Let me explain: Exploring New York, especially on the cheap, involves a lot of outdoor time—a stroll through Central Park, myriad free summer extravaganzas, gazing up at the Chrysler Building… Even walking briskly among the throngs is an essential New york experience. Of course all of these free activities become difficult, even unbearable, when the temps drop, but you don’t have to shell out all of your hotel savings on taxis and indoor activities. Here are some tips for winter travel in New York.

Getting Around

Like any New Yorker worth my salt, I tend to get around by walking. I walk a lot, often favoring my own two feet over the subway. But I’m also a “winter wimp.” Come the cold, I am far less likely to want to be outside for any length of time, and it becomes much more tempting to take a taxi. But here is the secret: Even if it’s 10 degrees out, you should seldom have to take a taxi!

Even on the coldest days, the subways still run 24/7. Photo: MTA

New York has one of the best transportation systems in the world, and while cold weather can sometimes affect the way the trains and buses are running, they are still convenient, cheap and often even faster than cabs. Various (free!) apps will help you easily navigate the subways and buses so that you can minimize the time spent waiting outside in the cold. All three of the below apps give real-time data on train and bus schedules (when you’re above ground), but each has other elements for various types of travelers.

For those who need a little extra motivation.  In addition to giving Citymapper tells you how many calories you burn for each route and how much (more) as taxi will cost.

For the navigationally challenged. Transitapp is helpfully color-coded like the trains themselves to make picking the right line easy. The app also shows when the next train or bus is coming and allows you to easily see schedules so that you can map your day.

For the claustrophobic. Moovit is a fun app with a social element. Not only does it give you routes and schedules, but it also records the data of anyone riding with the app open. This gives an idea of how crowded the bus will be, and also helps keep to-the-minute on delays and possible alternative routes.

Winter activities on the cheap

It might be hard to spend a day wandering through Central Park in the cold, but before you shell out for one museum and indoor attraction after another, consider the following tips for indoor activities.

Make the most of free museum days. Almost every museum in New York has a regular chunk of time—be it a free-admission day or a pay-what-you-wish evening—during which it offers deals. Visiting a different museum every day for a week could save one adult around $100. Check out our guide to free museum days to see what’s available each day.

Visit always-free attractions. If determining free museum days seems to complicated, never fear. New York is chock-full of free attractions too. The Main Branch of the New York Public Library (5th Avenue and 42nd Street) is free to visit and stunning to behold. Wander around its storied halls, and be sure to check out the magnificent Map Room. Also free is the National Museum of the American Indian (1 Bowling Green), worth visiting as much for the gorgeous Alexander Hamilton Custom House as for the fascinating exhibits therein.

Take a tour. You won’t want to do a self-guided walking tour of any neighborhoods, but there are unique (and indoor) free tours to be had. Get a peek into the workings of the national economy on a tour of the Federal Reserve (33 Liberty Street), or (equally important) learn about beer making at the Brooklyn Brewery (79 N 11th Street, Williamsburg). Be sure to book at least a week in advance for the Fed. The Brewery runs regular tours on Saturdays and Sundays, but it’s a good place to wile away some indoor hours any day of the week. The beers are inexpensive, and the vibe is convivial.

Embrace the chill. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it, but as miserable as the cold can be, New York makes it easy to enjoy it to. Take a spin around the Bryant Park skating rink (free admission, $14 skate rentals), or take the plunge with the Polar Bear Club, who invite brave souls to join them for a guest “swim” off Coney Island any Sunday November through April (talk about street cred!).

That’s entertainment. In this city of culture, entertainment abounds, and though much of it will cost you, there are a variety of options to be had for a song. Spend a Friday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where the free entertainment at BAMcafé Live (30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn) could be anything from rock to pop to jazz, or hit up the famed Marie’s Crisis (59 Grove Street), where you can enjoy musical stylings of friendly regulars who gather round the piano to belt out show tunes. If it’s comedy you’re after, there is plenty for free as well (check out this list for ideas).

The post New York: A winter (and wallet-friendly) travel survival guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These little boutiques are great for last-minute shoppers and those looking for unique gifts and trinkets to bring home to friends and family. If you happen to be dragged to one of these marts against your will, have no fear because there is usually an excess of hot chocolate, cider and gourmet treats to enjoy as you mill around.

Here’s the roundup of the best holiday marts in NYC:

Boutique shopping in Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops
Sixth Ave. and 42nd St.
Through Jan. 2
Hours: Mon.– Fri. 11 a.m.– 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.– 9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.

The shops surrounding the Citi Pond are surprisingly upscale for their temporary stature. A “boutique village” now appears where Bryant Park normally resides, complete with windows and an array of national brand names ready to serve holiday shoppers.

Among crafters and home decor you can also find stores like Sabon, Max Brenner and Kate Spade–all offering special gift packages for the season. In addition to these there are some unique shops like Dynomighty Design, featuring the slimmest, most indestructible wallet known to man (the “Mighty Wallet”) and jeweler Lucid with festive snowflake necklaces and rings for the ladies.

Strumming at Union Square

Union Square Holiday Market
14th St. between Park Ave. and Broadway
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Holiday Market at Union Square has a much more hometown feel than that of Bryant Park. The plywood-constructed booths are home to a variety of entrepreneurial ventures–jewelers, knitters, importers, artists and bakers. The ambiance is full of spirit, with apple doughnuts, hot cocoa and a guitar player or two all making their way around the garland-decorated square.

Not to be missed is the Alpaca Hat vendor, Back from Bali importers for children’s clothes and Copa Soaps. There are plenty of stocking stuffer options on the cheap, plus a free holiday gift-wrap booth courtesy of HSBC!

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Central Park South and Central Park West
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Columbus Circle holiday marketplace is in its seventh year running and becoming a center for delectable food vendors. Though it is still home to many crafters and unique artisans, it offers some of the city’s best grub with Pies N’ Thighs, Fatty Crab and Crif Dogs now on the scene. If you still have room after that, you can indulge in a gingerbread house (or buy a kit to construct your own) and chow down on some French truffles found in nearby booths. New to the Columbus Circle Market this year is the Market Concierge, which will help lead you to the vendor or nearby shops you desire.

Grand Central Holiday Fair
42nd St. and Lexington Ave.
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

If the outdoor chill is a major deterrent to market shopping, then you can head indoors to Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall, which currently hosts 76 holiday vendors. The hall offers similar merchants to the other holiday markets, however it is geared towards a higher-end clientele. This can be seen in merchants like scarf designer Margo Petitti, and Aviva Stanoff’s detailed pillows and home décor.

The post The Best Outdoor Holiday Markets in New York appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are three summertime freebies you won’t want to miss.

Movies in Bryant Park

This year’s line-up includes a EuroCheapo personal favorite “Harold and Maude” as well as classics like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Dog Day Afternoon.” Locals know to snag a picnic spot early. Bring your own food, wine (we won’t tell), and nibblies and settle in for a fun night under the stars. All movies are free of charge and open to the public. For a full schedule and directions, visit Bryant Park’s web site.

A typical Summerstage scene, photo by wallyg

Central Park Summerstage

Summerstage kicks off its diverse season tomorrow with performances by Calle 13 and Bebe.  The rest of the summer promises more excitement with headliners like Q-Tip (July 18), performances by the Metropolitan Opera stars, and a smattering of renowned dance spectacles. For a full rundown of all free events, go here. Line up early for the best seats.

Free tours and workshops, Prospect Park (Brooklyn)

Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, was designed by the same gents who brought us Central Park.  It measures a hefty 585 acres. Summer brings a lushness to the park that’s out of this world, and also a host of free events and workshops. Tours of the grounds, bird-watching seminars, arts and crafts workshops, and an annual fishing contest are all free for the taking. While Prospect Park’s events are decidedly more kids-oriented, we think adults will enjoy them too. For a full schedule, visit the Park’s web site.

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