Name: Budget Travel LLC
Price range: $

It’s been a long, hot summer and Americans have certainly been hitting the road — according to a <a href="https://www.tripit.com/web/blog/news-culture/new-tripit-survey-americans-summer-travel-plans.html">recent survey by TripIt</a>, 82 percent said they’d already traveled in the last three months while 98 percent said they had plans to within the next year. 
If you are going to be traveling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends not doing so unless you’re <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html">fully vaccinated</a>, following travel health guidelines at your destination, and taking <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html#unvaccinated-people">extra precautions</a> if you haven’t been vaccinated. Play it safe — wash your hands, and wear a mask and keep your distance anytime you’re indoors or spending time with those outside your group.

If you’re ready for a road trip or seeking a staycation closer to home this holiday weekend, there are still deals to be had. Here’s where to celebrate Labor Day weekend this year, with all hotels within driving distance of major U.S. cities and prices under $260 a night (based on a three-night stay from Friday, September 3, to Monday, September 6, 2021).

<h1>Delaware
</h1>
Thanks to <a href="https://visitsoutherndelaware.com/bike-and-stay">Southern Delaware’s Bike & Stay specials</a>, you can spend your days cycling along scenic trails to local breweries, restaurants, distilleries and shops, and your nights at charming boutiques in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton or Dewey Beach. Mention the “Bike & Stay” package when booking through a participating hotel — <a href="https://visitsoutherndelaware.com/paddle-and-stay">paddle & stay packages</a> are also available for those who prefer kayaking.

<h2>Washington, D.C.
</h2>
Two popular hotels near Dupont Circle are offering summertime deals, which works out perfectly if you’re planning to be in town for <a href="https://www.dcjazzfest.org/">DC JazzFest</a>. The <a href="https://www.lyledc.com/offers/a-summer-of-lyle/">Summer of Lyle package</a> (at Lyle) includes valet parking, daily breakfast, complimentary welcome drinks and soft serve ice cream, with rates from $246 a night over Labor Day weekend. Nearby, The Ven at Embassy Row’s <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1618503573359&key=CORP&app=resvlink">Soak Up the Sun package</a> gives you two signature cocktails, sunscreen, koozies and access to a viewing of the film “Dodgeball” as part of the hotel’s rooftop movie program, from $249 a night.

<h3>Virginia
</h3>
Unwind in style with Colonial Williamsburg Resorts’ <a href="https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/">Spa Escape Package</a>, which, from $254 a night, includes overnight accommodations, two tickets to Colonial Williamsburg’s museums and historical exhibits, up to $350 in resort outlet coupons, and your choice of a 50-minute massage or a 50-minute facial.

In southern Virginia, <a href="https://www.bristolhotelva.com/">The Bristol Hotel</a> has packages from $245 a night including daily breakfast at Vivian’s Table (the golf package also throws in two Turtleson golf shirts and tee time at a local 18-hole luxury golf course), while business travelers can save with rates from $189 a night and daily breakfast.

South Carolina

While nightly rates at <a href="https://www.thecaravelle.com/">The Caravelle Resort</a> start at an affordable $145 over the holiday weekend, families with flexible travel dates can save more on a Myrtle Beach trip by staying Sunday through Thursday, when prices shrink to $65 a night.

Tennessee

In Memphis, the <a href="https://huhotelmemphis.com/summervibes/">Somewhere Your Summer Deserves</a> package at the Hu Hotel, available now through September 30, 2021, gives you daily breakfast at Lucy’s Café and 20 percent off stays of at least two nights, bringing starting rates over Labor Day weekend down to $252 a night.

Mississippi

Not all heroes wear capes. In Gulfport’s Centennial Plaza complex, the <a href="https://centennialplazams.com/stay/grand-centennial-hotel">Grand Centennial Hotel</a> is honoring all teachers, healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, AMR ambulance and military personnel with a 10 percent hero discount, meaning Labor Day weekend rates start at $207 a night (starting rates for everyone else start at $229 a night). Spend some time relaxing on the beach — if you can tear yourself away from the lazy river, slides, pools, and dancing fountain.

Ohio

<a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cmhox-moxy-columbus-short-north/">Moxy Columbus Short North</a> is offering rates from $146 a night when you book five or more nights, so spending an extra-long weekend from Thursday, September 2 to Tuesday, September 7, could be a great staycation option. The Moxy is pet friendly, too, so you can take the whole family along, including your beloved fur baby.

Indiana

Vera Bradley fans, rejoice! Just opened in July 2021, <a href="https://www.provenancehotels.com/the-bradley">The Bradley</a> in Fort Wayne offers a chic Midwestern staycation option about a two-hour drive from Indianapolis or a 2.5-hour drive from Detroit. Labor Day weekend rates hover around $157 a night, making it a great base for checking out the city’s <a href="https://www.visitfortwayne.com/events/?skip=0&startDate=09%2F03%2F2021&endDate=09%2F06%2F2021&sort=date">concerts and other events</a>.

Missouri

Save 15 percent on a Kansas City stay and get Labor Day weekend started off right with the Crossroads Hotel’s <a href="https://crossroadshotelkc.com/">Somewhere Your Summer Deserves</a> package. Nightly rates start at $239 and include two complimentary koozies, two ice-cold PBRs and two frozen cocktails at the hotel’s swanky Percheron Rooftop Bar.

Texas

In San Antonio, <a href="https://hotelvalencia.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/cart.aspx?hotelID=14484&langID=1&currID=1">Hotel Valencia Riverwalk</a> is offering 15 percent off stays of at least two nights, bringing starting rates over the long weekend down to $229 a night. The hotel is right in the heart of downtown and makes a great base for checking out the historic Pearl District, The Alamo, and the San Antonio Museum of Art, among other popular attractions. Don’t miss the Ford Parade of Lanterns, happening along the River Walk from September 3–5 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wisconsin

About a two-hour drive from Milwaukee or Madison (or a 40-minute drive from Green Bay), Fox Cities is a fun place to plan an affordable long-weekend getaway, especially if you want to spend time outdoors on Lake Winnebago. <a href="http://www.copperleafhotel.com/">CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel & Spa</a>, part of Best Western’s boutique Premier Collection, puts you in the middle of all the Appleton action with rates from $107 a night. About 15 minutes away in Neenah, kick back at the <a href="https://bridgewoodresorthotel.com/">Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel</a>, which offers family friendly amenities like a water park, mini-golf course, an arcade and pickleball and tennis courts, with rates from $161 a night.

Arizona

Two hotels in Scottsdale are offering summertime specials just in time for Labor Day weekend. Downtown, nightly rates at <a href="https://thesaguaro.com/scottsdale/">The Saguaro Scottsdale</a> start at $125 for a king room with a private balcony when you use promo code Saguaro, while stays of three or more nights are 30 percent off, with rates from $128 a night (use the same promo code). Nearby, Hotel Adeline has a <a href="https://www.hoteladeline.com/hotel-deals-scottsdale/">daily happy hour deal</a> that includes two cocktails and appetizers at SelfMade, from $209 a night.

Families planning outdoorsy adventures in northern Arizona should check out Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell’s <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/arizona/hyatt-place-page-lake-powell/pgazp/offers">Sweet Summer Fun package</a>, which throws in a candy charcuterie board with fresh fruit and a mix of sweet, sour and spicy locally made candy; s’mores; and a water toy for children ages 12 and under; with Labor Day weekend rates from $219 a night. Another hiking-themed package, from $239 a night, includes a map to some of the most scenic spots in the area and a picnic lunch for two, complete with sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, chips and water.

California 
Save 20 percent on a stay at the <a href="https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-palm-springs">Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs</a> when you book three or more nights this summer and use promo code SZCOOL. Rates over Labor Day weekend start at $182 a night, giving you the perfect excuse to visit one of Palm Springs’ newest hotels. For a real treat, visit the St. Somewhere Spa or try some craft cocktails at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar.

Celebrate Labor Day with these last-minute deals

Deals

As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, hotels and destinations around the U.S. have been doing their best to reopen safely, initiating strict health and safety protocols and updates like contactless check-in to help restore confidence in travel among visitors and keep employees safe. Valentine’s Day is happening during a long weekend this year, making it a great time to escape with your beloved to a remote cabin in the woods or try a romantic staycation closer to home.
According to <a href="https://www.hometogo.com/media/travel-trends-2021/">a recent study</a> by vacation rental search engine <a href="https://www.hometogo.com/">HomeToGo</a>, U.S. travelers are booking Valentine’s Day weekend vacations 48% more than they did last year, prioritizing trips to remote cabins and rural destinations over busy cities. Searches have increased the most for rentals in the Adirondack Mountains and Windham in New York, Joshua Tree National Park in California, Banner Elk in North Carolina, Captiva Island and Anna Maria Island in Florida, Aspen and Colorado Springs in Colorado, Big Sky in Montana and the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, with travelers requesting whirlpools, Wi-Fi and pet-friendly perks as top amenities.

For those willing to wear a mask, practice social distancing and follow the rules in the places they visit, there are plenty of affordable romantic packages to be had. Here’s a look at 19 of our favorites, all available for under $220 a night.

Maine

In South Berwick, <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/maine/south-berwick/stage-house-inn/offers/cozy-night-for-two">The Stage House Inn’s</a> romance package includes a $100 credit at its onsite restaurant Dufour, a bottle of prosecco and homemade truffles to enjoy during your stay. Rates from $199 a night when you book by calling (207) 704-0516 and stay between February 11 and March 13, 2021.

Rhode Island

Hotel Viking in Newport wants you to celebrate the good times with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and breakfast for two at One Bellevue Restaurant. Rates start at $199 a night when you <a href="https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=29021&Chain=8708&promo=CELEBRATE">book through this link</a>.

&nbsp;Virginia
Just 20 minutes from Washington, D.C, Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria’s <a href="https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/alexandria/axein/hoteldetail?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99585603&icdv=99585603&qSlH=AXEIN&qAAR=ISHD2&qRtP=ISHD2&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=IN&qDest=220%20South%20Union%20Street,%20Alexandria,%20VA,%20US&srb_u=1">Valentine’s Day package</a> comes with locally made treats like a cocoa mask kit for two and two Bailey’s chocolate mousse cheesecakes from the Alexandria Makers Market. Rates start at $179 a night and include late 2 p.m. check-out.

Northern Virginia is also a great place for day trips to local wineries, with most sporting socially distanced seating with heaters and fire pits for you and your beloved to cozy up next to as you sip locally made wine. Stop by <a href="https://canavineyards.com/">Cana Vineyards & Winery</a> in Middleburg, <a href="https://www.caveridge.com/">Cave Ridge Vineyard & Winery</a> in Mount Jackson, <a href="https://www.barrenridgevineyards.com/">Barren Ridge Vineyards</a> in Fishersville, <a href="https://www.potomacpointwinery.com/">Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard</a> in Stafford, <a href="https://www.montifalcovineyard.com/">Montifalco Vineyard</a> in Ruckersville, <a href="https://www.valleyroadwines.com/">Valley Road Vineyards</a> in Afton or <a href="https://kingfamilyvineyards.com/">King Family Vineyard</a> in Crozet &mdash;&nbsp;all within a 2.5-hour drive of Washington D.C.

North Carolina

Calling all Nicholas Sparks fans: Get ready to geek out in Beaufort &mdash; where two of his novels, A Walk to Remember and The Choice were set &mdash;&nbsp;with Beaufort Hotel’s <a href="https://www.beauforthotelnc.com/offers/a-ride-to-remember/">A Ride to Remember package</a>. In addition to a one-night stay, you’ll get a special keepsake and two tickets to the <a href="https://hungrytowntours.com/bike-tours/a-ride-to-remember/">Ride to Remember guided bike tour of Beaufort</a>. Use promo code PRIDE to unlock rates from $169 a night.

Florida

Celebrate Valentine’s Day all month long at <a href="https://www.plungebeachresort.com/">Plunge Beach Resort</a>, located in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea about 45 minutes north of Miami. As part of the romance package, you’ll get a free bottle of Champagne and a $30 breakfast credit to use at one of the resort’s onsite restaurants, with rates from $179 a night in February.

Tennessee

Bode’s Valentine’s Day promotion includes a 14% discount and a complimentary bottle of prosecco when you book a night at either of its two Tennessee properties now thru February 15, 2021. Rates start at $171 a night at <a href="https://www.bode.co/downtown-nashville-hotel?_ga=2.62396271.23522400.1612044203-947827812.1612044203">Bode Nashville</a> and $111 a night at <a href="https://www.bode.co/downtown-chattanooga-hotel">Bode Chattanooga</a> with promo code BEMINE.

Texas&nbsp;

In Austin, Lone Star Court’s <a href="https://www.lonestarcourt.com/valentines-day.htm">retro-style Valentine package</a> comes with complimentary Wi-Fi and parking, a bottle of bubbly and a special kit so you can create your own s’mores by one of the onsite fire pits. Rates from $144 per night.

With rates from $149 a night, <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/texas/hyatt-regency-houston/hourh">Hyatt Regency Houston’s</a> romance package treats guests to a bottle of Champagne and chocolates upon arrival, complimentary parking and late 2 p.m. check-out. Call (713) 654-1234 or choose the romance package offer when booking this deal online.

Le Meridien Houston Downtown’s <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1611161504529&key=CORP&app=resvlink">Better Together package</a> is bookable for Friday and Saturday stays only, making it the perfect excuse to plan a romantic night in. You’ll get a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, late check-out, VIP access to the rooftop bar, Z on 23, and two house cocktails, with rates from $204 per night.

The Westin Stonebriar in Frisco, about a 30-minute drive from Dallas, treats guests to sparkling wine and gourmet chocolates, late check-out and a romantic four-course dinner for two at its restaurant, Herd & Hearth, as part of its <a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dalsb-the-westin-stonebriar-hotel-and-golf-club/">Retreat to Romance package</a>. Rates from $209 per night for stays February 12-14, 2021.

About 90 minutes from Dallas, head to East Texas for a romantic and socially distanced stroll at the <a href="https://visittyler.com/tyler-municipal-rose-garden/">Tyler Municipal Rose Garden</a>, home to 14 acres and 35,000 rose bushes sporting over 500 varieties of roses. Afterward, drive 40 minutes south to Jacksonville for a romantic retreat at <a href="https://www.hotelritualtexas.com/">Hotel Ritual and Wellness Center</a>, with rates from $150 a night and all-inclusive amenities like complimentary cocktails, daily gourmet breakfast, spa pools (treatments are extra), sauna access and free snacks, coffee and tea all day long.

New Mexico

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a complimentary bottle of bubbly at <a href="https://elreycourt.com/">El Rey Court</a> in Santa Fe when you stay between February 11-15, 2021. Use promo code HEART to unlock rates from $150 per night.

Missouri

St. Louis is the place to be Valentine’s Day weekend, with a socially distanced jazz extravaganza at <a href="https://bbsjazzbluessoups.com/live-music/a-lovers-serenade-masquerade/?occurrence=2021-02-13">BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups</a> on February 13 (tickets from $20) and a special <a href="https://www.lempmansion.com/valentines.htm">Valentine’s dinner</a> at <a href="https://www.lempmansion.com/index.html">Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn</a> February 11–13. Spend a romantic &mdash; and potentially haunted &mdash; night at the Inn, with rates from $150 a night Sunday thru Thursday and from $205 a night Friday and Saturday.

Wisconsin

If a romantic cabin in the woods is more your style, the following are all located within a 90-minute drive of Madison, with a two-night minimum stay required.

In Platteville, <a href="https://wisconsinlogcabinlodging.com/cabins/">Walnut Ridge</a> is home to two luxury log cabins, each with a perfectly placed whirlpool spa by the fire and rates from $150 to $170 per night.

<a href="http://rusticridgecabins.com/">Rustic Ridge Log Cabins</a> in Merrimac offers five upscale and spacious&nbsp;log cabins with Wi-Fi, fireplaces and in some, Jacuzzis so the two of you can spend some much-needed alone time in Wisconsin wilderness. Seasonal rates from $219 a night thru March 2, then from $199 a night thru May 4.

In Oxford, escape to <a href="http://www.asecretcottage.com/">A Secret Cottage</a> for a romantic stay in the country with a private lake, whirlpool tub, fireplace, spacious front porch, fully stocked kitchen and a skylight upstairs so you can snuggle under the stars. Rates on Friday, Saturday and holidays start at $155 a night, while they’re from $150 a night for Sunday through Thursday stays.

Nebraska

You really can’t get more romantic than celebrating Valentine’s Day in an actual town called Valentine. If you’re up for a drive, <a href="https://www.heartlandelkranch.com/">Heartland Elk Ranch</a> &mdash; located about five hours from Omaha in the north-central part of the state &mdash; is home to four beautifully furnished cabins close to hiking trails and stocked fishing ponds, as well as a herd of 50-75 elk that roams the area freely. Enjoy views of the Niobrara National Scenic River, with rates from $155 a night Monday thru Thursday and from $165 a night Friday thru Sunday and on holidays.

In Omaha, celebrate your love at the same hotel John and Jackie Kennedy once visited for their 5th year anniversary, the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, formerly known as the Blackstone Hotel. Its <a href="https://www.thecottonwoodhotel.com/omaha-hotel-deals/">Love is All Around Us package</a> gives guests a special amenity, valet parking, two tickets to redeem for free wine or tea at the Fontenelle Room and a complimentary yoga class in the Gold Coast Ballroom if you’re there on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

19 Romantic Staycation Ideas for Valentine's Day Weekend

Inspiration

While many are staying home because of the pandemic, U.S. hotels and destinations have continued to carefully reopen, with contactless check-in and other cleanliness and hygiene protocols in place to help keep visitors and employees safe.
<a href="https://www.hometogo.com/media/travel-trends-2021/">A recent study</a> by vacation rental search engine <a href="https://www.hometogo.com/">HomeToGo</a> found that U.S. travelers are seeking more private, rural getaways with the family, with lots of short last-minute trips being planned &mdash;&nbsp;44% to warm places by the beach and 24% to winter-weather destinations. The study also showed a 594% increase in searches for rentals near the Smoky Mountains compared to last year, indicating a preference for escapes to remote locations in the great outdoors this season.

Whether you’re craving some quiet time in nature or an urban staycation closer to home, there are still plenty of options for those willing to travel safely &mdash;&nbsp;that means wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and adhering to local health and safety regulations. Here’s a look at 24 socially distant trips you can book this winter, all for under $250 per night.

Maine

In Camden, Hartstone Inn & Hideaway’s <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/maine/camden/hartstone-inn-and-hideaway/offers/winter-play-your-way">two-night package</a> includes a tasting menu for two, daily breakfast and your choice of winter amenities &mdash; snowshoe rental, tickets to Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, a personalized Hartstone Inn cookbook or half-day lift tickets to nearby Camden Snow Bowl &mdash; from $199 per person. Use promo code Winter and book by March 31, 2021.

New Hampshire

The Sailmaker’s House in Portsmouth is offering a <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/new-hampshire/portsmouth/the-sailmakers-house/offers/skate-stay">Skate & Stay deal</a> now through February 28, with rates from $119 per night and two adult ice skating passes to nearby Puddle Duck pond available as a package add-on for $25.

Vermont

Stoweflake Mountain Resort’s <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/vermont/stowe/stoweflake-mountain-resort-spa/offers/sensational-snowshoe-adventure">Sensational Snowshoe Adventure package</a> gives you complimentary parking, Wi-Fi and access to the Sports Club, one-day snowshoe and Nordic pole rentals for two and vouchers for breakfast or dinner at Charlie B’s. Rates from $224 per night based on double occupancy; book by April 14, 2021.

Save 20% on accommodations, onsite dining or spa treatments at The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa, in Burlington when you book by March 31, 2021. You’ll also receive hot chocolate and fireside s’mores each night of your stay. Note that you must charge dining at The Tavern or Junction, cooking classes at Cook Academy or spa treatments to the room in order to receive the <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/vermont/burlington/the-essex-vermonts-culinary-resort-spa/offers/escape-to-vermont">20% discount</a>. Rates from $119 per night. Want to stay longer? <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/vermont/burlington/the-essex-vermonts-culinary-resort-spa/offers/weekly-vermont">Weekly rates</a> are available from $109 per night for stays of at least seven nights through August 20, 2021.

Connecticut

The Inn at Middletown’s <a href="https://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/connecticut/middletown/inn-at-middletown/offers/sensational-family-winter-escape">Sensational Family Winter Escape package</a> includes a $40 room upgrade to a boutique one-bedroom suite, free Wi-Fi, one complimentary rollaway per room (based on availability) and snow tubing passes at Powder Ridge when you book and stay by April 30, 2021. Rates from $156 per night.

New York

The Rose and Thistle Bed and Breakfast in Cooperstown has <a href="http://rosenthistle.com/winter-blues-getaway/">a two-night package</a> that includes two country breakfasts and a bottle of wine for $200 when you stay Sunday thru Saturday by March 31, 2021. Just mention the package when booking.

Also in Cooperstown, <a href="https://www.otesaga.com/offer-packages/curl-up-and-unwind-special">The Curl Up and Unwind package</a> at The Otesaga includes daily breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi and parking and a signature hot cocoa mix kit created by the property’s culinary specialists. Book by March 31, 2021, to access rates from $149 per night.

The <a href="https://www.lakegeorgewinterfest.com/">Lake George Winterfest</a> is happening every weekend in February and you can <a href="https://www.lakegeorgewinterfest.com/hotels/">save 15% on area hotels</a> by buying a $30 adult Winterfest Wristband for activities like axe throwing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding or fat tire biking (kids’ tickets cost $15 each), bringing most area hotel rates below $200 per night.

Washington, D.C.

Thompson Washington D.C.’s <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/washington-dc/thompson-washington-dc/iadth/offers">Popcorn & Pints package</a> treats you to one in-room movie, two bottles of Atlas District Commons beer and one bag of Capitol Kettle Corn, as well as perks like late 1 p.m. checkout and free parking. Rates from $199 per night when you book by March 31 for stays through April 4, 2021.&nbsp;

Maryland

The <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/maryland/hyatt-regency-chesapeake-bay-golf-resort-spa-and-marina/chesa">Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina</a> in Cambridge, Maryland, is offering a 15% discount on rates and daily breakfast for two as part of its Getaway Winter special. Use promo code GET19A to unlock rates from $144 per night when you book by February 28 for stays thru April 3, 2021.

Virginia

Get your cabin-in-the-woods escape with a stay at <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/3787653ha?adultsCount=2&arrival=2021-02-13&departure=2021-02-14&preferlocale=true&vgdc=HAUS">James Riverfront Cabin</a>, a cozy spot by the James River that’s within driving distance of the Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway and some of the area’s best breweries and wineries. Rates from $159 per night, with enough room for up to seven people.

At <a href="https://backcreekfarms.com/the-cabin-on-back-creek">The Cabin on Back Creek</a> &mdash; where rates start at $175 per night with a minimum two-night stay required &mdash; you’ll have two rooms to stretch out in and the chance to see or even help the owners make maple syrup. It’s nice and remote, too, about a three-hour drive from Richmond and 2.5 hours from Roanoke.

ATV fans should check out <a href="https://www.realmccoycabins.com/">The Real McCoy Cabins</a>, a luxury campground located near the Pocahontas and Hatfield McCoy ATV trails, with rates from $139 per night.

Train lovers can stay in a refurbished <a href="http://www.homeawaylane.com/guestcaboose.html">1926 C&O Caboose</a>, complete with Wi-Fi, access to streaming services and everything else you’ll need for a comfortable stay in the Virginia wilderness. Rates from $195 per night.

Florida

For a South Florida beach getaway, book now through February 12 to save 21% on rates all year long at <a href="https://www.sbe.com/hotels/sls-hotels/brickell/offers/welcome-2021">SLS Brickell</a>, <a href="https://www.sbe.com/hotels/sls-hotels/lux-brickell/offers/welcome-2021">SLS LUX Brickell</a>, <a href="https://www.sbe.com/hotels/hyde/midtown-miami/offers/welcome-2021">Hyde Midtown Miami</a> and <a href="https://www.sbe.com/hotels/sls-hotels/south-beach/offers/welcome-2021">SLS South Beach</a> during SBE Hotels’ winter sale.

In Central Florida, Margaritaville Resort Orlando is offering rates from $149 per night through its <a href="https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-orlando/exclusive-offers/stay-in-paradise">Stay in Paradise package</a>, which includes a one-time $50 resort credit and daily breakfast for two when you book at least two nights.

Illinois

The historic Drake Hotel in Chicago is celebrating its 100th year anniversary by offering <a href="https://www.thedrakehotel.com/accommodations/packages/drakecenturioncelebration">100 days of $100 rates</a> when you book and stay by April 10, 2021.&nbsp;

Nearby, <a href="https://www.thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com/">The Drake Oak Brook</a> offers an ideal wintertime escape, with more than 10 acres of gardens perfect for snowman-building and a cozy spot to warm up as you sip cocktails and play vintage board games by the fire. Rates from $158 per night.

Want to take your beloved fur baby along for the ride? Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way’s <a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/details/CHITX-hotel-zachary-chicago-a-tribute-portfolio-hotel/OFF-10069?_ga=2.181106471.1879131387.1612048362-1148905726.1612048362">Bark & Park package</a> comes with food and water bowls, a dog bed, a branded welcome amenity just for your pup, waived pet fees and free parking. Rates from $154 per night when you use promo code ZJ5 and book by November 24, 2021.

Ohio

<a href="https://www.themohicans.net/treehouses/">The Mohicans Treehouse Resort & Wedding Venue</a>, located about 90 minutes from Cleveland or Columbus, is offering special discounts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday treehouse stays now through March 16, 2021, when you use promo code BUDGET2021. With the discount, rates for the Moonlight, White Oak, Little Red, Old Pine and The Nest treehouses start at $200 per night, while rates for the Tin Shed, Silver Bullet, The View and El Castillo start at $250 a night.

Tennessee

If you’re in desperate need of a girlfriend getaway this winter, the Margaritaville Hotel Nashville’s <a href="https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-hotel-nashville/exclusive-offers/girls-just-wanna-have-fun">Girls Just Want to Have Fun package</a> comes with complimentary margaritas from Fins Bar, an in-room party pack, a $25 resort credit and late check-out when you book at least two nights. Rates from $174 per night.

Wisconsin

Give snowshoeing a try at Nine Mile Forest in Wasau or High Cliff State Park, about 45 minutes south of Green Bay. Lake Winnebago makes the perfect place for ice fishing, while the Dane Co CamRock Trail outside Madison and WinMan Trails at the North Lakeland Discovery Center are ideal for fat tire biking. Check out the ice caves near Lake Superior or along the Apostle Island National Lakeshore, or even take on the waves in Lake Michigan &mdash;&nbsp;there’s a reason this area is known as the Malibu of the Midwest. Whatever you do this winter, base yourself at the <a href="https://www.blueharborresort.com/">Blue Harbor Resort</a> in Sheboygan, with rates from $161 a night that include access to its onsite 54,000-square-foot indoor waterpark.

Colorado

If you’ve always wanted to try winter trail running, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, head to <a href="https://www.visitestespark.com/">Estes Park</a>, a lovely town 90 minutes from Denver that’s smackdab in the middle of Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest. Stay at the <a href="https://ymcarockies.org/lodging/">YMCA of the Rockies</a>, which rents out budget-friendly cabins and double rooms from $109 a night.&nbsp;

Wyoming
Head to Cheyenne to try your hand at wintertime activities like ice boating and ice fishing at Curt Gowdy State Park; snow tubing, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Pole Mountain; and ATVing at Terry Bison Ranch. <a href="https://cheyenne.littleamerica.com/">Little America Hotel & Resort Cheyenne</a> is close to all the action, with cozy Western-style rooms from $96 per night for up to four people.

24 Socially Distant Getaways and Staycations You Can Do This Winter

Budget Travel Lists

The state of Indiana is in <a href="https://www.backontrack.in.gov/files/BackOnTrack-IN_StagePosters_Stage4.5-12x18.pdf">Stage 4.5</a> out of 5 of reopening due to COVID-19. The good news is that Indiana has not only farmland but also rivers, forests, and lakes that are great ways to have socially distanced travel fun.
1. <a href="https://www.turkeyrunstatepark.com/">Turkey Run State Park</a>

There are many ways to explore Turkey Run, especially the ravines and sandstone gorges. Trail 2 and Trail 3 (Ladders Trail) are notable hiking trails and were voted as the top two hiking trails on VisitIndiana.com. Trail difficulty ranges from “easy” to “very rugged.” Other activities include camping, hiking, fishing, boating, birding, hunting, bicycle riding, horseback riding, and geocaching. 

Turkey Run State Park is open for nearly all activities. The public outdoor swimming pool is closed for the summer season, and the drinking fountains are turned off. The Nature Center and historic buildings are open but may have limited hours and visitor capacity. 

2. <a href="https://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2988.htm">Brown County State Park</a>

Within an hour drive from Indianapolis, the largest state park in Indiana has many opportunities to recreate responsibly. It has the longest mountain biking trail in Indiana, which Bike magazine said has the most varied terrain east of the Mississippi, and the hiking Fire Tower Trail which was ranked as the fourth best hiking trails on VisitIndiana.com. You can also go horseback riding on well-marked trails or visit picnic areas, fishing and boating lakes, and tennis courts. Stay overnight in various campsites, cabins, or lodging. 

The state park is open for nearly all activities. The public outdoor swimming pool is closed for the 2020 summer season, and drinking fountains are turned off. Gates may be closed on busy weekends when parking capacity is reached. 
<img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/Tippecanoe-Lake-Katelyn-Milligan.jpg" alt="Tippecanoe-Lake-Katelyn-Milligan.jpg?mtime=20200719180945#asset:108688" />Photo by Katelyn Milligan<hr /> 
3. <a href="https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/">Kosciusko County lakes</a>
Build your own weekend getaway by visiting Lake Wawasee, Tippecanoe Lake, Winona Lake, or Barbee Lake which are some of the lakes formed from glaciers in Kosciusko County in northern Indiana. On the water, each lake has opportunities to go boating, fishing, skiing, or kayaking, and outside of the lake, there are areas to go biking, geocaching, and bird watching. Stay in hotels, resorts, rental houses, or condos. Most of the area is commercialized and has several local tourism attractions. 

Most places are open, but check for COVID-19 updates and restrictions on their <a href="https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/whats-open-in-k-county/">website</a>.
<hr />4. <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/hoosier/home">Hoosier National Forest</a>

Hoosier National Forest spans nine counties in southern Indiana. You can hike, mountain bike, ride horses, camp, fish, hunt, or canoe. There are many special places, like the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, to visit within the 203,000 acres of land. Most areas are <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/hoosier/recreation">open</a>. After you’re done exploring, cool off from the hot weather by visiting the nearby <a href="http://www.patokalakeindiana.com/">Patoka Lake</a>, the second-largest reservoir in Indiana. If you a weekend getaway, Patoka Lake has houseboat rentals and floating cabins, and within a half hour drive is the iconic hotel <a href="https://www.frenchlick.com/">The French Lick Resort</a> which has many outdoor leisure activities like golf, horse stables, swimming pools, and sporting clay ranges.

Most places are open with social distancing guidelines in place. 
<hr />5. <a href="https://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2985.htm">Clifty Falls State Park</a>

If you are looking for waterfalls, creeks, and canyons made from the last Ice Age, then Clifty Falls State Park is the place to visit. Big Clifty, 60 feet in height, and Tunnel Falls, 83 feet in height, are popular waterfall attractions. In addition to hiking, there are picnic tables and tennis courts. Clifty Falls is located in Madison, IN. 

It is open for nearly all activities. The public outdoor swimming pool is closed for the summer season, and the drinking fountains are turned off. 

<img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/Indiana-Dunes-Patrick-Williams.jpg" alt="Indiana-Dunes-Patrick-Williams.jpg?mtime=20200719181029#asset:108689" />Photo by Patrick Williams / @cartoonsushi<hr />6. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm">Indiana Dunes National Park</a>
Explore the 15,000 acres of sand and beaches among this shifting Hoosier landscape. Swim on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, or hike the multiple trails of dunes, wetlands, prairies, rivers, and forests. The 1.5 mile 3 Dunes Challenge reveals a great view of Lake Michigan. It is currently recommended to visit West Beach due to the open space available there. Near the Indiana Dunes central beach is the Michigan City Lighthouse, built in 1904, and pier. 

Most beaches, trails, and restrooms are open. Park closures and updates are in a constant flux. Visit <a href="https://www.nps.gov/indu/status.htm">here </a>for the most recent information. 
<hr />7. <a href="https://canoeindiana.com/">Canoe Country</a>

Located in Daleville, IN, rent a kayak, canoe, or inner tube for the day and float down the White River with different options for length of trip. Park at the main building and board a shuttle that drops you off upriver so you will end up back at your car. Along the river, spot turtles basking in the sun or eat a packed lunch on the riverbank. Due to Covid-19, online reservations are required, and they close at 3 p.m. For evening activities or eateries, check out the nearby cities of Yorktown, Muncie, or Anderson. 

<img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/shutterstockRF_625549151-2.jpg" alt="shutterstockRF_625549151-2.jpg?mtime=20200719181053#asset:108690" />Photo by bellena/Shutterstock<hr />8. <a href="https://www.shipshewana.com/">Shipshewana</a> 
Located in northern Indiana, this town is home to the third largest Amish community in the U.S. and operates the Midwest's largest flea market. Shops have a reputation for selling hand-crafted wares and antiques. The <a href="https://shipshewanatradingplace.com/coronavirus-updates/">flea market</a> is outdoors and is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays through September 30. <a href="https://www.thebluegate.com/">The Blue Gate Restaurant</a>, known for home cooked Amish meals and featured in USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times, is also open and following state guidelines.

LaGrange County is currently requiring face masks to be worn indoors or when 6 feet social distancing cannot be maintained while outdoors. A violation of this may result in a fine. 
<hr />9. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm">Mammoth Cave National Park</a>

Exactly a three hour drive from Indianapolis is Mammoth Cave National Park, which has the world's longest cave, 400+ miles. below ground and 53,000 acres of forest. There are 70 miles of trail, including tree covered ridges and valley floors, nearby the Green River. The visitor center, food/beverage opportunities, and retail sales have recently reopened. From June 1, 2020 - July 31, 2020, you can take a 2 mile round-trip, 1.5 hour self-guided <a href="https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/summer-schedule-2020.htm">Extended Historic Tour of Mammoth Cave</a>, done at your own pace. Make a reservation online for your ticketed entrance time because tickets are limited to reduce capacity. 

Park campgrounds are open. Masks are strongly encouraged. Check the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/gocavetours.htm">website </a>for additional information on park operating modifications.
<hr />10. <a href="http://cincinnatizoo.org/">Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden</a>

	The Cincinnati zoo, the fifth-oldest zoo in the U.S., is open to the public with new changes in place. Outdoor animal habitats and large garden exhibits are open as well as the train ride and giraffe feeding. Some indoor animal habitats are closed, and animal encounters are closed momentarily. Per Ohio’s city ordinance, face masks are required in all buildings and high congestion areas. Indoor restaurants and gift shops are closed at this time, but outdoor dining options are available.

Online reservations with reserved entry times are required to ensure limited capacity. To learn more, visit the <a href="http://cincinnatizoo.org/prepare-for-your-zoo-visit/">Reopening FAQ</a>. 
<hr />Katelyn Milligan is a Budget Travel intern for Summer 2020. She is a graduate of Purdue University.

10 socially distanced travel experiences near Indianapolis

Finding the perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve is always a little stressful. Whether you’re looking to party hard, bring the kids or just chill out, there’s no doubt expectations run high. 

To help settle your holiday anxieties, we’ve picked the best places to ring in 2020 around the country. So, make those reservations, mark your calendar, kick back and relax. 
<h2>New Orleans, LA
 </h2>
Music! Food! Cocktails! Culture! Party it up in this happening southern city, where the weather is mild enough to celebrate al fresco, but there’s plenty to do inside. 
Jackson Square is where the big action happens, with the Fleur De Lis drop at midnight, but you can make reservations at music venues like <a href="https://www.tipitinas.com/e/galactic-new-years-eve-64374968263/">Tipitina’s</a> and the <a href="https://www.houseofblues.com/neworleans">House of Blues</a> if you prefer to boogie down. 
The Big Easy is also known for its over-the-top cuisine and favorites like <a href="https://www.galatoires.com/events/wine-dinners">Galatoire’s</a> and <a href="https://cafedegas.com/new-years-eve-menu-2019/">Café Degas</a> do stunning special menus. 
 
Got kids? The <a href="https://www.lcm.org/">Louisiana Children’s Museum</a> does a New Year’s countdown at noon for those with early bedtimes and the <a href="https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo">Audobon Zoo</a> does a family-centric celebration in the morning. Football fans get an extra-added bonus and you can nab a ticket to the New Year’s Day Allstate Sugar Bowl <a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/allstate-sugar-bowl-tickets/artist/827390?landing=c&amp;awtrc=true&amp;c=SEM_TMNCAA_ggl_1629782799_60820110863_sugar%20bowl%202020&amp;GCID=0&amp;&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA_rfvBRCPARIsANlV66Pehq8dXkz210hGn1-wpmp90VACZaQecPHl4s8XU1ZDwg8y7uqEtg4aAsCbEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">here</a>.
 
<h2>New York, NY
 </h2>
If you can make it there, you really can make it anywhere, because New Year’s Eve in New York City is a wild ride. If you’re willing to brave the crowds, and the temperatures, you can join the festivities in <a href="https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve">Times Square</a>, which starts at 6pm and culminates in the Waterford Crystal Ball dropping at midnight. This year, performers include Sting and Christina Aguilera. 
Want to stay close but warm? Get your cocktail on, tiki-style, at The Pod Hotels 42’s <a href="https://thepolynesiantiki.com/">The Polynesian</a>. 
Celebratory fireworks are also part of the NYC NYE and you can watch them explode in downtown Manhattan’s South Street Seaport or Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. For a high-end culinary tour de force, make reservations for the tasting menu at <a href="https://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/">Eleven Madison Park</a> or book a room at <a href="https://www.1hotels.com/brooklyn-bridge/offers/countdown-1">1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge</a> and nab two tickets to spectacular views of the skyline at Brooklyn Heights Social Club’s Classic NYE Celebration.
 
<h2>Las Vegas, NV
 </h2>
In a town where every night feels like New Year’s Eve, it may be hard to choose how you want to celebrate. Thankfully, the city makes it special by closing the entire strip down for traffic, so there really is dancing in the streets. And, come midnight, you’ll be treated to a stupendous fireworks display coordinated by the casinos. 
If you’re looking for something with less than the approximately 300,000 guests on the strip, you can grab tickets for parties Like <a href="https://taolasvegas.com/nye/">Nas New Year’s Eve</a> at Tao or the family-friendly party at <a href="https://www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com/">Hofbrauhaus</a>, which starts at 3pm to celebrate alongside its original beer hall in Munich. If it’s music you’re after, there’s much to choose from, like <a href="https://omniaclubs.com/las-vegas/event/12-31-2019-calvin-harris-new-years-eve/">Calvin Harris at Omnia</a>, <a href="https://www.tixr.com/groups/xs/events/wynn-las-vegas-drake-15869">Drake at XS Nightclub</a>, <a href="https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/park-mgm/park-theater/lady-gaga.html">Lady Gaga at Park MGM</a> and <a href="https://mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/maroon-5.html">Maroon 5 at Mandalay Bay</a>. 
<h2>Savannah, GA
 </h2>
Dripping with as much southern charm as Spanish moss, pedestrian friendly Savannah is the perfect home base for NYE festivities. Spend the day exploring the 22 different squares, antebellum mansions and cobblestone streets in the Historic district, including Forrest Gump’s infamous bus stop in <a href="https://www.savannah.com/chippewa-square/">Chippewa Square</a>. Then head to City Market, where you can grab some grub, walk the market and catch live music all night long. Next, wander down to the hopping River District for a countdown to the Up the Cup ball drop, which is a six-foot to-go cup ringing in 2020. 
If you’re looking for something more elegant, you can make reservations at the <a href="http://deals.marriott.com/westin/usa/ga/savannah/holidays-in-savannah">Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort &amp; Spa</a> for dinner followed by a rocking dance party or keep closer to the festivities with a meal from the four-course tasting menu at <a href="https://www.vicsontheriver.com/">Vic’s on the River</a>. Midnight fireworks will explode over River Street as well, but you can also catch them at the city’s <a href="https://tybeeisland.com/events/event/new-years-eve-fireworks/">Tybee Island beach</a>. 
<h2>Honolulu, HA
 </h2>
Most people don’t need a reason to visit paradise, but if you’re heading to Honolulu for the holidays, there’s plenty of things to do if you can scrape yourself off the close to perfect beaches. The <a href="https://nyehawaii.com/">Party of the Year</a> is in its 10th iteration and though the location and headliner hasn’t yet been announced, you can buy your tickets now. 
<a href="https://www.tikisgrill.com/2020-new-years-eve-soiree">Tiki’s Waikiki</a> is also hosting a massive blowout Soiree Dinner &amp; Party, with a four-course dinner, flowing cocktails, live bands, a DJ and of course, dancing. For a family-friendly option, check out <a href="https://honolulu-box-office.squarespace.com/shows/2019/12/31/new-years-eve-celebration-2019-around-the-world">Moana Surfrider’s</a> around the world-themed celebration, with DJ Baby G, kid’s activities and an oceanfront seat for the massive fireworks show over Waikiki Beach. <a href="https://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/holiday">The Hilton Hawaiian Village</a> will also have its own fireworks over the lagoon. 
Of course, it wouldn’t be Hawaii without a luau, and you can enjoy all the local food and fun you and the kids can handle at the <a href="https://www.halekulani.com/dining/house-without-a-key">Halekulani</a> and <a href="https://www.rockahulahawaii.com/new-years-eve-party-waikiki-hawaii">Rock a Hula</a>. 
<h2>Phoenix, AZ
 </h2>
Want to stay dry and warm this New Year’s? Phoenix is a fine bet. And in addition to having a number of all-inclusive hotels, like the spacious and family-friendly <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/arizona/hyatt-regency-scottsdale-resort-and-spa/scott">Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort &amp; Spa at Gainey Ranch</a>, located just east of the city limits, you can also grab a ticket for the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-crescent-new-years-eve-2020-block-party-tickets-83081732699">Crescent New Year’s Eve 2020 Block party</a>, which gives you access to four of the biggest parties in the downtown area. 
If you’d rather stay in one place, check out the arts-and music-heavy <a href="https://www.flannelball.com/">Flannel Ball NYE Party and Art Show</a> or book the accompanying <a href="https://clothandflame.com/collections/upcoming-dinners/products/flannel-ball-nye-dinner-december-31-2019">Cloth &amp; Flame five-course dinner</a>, all happening at the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Or bring the whole family to the <a href="https://www.medievaltimes.com/plan-your-trip/dallas-tx/special-offers/new-years-eve.html">Medieval Times</a> celebration and enjoy a two-hour tournament and a four-course feast as well as music, dancing and of course, admission to the Museum of Torture.

The 6 wildest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the US

<a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city">New York City’s</a> dining scene has been embracing the concept of the food hall as a recipe for success. These epicurean centers house a mix of eateries as tenants or involve a single culinary theme. Right now, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens are leading the menu, with food halls to suit many different tastes. Here are some of New York City’s best food halls to see and eat at. 
<h2>City Kitchen </h2>
Escape the crowds and the corresponding waits at one of the restaurants in <a href="https://citykitchen.rownyc.com/">this Times Square food mall</a> off the corner of Eighth Avenue and 44th Street. With only seven vendors it might sound small, but this 4000 sq ft venue has enough options for a quick pre- or post-Broadway show meal or a bite before catching your ride home.

Dough’s glazed or filled donut creations include cinnamon sugar or lemon poppy flavors, while Ilili Box has pita wraps and other Mediterranean dishes. Gabriela’s Taqueria, Kuro-Obi, Luke’s Lobster, Whitmans New York and Azuki round out the list. 
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/DSC07313.jpg" alt="DSC07313.jpg?mtime=20191004114407#asset:107019" />A bowl of udon at Industry City © Image courtesy of Industry City 
<h2>Industry City </h2>
Comprised of repurposed warehouses and factory buildings, this 6 million sq ft, mixed-use complex in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, holds a ton of businesses specializing in fashion, food, fitness, film and architecture. It’s also the headquarters for the Brooklyn Nets basketball team and a retail section known as the Design District.

As for dining, <a href="https://industrycity.com/">Industry City's</a> main food hall is a global cornucopia of cuisines from different parts of the city and the world. Choose from Yaso Tangbao’s Shanghainese street food; Ejen’s Korean comfort food; Table 87, a Brooklyn coal-oven slice pizza shop; Kotti Berliner Doner Kebab (Turkish-German street food); Colson Patisserie’s Belgian pastries; and Li-Lac Chocolates, Manhattan’s oldest chocolatier. There’s also Japan Village, a 20,000 sq ft marketplace with a specialty grocer, an izakaya (traditional Japanese pub), a cocktail bar, and food stations serving traditional Japanese dishes. 
<h2>Turnstyle Underground Market
 </h2>
It might sound gross to go to a food hall inside a subway station, but <a href="https://www.turn-style.com/">Turnstyle Underground Market</a>, within Manhattan’s Columbus Circle-59th Street Subway Station, is filled with eateries that will foster your appetite.

Commuters can grab breakfast, lunch and dinner from 19 food vendors. Hey Hey Canteen serves up Asian fusion fare, while Daa! Dumpling prepares the Russian version of this doughy dish, and Arepa Factory prepares this Latin American corn cake. Access the market through seven street-level entrances; there are shops and pop-up stores too. 
 
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/IU4A8924-copy.JPG" alt="IU4A8924-copy.JPG?mtime=20191004114411#asset:107020" />Inside Essex Market © Image courtesy of Lower East Side Partnership 
<h2>Essex Market
</h2>
With a history dating back to 1888, this Lower East Side institution started as an outdoor pushcart market where vendors hawked everything from hats to herring. As city streets got more hectic, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia created an indoor sales space for them in 1940.

Over the decades, as the neighborhood changed and supermarkets rose in popularity, the <a href="https://www.essexmarket.nyc/">Essex Market</a> was showing some wear and tear. In May 2019 it re-opened following a 21st-century makeover and a move to a different spot on Essex Street.

Occupants include shops from the previous location (fruits and vegetables, meats and cheese providers) along with newcomers. Try Thai fried chicken at Eat Gai, breakfast from Shopsin’s and Middle Eastern food from Samesa.

<h2>The Pennsy</h2>
Penn Station has been the subject of mixed feelings over time, but <a href="http://www.thepennsy.nyc/">this addition</a> makes it easier to squeeze in a food stop at this major rail-transit hub before a train or a show at neighboring Madison Square Garden.

Featuring five chef-driven concepts and a bar with indoor and outdoor dining spaces, diners can order veggie dishes from The Cinnamon Snail and The Little Beet, or go for carnivorous options from the butchery Pat LaFrieda. There's also Neapolitan pizza from Ribalta, rolls and rice bowls from Sabi Sushi and the taqueria and juice bar Taco Dumbo. 

<h2>HK Food Court</h2>
This <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/hk-food-court-elmhurst">2019 newcomer to Flushing</a>, Queens, provides a taste of Asia with food stalls reflecting the continent’s diverse culinary heritage that compliments the neighborhood’s Asian population. On a former grocery store site, this food hall has Tibetan, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, and regional Chinese cuisine including Henan, Fuzhou, northwest halal and Sichuan food. Order Thai stewed pork from Khao Ka Moo NYC, spicy Tibetan lamb ribs from Khawachen, tom yum soup from Just Noodles and Taiwanese pork belly buns from Hang. 
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/2015-08-18-Chelsea-Market-0017-9625-v2.jpg" alt="2015-08-18-Chelsea-Market-0017-9625-v2.jpg?mtime=20191004115203#asset:107021" />Chelsea Market © Image courtesy of Chelsea Market 
<h2>Chelsea Market
</h2>
This food hall in Chelsea has a tasty backstory. The building was once the factory for the National Biscuit Company – better known as Nabisco. It's also where their Oreo Cookie was produced. Becoming an indoor artisan market in 1996, <a href="http://www.chelseamarket.com/">Chelsea Market</a> is spread out, with artisan grocery shops, retail spaces and food stalls along with their Artists &amp; Fleas craft-makers’ area. Good market eats include cheese-stick-makers Big Mozz; the Fat Witch bakery; Jamaican eatery, Tings; and Thai restaurant, Ayada. Nearby, step into <a href="https://www.gansevoortmarketnyc.com/">Gansevoort Market</a>, another food hall with Asian to American fare.

<h2>Mercado Little Spain</h2>
Similar to the all-Italian <a href="https://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/">Eataly</a> in the Flatiron District and World Trade Center, and the French-themed <a href="https://www.ledistrict.com/">Le District</a> in lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place, <a href="https://www.littlespain.com/">this Spanish-inspired eatery</a> from chefs Jose Andres and brothers Albert and Ferran Adria is inside Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development and has restaurants, bars and kiosks putting the spotlight on Spain’s regional foods.

Have a tapas crawl, feast on asador-cooked meats, or simply dine on empanadas and bacalao frito followed by helado for dessert. 

<h2>DeKalb Market Hall</h2>
Home to 40 food vendors, this Fort Green, Brooklyn, venue features well-recognized NYC restaurant names – it boasts the only Katz’s Deli outpost – alongside up-and-coming business in their own right.

Ample Hills Creamery and Arepa Lady have locations here, too. Consider Isan-style grilled chicken over jasmine or sticky rice from Chicks Isan, Fletcher’s barbecue ribs or Home Frite’s sea-salt brined fry varieties. <a href="https://www.dekalbmarkethall.com/">DeKalb Market Hall</a> also has a craft cocktail bar and an events space that hosts regular happy hours and dance parties. 

<h2>The Plaza Food Hall USA</h2>
On the concourse level of The Plaza New York Hotel, <a href="https://www.theplazany.com/dining/the-plaza-food-hall/">this opulent marketplace</a> is full of fine food purveyors and counter-style dining options, where you can feel a little fancy while having breakfast, lunch and dinner or when taking your order to go.

Pick up some high-quality Kusmi Tea or purchase fresh-baked breads and delicate pastries from Boulud’s Épicerie or Pain D’Avignon Bakery. Or get tempted by the colorful macarons made by Ladurée or the richly-layered cakes from Lady M. Savory. Options extend to Pizza Rollio, whose approach to pizza-making is worth tasting, Tartinery, noted for its refined French fare, and Takumi Taco, a popular Mexican brand.

Take A Bite Out of NYC’s Best Food Halls

The Met and the Guggenheim are world-famous—worthy of a pilgrimage, some would say—but New York's museums extend far beyond the 28-block stretch of Fifth Avenue that's official recognized as Museum Mile. Smaller institutions throughout the city's five boroughs bring various aspects of local history, industry, and culture to life. From Midtown Manhattan to Staten Island to the Bronx, here are 10 gems that shine. 
<h2>Shining a light on maritime history: National Lighthouse Museum</h2>
Everyone knows that New York City has historically been a center of finance, art, and theater. It’s nautical history, however, remains a bit under the radar. That heritage comes to life at the <a href="http://lighthousemuseum.org/">National Lighthouse Museum</a> on Staten Island, just a quick walk from the ferry terminal. Located in a 1912 foundry building on the former site of the once bustling US Lighthouse Service’s General Depot (one of the six remaining buildings from the original 18), the largely self-guided museum explains everything you never thought there was to know about lighthouse upkeep, the life of lightkeepers, and the physics of light projection. You’ll never look at nautical navigation the same way again. 
<h2>Picture perfect: Museum of the Moving Image</h2>
It's no stretch to think of the <a href="http://movingimage.us/">Museum of the Moving Image</a> like a mini-Smithsonian Institute, what with its all-encompassing collection that represent American culture. The museum, which opened in Astoria, Queens, in 1981 in the former home of the once illustrious Astoria Studios, features about 130,000 objects relating to film, television, sports and news broadcasting, and even video games. Plus, there was a recent exciting development: A Jim Henson exhibit, once a temporary display of all things Muppets and Sesame Street, became a permanent part of the museum's collection in 2017. Add that to everything from costumes from Gone With the Wind to vintage cartoon and comic book memorabilia to old-fashioned film and recording equipment and vintage movie theater furnishings, and an afternoon here presents a vivid portrait of America’s love affair with entertainment.
 
<h2>It all adds up: National Museum of Mathematics</h2>
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/Math-Museum-New-York.png" alt="Screen-Shot-2018-08-14-at-11.20.18-AM.png?mtime=20180814102107#asset:102870" />(Courtesy Museum of Mathematics) 
Algebra and geometry might not be part of your most riveting high school memories, but the family-friendly <a href="https://momath.org/">Museum of Mathematics</a>, a two-story tech-forward playground that opened near Madison Square Park in Manhattan in 2012, wants to change your opinions of algorithms, physics and optics. Committed to showing how so many of the glorious things we take for granted are a direct consequence of an intricate natural numbers game, it offers interactive exhibits are designed to illuminate how shapes, angles, curves, and motion work. That’s no small undertaking, but with exhibits like a pixilated floor that reacts to movement and a rectangle-wheeled tricycle that moves smoothly along a corrugated track, odds are you’ll walk out excited to talk about paraboloids, catenaries, and tessellation. Logically. 
<h2>Next stop: New York Transit Museum</h2>
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/Transit-Museum-New-York.jpg" alt="dreamstime_m_49504893.jpg?mtime=20180814090605#asset:102867" />(Demerzel21/Dreamstime) 
Between delays and overcrowding, the <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/article/nyc-subway-buses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York subway system</a> gets a bad rap. But when you stop and think about the fact that the 150-plus-year old system with 472 stations—the most of any mass transit operation in the world—runs 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, delays are a small price to pay to ride on this remarkable network. The <a href="http://nytransitmuseum.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Transit Museum</a>, located in a 1936 subway station in downtown Brooklyn, features vintage cars dating back to 1907 and permanent exhibits that pay tribute to engineering, construction, employees, and many other aspects that ensure the system keeps people moving. Historical artifacts, old signage, video footage, photography, and structures like vintage turnstiles collectively tell the dynamic story of this system that has helped define New York City. Temporary exhibits cover topics like the subway’s role in comic books. And yes, the museum is walking distance from four subway stations and six different lines, so be sure to take the train here.
<h2>Coming to America: Tenement Museum</h2>
Few images of late 19th- and early 20th-century <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/explore-alexander-hamiltons-america" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American history</a> are more iconic than those of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. The <a href="http://tenement.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenement Museum</a> offers a snapshot of their lives once they settled in New York City. Located on the fast-gentrifying Lower East Side in two tenement buildings, a <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/historic-presidential-sites_68717" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Historic Site</a> that housed an estimated 15,000 working class people between 1863 and 2014, the museum presents interactive exhibits and displays that tell vivid stories about families adopting new identities and making new lives for themselves. Throughout fives floors of exhibits, you’ll learn about garment factory workers, kosher butchers, and shop owners, transmitting a vivid sense of what it was like to be a stranger in a strange land. There’s also a variety of neighborhood <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/affordable-walking-tours-in-american-cities_68191" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking tours</a>, including one that samples the area’s ethnic foods and one that points out historic sites that played into the daily immigrant experience. 
<h2>Be a part of it: Museum of the City of New York</h2>
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/Museum-of-the-City-of-New-York.jpg" alt="Filip-Wolak_MCNY-Exterior.jpg?mtime=20180814094857#asset:102868" />(Courtesy Filip Wolak)
For a deep dive into the history of this ever-changing metropolis and work by some of its most renowned residents, the <a href="http://mcny.org">Museum of the City of New York</a> is hard to beat. Housed in a 1932 Georgian Colonial-Revival building in East Harlem, the institution is a tribute to the city's status as a hub of urban creativity. With an impressive collection of some 750,000 objects spanning photography and sculpture to costumes and theatrical memorabilia, there’s too much to display at one time, but with rotating exhibits drawing from such a varied collection, there’s bound to be something for everyone here. Broadway nerds will thrill to Eugene O’Neill’s handwritten drafts and Gershwin Brothers’ memorabilia, while those fascinated by the details will appreciate maps and ephemera from the 17th century on. You can even see hand-painted casts of famous New York boxers’ hands in the sculpture collection.
<h2>Northern exposure: Museum of Bronx History</h2>
Aside from pilgrimages to Yankee Stadium and the other Little Italy, Arthur Avenue, the Bronx doesn’t get much non-local love. And that’s a shame, because the <a href="http://bronxhistoricalsociety.org/museum-of-bronx-history">Museum of Bronx History</a> is well worth the trek north. Located in a 1758 house – the borough’s second-oldest – with original details like oak and pine floorboards and hand-forged nails, the building that holds the museum survived a two-day, one-block move in the 1960s and is now as much an attraction as its contents. Opened in 1968, the museum’s main level features two galleries with rotating exhibits and a permanent display in the front parlor that digs into the Bronx backstory, from the arrival of the Dutch to the booting of the British.
<h2>Get on board: Intrepid Sea, Air &amp; Space Museum</h2>
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/Intrepid-sea-space-museum.jpg" alt="dreamstime_m_113679552.jpg?mtime=20180814102629#asset:102871" />(Tomasz Wozniak/Dreamstime)
It’s not often that you get the chance to live out your Top Gun fantasies and learn about America’s history of science and service at the same time, but at Manhattan’s <a href="http://intrepidmuseum.org">Intrepid Sea, Air &amp; Space Museum</a>, you can do just that. A legendary aircraft carrier that faced kamikaze attacks and torpedo strikes during World War II, tracked Soviet submarines during the Cold War, picked up NASA astronauts on their return from space in the ‘60s, and served three tours of duty in Vietnam, the Intrepid is now docked on the Hudson River, where it hosts more than a million visitors a year. Explore the ship from top to bottom – or, to be specific, from the flight deck to the third deck – to get a feel for life as a recruit. And be sure to allow time for the rest of the museum’s collection, too. Featuring an array of carefully preserved and restored aircraft, there are plenty of superlatives to see, including the world’s first space shuttle, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier on its maiden voyage, and the plane flown by the first President Bush during World War II.
<h2>A family affair: Museum of the American Gangster</h2>
From Al Capone to The Godfather, little holds a place in the American imagination like the Mafia, and at the Museum of the <a href="http://museumoftheamericangangster.org">American Gangster</a> in the East Village, you can descend into the criminal underworld – for an afternoon, at least. A former speakeasy turned shrine to organized crime, the two-room museum investigates the role of illegal enterprise in the development of cities like New York and Chicago, from politics and culture to myths and urban legends. Plus, it boasts a collection of artifacts that would make even the most hardened mobster jealous, from the shell casings from the shootout that ended Bonnie and Clyde’s bank-robbing spree to the death masks of John Dillinger. No vows of loyalty required for entry. 
<h2>Fun and games: Coney Island Museum</h2>
<img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/Coney-Island-Museum-Entrance.jpeg" alt="CIm2017.02jpeg.jpeg?mtime=20180814104430#asset:102873" />(Courtesy Norman Blake)
Home to a world-famous hot-dog eating contest, <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/photos-americas-most-awesome-boardwalks_12984" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a legendary boardwalk</a>, a long-running, near-legendary sideshow, and a 91-year-old wooden roller coaster that’s earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, Brooklyn’s Coney Island has served as a respite from city life since its inaugural hotel went up in the 1920s. You can learn about its storied history at the <a href="http://coneyisland.com/programs/coney-island-museum">Coney Island Museum</a>. Founded in 1981 and located just across the street from a subway terminus, this small second-story establishment is like wandering into an eccentric uncle’s attic. Past the funhouse mirrors, you’ll find a treasure trove of vintage ephemera and antique collectibles – photos, ticket stubs, postcards, game signage, and actual cars from decommissioned coasters – as well as exhibitions detailing the amusement parks that came before, and the neighborhood’s evolution from upscale retreat to freak-friendly phenomenon to G-rated vacation destination. It’s the perfect place to embrace your weird side.

Discover These 10 NYC Museums

<h2>A spirit-lifting adventure in Kentucky and Tennessee</h2><ul><li>In Louisville hop between three of the city’s best restaurants. You’ll be served up dynamic dishes carefully curated by top chefs and each paired with a cocktail.</li><li>Take a Historic walking village tour with a local guide at a Shaker village followed by a farm to table lunch.</li><li>Visit a whiskey distillery for a tour and tasting in the heart of Kentucky's bourbon country.</li><li>Discover where country music started with a backstage tour of Grand Ole Opry and walk in the steps of country stars.</li><li>Embrace a piece of Nashville’s culture on an afternoon dedicated to bourbon and barbecue, sampling a tempting array of smoked meats paired with southern spirits.</li><li>Pay a visit to some of Nashville’s most photogenic and colourful murals with a stop along the way for a donut at a local bakery.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
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Kentucky Food Trail to Nashville

<h2>Stay at a famous South Dakota lodge surrounded by nature. </h2>
<ul><li>Enjoy a scenic drive through the changing landscape of Badlands National Park and join your leader on one of the park’s best hikes.</li><li>Explore Pine Ridge Reservation with a Lakota guide and learn about the Oglala Lakota people then enjoy lunch at a Lakota-owned restaurant serving traditional foods.</li><li>Jump in a jeep with an expert guide to see buffalo up close in Custer State Park along with other animals like pronghorns and elk.</li><li>Dine on artisan plates and sample fine local drops during a wine tasting at a winery that has a fifth-generation female winemaker.</li><li>Marvel at Mount Rushmore where a hike will take you up close to this famous mountain sculpture.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
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Madison is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. As of the 2010 United States Census its population was 11,967. Over 55,000 people live within 15 miles (24 km) of downtown Madison. Madison is the largest city along the Ohio River between Louisville and Cincinnati. Madison is one of the core cities of the Louisville-Elizabethtown-Madison metroplex, an area with a population of approximately 1.5 million. In 2006, the majority of Madison's downtown area was designated the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark in the United States—133 blocks of the downtown area is known as the Madison Historic Landmark District.

Big Clifty in the fall

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Madison

Carrollton is a home rule-class city in—and the county seat of—Carroll County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. The population was 3,938 at the 2010 census.

Carrollton

Switzerland County is a county in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,613. The county seat is Vevay, one of two incorporated towns in the county.

Switzerland County is a county in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Indiana.  As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,613. The county seat is Vevay, one of two incorporated towns in the county.

Switzerland County

Ripley County is a county located at the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 28,818. The county seat is Versailles.

Ripley County

Southern Indiana’s Clark and Floyd Counties, it's what we call, "<a href="http://www.gosoin.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SoIN</a>." We're 1 mile north of Louisville, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River. You’ll find dining, history, shopping, sports and fun! 
Plan your getaway! You can walk across the Big Four Bridge in Jeffersonville, visit downtown New Albany, dubbed “Louisville’s Brooklyn," follow Lewis and Clark's footsteps in Clarksville and visit some of our most popular attractions!

Southern Indiana’s Clark and Floyd Counties, it's what we call, "SoIN." We're 1 mile north of Louisville, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River.

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