Indeed, these and (many) more reasons draw multitudes of tourists to New York in December, which can mean packed hotels and higher than normal rates. Luckily for Cheapos, there are some great budget hotel options in the Big Apple, many of which are near some of the city’s top Christmas activities.

Here are five hotels that will put you in the Christmas mood—without spoiling your holiday budget. For many more suggestions, check out our guide to New York’s best cheap hotels.

The Hotel @ Times Square is also quite close to Rockefeller Center.

Near the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is one of the city’s most iconic holiday sights. Lit by more than 30,000 tiny lights and topped by a Swarovski star, the twinkling showstopper will be all lit up through January 7, 2013. Suggestion for a hotel near Rockefeller Center:

The Hotel @ Times Square
59 West 46th Street
Doubles from $119 a night

Located on 46th street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), less than four blocks from the tree, the three-star Hotel @ Times Square offers clean and comfy rooms with pleasing decor at rates that are great for this part of town. We loved the the hotel’s 19th-century building and period touches downstairs.

The Hotel Wellington is a five-minute walk from Central Park.

Near Wollman ice skating rink in Central Park

For travelers who don’t get nervous and wobbly-legged at the mere sight of ice skates, we’d strongly recommend donning a pair and cutting loose at one of the city’s great outdoor ice rinks. Wollman Rink in Central Park might be the most picturesque, although the rinks at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park also pack ’em in. For detailed information on hitting the ice, read our guide to ice skating in New York.

A budget hotel pick near the Central Park skating rink:

Wellington Hotel
871 Seventh Avenue at 55th Street
Doubles $125

Boasting a whopping 600 rooms just south of Central Park and its ice skating rink, the decor in the three-star Wellington might be a bit tired, but that location is fabulous and those rates are budget friendly. Some rooms are pretty small, so double-check the square footage before booking.

Chill out in the Stay Hotel's trendy lobby.

Near the department store windows of Fifth Avenue

Taking in the extravagant Christmas windows along Fifth Avenue is another favorite (and cheapo) holiday tradition. Start at Central Park and head south along Fifth, paying special attention to Bergdorf Goodman (at 58th Street), Saks Fifth Avenue (at 49th Street), and Lord & Taylor (at 39th Street).

For more windows to look out for, read our post on the best Christmas windows in New York.

A cheap hotel suggestion near the windows:

Stay Hotel
157 West 47th Street
Doubles from $119

We’re excited about the Stay Hotel, a chic budget boutique hotel that recently opened just north of Times Square (and a very quick walk over to the stores along Fifth Avenue).  The Stay Hotel’s 208 rooms may be small, but they’re very well designed, totally new, and outfitted with artsy touches, like funky lights, cool artwork, and eclectic furnishings. The lobby, too, is tricked out and stylish. Sleep like a fashionista, pay like a Cheapo.

One of the Gershwin Hotel's lounges. The hotel is near both Macy's and the Empire State Building.

Near Macy’s

Once you’ve taken in the windows along Fifth Avenue, keep heading south to 34th and west a block to 6th Avenue, where Macy’s department store dominates Herald Square. The store pulls out all the stops at Christmas, attracting lines of tourists to gaze at its windows, as thousands more pack the store. It never fails to be a buzzing, dizzying and chaotic swirl of Yuletide merriment. (Not for the claustrophobic.)

A cheap hotel pick near Macy’s:

The Gershwin Hotel
7 East 27th Street
Doubles from $109

The two-star Gershwin Hotel is a fun spot, offering 150 rooms in various configurations, from family rooms with private baths to dorms. The hotel’s interior pays homage to the New York of the 1970s, with art installations in the lobby, lounge and hallways. Some, but not all, rooms get in on the act, as well. The Gershwin is located just off 5th Avenue, about a 10-minute walk to Macy’s (and an even shorter walk to the Empire State Building).

The Seafarers and International House is fit for a sailor and priced for a Cheapo.

Near the Union Square holiday market

Heading  further downtown, Union Square entices shoppers to its annual holiday market, open daily between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Dozens of artisans sell handcrafted gift items, clothing, jewelry and other interesting gift items. Stroll the booths, hot cider in hand, and enjoy the downtown holiday scene.

A hotel pick near Union Square:

The Seafarers & International House
123 East 15th Street
Doubles from $104

One of the most popular budget hotels in our New York guide, the Seafarers & International House is a religious-affiliated guesthouse offering 84 bare-bones (but clean and cheap) rooms one block from Union Square. The hotel is run by the Augustana Lutheran mission, and was originally intended as a temporary home for sailors, but is today open to everyone. A great deal.

More cheap sleep options

For more suggestions, check out our editor’s picks in our New York hotel guide.

The post New York City: 5 Budget hotels for the holidays appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While San Francisco may be one of the most expensive cities to visit in the U.S., it certainly doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s eating street food or enjoying an afternoon at one of San Francisco’s many great public parks, there are plenty of things to do for cheap, and even free. While some of these activities are outdoors and only available during the summer months, many are year-round.

Here are 10 of the best free things to do in San Francisco throughout the year:

Sutro Baths

The Sutro Baths, the city’s version of ruins, are one of the most interesting landmarks in San Francisco. Formerly a large swimming complex along the rocky cliffs of the Pacific Ocean, the complex burned down in the mid-1960s, leaving the remains that stand today. This is an intriguing landmark, which offers one of the best views in San Francisco. It’s also the trailhead for the Lands End hiking trail.

Golden Gate Park

Few parks in the U.S. can rival San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. While it has the same shape of New York City’s Central Park, it’s nearly 25% larger. The park features museums, large and open green spaces, and paths for walking and bicycling. The park is convenient to the Haight and Inner Sunset districts, which have great dining and nightlife.

Tour of Anchor Brewing

Anchor is one of the most well-known breweries on the west coast, calling San Francisco home. It’s one of the few breweries that offers a free tour, culminating in a tasting session of Anchor beers. However, you’ll need to book your reservation weeks in advance (months in advance if you want to go on a Friday).

Free museum days

San Francisco features some great museums, including the California Academy of Sciences and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. While many of San Francisco’s museums aren’t free, they have free museum days, which are typically one day per month during the middle of the week. This is also when the museums are often the least crowded.

Cable Car Museum

In San Francisco, cable cars are truly part of the city’s culture. And when you see the hills of San Francisco, you’ll see why; you’ll be thankful for a cable car ride up those steep streets. The Cable Car Museum offers visitors a behind-the-cable look at this fascinating method of transportation.

Shakespeare in the Park

You’ll have to be visiting San Francisco during the summer months to take part in the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Free Shakespeare in the Park. Each summer brings a new weekend afternoon and evening show. Bring a blanket and picnic and make a day of it. The plays take part at a couple of different locations in and around the bay area, but I recommend the Presidio location.

San Francisco Mime Troupe

Don’t worry, we’re not talking about any old mime performing on a street corner. The San Francisco Mime Troupe has been putting on a shows for years. Scheduled performances take place around San Francisco during the summer months, including Dolores Park in the Mission, Glen Park, and Washington Square Park.

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Site

The San Francisco Maritime National Historic Site is located near Fisherman’s Wharf, offers a chance to get close to several types of boats, including tugboats, ferries, and schooners. Self-guided tours of the boats are available for a nominal fee. Visiting the Site also allows for some great photo ops, since it has views of downtown San Francisco, Ghirardelli Square, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

Sea lions of Pier 39

Pier 39‘s sea lions are celebrities in San Francisco. You may have to wiggle and squirm your way past other tourists at Fisherman’s Wharf to see them, but this is a great chance to see some local marine life. You can almost always find the sea lions at the dock at Pier 39; simply follow their smell.

Fort Point

Located on the southern side of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point offers one of the best views of the bridge. While the Golden Gate Bridge is the main attraction, Fort Point also offers great views of the city. The historic site maintains normal business hours Thursday through Monday. Both guided and self-guided tours are available free of charge.

The post 10 free things to do in San Francisco appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Start with these four bars…

1. McSorley’s Old Ale House
15 East 7th Street
Web site

Call us sentimental, but we feel pretty strongly that a good New York Irish pub crawl (or any New York pub crawl, for that matter) should start with a pilgrimage to this New York City institution, the city’s oldest operating saloon.

Another reason to start here, incidentally, is that McSorley’s is one of the few New York bars that closes at 1 a.m., as we realized on a recent late-night visit. But when you’re this cool (and old), you can close whenever you want to.

Why do we gush so?

1) The bar, which was established in 1854, is a living museum, littered lovingly with everything from yellowed photographs to the chair in which Abraham Lincoln enjoyed his share of McSorley’s ale.

2) You get two drink options here, light or dark McSorley’s ale, and for $5 you get two glasses of it.

3) It’s been the subject an E.E. Cummings poem, a John Sloan painting and several short stories. Plus, its walls talk—and you can usually sweet talk the famously curmudgeonly bartenders to pick up where they left off.

2. Bull McCabe’s
21 Saint Marks Place
Web site

Just a block north of McSorely’s, the gritty little dive bar Bull McCabe’s dominates a somewhat kitchy block of St. Mark’s. The crowd here tends to be on the young and rowdy side, but the drinks are cheap, the music is fun and the pool table is… well, a pool table. There is also a great patio for those nice-weather days.

3. The Thirsty Scholar
155 Second Avenue
Web site

Those who like their pubbing on the more “refined” side (snobs!) would do well to check out Bull’s sister bar, the Thirsty Scholar. You bring your best James Joyce commentary, they supply the charcoal portraits of Samuel Beckett. Oh, and the libations of course, which are cheaper during daily happy hour, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.

4. Puck Fair
298 Lafayette Street
Web site

This tri-level bar just a block from EuroCheapo’s headquarters has a lot going for it, including a fun atmosphere and a crazy-comprehensive array of beers, both bottled and on tap. If the options are overwhelming, know that you’ll never go wrong with the Guinness, which, thanks to a schmancy cooling system, tastes almost as good as it does in Dublin.

A little trivia tidbit: The bar’s across from the gorgeous red Puck Building, but its name actually comes from the goat-themed festival that takes place every August in Killorglin, County Kerry (read about its history on the wall above the bar).

5. Molly’s Pub and Shebeen
287 Third Avenue
Web site

Still standing? Take a little breather by way of hopping on the “6” train (at Bleecker and Lafayette) and making your way up to Gramercy Park. There awaits a gem of a joint, with sawdust-covered floors, stucco walls and a working fireplace. Molly’s has been doing its thing since 1895, paused only by a brief stint as a grocery store during Prohibition.

Molly’s is the adorable, friendly sort of spot on which modern Irish pubs model themselves. But Molly’s has experience on its side, and what better way to wrap up the night than with a few beers, a crackling fire and a bit more history. Oh, and don’t forget about your umpteen new friends (also known as the rowdy, cheerful crowd that goes hand in hand with any good Irish bar).

The post Exploring New York: An Irish pub crawl 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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We (heart) souvenirs

Created pro bono in 1977 by Milton Glaser for a marketing campaign to promote New York State, the original design for “I (heart) NY” was intended to be in the public eye for only a few months. But locals and tourists alike took hold of the black, white and red symbol. A popular souvenir movement was born.

While finding your own special tee in Times Square or around Soho has its own allure, shops around Chinatown and Madison Square Garden (in the west 30s) offer better deals. Look for street vendors with tables of tees offering crazy deals. Some vendors even sell five shirts for $10. Individual tees go for about $3 to $30, depending on quality.

While you’re at it…

Grab some of the other cheap trinkets available on the vendor tables in Soho and the Fashion District. We’re talking about mini taxi cabs, cityscape snow globes, foam Statue of Liberty crowns, Times Square playing cards, etc. Classic.

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in New York City.

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