For a relaxing stay in the city that never sleeps, most travel pros stick with spots further from the main tourist areas.
New York City's Financial District, for example, is popular for business travelers during the week, so the weekend can be a great time to score a deal, according to Travelzoo's Saglie. "On the weekends, you'll often get a savings of 30%-50% on the midweek rates at the same hotel," he said.
Plus lower Manhattan is also home to South Street Seaport and RivertoRiver, the city's largest summer arts festival with music, dance, theater and free outdoor movies on Mondays (popcorn included).
There are plenty of other wallet-friendly ways to have a world-class trip, including visiting the city's parks and the newly expanded High Line or taking the Staten Island Ferry along the Hudson to catch one of the finest views of the Statue of Liberty.
Graff's personal favorite is a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge followed by an inexpensive meal at Grimaldi's, where even First Lady Michelle Obama has been spotted. And while in Brooklyn, don't miss Prospect Park, home to $3 summer concerts, the Prospect Park Zoo and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where children under 12 get in free.
