Hotwire started with 50 most-visited destinations in the United States as defined by the Travel Industry Association of America. Next, they scored each destination on 3 categories (1-100 points each). The categories are:
Low rates on air, rental car and hotel
Discounts on air, rental car and hotel
Affordable entertainment and overall appeal
Based on these criteria, they picked the top 10 bargain cities. On the West Coast, three places made the top ten:
6. Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM
Visitors can find affordable entertainment and hotels for as low as $50 per night in this Western destination. Book inexpensive lodging in Albuquerque and make day trips to Santa Fe or the Sangre de Cristo range, an ideal place for picnicking and hiking. Enjoy these great bargains:
* The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History (free to $3)
* Santa Fe Farmers Market, featuring locally grown food (free)
* Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October ($6)
8. Reno, NV
Head here to save money when skiing nearby Lake Tahoe resorts; by staying overnight in Reno, visitors can often find a 4-star hotel for less than $100 per night. Reno also receives strong scores for its low prices and affordable entertainment. Enjoy these bargains:
* Truckee River Walk, a trail landscaped with waterfalls (free)
* Nickel slot machines with a record payout of more than $4 million (five cents per spin)
10. Los Angeles, CA
The City of Angels receives a near-perfect score for affordable entertainmentwhich includes scenic attractions and 42 miles of coastline from Malibu to Santa Monica to Palos Verdes. Los Angeles also offers low prices on travel, especially during off-peak periods. Enjoy these bargain destinations:
* The J. Paul Getty Museum, featuring art, photos and flowers (free)
* Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with its footprints and autographs of Hollywood legends (free)
Check out Hotwire for great deals to all these destinations!