How to visit new york on the cheap

I grew up just outside New York City, so while I spent lots of time there as a kid, I didn't visit as a traveler until I had moved away as an adult. Needless to say, the sticker shock I experienced on that first visit was a surprise: $270 for a threadbare, noisy, closet-sized hotel room? Thanks, but no thanks.

New York is one of the most popular and expensive vacation destinations on the planet. Nearly 50 million people visited in 2010, and hotel occupancy is regularly in the mid- to upper 80% range. Hotel rates easily topped $300 prior to the recession, and still sit in the mid-$200s. All that said, it's easy to visit New York on a budget and still have a good experience.

Getting there

Airfare is the one area where finding a good deal should be fairly easy. With three major area airports, there is an abundance of options for travelers coming from nearly any corner of the country. There's also ample low-cost service—JetBlue's hub is at JFK, and Southwest recently launched Newark and LaGuardia flights.

To snag a deal, sign up for fare alerts or keep your eyes open for sales. Airfare should range between $150 and $350 per person, depending on your point of departure. 

Source: USAToday.com