That said, the line can be long, the temperatures inside less than appealing, and the entry fee isn’t exactly cheap.

More Florence travel tips:
• Best budget hotels near the Uffizi Gallery
• 10 Days in Italy: An itinerary through Rome, Florence & Venice

10 Tips for saving time and money at the Uffizi

So what’s a cheapo to do? Here are our best tips to make the most of your time and your euros at the Uffizi.

1. Get tickets from the official museum site

There are a lot of middleman and third-party sites advertising museum tickets in Florence. If there’s nothing available, and you’re desperate to go, by all means, you should consider it. Just note that you’ll pay substantially higher booking fees. The official site at firenzemusei.it is a bit more difficult to use, but you’ll get the best price. Middleman sites like Florence.net, charge an added commission.

2. Go early

If you’re willing to risk not getting a ticket for the added flexibility and a few euros in savings (€4 to be exact), be prepared to get up early and be in line at least 30 minutes before the museum opens at  8:15 am. Don’t try this during high season, as you’re unlikely to get a last-minute ticket for any time during the entire day, much less that morning.

3. Reserve in advance

Go ahead and spend the extra €4 and book a ticket online. You’ll get in guaranteed, and you’ll also get to spend your time in the museum — as opposed to in line. Just remember to show up at least 15 minutes before your ticket time.

4. Go on a free day

In Italy, state museums are free of charge on the first Sunday of every month. If you can, arrange your Uffizi visit around these dates, but expect to brave the crowds (inside and out). Go early, and bring a book and a beverage to make the most of your time in the line.

The outdoor space between the two wings at the Uffizi. Photo: Andy

5. Time your visit for off-season

From November 1st through the end of February, tickets cost approximately half as much as during peak season. Compare €12 per person for a full-price ticket in late fall and winter to the €20 rate that reigns during the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, there’s no discount in book-ahead fees. They’re always €4 per person year-round.

6. Bring the kids

Kids under 18 accompanying their families visit the museum for “free.” Why is “free” in quotation marks? Because if you reserve your tickets ahead (and you should to avoid waiting in line with your little ones), you’ll still have to pay the €4 reservation fee.

7. Explore conscientiously

The Uffizi is packed with world-class art around every corner. But even if you were an art history major, you may not be interested in absolutely everything. To save yourself from wandering around aimlessly, check out what interests you online before your visit to come up with a game plan.

Or if you want some general advice, head to the top floor where you’ll find treasures by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and “The Birth of Venus,” and then work your way back down to the exit. Seeing everything is overrated, especially in summer, when the Uffizi is that particularly lovely combination of crowded, hot, and stuffy.

Exploring a hallway in the Uffizi Gallery. Photo: Larry

8. Come with the shirt on your back

Don’t drag extra jackets, bags, or really anything unnecessary into the museum. It’ll save you time from having to dump your bag/coat/umbrella before your visit and collecting everything when you’re ready to leave. Of course, if you can’t avoid it, the good news is the coat check here is free.

9. Skip the audio guide

Unless you’re a huge fan of audio guides in general, skip it. For €6 extra, we’d rather read up on the official website over a cappuccino just before our visit in a café with Wi-Fi, but it’s up to you.

10. Buy a Firenze Card

Let’s face it — if you’re interested enough in art to visit the Uffizi, you’re probably also on board to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and a few other museums and sites around town. The Firenze Card will get you out of reserving ahead or waiting in line pretty much everywhere but the Duomo.

At €72, the price is up there, but it includes admission to up to 72 sites in the city in a 72-hour time frame. It’s well worth it if you plan to see three or four museums, especially during high season when entry fees nearly double. To fit in as many museums as possible, add the Firenze Card+ for €5 more so you can hop on transit and get around in a hurry.

Bonus Tip

If you find yourself in Florence and no tickets are available online, either call the Uffizi’s official reservation line or head to Orsanmichele Church (Monday-Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm) and ask if there are short-notice tickets available. You’ll still have to pay the €4 reservation fee, but you won’t have to wait in line.

Uffizi Gallery

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6
Hours: 8:15 am to 6:50 pm (Closed Monday)
Website: www.uffizi.it/en/

Have you been to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? Share any tips or comments in the section below.

The post Florence: 10 Tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

2015 is set to be no different, so whether you’re planning a first time visit or a return to a city you know and love, here are 10 reasons why you should plan a visit this year.

1. Peruse the V&A’s new galleries

Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL

The Europe 1600-1800 Galleries have just opened their doors at London’s V&A Museum. The project has involved the transformation of seven galleries into a fresh new space in which over 1,000 pieces of 17th and 18th century art and design are displayed. What’s more, admission is free, so there’s no excuse not to take a peek!

2. Get to know Sherlock Holmes

Museum of London, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN

Baker Street’s most famous character and his life in Victorian London will be explored in depth at this special exhibition entitled “Sherlock Holmes: The man who never lived and will never die.” Open now until April 12, 2015.

A new budget-friendly Z Hotel is coming to Shoreditch at The Bower mixed-use complex. Photo: Courtesy of The Bower

3. Chic city sleeps on a budget

Z Shoreditch, 136-144 City Road EC1V 2RL

Z Hotels’ cool mix of modern design and affordable room rates is the ideal combo for travelers on a budget who don’t want to scrimp on comfort and style. So we’re super excited about the opening of the new Z Hotel in Shoreditch in March 2015, which is set to follow the boutique-budget mantra of its three other London properties, offering 107 stylish compact rooms in one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods. The hotel will be located in the new multi-use complex called The Bower Old Street.

Related: 5 central London hotels for under £100

4. 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta

British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB

To celebrate 800 years since the granting of the Magna Carta, the British Library is running a series of events between March 13 and September 1, 2015. The charter was originally issued by King John of England to try and make peace with rebel barons, but over the past 800 years it has come to symbolize the foundation of modern day democracy. The main exhibition, Law, Legacy and Liberty, should be booked in advance and tickets cost £12.

Related: 7 things to do in London that won’t cost you a dime

Keep an eye out for Shaun the Sheep sculptures around London this year. Photo: Dave Pearce

5. Shaun the Sheep arrives in London

Shaun in the City, Multiple locations

Wallace and Gromit fans will be in their element following the “Shaun the Sheep Trail” which sees over 100 “Shauns” placed in locations around central London to celebrate the launch of Shaun’s very own movie, and the Chinese Year of the Sheep between March 28 and May 25, 2015. If you miss the London trail, you can catch it in Bristol over the summer.

Les Enfants Terribles will take you “Underground” at Waterloo Station.

6. Immersive theater at its best

Alice’s Adventures Underground, Leake Street SE1 7NN

Forward thinking theatre company, Les Enfants Terribles, are back in the capital this year with an immersive theatre production of “Alice’s Adventures Underground” that is sure to be out of this world. Held at the Vaults underneath Waterloo station between April 2 and May 31, guests will make a simple choice at the start of their evening; “Eat Me” or “Drink Me”, and from then on their evening will unfurl in different directions as they journey through Wonderland.

Help Hampton Court Palace celebrate its 500th anniversary! Photo: Nightblue

7. Hampton Court Palace turns 500

Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley, KT8 9AU

To celebrate 500 years since construction began on this beloved palace, a number of exciting events will be taking place, including a sleepover on March 21 and a huge party over Easter weekend (April 3 – 5) with live Tudor and Baroque music, traditional food, and a spectacular son et lumiere show.

8. The Lyric Theatre reopens with a bang

Lyric Hammersmith, King Street, Lyric Square W6 0QL

Pies at the ready—the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith will reopen its doors this spring after refurbishment for an oh-so-exciting run of “Bugsy Malone”, the first professional theater production of this family-friendly classic in over a decade. Performances from April 11 until August 1, 2015.

9. Ode to Damien Hirst

Newport Street, SE1 6AY (website still to launch)

Scheduled to open in May 2015, the enormous Newport Street Gallery will fill a whopping five buildings with Damien Hirst’s private contemporary art collection, housing over 2,000 pieces in total, including original works by Banksy and Francis Bacon. Even better news for modern art lovers? This exciting exhibit will offer free entry.

Wembley Stadium will be hosting World Cup Ruby this year. Photo: Ben Sutherland

10. Rugby World Cup kicks off in London

Wembley, Twickenham and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium

From September 18 through October 31, 2015, Rugby fans can rejoice as the World Cup arrives. Matches will be played at different venues across the UK, three of which are in London, where the semifinal and final will also be played. If you can’t get tickets, then don’t despair, because London’s pubs will be even more lively than usual on match days.

The post 10 reasons to visit London in 2015 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In recent years the city government has legalized several artists squats throughout Paris, bringing buildings up to code and offering agreements with artists in residence to exchange token rents for the ability to work (if not live) in Paris.

The most famous and easily accessible of these squats is 59 Rivoli, which began in 1999 as an artists squat in an abandoned Crédit Lyonnais building in the heart of Paris and soon attracted a steady stream of visitors and media attention.

The squat got the blessing of the government when mayor Bertrand Delanoë kept a campaign promise to legalize what is now a renovated government-subsidized “aftersquat” that houses artist studios for some 30 permanent artists and visiting artists, features a ground floor gallery and hosts weekend concerts. It’s free to the public and open daily except Mondays. For a virtual visit, go here.

The post The Parisian Art of Squatting appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Fortunately, there are ways for Cheapos to get their art fix without breaking the bank. Here are five of my favorite ways to experience Paris’ best art for next to nothing.

Also read: A list of free and discounted museums in Paris

1. Don’t pass on the Paris Museum Pass.

Museum passes are not always worthwhile, especially if you don’t plan on spending much of your time strolling through marble corridors hung with paintings. However, consider purchasing the Paris Museum Pass if you’re thinking of spreading out your visit to the larger collections, like those of the Louvre or the Centre Pompidou, over several days.

A four-day Paris Museum Pass, for example, will set you back €54, but it gives you entrance to most of the city’s major museums and monuments and allows you to return as many times as you like over those four consecutive days. Bonus: You get to skip the lines!

2. First Sunday of the month is free.

On the first Sunday of every month many of the capital’s museums are free, so you can ogle Degas’ “Dancers” at the Musée d’Orsay or wander through Rodin’s statue-studded garden while saving your coin for an ice cream or a glass of wine afterward.

Crowd control tip: If you do choose to take advantage of this freebie, either steel yourself for the crowds of choose a lesser-known museum, such as the Musée National Jean-Jacques Henner or the Musée National Eugène Delacroix.

Bonus: Not in Paris on the first Sunday of the month? No problem! The Louvre offers reduced-price admission on all other Sundays.

3. Take advantage of afternoon and evening discounts.

Keep in mind that the Louvre’s entrance fee goes down to €5 after 3 p.m. (Regular admission is €11)

If you happen to be under the age of 26, the Louvre is free to you on Friday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Also check out La Maison Européenne de la Photographie, a beautiful museum in the Marais dedicated to the “8th Art.” It’s free on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

4. Senior or student? Get your discount!

If you’re over 60 years old, you’re eligible for discounted admissions to most museums and monuments in Paris, so don’t be shy—flash that I.D. and sashay on through.

Youth has its perks, too: If you’re under 18, the Louvre is your oyster, all for free. (And it’s even better for residents of the European Union: The Louvre is free for everyone under 25!)

5. Be part of the gallery scene.

Art openings are a fun, refreshing way to see some art that may otherwise pass under your radar. Plus, they’re free!

Dozens of galleries dot the Marais neighborhood, particularly in the 3rd arrondissment, like Galerie Vanessa Quang, Galerie Jean-François Cazeau and Galerie Thessa Herold. These small, white-washed spaces frequently have openings, held in the evenings. Called “vernissages,” these previews usually offer a few nibbles, some wine, and plenty of art world drama.

Wandering through the narrow streets of the Marais on a summer evening, popping in and out of galleries as the sky turns first pink then lavender, and quaffing a couple of glasses of free Champagne is a favorite Paris Cheapo’s cultural night out. So go on an adventure and see what you find in this most arty of Paris neighborhoods.

The post Paris Art Museums and Galleries: 5 ways to save on art appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Enter Street Art London, a small operation run by some incredibly passionate guides who seem to know all there is to know about the city’s best street art. Tours are currently running on Saturdays and Sundays and cost £15.

Street Art London

I decided to give it a go and went along to one of the Saturday tours which start at Old Street station in East London at 11 a.m. I was surprised to find another 25 people shivering away and waiting for the tour to start, a testament to the fact that London’s street art really is worth seeing.

James Cochrane paints those he’s met along the way.

The tour changes, of course, depending on whether new pieces of art have gone up, if works have been buffed over by the council or even painted over by other artists.

A sticky start

I must admit, our tour didn’t start as I’d imagined. Our guides herded us across the road and we huddled around to squint at a new piece by Ben Wilson, a street artist who solely focuses on painting miniature artworks on chewing gum stuck to the pavement. Even if you needed a magnifying glass to see the minute detail, it was pretty incredible.

The tour wound its way around Hoxton and into Brick Lane, stopping at pieces by some of the UK’s biggest street artists like Stik, who’s simple yet strangely emotive “stik” people hover in doorways and high up on billboards all over the city. We even caught a glimpse of a few perspex-covered artworks by Banksy.

Roa’s monochromatic animals lord over abandoned buildings.

We were left open-mouthed as our guides explained that while the legendary Banksy has the support of the council, he has ruffled a few feathers with other graffiti artists who set out to deface his work as soon as a new piece goes up. It was these stories that really added color – finding out where an artist is from, what their background is and what their work stands for really brought it to life.

Bastardilla’s lively pieces really stood out, but more so when our guides explained they were a commentary on the diamond trade in her native Colombia. Australian-born James Cochrane’s multi-layered portraits of locals and people he has met on his travels perfectly illustrated the high quality of the art you can find on the street.

We were also treated to numerous pieces of awe-inspiring artwork by Belgian artist, Roa. Roa’s somewhat fantastical and larger-than-life monochrome animals grace the sides of derelict buildings and peer out of forgotten corners of the city, as though London’s underworld was being run by oversized storks and snoozing warthogs.

It’s easy to pass Pablo Delgado’s tiny works without noticing.

Making the streets fun (and fun of the streets)

Beyond these big statement pieces, the tour also opened my eyes to previously unnoticed humorous ideas that make walking the streets of London a lot more fun. Pablo Delgado’s miniature characters that reside on the very bottom of walls, Christiaan Negal’s mushrooms that sit on top of buildings, and the mysterious ceramic pigs that have started to appear in the city… They all seem to be smirking at the busy pedestrians, who mostly pass by without noticing. They brighten up the streets and, if you spot one, will make you smile.

In the end the tour lasted five hours instead of four, giving us our money’s worth. This was largely because the guides kept thinking of more things to show us. (It might be worth taking a snack with you as there is no break for lunch.)

Most importantly, the tour lets you in on a secret. It opens your eyes to what’s right before you in the streets of London.

For more information visit Street Art London.

Also in our guide: If you’re wandering the streets of London looking for a great affordable place to sleep, check out our London guide. All of our recommended hotels have been visited, inspected and reviewed by our editors.

The post London: A street art walking tour, from Banksy to Bastardilla appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are a few of my favorite spots for art in Dublin, from the classics to the contemporary.

The Chester Beatty Library
Web site

Many first-time visitors to Dublin wander through the grounds of Dublin Castle, but don’t make it as far as the Chester Beatty Library. It’s tucked in the back of this complex, away from the main historic structure. This free museum has an impressive collection of Egyptian Papyrus texts, European medieval manuscripts, and temporary exhibitions too.

Currently a series of photographs of China from the late 19th century are on display through February 2012. The museum has a great rooftop space for lounging, and coffees at the Silk Road Café provide a burst of energy in the middle of a museum visit.

Monster Truck Gallery
Web site

The reputation of the Temple Bar neighborhood in Dublin is changing from a place where tourists buy overpriced pints of Guinness into the cultural quarter of the city. Much of this change can be attributed to new theaters, galleries, and markets.

One great example is the Monster Truck Gallery, a space for contemporary art that is especially interested in experimental new work. Here you can expect to see a representation of the Irish contemporary art scene.

The Doorway Gallery
Web site

A newcomer in Irish art is the Doorway Gallery. Two experienced curators from other Dublin galleries joined forces to open this space, devoted to exhibiting both painting and sculpture. From solo exhibitions featuring the work of a single artist to bigger shows featuring a range of artists, this exciting gallery always has something creative up its sleeve. With an incredibly central location on South Frederick Street, it is easy to pop in for a look around.

The National Gallery
Web site

An art-focused trip to Dublin should begin in the National Gallery. This free museum features an impressive collection of galleries showcasing artists from across Europe – but my advice is to focus on the Irish collections. Some of the more contemporary galleries in Dublin will take on new significance once you’ve seen the foundation of the local art scene, such as the impressive Jack B. Yeats collection.

Cheapos can bring the experience home with affordable postcards of Yeats’ famous works in the museum gift shop.

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
Web site

While the previous art options are located in the city center (and easily accessible by foot) the Irish Museum of Modern Art is located in Dublin 8, a short bus or tram ride away from the center. For this reason, devote a morning or afternoon to exploring IMMA’s permanent collection of work dating from the 1940s onwards or the temporary exhibitions, ranging from painting to sculpture to video to performance art.

Art galleries are one of the best ways for cheapos to keep activity costs down during a trip to Dublin, and each of these options will give you a chance to explore a new neighborhood too.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin and looking for affordable places to sleep? Our editors have hunted down the best cheap hotels in Dublin, all visited, inspected and photographed by our team. Read more in our Dublin guide.

The post Dublin: Favorite art galleries, from classical to contemporary appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The center of Dublin is packed with free museums–the following three options are less than a five-minute walk apart.

The National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
website

When you first enter the National Gallery of Ireland, get yourself a map and head straight for the Jack B. Yeats gallery. These vibrant paintings hardly seem Irish–their intense colors seem to belong in another country. This gallery does an incredible job of showing how the artist progressed through the years.

After wandering through the many other galleries (check out the temporary exhibitions too) stop in the gift shop on the way out. Here you will find cheap postcards of the Jack B. Yeats paintings you can send to friends.

The National Library of Ireland
2 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
website

The National Library offers an exhibit devoted to a different Yeats brother: W.B. Yeats. Any fan of literature or poetry–or anyone looking to delve deeper into Irish culture–will want to explore this multimedia exhibit. Not only does it include artifacts (including the poet’s passport, handwritten poems and other memorabilia) but it also includes recordings, videos and more.

The most exciting part of the exhibit is an interactive experience. Walking up to a touch-screen, visitors have the chance to flip through the pages of the poet’s journals. You can zoom in, turn the page and try to decipher the Nobel Laureate’s scribbles. All for free.

The Natural History Museum
Merrion Street, Dublin 2
website

In Dublin, the Natural History Museum has a nickname: the Dead Zoo. This museum transports you back in time. The two floors of this ancient-feeling museum are packed with a huge variety of species–many indigenous to Ireland. The total collection of this museum reaches over two million specimens.

Some favorite exhibits include the Giant Irish Deer with massive antlers, stretching to 12 feet. Seeing the skeleton of this extinct species is striking when you first walk into the museum. Also be sure to check out the hundreds of butterflies, displays of birds you will find along Irish shores, and gaze up at the whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling.

More free museums

Beyond these three options, other free museums in Dublin include IMMA (the Irish Museum of Modern Art), the Hugh Lane Gallery of Art and the Chester Beatty Library.

The post Dublin’s Free Museums: 3 freebies in Dublin’s center appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hang on to your hats, Cheapos. Follow our list and you can spend an entire week in New York museums without forking out a cent in admission fees!

Monday

Let it be known that many of the smaller museums are closed on Mondays. That being said, many do stay open, and some even for free.

The Museum at Eldridge Street (12 Eldridge Street, Manhattan) is worth visiting for the building alone. Adorned with spectacular stained-glass and 19th-century gas fixtures, the impeccably restored landmark building dates back to 1887, and its museum tells the story of generations of Jewish in New York. Admission is “pay what you wish” on Mondays from 10 am until 5 pm.

Monday is also the day to check out a “free all the time” museum:

At the Rose Museum on the second floor of Carnegie Hall (154 West 57th Street, Manhattan), you can dabble in a little music memorabilia.

Tuesday

If you’re after a bit of fresh air, you’re also, uh, free, to commune with the flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1000 Washington Ave, Brooklyn) every Tuesday during opening hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter months, until 6 p.m. from mid-March to mid-November). Admission, incidentally, is free on all weekdays in winter.

Wednesday

Wednesday is not the friendliest of weekdays to museum freeloaders in New York—or at least for those unwilling to leave Manhattan. If you head up to the Bronx, however, you can get free entry to the pre-Revoluntionary War Van Cortlandt House (Broadway at West 246th Street, Bronx). Washington himself (not to be confused with his life mask) is said to have sheltered there at the beginning and end of the war.

If the Bronx is too much of a schlep for you, today’s a good day to hit up museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. Both post suggested donations but technically have “open donation” policies every day.

Round out your Wednesday with some fine art at the Frick Museum (1 East 70th Street, Manhattan), housed in a gorgeous mansion. Pay what you wish is from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Thursday

Thursday night kicks off a weekend of free museum festivities. Start it right with some contemporary art at the New Museum (235 Bowery, Manhattan), free from 7 pm until 9 pm.

If you didn’t get your fill at the New Museum, right across the street is the International Center of Photography (250 Bowery). Their exhibits are free on Thursdays starting at 6 pm.

Uptown, the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center is a cool public space with two vertical gardens, some impressive architecture and rotating art installations. Every week (including many Thursday evenings), there are performances open to the public at no charge. Free shows might feature anything from spoken word to country or world music, or talent from The Juilliard School, Jazz at Lincoln Center and more. In short, anything goes. Check this calendar of events to see what’s happening every night, and note that you should arrive early because capacity is limited for this popular event.

Friday

Welcome to the free museum free-for-all that is Friday night in New York City. Behold, Cheapos, the museum is your oyster:

Free admission or pay what you wish on Friday nights:

Museum of the Moving Image: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 35 Avenue at 37 Street, Astoria, Queens

Museum of Modern Art: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 11 West 53rd Street, Manhattan

Whitney Museum of American Art: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.; 99 Gansevoort Street, Manhattan

New-York Historical Society: 6 pm. – 8 p.m.; 170 Central Park West, Manhattan

Cheapo pick: Or get a taste of the highbrow at the Morgan Library & Museum (29 East 36th Street, Manhattan), home to some of the rarest books and manuscripts in the world. Admission to the McKim rooms, a former private study of Pierpont Morgan himself, is free every Friday evening from 7 pm until 9 pm. Inside those gilded walls you’ll spot some of the lush original furnishings, along with precious items from the Morgan collection, including his life mask of George Washington (don’t go trying to steal that now) and copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Star-Spangled Banner.

Saturday

The massive art collection (and incredible architecture) at the Guggenheim (1071 5th Avenue, Manhattan) can be enjoyed for free on Saturday evenings from 5:45 p.m. until 7:45 p.m.

Other Saturday festivities are limited to once a month:

The Brooklyn Museum of Art (200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn) dominates first Saturdays, with free admission, plus live entertainment, from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Learn more here.

El Museo del Barrio (1230 5th Avenue, Manhattan) hosts “SUPER SABADO” on the third Saturday of the month, in all months except January and August. Admission is free from 11 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and events range from film screenings to walking tours.

Sunday

For a livelier vibe, head uptown to the Studio Museum (144 West 125th Street, Manhattan) in Harlem, where Target Free Sundays grant free access to the vast and provocative collection of art, as well as access to special tours, talks and hands-on activities.

Do you have any tips for getting into museums for free? Share your comments below!

The post Free museums in New York: A calendar for every day of the week appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Guggenheim is an incredible building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The American Museum of Natural History has that huge dinosaur. And the Met is… well, the Met. All amazing and worth visiting. But with iconic museums come hefty prices. Plus, New York is home to many smaller museums that are equally fascinating, will likely be less crowded, and will definitely be cheaper.

Here are our top five picks for smaller museums in New York that pack a big punch:

1. The New York Transit Museum
Boerum Place & Schermerhorn St.
Web site

Ah, the subway. What would New York be without you? You’re a feat of architecture, engineering, and city planning that has been the heart of this city since 1904. The New York Transit Museum, housed in a historic 1936 subway station in Brooklyn Heights, dives into transportation history in New York, from trolleys to buses to the subway itself.

If you think that sounds yawn-worthy, think again: You’ll be treated to photos and artifacts from the days when the subway was new and gleaming, along with the stories of the bright, courageous, and hardworking men who built it.

Open: Tuesday-Friday, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children aged 3-17. (Seniors visit free on Wednesdays.)

2. Tenement Museum
97 Orchard Street
Web site

In our humble opinion, it doesn’t get much cooler than the Tenement Museum on New York’s Lower East Side. From the time it was built 1863 until the time it was closed to residential use in 1935, the building that is now the museum was home to nearly 7,000 working class immigrants. Irish, Germans, Greeks and Italians all took their turns trying to survive in the cramped apartments of this crowded building.

Hanging out at PS1. Photo: TIA

The brilliant and caring crew at the museum has carefully researched the lives of real families who lived in the building, and each tour tells the story of a few of those lives—in apartments that look like they would have then. But our favorite part may just be the room that is left at only partial excavation so that visitors can see the true palimpsest of wallpaper upon wallpaper, lives upon lives, that is New York, past and present.

Open: Daily, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Check out the tours currently on offer.
Admission: $20 adults, $15 students and seniors, including private tour.

3. PS 1
22-25 Jackson Ave at the intersection of 46th Ave
Web site

Since it opened in 1976, the MoMA PS 1 of Queens has invited innovative, cutting-edge, and emerging artists to create installations that transform the building’s spaces into art. Which brings us to the building itself: A Revival Romanesque former public school in Long Island City, Queens, complete with a beautiful courtyard, which in the summers becomes transformed by the winning design from a talented young architect, as part of the Young Architects Program (YAP). This installation is then the setting of the popular summer music series, Warm Up, which takes place every Saturday throughout the summer.

Of course you could stay in Manhattan and see van Gogh in the MoMA, or you could venture out to Queens for some innovative art in a truly unique space. Admission is half the price of MoMA, as well!

Hours: Thursday through Monday, 12 – 6 p.m.
Admission: $10 suggested donation ($5 students and seniors).

4. The Merchant’s House Museum
29 East Fourth St
Web site

Back in Manhattan, not far from the Tenement Museum, is another treasure trove of New York history. The Merchant’s House Museum is a lovely brick row house built in 1832, and totally preserved — inside and out — since then.

How, you ask? Well, dear Cheapos, in 1835 a wealthy merchant family by the name of Tredwell moved into the house, at the time considered the elegant “uptown.” Their youngest, Gertrude, was born in that house, and there she remained, changing very little, until her death in 1933. It became a public museum three years later and today its eight rooms provide a glimpse of how the Tredwells once lived, complete with all of their belongings in place. Oh, and in case you’re still craving New York ghosts post-Halloween, this historic gem is said to have its share.

Open: Thursday through Monday, noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors, and free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult.

5. National Museum of the American Indian
One Bowling Green
Web site

There are many reasons to visit the National Museum of the American Indian, not least of which is the fact that admission is, wait for it… FREE. That’s right, you can enter the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in downtown Manhattan, and explore its incredible architecture—that’s reason number two—without spending a cent.

The last, but certainly not the least, reason to visit is the museum itself: The 16th museum of the Smithsonian Institution, it is a wealth of information and extensive collections of artifacts depicting both historic and contemporary Native American life.

Open: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
Admission: Free

The post New York: Small museums that shouldn’t be overlooked appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Lavapies is the city’s most diverse neighborhood and it serves as inspiration for a whole host of artists, actors, writers and musicians who are all in search of that laid-back bohemian vibe that is so apparent throughout the area. Tucked away amongst the curry houses and tapas bars you will find endless artistic enclaves from cultural centers, dance studios and ceramic workshops to tiny art galleries, inspirational bookshops and art cafes–all begging to be explored.

Click for a larger map image.

1. La Fabrica Galeria
C/Alameda 9, 28014
Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.-8.30 p.m.
Web site

Start your tour just outside Lavapies at La Fabrica Galeria. This tiny yet very atmospheric space displays temporary exhibitions by national and international contemporary young artists. There is a large emphasis on modern media as a vehicle for producing art and often exhibitions are video or photography based.

2. Galeria Helga de Alvear
C/Doctor Fourquet 12, 28012
Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Web site

Next stop is the must-see Galeria Helga de Alvear. Here you will find conceptual and minimalist exhibitions that use projections and installations to really involve the visitor and create a thought-provoking experience.

3. La Libre
C/Argumosa 39, 28012

Refuel at La Libre. This old Lavapies bookshop has just had a makeover and is now a trendy vintage style bookshop-cafe that serves up cake and coffee as you browse new and second-hand books.

4. La Tabacalera
C/Embajadores 53, 28012
Web site

Crossing over Plaza Lavapies you will find the newest addition to the neighborhood–La Tabacalera. This “self-managed social center” is one of a kind and is housed in an old tobacco factory. The Ministry of Culture snapped up the space with an aim to converting it into a new art gallery. However, lack of funds has delayed the process and the building has been handed over to the local community.

The center is comprised of a network of different groups who use their skills to run various free activities and services. You can take a dance class, learn to sew, visit the library, use the indoor skate park, see an exhibition and even exchange clothes in the free shop.  There is a group for practically anything including sustainable architecture, communications, martial arts and flamenco.

In early 2011 the government will decide if they have the funds to restore the building and open the new art gallery or if the local community will continue running La Tabacalera. Either way, there will certainly be something of artistic interest occupying the space.

5. Espacio Espora
C/Embajadores 35, 28012
Tuesday-Saturday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Web site

Heading up the road be sure to stop off at Espacio Espora. This unusual gallery strives to create a space where street art and urban culture can shine. The focus is on contemporary emerging art projects displayed in the gallery or on the street. There is also a shop where you can buy unique tee-shirts designed by artists.

Madrid’s art scene is constantly evolving and there are always new things to discover, most of which offer free entry just like the galleries listed here–so what are you waiting for? Get out and get exploring!

The post Free Art Gallery Tour in Madrid’s Lavapies Neighborhood appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.