2011 Great US Vacations Destinations on LOW LOW Budget

Here are three great destinations in US that deliver bargain appeal and plenty of fun. Like all deals, these are sure to expire; however, a little research on your part can yield similar results when you're ready to book.

#1-New York City (Big Apple)

  

New hotels all over the city, airfare sales, and a bundle of free and cheap events throughout summer take a bite out of the Big Apple's usual high prices this summer.

Orbitz recently named New York City a top spot for summer, with hotel rates down four percent year-over-year. In fact, hotel growth is a major trend right now: Accommodations have increased by nearly a quarter since 2008, and new midscale and budget hotel brands are bringing greater affordability to the city this summer. For instance, the 699-room Yotel New York Times square west—the city's largest new hotel in more than a decade—opened in early June. Currently, there were July and August midweek and weekend introductory rates from $149 a night, including continental breakfast and Wi-Fi. More deals are available at new properties beyond Manhattan: The trendy Aloft Brooklyn opens on June 9, and its Better Tomorrows deal (promo code ZB4) takes 40 percent off the price of a second night, bringing the cost of a July weekend stay to about $150 a night.

The city's tourism website, nycgo.com, is promoting more ways to save. With Third Night Free, you can stay three nights for the price of two at 15 different luxury hotels. The promotion runs from June 27 to September 5. Select hotels in Lower Manhattan are offering special weekend rates and discounts on activities through September 6. Around the city, free events and attractions include concerts, ferry rides, and art exhibitions. Restaurant Week, which runs from July 11 to 24, means you can lunch at a New York City hot spot for just $24.07 or have dinner for $35.

This September marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. After a dedication ceremony on September 11, the 9/11 Memorial opens to the public on September 12. Entry is free, but reservations are required.

#2 Houston

In Hotwire's Travel Value Index and Budget Travel's hottest budget destinations list,this city earns top marks for its good value on hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Thanks to the United-Continental merger, Houston is now the largest hub of the largest airline in the world. Pair that with robust service from other airlines—including Southwest, with 135 daily departures—and you've got options, as well as competition for travel dollars. At press time, both Continental and United were running Houston sales. A late-July, round-trip flight from Denver on Continental totaled $158, including taxes and fees.

Hotels.com's price index put Houston's average hotel room price per night in 2010 at $107, below the U.S. average of $114. Not only does that make for more affordable stays this summer, it also allows travelers to get more for their money. For instance, at press time, a late-June stay at the Courtyard Houston Galleria was $100 per night, or, for $120, the Romance Package including breakfast for two and a bottle of Champagne. The value factor also puts more upscale experiences within reach of budget travelers. At the Alden Houston, a luxury property that SmarterTravel sister site Trip Advisor ranks #22 out of 425 hotels in the city, we found advance-purchase rates of $131 per night.

In Houston sightseeing and sticking to a budget go hand in hand. An impressive 10 of the 17 museums in the Houston Museum District offer free entry. And even attractions that charge admission can be visited at a discount: Houston's CityPass program is the least expensive in the nation. Visitors can get tickets to five popular attractions—including the Houston Zoo and Museum of Fine Arts—for $39, 41 percent less than the à la carte prices.

#3 Fort Myers

Florida's Fort Myers promises an affordable summer vacation of white-sand beaches. On the airfare front, Continental had a mid-July sale fare from New York of $239 round-trip, including taxes and fees, available at press time. USA3000 had a mid-August round-trip fare of $231 from Chicago, including taxes and fees. And Bing's fare predictor suggests that, at least on these routes, fares could drop further in the next week or so, offering even better value.

Hotels around the region are boosting their appeal by dropping prices for the coming season. At the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, we found a rate of $152 per night for a mid-July stay that includes a car rental, a daily $25 gas card, and either a bike or kayak rental. With the Escape to Estero Island promotion, rates start at $99 per night at four beach resorts, and the fourth night is free. For more summer specials around the region, browse a list of the latest hotel offers.