offering two heated swimming pools, hydrotherapy pool, and zero-entry beach pool featuring a child’s play area, therapeutic thermal spa, for the ultimate in relaxation. Hot tub, lighted tennis & basketball courts, volleyball & shuffle board. Disney Character Breakfasts, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, (check with hotel for pricing).

Florida Vacations with Airfare and Hotel from $340 and up, but ends Thursday: If you choose a Florida vacation and add a car rental, you can fly into 1 city, drive wherever you like, and fly home from another (except to/from Key West), with no drop fees.

Right now there are two hotels in San Diego and one in San Francisco with rates starting at $36 per night. The Bristol, a boutique hotel in San Diego, has rooms starting at $46 per night on select dates through Jan 1, 2010. The King George Hotel in San Francisco starts at $36 per night through Jan. 10. The third hotel is the Best Western Seven Seas in San Diego. It also has rooms starting at $36 through Jan. 10. Grab them while you still can from this LA Times article.

Rockefeller Center at Christmas

Tonight officially kicks off the holiday season at Rockefeller Center with the 76th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.  The event kicks off at 6:45pm and the lighting takes place at 8:55 pm.  Expect lots of crowds as the ceremony involves celebrity performances.   If you can’t make it to the lighting tonight, don’t worry you can view the tree throughout the holiday season, along with all of the other holiday decorations New York has to offer.  In fact a trip to New York City during the most wonderful time of the year is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.  Take in the beautiful lights of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, browse the amazing holiday window displays at stores like Lord and Taylor and Macy’s, experience the Miracle on the 34th Street for yourself by visiting Santaland at Macy’s, and don’t forget the ultimate NYC holiday experience- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

There’s a myth that lodging in New York City is expensive, especially around the holidays. The Cool Yule Deal brought to you by the GEM Hotels in NYC has savings of about $80 less than the average price for a similar hotel room in Manhattan. There are three locations, one in SoHo, Chelsea and Midtown West.

Ultra Posh but comfy lobby of the GEM Chelsea

Dates included in this deal are November 20^th-29^th (perfect for catching the Macy’s Day Parade!) and December 18^th-29^th. The boutique hotels have three very different locations. If you’re interested in catching some shows or visiting the Javits Center for any reason, than the Midtown location is perfect for you. Also near that location is the Empire State Building, the Broadway Theater District and Times Square.

Midtown is great for seeing some of the classic tourist spots. I’d advise staying in that location during the Thanksgiving season if you’re interested in seeing the parade – Herald Square is a few blocks away. It’s also great for shopping with Lord and Taylor nearby.

If you’re more interested in eating than sightseeing the SoHo location is perfect. It’s a little off the beaten track and close to the unique shopping opportunities of the Meatpacking District.

Of course, if you’re the type of person who travels for nightlife, Chelsea is the place to be. With a plethora of unique nightclubs, bars and galleries, the Chelsea GEM location is key for experiencing it all. Also, it’s only a hop, skip and a short subway ride from Midtown where you can take in the classic tourist sites as well.

Lobby of the GEM Chelsea

As a New York City frequent traveler, I recommend staying in Chelsea (although I am a bit biased – that’s where I usually stay so I know the neighborhood very well). It’s a funky, artsy area with many colorful characters to keep you busy people watching.

The GEM Hotels also offers tips and local guides that are constantly updated. Called the GEMine, travlers are also encouraged to add their own experiences to the lobby-located chalkboard. This is a great source for local events and other happenings that you can’t find in the typical guidebook. As someone who likes to travel like a native, this is extremely helpful.

If you are interested in some more traditional tourist attractions, the hotels are stocked with iPods that have pre-loaded audio tours of different areas such as Little Italy and Times Square. These GEMwalks are complimentary for hotel guests.

For on –the-go tourists, GEMtexts is another service the hotels offer. Twice daily you’ll be alerted to neighborhood and hotel offers via your cell phone. Talk about convenient! Make sure you get your room soon – there’s limited availability and with this rate, the rooms won’t be around for very long.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…