New York Cheap Hotels

The Forgotten Boroughs

If you're thinking about or planning an upcoming trip to New York City, don't automatically assume that your only lodging options are in Manhattan. Instead you should consider the other boroughs, as many of New York's cheap hotels are located in Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, or the Bronx. Best of all, these seemingly non-tourist destinations feature unique attractions of their own, and transportation to Manhattan is quick and easy.

A very affordable and conveniently-located option in Queens is the Guest Rooms at the Flushing YMCA. Nearby this hostel-style space is JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, subways, and the Long Island Railroad. You'll also be super close to the Queens Botanical Gardens, a great spot for some afternoon scenery. Experience the Farmer's Market and Bird Walk Exhibit, or schedule a tour of their 39 acres of diverse garden landscape.

If Staten Island is more your taste, consider staying at the Holiday Inn Express Staten Island. You'll definitely want to check out the Ellis Island Immigration Museum while you're there, which features films, archives, photos, recordings, and the Immigrant Wall of Honor. Examine the 200, 000 names on the wall closely- it's estimated that more than ¼ of all Americans can trace their roots back to someone in their family who passed through Ellis Island. You just might find a name you recognize.

Brooklyn is home to many of New York's cheap hotels, like the Sleep Inn in Sunset Park. Its dirt cheap and the amenities are basic at best, but it's a 6 block walk to the subway, and nearby is the famed Coney Island. The New York Aquarium at Coney Island is a great tourist destination, complete with a variety of exhibits and interactive adventures. Come face-to-face with the California Sea Lion, the Black-Footed Penguin, the Sand Tiger Shark, and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.