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Cheap Hotels in NYC

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So you're thinking about visiting New York City. You want to find bargains on lodging because you know that just spending a week is not going to be cheap. But how can you find cheap hotels in New York City without getting stuck in a seedy little run-down hotel? Cheap Hotels in NYC can help get you started with your search for good lodging at a decent price.

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Tips for Finding A Cheap Hotel

Book in advance. Reserve a room in advance to be sure that you get exactly what you want. Deal directly with the hotel if possible. Travel sites often make money by reserving blocks of rooms and then leasing them out at close to what the hotel would have charged normally. You might be able to get a better deal by calling the hotel itself.
Pay attention to reviews. If several reviewers agree that a hotel is the pits, it probably is. However, you can find decent three-star hotels for a reasonable price if you shop around a little bit.
Consider traveling in the off-season. Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends tend to be jam-packed full with premium prices for everything. Ditto for most of Fall. Rooms are often cheaper when the tourist season ends. Consider traveling during the January through March season or in July or August.
Look outside the theater district. Anything near Broadway is likely to be expensive. Consider some of the residential districts for more reasonable prices.
Don't be afraid to negotiate. If hotel rooms are sitting empty, the hotel might be willing to cut you a deal. Chains like Best Western usually won't advertise their best rates,
Consider a Bed and Breakfast arrangement. This is what I did last time I traveled to New York City, and it beat staying at a hotel by a long shot. If you want to get more for your money, there are people who are willing to rent out rooms or entire apartments.
Look at package deals. Some websites will offer bargains if you book your flight and hotel together, or opt in for tours, restaurant deals and other amenities.

What To Do in NYC

Visit a museum. Museums offer a wide variety of options to suit your interests and range from art to natural history. The Guggenheim Museum is one highlight, with modern and classic art, lectures by artists and critics, classes on a variety of subjects, performances and film screenings. The American Museum of Natural History features the Hayden Planetarium, where you can see shows on space-related topics, and exhibits on natural wonders from around the world.
Catch a play. Tickets go fast for top hits like "Wicked" and "The Lion King." If you can't get in on a Broadway show, consider an off-Broadway option like "Stomp" or the latest production of "Rent", which is usually just as entertaining for less money.
Take a tour. Options include bus tours, boat tours, and you can even tour NYC from the air in a helicopter. You can also take advantage of themed tours like Brooklyn's literary tour, a shopping tour with insider access to private showrooms, and the ever-popular Manhattan Night Tour. Location tours also include Carnegie Hall and NBC Studios tours.
Visit zoos and aquariums. New York City is home to some of the largest zoos and aquariums in the world. Visit the famous Bronx Zoo for encounters with tigers, lemurs and unusual creatures from around the world. New York Aquarium is the place to see aquatic creatures like walruses, electric eels, penguins, otters and sand tigers.
Visit Lady Liberty. No trip to New York City is complete without visiting the Statue of Liberty. You can catch a ferry ride or water taxi, take a tour and also visit nearby Ellis Island, best known for being a historical entry way for immigrants. Find out more about dates and times and other visitor information you need to know before you go.
Visit Ground Zero. Pay your respects to those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the heroes who risked their lives to help others. Learn more about the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Play It Safe in New York City

Check into your hotel room and stow your gear. Finding your hotel and checking in should be the first thing you do when you get to New York City. While crime has gone down in the past decade, you still don't want to risk someone breaking into your car and stealing your stuff, so take your luggage and any valuables you don't plan on carrying with you into your hotel room as soon as possible.

Don't advertise that you're a tourist. One of the best things you can do is just go with the flow and act natural. It's okay to admire the local scenery but many pickpockets look for people who are obviously in New York City on vacation. If you have show tickets, keep them stowed until you are ready to enter the theater. Consider taking traveler's checks and/or a credit card rather than cash along. Keep your wallet in your front pocket and a tight grip on your purse.

If something looks suspicious, get out of there. It's okay to slip into a nearby store if you spot suspicious activity. You definitely don't want to get involved. If you are inside a building, always be aware of where the emergency exits are. If you are outside and an emergency occurs, move in the direction of the crowd, try to work your way to the edge and listen for instructions from police and other authorities.

Travel with a trusted friend whenever possible. Pairs will generally fair better than someone traveling alone. If you have a friend or family member who has been wanting to see New York City, invite them along. You can also pretend to talk on your cell phone if you happen to be alone.