We find the best resources tend to be real people, but here are some of the online resources we find useful.
New York
We love our city and its surrounds. While most of our getaways we choose to find by word of mouth or simply getting lost, there are a staple of resources on which we rely for help. Here, some things we love.
Freenyc: lists free events and activities in the city. Also has a daily newsletter.
The New York Times: great articles about New York, and, of course, everywhere else.
New York Magazine: news, evens, reviews and more.
Stay
We love overnights, and we love ‘em cheap. Even better: sustainable. Places to turn?
Hosteling International: hostels worldwide, in some of the best buildings around. Think sleeping in a lighthouse on the California coast, a bell tower in China or a castle in Germany. Members get an even greater discount.
Couchsurfing.com: like-minded travelers meet and share their homes(or at least their couches). You’ll set up an account, get verified, and then you can host travelers to your city and find open couches in others. Oh, and it’s free.
Kimpton Hotels: affordable chain that does its part with eco-cleaning supplies, efficient lighting and offers in-room recycling bins.
Environmentally Friendly Hotels: user-generated reviews on hotels for all budgets, rated by sustainability practices.
Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO): rent a house. Or list yours. Great for large groups with longer stays, fully furnished homes with kitchens. Save money by renting the home, and by taking advantage of cooking your own meals.
EuroCheapo.com: fantabulous cheap sleeps throughout Europe. And great editorial too!
EuropeanHostels.com: EuroCheapo for the backpacking site, with reviews of hostels all over Europe (though they have listings for worldwide). Also a fun social networking/user review aspect.
Gear
Fun shops for things you need. Or things you don’t…
Daytrip Society: cute Maine outpost now sells on website, everything from Patagonia gear to toys for your pets. They also donate to local nature conservancies, and their stuff is just plain cute.
Eastern Mountain Sports: what is there to say? This place feels like home. They’ve got everything you could need for an outdoor trip, including incredibly knowledgeable and helpful staff, who, if the haven’t done it, they are planning to and know a ton about it. You’ll want to go back again and again. We still do, and our Peru trip was a year ago.
Sustainable NYC: cute little East Village shop with bags, books and everything in between
