Big cities cost you big money. Tickets to a Broadway show, dinner at a nice restaurant, souvenir (and clothes) shopping, museum admission…it really adds up, doesn’t it? Seriously, we’ve got a pretty good MasterCard commercial going here.
So, how can you afford an overpriced hotel room on top of all that? Well, the short answer is, you can’t. Or you shouldn’t try to, at least.
Vacation rentals offer up more square footage and perks than hotels, but they’re not nearly as expensive. Plus, they’re located all over New York City, Boston, Chicago, and nearly every other major metropolis (many are within walking distance of top attractions, too). But it’s not just the basic vacation rental rate that makes a trip to the city suddenly so affordable.
First, let’s get to the food. Food’s not cheap, particularly in the big city. When you stay in a vacation home, however, you can cook as many meals as you want on your own. With a fully-equipped kitchen and dining area, it’s easy to eat in and save money in the process.
Now, the people. To go to NYC with a group, you’d need to book several hotel rooms. Unless you don’t mind giving up all your privacy and comfort, that is! This seems a silly exercise if you know about all the vacation rental possibilities. Why not book a 3 to 6-bedroom Manhattan town home and split the cost with your friends and family?
Other tips for doing the Big City on a Budget:
-Get a CityPass, which features discounts and coupons on popular attractions.
-Ask locals for advice on good (but cheap) restaurants.
-Spend the bulk of your time sightseeing – that’s typically free!
