But never fear, the Cheapos are here, with a list of several spots where you can always find free Wi-Fi in New York City:

Laptops and lattes at a Starbucks in Soho. Photo: Lee Gillen

Starbucks

The unofficial “office” of many a New York-based freelancer, the coffeehouse giant makes up for outrageous drink prices with free Wi-Fi in each of its locations. Lucky for you, there are more Starbucks on the island of Manhattan than you can shake a (peppermint) stick (latte) at. Check their Web site to find the nearest location.

The Union Square East Starbucks (14th Street and Park Ave South) offers plenty of seating and a great view of the hustle and bustle along 14th Street. We also suggest the Starbucks on 63rd Street and Broadway, a place that sees its fair share of laptops given its proximity to the Fordham University and Juilliard School.

New York City parks

New York, the “concrete jungle,” is also home to tons of green space. Beginning this year, AT&T allows you to take your laptop to one of these verdant pastures to do some work or Facebooking, free of charge:

Manhattan:

• Battery Park (Battery Place and State Street)
• Central Park – Mineral Springs
• Central Park – Rumsey Playfield
• Central Park – Tavern on the Green
• Marcus Garvey Park (East 120th Street and Madison Avenue)
• Thomas Jefferson Park (FDR Dr., bet. E. 111 St. and E. 114 St.)
• Tompkins Square Park (Avenue A and East 7th Street)

Brooklyn:

• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 1
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 6
• Herbert Von King Park
• McCarren Park Field House
• Prospect Park Picnic House

Bronx:

• Devoe Park in the Bronx
• Joyce Kilmer Park

Queens:

• Astoria Park

Staten Island:

• Clove Lakes Park

Once you find the network “attwifi” in these locations, you’re ready to go. No need to sign up for anything or enter any password.

And if these locations aren’t convenient, stick around; within five years, 20 parks across the five boroughs will offer free Wi-Fi. Check nycparkgov.org for updated locations.

New York Public Library at Bryant Park

Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, nypl.org

The main branch of the New York Public Library, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is worth a visit for the architecture alone. Built in the Beaux-Arts style in 1911, the library’s main entrance, flanked by two lion sculptures, is iconic and has been featured in films since the 1930s.

All visitors (even those without library cards) are welcome in the library and those with laptops can set up shop in the magnificent Bill Blass Reading Room, which should certainly inspire some great emails… Simply find the network and get to work in no time.

For hours, times, and other Wi-Fi enabled libraries in New York, consult the library’s Web site.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is no longer just a place for a post-club snack. Believe it or not, the mega-chain is adding free Internet access to its menu (and yes, you can still get fries with that).

Check the restaurant’s Web site for Wi-Fi enabled locations, but we recommend the McDonald’s near Columbus Circle on 57th Street and Eighth Avenue, as it’s one of the nicest locations in the city. The location on Sixth Avenue between 14th and 15th Street also offers plenty of seating and outlets for laptops.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to New York City? Check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in New York, all visited, inspected and photographed by our editors. (Some of them even have free Wi-Fi!) Read more in our New York City guide.

The post Free Wi-Fi in New York: Where to go online for free appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

“Take me with you,” it says. “Please. You know you need me!”

Well, Cheapos, what do you do? Should you pack your computer or not? Can you survive your trip without it?

Laptop Pros:

– There are all sorts of light, cheap, and web-only laptops that are well suited for travel.

– Taking a laptop makes it easy to update your friends and family from the road. You can send them daily emails and photos.

– A laptop keeps you informed of news and current events. (It also allows you to set your Facebook status from fabulous locales.)

– Many hotels offer free wireless connections, making it easy to go online — and avoid paying for computers at inconvenient internet cafes.

– Laptops can help “spur of the moment” travel planning and research. Need a restaurant suggestion for tonight? Go online from your room.

– A laptop can help keep an eye on your workplace activities. This could minimize feeling overwhelmed upon your return. If necessary, you can work from the road.

– Of course, some of us travel for work and simply must take a laptop. Case closed.

Laptop Cons:

– You’re on a trip, right? Not having a laptop and being “offline” can help recharge your batteries, so to speak. Do you really want to turn on your laptop first thing in the morning, just like you do every other day of the year?

– Internet cafes offer low-cost access to your email and websites.

– Many travelers already receive their emails on their telephones. A laptop just isn’t that necessary.

– Lugging a laptop around requires additional packing and extra security considerations. (You’ll probably choose to cross off hostels from your accommodation considerations.)

– While many hotels offer free Wifi, other hotels charge for the service. It can add up.

– Wifi isn’t always a sure thing, especially if your itinerary doesn’t include major destinations. Think you’ll easily find a signal in the rolling hills of Tuscany? Think again!

– Laptop bags can start feeling pretty heavy, especially as you acquire souvenirs. “You just had to bring that thing along…”

– Most “mission critical” work and research can be done in an internet cafe. Or when you get home.

To pack, or not to pack the laptop? What do you think, Cheapos?

Do you take a laptop with you while you travel? Why? Do you swear against it? Why? Post a comment below and tell us what you think!

The post Packing Question: Should you take your laptop on your trip? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.