Subject:

usa

Sometimes, it pays to look for inspiration from places not traditionally considered "exotic." Today's image comes from the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Don't overlook places that are local, or just less well-known, for your next trip.

Get your cheap on. Whether you're on a trip and looking for a cheaper place to get souvenirs, or you're looking for a fun day trip in, and around, your home town, the hunt for thrift stores offers something for everyone. Want a unique t-shirt to remember your vacation by, but don't want to drop $20 at a tourist trap? Hit up your local Goodwill and dig through their racks. We've had visitors strike souvenir gold in several different cities, so no matter where you are traveling (at least in North America) you're likely to find something up your alley, while supporting a worthy cause.

The highlight of any American roadtrip is a glitzy, gimmicky roadside attraction. Bright lights, oversized dinosaurs, and miles of billboards telling you to stop. So, what better place to spend the night on a trip down Route 66 than at the historic Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona?

Public art can be, well, bad. If you've had a chance to visit any major American city in the last few years, you've most likely seen the city's attempt at public art geared for tourists. Every summer, they roll out a cast animal sculpture, ask local artists to decorate it, and place them around town in heavily visited tourist attractions. Washington, DC had the pandas, Seattle had its pigs, and Berlin even had bears. While these may have given local artists a chance to express themselves, all-in-all they were pretty uninspiring.

Instead of checking out what the local tourism board has deemed good art, Seattle has plenty of public art to inspire you....for free.

When we're in a new city, I always want to check out its artistic treasures. Instead of always turning directly to the museum, I like to look outside of the big white box. After my eyes (and my wallet) have had their fill of art on the wall, I like to seek out lesser known venues. Public spaces always offer a wide variety of art to see, often for free, regardless of what country you are visiting.

Who doesn't love a good holiday? No work, plenty of relaxation, and time to do whatever you want. In the United States, this often mean hitting the road and getting out of town, along with thousands of your closest friends and neighbors. So, if you're planning on taking that quintessential American road trip, I've got a few times for you to avoid so that you can keep from getting caught in another classic American pastime: sitting in traffic.

For bargain-seeking traveler, there is no better deal to be had than the Chinatown bus. Alighting from most major East Coast cities, Chinatown buses are a great no-frills way to get around at bargain basement prices. But why would you choose them over Greyhound? Here's what makes Chinatown buses stand out among their competitors...

I recently flew to New York into JFK airport, and being the savvy traveler that I am (read cheap), I decided in advance that I wanted to take the AirTrain. The AirTrain is a light rail system that connects JFK to both the subway system and Long Island Rail Road. There's a bunch of information about it on AirTrain's Site and Wikipedia, but nobody tells you how to buy a ticket. Until now.

I'm heading to NYC this weekend and it's been awhile since I've been there. When considering my transportation options, the seasoned travel advice "get a transit pass" popped in my head. But more importantly, when transit is concerned....know thy options. Sure, a tourist card may make sense in other cities throughout the world, like Berlin. But for my four day stint in New York, I discovered it's better to pay as you go.

Visiting a work of art is always a thrill, but what about staying in one? Several Frank Lloyd Wright residents are open for overnight guests, including the Seth Peterson House, seen above.