North America

17 best places to shop in New York on a budget by a New Yorker

June 1, 2023 by Karen Turner 4 Comments

Shopping in New York is truly a classic activity. As someone who is pretty budget-conscious, but who loves a nice statement piece, I went big when I visited my parents recently. I went to a lot of my favorite places to shop in New York as well as some new places that I hadn’t yet been to.

I’ve tried to only discuss limit this post about the best budget shopping in New York City to places that have quality items for a reasonable price, e.g. designer clothes/shoes for 50-70% off retail and stores that simply carry good quality without charging you insane amounts. I also include secondhand shopping, which is a passion of mine. I also include some money-saving tips!

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Insider Tips for NYC on a Budget by a New Yorker

October 18, 2018 by Karen Turner 53 Comments

I’m born and raised in NYC. This post is for anyone who wants to visit New York on a budget ($10 or less) with insider tips by a native New Yorker. Some things on here are meant to be crowd-pleasers, but this is meant to show you off the beaten path New York.

I’ll cover getting to NYC on a budget, public transit in NYC, where to stay in NYC on a budget, and CHEAP things to do in NYC. Find out the best things to do in New York City on a budget like a local.

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Why you should consider visiting Winter Park, Florida, an easy day trip from Disneyworld

January 1, 2020 by Steve Ertrachter 3 Comments

Most travelers thinking about visiting Central Florida, think Disneyworld. Only twenty minutes from Downtown Orlando is the charming city of Winter Park. Winter Park is not widely known but should be. It feels like the best of many American cities mixed together with its beautiful streets, cozy boutiques, beautiful campus, and walkable downtown area. I hope that you’re inspired to visit Winter Park!

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Your insider guide to New York’s Chinatown by a native New Yorker

December 18, 2019 by Annie Tan 2 Comments

When friends and acquaintances find out that I was born and raised in Manhattan’s Chinatown and that I still live here, they always ask, “What would you recommend in Chinatown?” (First, always, to not block the sidewalk, as Chinatown streets are busy and narrow!) As a local, I waver on giving my actual recommendation, for fear of people packing my favorite hole-in-the-wall. But there are too many good things in Chinatown for me to keep my favorite places a secret. This guide to NYC’s Chinatown includes insider tips for visiting Chinatown, must-knows, and my favorite places to eat in Chinatown.

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Toronto on a Budget In Summer by a Torontonian

October 9, 2016 by Karen Turner 18 Comments

Toronto is a fabulous, multicultural city that offers visitors cultural, natural and gastronomical adventures. It’s possible to explore this dynamic city on a tight budget with a few insider tips courtesy of Toronto native Lauren from Global Locavore! Here are six of her favorite summer activities both on and off the beaten path. Stick around until the end advice about getting around!

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Your local guide to Philadelphia: A weekend in Philadelphia

May 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

Planning to spend a weekend in Philadelphia? Your local guide to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, written by local Jacquelyn Kyle. This guide to Philly includes off the beaten path Philadelphia and local food recommendations on where to eat in Philadelphia besides cheesesteaks. Keep reading about your perfect weekend in Philly.

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Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via ferrata

February 7, 2016 by Karen Turner 25 Comments

Via Ferrata is like rock climbing although instead of using a rope, you are securing yourself to steel cables that are drilled into the rock. This allows you access difficult/isolated mountainous areas that would otherwise require expert climbing skills/ropes or the willingness to climb very steep scrambles without any assurances of safety.

It allows you to also get a glimpse of the isolated, raw beauty of the mountains. For someone who is reasonably in shape, it’s a great way to get off-the-beaten path, work out while on vacation, and have an adrenaline-filled adventure!

In this post, this is a via ferrata guide for beginners with why you should try out via ferrata, the best gear for via ferratas, and where to do via ferrata.

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Best brunch in NYC: Your insider guide to 8 great brunch places in lower Manhattan

June 6, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

In New York City, brunch isn’t just a meal — it’s a way of life. Come the weekend, New Yorkers will line up around the block for a chance to eat at the newest brunch place in New York. I’ll be the first to admit that I am the most indecisive person when it comes to brunch.

With so many options in so many neighborhoods, how on earth do you decide where to go? Today, I’ll be sharing a post by Margaret, a fellow New Yorker, about her favorite brunch places in lower Manhattan.

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Where to eat in Buffalo: A resident’s guide to the best places to eat in Buffalo NY

December 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 11 Comments

I spent a couple of years living in the Queen City (Buffalo, NY). A lot of people aren’t impressed by Buffalo at first and that’s because Buffalo is the kind of city that you need to take the time to explore by car. Sometimes you feel like a detective standing in a strip-mall parking asking yourself if this really the amazing donut shop that you heard about.

That’s the thing: Buffalo is about the people and the food. You need to talk to locals about where to eat in Buffalo as the food is spread out all over the city and luckily, I have some friends who have been keen to introduce me to the best places to eat in Buffalo, New York.

This is not so much a guide to “fancy” restaurants or the newest restaurants, but a guide to the classic food in Buffalo that you’ll want to try along with some affordable yet delicious restaurants in Buffalo. I promise that there’s some vegetarian options here. Map at the bottom. 🙂

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The best museums in New York not to miss by a native New Yorker

September 4, 2019 by Dawn Allcott Leave a Comment

One of the best things about New York City is the wealth of museums. From the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art to the one-of-a-kind Intrepid Air & Space Museum, whether you’re into art, history, or science, it’s all nestled within this 23-square-mile expanse of land. If you’re staying in Manhattan, you could easily spend days visiting museums and still not see them all. A subway ride into Brooklyn or Queens yields even more fun and adventure. This insider guide to the best museums in New York City will show you the best of culture, art, and history in New York City!

Keep in mind: Many of the Manhattan museums on this list are a short subway ride or even walking distance from each other. Nonetheless, you’ll find many great museums in the other boroughs of New York. Crossing into Queens and Brooklyn means a longer subway ride or an Uber over the historic Brooklyn Bridge or 59^th Street Bridge. You may want to plan to spend a whole day exploring the sights in these boroughs, each with their own distinct neighborhoods.

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