High Mountains, Hotdogs and Hostels – the Way to Travel America on a Shoestring
America: From the Grand Canyon to the Rockies, Yellowstone Park the Niagara Falls and Montana’s Glacier National Park, from sea to shining sea, its vast landmass is studded with the most spectacular natural wonders.
Few things, though, are quite as eye-catching to the backpacker traveling the USA as its fabulous cities, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and, especially, New York... The problem (if you’d call it that) is, with so much to see, a trip can get expensive!
New York, New York!
New York: the name alone is enough to send travelers into seventh heaven! And since most round the world tickets include a flight either in or out of the city, with its shopping, its raft of fantastic sights and rippling nightlife, you’ve got to be pretty smart with your budget.
As with much of the rest of the country, New York hostels fortunately make the job of cutting the cost of traveling a little easier. A couple of nights of cheap accommodation can free up the funds to eat out, catch a show and really make the most of a stay in the city!
Chicago
Inland from New York, lies the scintillating city of Chicago, Illinois. Sitting on the banks of Lake Michigan, it’s a heady mix of soaring skyscrapers, museums, galleries, excellent parks and even beaches.
But this most determinedly American of cities – unofficially the home of the hotdog and officially the home of the Chicago-style pizza! – also has some great cheap ethnic eating. From Mexican at Maxwell St Market, to Chinatown, Little Bombay and countless other Asian cuisines on Devon Avenue, its hectic multiculturalism is certainly appreciated by budget travelers.
The West Coast
Over on the west coast in California are another two truly great cities for the backpacker in the USA: Los Angeles and San Francisco. Amongst the series of iconic views – the Golden Gate Bridge, hilly Lombard St and sullen Alcatraz Prison – the city has a famously liberal atmosphere, a relaxed nightlife and a vibrant cultural scene.
Down to the south, Los Angeles is a different beast altogether. Desperately trendy (and pricy) lunch spots and bars alternate with chi-chi boutiques along the streets of Beverley Hill and the Sunset Strip.
But it’s not all bad news for the budget traveler: with its gorgeous climate, lying on the wonderful beaches of Venice Beach, Santa Monica and South Bay is a great way to save cash.
And this is the point. What makes California so attractive is the cheap travel opportunities afforded by the abundant natural landscapes. Much like the USA generally, its mile after mile of unspoilt countryside possess an almost mystical beauty, that is perhaps the country’s greatest asset.