Budget adventures near New York

by Kraig Becker on

In these difficult economic conditions we’re all looking for ways to save some money while still putting a little adventure into our lives. Now more than ever we need a distraction from the daily grind that won’t empty our pocket books. Fortunately, the New York Daily News is here to help, with some great suggestions for cheap adventures close to NYC.

The inexpensive escapse come in a variety of flavors, ranging from an epic mountain bike ride in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania to taking in the beauty of upstate New York via hot air balloon. Each of the suggestions includes a nice description of what to expect on the day long adventure, as well as some tips for stretching your dollars, such as the use of budget hotels, complimentary continental breakfasts, and unadvertised specials.

An example of one of the unexpected outdoor adventures includes a trip to New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, which offers a tree-top canopy tour that put visitors at elevations between 1600 and 3000 feet as they fly through the scenic forest on ten zip lines and two suspension bridges. The travel package costs $115 but in addition to the canopy tour, travelers get a night’s stay at the historic Mount Washington Resort, a round of golf, and a visit to the hotel’s spa.

Each of the other budget adventures offer similar amenities on the cheap and with plenty of summer still ahead, it’s never too late to put a little adventure into your life. And at these prices, how can you resist?

United reduces cost of mileage tickets

by Grant Martin on

Amidst all of the increased fees and reduced services plaguing the airlines these days, it’s refreshing to actually see a change that goes the customers’ way. Albeit temporarily, United just reduced the number of frequent flyer miles necessary to book a free ticket on the airline. Reductions range from 20% to almost 30%. Domestic travel, for example, has been reduced from 25K miles to 20K miles, while a ticket from the US to Australia ihas been reduced from 80K to 64K. Europe, on the other hand, which normally costs 50-60K on other airlines costs 44K on United. Not a bad deal.

You can see the price reductions and book directly at United.com for travel between August 18th and November 18th.

Why the sudden generosity? Well, demand is way down this year, and with the end of tourist season bringing further reductions, airlines are going to have a ton of extra space on their airplanes. It’s better to have a seat booked with a fee-paying passenger than an empty seat altogether, right?

Kimpton’s Summer Deals – all over the US and Canada!

by Annie Scott on

Kimpton has a number of great specials going on this summer, and if you’re booking any last minute travel (before September 7th), you can totally take advantage!

Their Summer Playground Package, which starts at just $199 per night (enter PLGD in the rate code box or mention “Summer Playground” when calling 1-800-KIMPTON), includes comfy amenities like a $25 food and beverage credit and an in-room movie with popcorn. That doesn’t sound too playground-y, but how about this stuff:

  • Play a game for upgrades. I’m talking rock paper scissors or a hula hoop challenge. You could get a free upgrade.
  • Sangria Happy Hour. Need I say more? There are also “Play Dirty” and “Play Nice” -themed cocktails available.
  • Virtual Wii Sports. Get your golf, tennis, or baseball game on.
  • Tag! They have playground-themed luggage tags available in the lobby.

If the Summer Playground Package sounds like a bunch of insanity to you, perhaps you’d be more interested in the “Cocktail or Breakfast for Just $1 More” deal … which is exactly what it sounds like.

The above deals are available at all of Kimpton’s nearly 50 hotels throughout the US and Canada, but there’s even more special stuff happening at NYC’s 70 Park Avenue, where you can “Shape Up Your Stay” (starts at $229 — which is pretty darn cheap for New York!), a package which includes:

  • 20% off the Best Available Rate
  • Healthy Power Bar and bottled water
  • Complimentary in-room yoga basket for use while at the hotel
  • Jump rope
  • Personalized running route mapped by the concierge

If you like to see some art when you head into to New York, both 70 Park Avenue and The Muse (also in NYC) are offering a “Summer Art in the City” package. This package starts at just $199 per night and includes a complimentary breakfast, a bottle of wine upon arrival, and unlimited daily MTA metrocard — which will take you directly to the ferry to Governor’s Island, where there’s a huge public art quadrennial called Plot 09: This World & Nearer Ones, which features works by artists from nine different countries, including Patti Smith and Mark Wallinger. You also get a map of Governor’s Island. (Rate code: PSMA.)

Basically, Kimpton is rocking this summer. They’ve just earned the Top 2009 Customer Satisfaction Ranking from Market Metrix Hospitality Index — topping their own previous winning scores with a 94.7 percent — beating out Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels, and other leading luxury hotel chains.

And the low prices they’re offering at their chic boutique hotels in these tough economic times are no coincidence. “Over Kimpton’s 28 years in business, I don’t believe we’ve ever seen travelers in greater need of the extraordinary kindness and care they find at our hotels,” said Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

So, if you’re traveling anywhere in the US and Canada before September 7, be sure and check out the nearest Kimpton. And if your next trip is happening after that date? Stay tuned; we’ll tell you what’s up.

Fare alert: New York and Miami to Buenos Aires for $287!

by Grant Martin on

Got any Thanksgiving plans? Short of going back to your Aunt Hillary’s house for another dried out turkey (for dinner,) consider going to the fabulous Argentine capitol of Buenos Aires this year. Mexican carrier Mexicana posted a series of dirt cheap fares to the southern hemisphere this past week, and surprisingly, the fares are still good this Monday morning.

Take a gander over to Kayak to check for available dates. While fares that we’re finding are best around the October & November timeframe, there are plenty of other times that may work as well. And don’t forget to use the “flexible search” function to make sure you find the widest variety of dates.

Keep an eye on those layovers when booking your tickets. All flights connect through Mexico City and many of them have atrocious layovers, so you might have to book a hotel in the city. A small price to pay for dirt cheap tickets to Buenos Aires.

Mexicana also partners with American Airlines on this route, so you can get 100% frequent flyer miles on AA.

Great American Road Trip 2009: The fly and drive combo New Mexico to Montana and back

by Jamie Rhein on

For the past seven summers, ever since we moved back from India, we’ve embarked on a Great American Road Trip. The first was the mega version that put 10,000 miles on a new Ford Taurus station wagon in three months. Mind you, this was in 2003 with a 10 year-old and a 1 ½ year old-and without video games, computers or a DVD player.

This year’s version is a fly drive combo. Three months for tootling around between the Atlantic and Pacific is harder to come by-three weeks, doable. Without a burning desire to drive through the Midwest to get to Montana from Ohio like last year when I waxed poetic about Wisconsin’s cheese curds, we flew on Northwest Airlines (aka Delta) over those endless corn and soybean fields to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sure Albuquerque is no where near Montana, our main destination, but there’s a reason for the detour.

I used to live in Albuquerque. So did my husband. Between us, we have loads of friends we haven’t seen since that first road trip. Besides, Albuquerque is a budget destination with cheap flights to get there and inexpensive car rentals for heading out on the open road IF you rent away from the airport (more on that later).

When planning a Great American Road Trip, I highly recommend the fly then drive option. One year we flew to Denver and drove to Montana. Another year we flew to Seattle. With a limited time frame, the flight cuts out the parts you don’t necessarily want to see and provides the time to see those places that you do. If you’re going to be renting a car when you reach your main destination, why not head a few states away for the opportunity to explore the bounties in between?

For us the bounties might be a national park, the largest metal sculptures in the world, a mom and pop restaurant with regional food, or a town that a highway bypassed. Sometimes we know where we’ll stop before we head out, or one of us notices a point on a map and says, “Let’s stop here.”

In the next few weeks, as we’re traveling in a Toyota Sienna van through New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Montana, where the landscape and people have a flavor so unique I could return again and again, I’ll fill you in on the places we’ve stopped and give some Great American Road Trip how-to suggestions.

We passed by Arches National Park a week ago. It’s been a busy week. Stay tuned. Ghost towns, neon and great eats on the way.

[The first photo was taken two years ago at the parade at Flint Creek Valley Days in Philipsburg, Montana where I am now. The second photo was taken last year at the pheasant family sculpture, part of the Enchanted Highway, on the way to Regent, North Dakota.]