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Cheap Right Now gives a snapshot of a cheap weekend getaway each month.

People around the country will tell you that there’s no better place in the world to be than downtown Chicago in the summertime. It’s true, Chicago summers are enticing and overflowing with festivals, free activities and restaurant patios. But Chicago in November (and all of fall) is just as captivating. The leaves are losing their grip on the trees and the city is beginning to illuminate with that magical holiday glow. The lights glisten longer amid an early nightfall, and the warmth of city’s impeccable food and drink scene warms that November chill.

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Courtesy of Steven Vance.

Courtesy of Steven Vance.

Plane, train or automobile — Take your pick. Chicago is a major transportation hub with main veins leading to it from all over the country. It has two international airports, O’Hare and Midway, with trains providing easy access downtown, and marks a crossroads for several interstates, making travel by car easy as well. It’s also accessible by bus, Amtrak and even boat, if you are feeling really adventurous.

 

Courtesy of Ron Cogswell.

Courtesy of Ron Cogswell.

Cheap local transit — Most Chicagoans don’t own cars, so getting around town is a piece of cake. Take the Chicago Transit Authority buses or trains, also known as the L, anywhere in the city for $2.25 a ride. If you want to go to the suburbs, Metra trains can take you there. Chicago is walkable though, so for the cheapest form of transit, use your feet and see the sights. Divvy, Chicago’s bikeshare program, is another good option if the weather holds up, but prices just went up to $9.95 for a 24-hour pass, and it will charge you a fee if you don’t dock the bike every 30 minutes. 

Thanksgiving Day Parade. Courtesy of Randy Escalada

Thanksgiving Day Parade. Courtesy of Randy Escalada

Stare on State Street — Chicago’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade is not to be missed if you are in town for the holiday. It starts at 8 a.m. and takes over State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street. Watch floats, giant balloons, marching bands and local celebrities traverse downtown. If your neck starts to hurt from looking up, there will be plenty of people watching to do as well. And all that entertainment won’t cost youa dime.

 

Courtesy of Ryan Dickey.

Courtesy of Ryan Dickey.

Taste fall in the alcohol — Revolution Brewing, one of Chicago’s premier breweries, makes a mean Oktoberfest. And fortunate for fellow beer lovers, Revolution offers free tours of its production facility at 3340 N. Kedzie on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tours fill up fast, especially on the weekends, so get there early. It comes with a tasting and is connected to its tap room, which serves many brews that never get bottled and distributed to the public. Revolution brews very seasonally, so you should be able to appreciate fall with every sip.

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Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

Dine on doughnuts — The fierce doughnut competition in the city has raised the bar quite high for the delicious treats, far above and beyond what you could get at any run-of-the-mill doughnut joint. Specialty doughnut shops pepper the city and are worth waiting in line for. Try Firecakes Donuts, Stan’s Donuts, Do-Rite Donuts, the Doughnut Vault or Glazed and Infused. Although prices at these shops are higher than most, getting one doughnut as breakfast is a cheaper option than an elaborate brunch elsewhere, and these things are undoubtedly gourmet. If you want to cut costs even further, stop at any of the dozens of Dunkin’ Donuts.

 

View of Chicago from the water taxi. Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

View of Chicago from the water taxi. Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

Take in the views by sea — Chicago’s geography lends itself quite nicely to boat rides, and the options for those longing to set sail are many. There are architecture tours, sunset cruises and other passenger barges. But those options can cost upwards of $40 a person. Take a water taxi from Navy Pier to the museum campus through Chicago Harbor for a mere $8 (which would likely be cheaper than if a normal taxi drove you that distance), and take in sweeping views of the skyline. Go on a warmer day since passengers are exposed to the elements during the trip. Rides are short, though, so you won’t be bitten too hard by that November chill. Pro tip: If you aren’t into the boat thing, walk out to the Adler Planetarium for more great views of the city.

 

Courtesy of Daniel X. O'Neil.

Courtesy of Daniel X. O’Neil.

Take your kinder to Christkindlmarket — The city sets up a traditional German Christmas market in Daley Plaza in the heart of the city, opening on Nov. 20. Try some German mulled wine or shop around and get a head start on some of your Christmas shopping. Visiting the Christkindlmarket is a sacred holiday tradition to most Chicagoans, so make yourself at home and stop by.

 

Courtesy of Thomas Hawk.

Courtesy of Thomas Hawk.

BYOB — A spectacular way to save money but still experience Chicago’s world-renowned culinary scene are restaurants that allow patrons to bring their own alcohol. You’ll savebig on avoiding paying the premiums restaurants charge for a glass of wine, and these places usually have the best vibes. Dozens of sushi places across the city are BYOB. Other favorites include 90 Miles Cuban Cafe, which has a couple locations throughout the city, and Chilam Balam, a Mexican restaurant in Lakeview that is constantly changing its menu.

 

Views from the Signature Lounge. Courtesy of Salil Wadhavkar.

Views from the Signature Lounge. Courtesy of Salil Wadhavkar.

On top of the world — If seeing the city from above is a privilege reserved for those in planes and penthouses, the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building is a loop hole. This place sells drinks and appetizers that are slightly overpriced, but the views are stunning, allegedly allowing vistas of three states. Other observation decks in skyscrapers offer similar views, but most charge an entry fee of at least $20 per person. The Signature Lounge is free, besides, of course, the drink you’ll likely have there.

CTIXblog CTA _ cheap of the week

Tagged: Cheap of the Month, Food & drink, Holidays, Off-season, Seasonal, Uncategorized

Note: CheapTickets compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

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It’s fall in the Rockies. The aspen groves have turned yellow and are beginning to lose their leaves, the air is growing even brisker and the mountain peaks are becoming snow-capped again. But the days remain just as bright and full of sunshine as ever, and the mountains are beckoning. So head to Colorado Springs for your fall getaway and immerse yourself in autumn’s beauty.

This distinctive architecture has one awards for Denver International Airport. Courtesy of Timothy Vollmer.

This distinctive architecture has one awards for Denver International Airport. Courtesy of Timothy Vollmer.

Plane, train or automobile — Although Colorado Springs does have its own airport through which you may be able to find some dirt cheap fares, your best bet is probably coming in through Denver International Airport. It’s a major hub and has won awards for its design, so make sure to check that out as you pass through. The Springs (as the locals call it) is about an hour drive south on Interstate 25.

Downtown Colorado Springs. Courtesy of Phillip Stewart.

Downtown Colorado Springs. Courtesy of Phillip Stewart.

Cheap local transit — Colorado Springs does have a bus system, and a daily pass on the Mountain Metropolitan Transit is $4 a day. The frequency, however, is a little sporadic, and you’ll want a car to get you up into the mountains at some point during your stay, so you may have to splurge a little on a rental. You can justify the spending by all the free activities you’ll be doing (like hiking). Biking is certainly an option, but be realistic about adjusting to the altitude. You’ll want to save energy for the hikes.

Courtesy of Tucker Hammerstrom.

Courtesy of Tucker Hammerstrom.

Admire the aspens — Aspens becomedownright beautiful in the fall. The leaves extending from their white branches turn golden and illuminate the entire area with their glow. Aspens grow in groups, and many trees can spring up from the same roots. It contributes to that overwhelming quality of Aspen forests. Catamount Trail, which is about a 25-minute drive from the Springs off of Highway 24 near a tiny town called Green Mountain Falls, is a great hike for taking them in.

Manitou Springs. Courtesy of John Lloyd.

Manitou Springs. Courtesy of John Lloyd.

Meander in Manitou — Nestled right up against the mountains is Manitou Springs, a little hippy town that draws travelers in with its one-of-a-kind souvenir shops and adorable cafes. Oh, and it’s breathtaking scenery. Wander through the streets and enjoy a beer in the shadow of Pikes Peak. Drink from the fountains along the sidewalks flowing with water from mountain springs. If you are feeling adventurous, you can board the Cog Railway and it’ll take you right up to the top of Pikes Peak. (If you do decide to do this, note that Pikes Peak is more than 14,000 feet tall, so make sure you’re dressed for it. The Cog Rail cost $37 for adults.)

 

Beer. Courtesy of Quinn Dombrowski

Beer. Courtesy of Quinn Dombrowski

Release your inner school girl — As the birthplace of craft beer, Colorado doesn’t disappoint in its libations. Bristol Brewing Company is a prime example. They’ve turned the old Ivywild School into a brewpub. The beer is good and reasonably priced and the food options aren’t too shabby either. Try a flight for only $7 and sit out on the patio if weather allows.

 

Courtesy of Thomas's Pics.

Courtesy of Thomas’s Pics.

Be scared silly — Is that the chill of fall in the air, or was it an apparition passing by? Blue Moon Haunted History Tours offer haunted walking and cemetery tours of Manitou Springs for $15. They will incite fear with tales of the the spirits of tuberculosis patients that flocked to Manitou for a cure and died outside the gates of the sanitorium. They’ll wile you with legends of the curses Native Americans put on the town after Victorians arrived and began bottling the sacred waters.

Go off roadin’ — But not really, since you don’t want to damage that rental. Old Stagecoach Road is made of dirt and is totally dusty, but that is all part of the allure. You’ll drive into the mountains on the one-lane road and feel that thrill of excitement when you go around a bend and can’t tell if someone else is coming from the other direction. Dozens of hikes branch off of Old Stagecoach, and you’ll likely find some that are pretty secluded.

 

Apples. Courtesy of Vijay Chennupati.

Apples. Courtesy of Vijay Chennupati.

Play among the pumpkins — Pumpkins and apples are the quintessence of fall, and you can pick your own at Third Street Apples. The farm is in Penrose, which is about a 40-minute drive from Colorado Springs, but it’s a beautiful drive with a mountain backdrop. Apples are $1.39 per pound and pumpkins are 55 cents per pound.

The Garden of Eden on the Catamount Trail. Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

The Garden of Eden on the Catamount Trail. Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

Hit the trails — The best part about Colorado is all the room there is to play. And it’s all free. Explore and hike and enjoy nature. There’s nowhere else like Colorado in the world, and there’s nothing as liberating as hiking through its trails. Just avoid the state parks, because they charge entry fees.

CTIXblog CTA _ cheap of the week

Tagged: Cheap Tips, Off-season, Seasonal, Tips & advice

Note: CheapTickets compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

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Forget pumpkin carving and apple picking, your wish list of things to do this fall is a bit more ambitious. You are hoping to catch that once-in-a-blue-moon soccer game, or hit up an Oktoberfest at a legit brewery. You want to attend a huge charity concert in Central Park, and see a world religious leader speak. Sure, sure, you’ll check out the beautiful foliage along the way. You just need a little help getting there—financially that is. Cheap Tickets has your back. Check out the event ticket part of Cheaptickets.com, and use the promo code TICKETS10 for 10% off.

Global Citizen Festival

Great Lawn in Central Park

New York, New York

Sept. 26, 12 p.m.

Tickets start at $152

Bird's-eye-view of the 2014 Global Citizens Festival. Courtesy of Anthony Quintano.

Bird’s-eye-view of the 2014 Global Citizens Festival. Courtesy of Anthony Quintano.

Headliners of this annual festival include Beyoncé, Coldplay (sold!), Pearl Jam and Ed Sheeran. If that’s not star-studded enough, tack on a list of hosts that includes Stephen Colbert, Salma Hayek, Hugh Jackman, Kerry Washington and Olivia Wilde. Proceeds go toward the eradication of extreme poverty.

 

Austin City Limits  

Zilker Park

Austin, Texas

Oct. 2-4, 9-11

Three-day pass starts at $415

Iggy Azalea performs at Austin City Limits. Courtesy of Ralph Arvesen.

Iggy Azalea performs at Austin City Limits. Courtesy of Ralph Arvesen.

Leave it to Austin City Limits to pack in the most musical goodness into two weekends as humanly possible. Acts such as Drake, Foo Fighters, Alt-J, Hozier, Modest Mouse, The Decemberists, A$AP Rocky, and Walk the Moon will be gracing the stage, just to name a few. It’s important to save money on the ticket purchase since hotel rates will likely go up during these two weekends as well.

 

Oktoberfest

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California

Oct. 4-7

Tickets start at $104

Courtesy of Steven Guzzardi.

Courtesy of Steven Guzzardi.

Don your lederhosen and raise your glass for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Oktoberfest celebration. This is the first year the festival will span three days, and a fabulous alternative to forking out the cash to travel across the pond to Germany. Prost!

 

CONCACAF Cup: United States vs. Mexico

Rose Bowl

Pasadena, California

Oct. 10, 6 p.m.

Tickets start at $156

U.S. Men's National Team in 2013. Courtesy of Erik Drost.

U.S. Men’s National Team in 2013. Courtesy of Erik Drost.

 More than 90,000 fans are expected to turn out for this high-stakes clash against the U.S. Men’s’ National Team and Mexico. A win here will be the USMNT’s ticket to the Confederations Cup in Russia, which will let the team scope out the stage they’ll be entering in World Cup 2018. Teams that make it to the Confederations Cup always have an advantage in the subsequent World Cup, and the USMNT is gunning for it.

 

An American in Paris

The Palace Theater

New York, New York

Oct. 16, 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $71 (check out a matinee for a cheaper show)

An American in Paris. Courtesy of James Joel.

An American in Paris. Courtesy of James Joel.

The story of an American World War II veteran in Paris trying to make a name for himself as a painter, who falls in love with a French girl. Gene Kelly made the musical famous with the 1951 movie, and Broadway will bring it to life again this fall. Critics are saying it’s not to be missed.

 

Ohio State University vs. Michigan

Michigan Stadium

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nov. 28, time TBA

Tickets start at $137 

Courtesy of Scott Stuart.

Courtesy ofScott Stuart.

If you can score tickets to this game, you’re the envy of tens of thousands of Ohio State and Michigan fans. In fact, if you’ve spent too much money on other fall events, you’ll do yourself a favor and resell these tickets. But if you care at all about college football, this game is not to be missed. The OSU/Michigan rivalry is heralded as one of the thickest competitions in the sport, transcending generations.

CTIXblog CTA _ cheap of the week

Tagged: Cheap Tips, Limited-time Offers, Music, New York City, Sports

Note: CheapTickets compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.