About Susan J
Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
Blog posts written by Susan J
October 16th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by ThatBeeGirl
Think you have to spend a small fortune to stay overnight in Manhattan? Think again. The Pod Hotel (formerly the Pickwick Arms) is the budget traveler’s best friend. Their mantra is “sleep tight, stay happy,” and they have several different options available for under $200 a night (some of which include shared bathrooms like a European hostel but much, much fancier than you’d find in an actual hostel).
Located several blocks from the Museum of Modern Art and the Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, the Pod brings a dash of Euro-chic and Asian décor to Midtown. Tech-savvy travelers will appreciate their iPod docks, LCD TVs, and free wifi. The rooms are on the small side (hence the term “pod”), but who really goes to New York to hang out in their hotel room? With so much to do and see, you’ll appreciate having more money leftover for exploring!
Stay tuned for other New York City hotel recommendations.
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New York City?
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October 12th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by Mtl_Shag.
Newyorkology recently blogged about the TKTS booths in Times Square. The discount ticket booth (a staple for theatre-loving tourists visiting from around the world) was to reopen after renovations last December. Like many urban construction projects, it’s fallen slightly behind schedule and now the expected date to reopen is late spring of next year. Until then, visitors can visit TKTS’ temporary ticket booth at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Also read the and Daily News coverage of the TKTS renovations.
Planning a trip to
New York City?
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Explorer Pass.
October 10th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by MR+G.
New York City is known for having one of the best restaurant scenes in the country. From soft pretzels to sushi, the Big Apple has all your dining needs covered. Zagat recently published their fall restaurant preview, which you can view here. Bon Appetite!
Planning a trip to
New York City?
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Explorer Pass.
October 9th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by Andrew*.
Last week the NY Times reported that more tourists are getting in on the podcast craze and . What do you think of this new phenomenon? Does listening to an MP3 player really enhance your travel experience? Or do you lose some of the flavor of the place you’re visiting by zoning out on an iPod? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Planning a trip to
New York City?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Explorer Pass.
October 8th, 2007 by susan j
I am a huge theater fan. In fact, I once saw five Broadway shows in as many days on an action-packed trip to New York City! No surprise that I am super-excited about Ladies Night on Broadway, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24. Female patrons get 20% tickets to participating shows (using code WMN07), plus special festivities including drinks, karaoke, gift bags, and more.
Here are my picks among the participating shows. (more…)
Planning a trip to
New York City?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Explorer Pass.
October 5th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by wilhelmja.
New York City seems to have it all: awe-inspiring architecture, world class culture, food from around the world, and not one but TWO baseball teams! Of course, taking advantage the city’s numerous attractions and activities can do a number on your wallet. We’ve compiled a couple of tips to help ease the burden on your travel budget:
- Sign up for the Big Apple Greeter program. They’ll pair you up with a local to take you around the city and even show you how to navigate the subway. This insider’s view of NYC is totally free, so take advantage!
- Stick to a budget by buying a prepaid attraction pass. The Explorer Pass includes admission to the Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, the NBC Studio Tour, and a whole lot more! You don’t even need to carry cash, because everything is paid for in advance.
- When hunger strikes, try a hot dog, soft pretzel or other treat from one of the thousands of for a taste of the real NY. Also, several bars around the city offer to satiate the city’s artist and student population.
- Buy rush or standing room tickets to a Broadway show (after all, what’s a trip to NYC without a little theater?).
Here are some other sources for visiting NYC on a budget:
Big City, Little Budget
Things to do for $20 or less
Cheap Guide NYC
Cheap Stuff
If you’d like to add your 2¢, leave a comment with your favorite budget travel tip!
Planning a trip to
New York City?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Explorer Pass.
October 2nd, 2007 by susan j
About a year ago, I asked my friend Clint “wouldn’t it be great if MapQuest could give walking directions, too?” (After all, as anyone who’s been to the Big Apple will tell you, driving is not the ideal way to get around New York City.)
Being in-the-know about all things urban, Clint said, “actually, Susan, there’s another website for that.” combines subway and bus routes with walking directions so that pedestrians get the fastest and most direct way to get to their destination (no more meandering MapQuest directions!). It even offers city guides so that visitors can find nearby restaurants, stores, and more. HopStop is available in major US destinations including Boston, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco, so it’s great for city-dwellers and tourists, too.
Do you have a tip for navigating New York City? Leave a comment, and let us know!
Planning a trip to
New York City?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Explorer Pass.
October 1st, 2007 by susan j
I love reading travel blogs, but it occurred to me that there weren’t many blogs that focus exclusively on travel destinations in the United States. Even fewer offer the type of current, practical information that travelers like you need when you plan a trip to a brand-new city.
There are some great guidebooks out, but travel blogs like this one can offer even more relevant up-to-date information. For that reason, we plan to pack this blog with travel tips, news, itineraries, and more so that you can plan the best possible trip to New York City. We hope you’ll bookmark this site and check back often for updates on new museums, tours, restaurants, and more!
Planning a trip to
New York City?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Explorer Pass.
